Question 1

Fraternal twins are ________ similar genetically than are other brothers and sisters.
A) much more
B) much less
C) no more
D) slightly more

Accepted Answer

Fraternal twins are no more genetically similar than other siblings; they share, on average, 50% of their genes, just like any other set of siblings.

Question 2

The subfield of psychology concerned with the roots of behaviors and mental processes is ________.
A) psychoneuroendocrinology
B) evolutionary psychology
C) behavior genetics
D) psychobiology

Accepted Answer

The subfield of psychology concerned with the roots of behaviors and mental processes is evolutionary psychology, which explores how certain evolutionary adaptations have shaped our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Psychoneuroendocrinology focuses on the interactions between psychological processes, the nervous system, and hormones. Behavior genetics is concerned with how genes and environment interact to influence behavior and mental processes. Psychobiology is a broader term that encompasses the biological processes underlying behavior and mental processes, but does not necessarily focus on evolutionary roots specifically. Thus, B (evolutionary psychology) is the best choice.

Question 3

Masculine sex hormones are called ________.
A) androgens
B) endorphins
C) estrogens
D) testosterone

Accepted Answer

Masculine sex hormones are called androgens, which include testosterone. Endorphins are neurotransmitters that act as natural painkillers. Estrogens are female sex hormones.

Question 4

Pairs of tiny threadlike bodies that carry genes are ________.
A) riboplasts
B) vesicles
C) proteins
D) chromosomes

Accepted Answer

Pairs of tiny threadlike bodies that carry genes are chromosomes. Riboplasts, vesicles, and proteins do not carry genes.

Question 5

A procedure in which cells are collected from the membranes surrounding the fetus, and then tested for genetic abnormalities, is called ________.
A) intra-uterine probe testing
B) chorionic villus sampling
C) ultrasound
D) amniocentesis

Accepted Answer

The procedure described is chorionic villus sampling (CVS). In amniocentesis, cells are collected from the amniotic fluid surrounding the fetus, not the membranes. Ultrasound is a imaging technique that allows visualization of the fetus but does not collect cells for testing. Intra-uterine probe testing is not a commonly used term in prenatal testing.

Question 6

From an evolutionary perspective, for mate selection in humans, it is most advantageous for ________.
A) both males and females to seek as many mates as possible
B) males to seek one long-term mate but for females to seek as many mates as possible
C) both males and females to seek one mate for life
D) females to seek one long-term mate but for males to seek as many mates as possible

Accepted Answer

From an evolutionary perspective, it is most advantageous for females to seek one long-term mate who can provide resources and protection for offspring, while males can increase their reproductive success by seeking as many mates as possible to spread their genes.

Question 7

One process by which physicians can obtain cell samples from fetuses in order to analyze their genes for possible genetic abnormalities (defects) is called ________.
A) ultrasound
B) positron emission tomography scanning
C) amniocentesis
D) immunotherapy

Accepted Answer

Amniocentesis is a medical procedure used to obtain a sample of amniotic fluid in order to analyze the fetal cells for genetic abnormalities. Ultrasound is a non-invasive imaging technique that uses sound waves to visualize the fetus in the uterus. Positron emission tomography scanning is a type of imaging that uses radioactive tracers to visualize metabolic activity in the body, and is not typically used in prenatal care. Immunotherapy is a type of treatment that uses the immune system to fight diseases like cancer and is not related to obtaining fetal cell samples.

Question 8

Strain studies involve ________.
A) a single generation of animals
B) inbreeding of close relatives of animals over several generations
C) adopting children with similar traits
D) breeding animals which have a trait with other animals that share that trait

Accepted Answer

Strain studies involve inbreeding of close relatives of animals over several generations in order to create a group of genetically similar animals with a particular trait. This allows researchers to study the characteristics and outcomes of the trait in a controlled manner.

Question 9

The mechanism proposed by Darwin in his theory of evolution stating that organisms best adapted to their environment tend to survive and transmit their genetic characteristics to their offspring, is called ________.
A) mutational transmosis
B) natural selection
C) behavior genetics
D) random adaptation

Accepted Answer

The mechanism that Darwin proposed in his theory of evolution is called natural selection, which argues that organisms that are best adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and pass on their traits to their offspring, contributing to the evolution of the species over time. Options A, C, and D do not accurately describe Darwin's proposed mechanism for evolution.

Question 10

The two hormones which keep the blood-sugar level properly balanced are ________.
A) growth hormone and ACTH
B) thyroxin and parathormone
C) insulin and glucagon
D) epinephrine and norepinephrine

Accepted Answer

Insulin and glucagon are the two hormones that work together to regulate the blood sugar level. Insulin lowers blood sugar levels by promoting glucose uptake by cells, while glucagon increases blood sugar levels by stimulating the liver to release stored glucose into the bloodstream. None of the other hormone pairs listed have a direct role in blood sugar regulation.

Question 11

Oversecretion of insulin by the pancreas results in ________.
A) cirrhosis
B) diabetes
C) hypoglycemia
D) muscle spasms

Accepted Answer

Oversecretion of insulin by the pancreas leads to hypoglycemia as insulin causes glucose to be taken up more quickly by cells, lowering the blood glucose level. Neither cirrhosis nor muscle spasms are related to oversecretion of insulin. While Diabetes does involve insulin dysfunction, oversecretion of insulin is not a common cause of diabetes.

Question 12

The adrenal glands are important in your body's reaction to ________.
A) digestion
B) pleasurable fantasy
C) sleep
D) stress

Accepted Answer

The adrenal glands are a part of the body's stress response system, producing hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline to help the body cope with stressors. They do not play a significant role in digestion, pleasurable fantasy, or sleep.

Question 13

________ has long been linked to aggressive behavior.
A) Thyroxin
B) Progesterone
C) Testosterone
D) Melatonin

Accepted Answer

Testosterone is a hormone that is present in both males and females, but it is typically higher in males. It has been linked to aggression, competitive behavior, and dominance in social situations. Studies have shown that increasing testosterone levels can also increase aggressive behavior.

Question 14

Studies of heritability in humans that assume that if genes influence a certain trait, close relatives should be more similar with that trait than distant relatives are called ________ studies.
A) strain
B) selection
C) family
D) twin

Accepted Answer

Family studies examine the extent to which genetic and environmental factors contribute to a certain trait by comparing the degree of similarity among relatives of various degrees of kinship. This is done by comparing the resemblance of first-degree relatives (parents, siblings, and offspring), who share 50% of their genes on average, to that of second-degree relatives (cousins, grandparents, aunts/uncles & nieces/nephews), who share 25% of their genes on average.

Question 15

An organism's entire unique genetic makeup is called its ________.
A) phenotype
B) genotype
C) genetic imprint
D) polygenic inheritance

Accepted Answer

The term used to describe an organism's entire genetic makeup is genotype. This includes both the inherited genes (from the parents) and any acquired genetic changes (such as mutations). Phenotype, on the other hand, refers to the observable characteristics of an organism, which are determined by its genotype as well as environmental factors. Genetic imprint and polygenic inheritance are specific concepts within genetics, but do not describe an organism's entire genetic makeup.

Question 16

The only known molecule that can replicate or reproduce itself is ________.
A) messenger RNA
B) monoamine oxidase
C) RNA
D) DNA

Accepted Answer

DNA is the only known molecule that can replicate or reproduce itself, with the help of enzymes and other proteins. RNA can be replicated by DNA in a process called transcription, but RNA cannot replicate itself. Monoamine oxidase is an enzyme that breaks down neurotransmitters in the brain and is not involved in replication. Messenger RNA is involved in the process of transcription, but it cannot replicate itself.

Question 17

The sum total of all genes within a human cell is ________.
A) polygenetic inheritance
B) the human genome
C) the human phenotype
D) homogenetic inheritance

Accepted Answer

The human genome is the sum total of all genes within a human cell, including both coding and noncoding regions of DNA. Polygenetic inheritance refers to the inheritance of traits that are determined by the interaction of multiple genes. The human phenotype refers to the observable characteristics of an individual resulting from both genetic and environmental factors. Homogenetic inheritance is not a recognized term in genetics.

Question 18

Jessica's mother has blue eyes, with two recessive genes for blue eyes. Her father has brown eyes, with a dominant gene for brown eyes and a recessive gene for blue eyes. What are the chances that Jessica has blue eyes?
A) 0 percent
B) 75 percent
C) 50 percent
D) 25 percent

Accepted Answer

Both of Jessica's parents carry a recessive gene for blue eyes, so they each have a 25% chance of passing on that gene to Jessica. If they both pass on the recessive gene, then Jessica will have blue eyes. Therefore, the chances of Jessica having blue eyes are 50%.

Question 19

The hormone that causes the anterior pituitary gland to release hormones that prolong responses to stress, thus causing you to remain aroused for some time after extreme emotional excitement is ________.
A) epinephrine
B) acetylcholine
C) norepinephrine
D) dopamine

Accepted Answer

The hormone that causes the anterior pituitary gland to release hormones that prolong responses to stress is norepinephrine. Epinephrine and acetylcholine are also involved in the stress response, but they do not directly cause the release of hormones from the pituitary gland. Dopamine is not typically involved in the stress response.

Question 20

In many important psychological characteristics, a number of genes make a small contribution to the trait in question. This process is known as ________.
A) polygenic inheritance
B) cumulative inheritance
C) genetic dominance
D) natural selection

Accepted Answer

Polygenic inheritance is the process by which multiple genes contribute to a particular trait. This means that the expression of a trait is not determined by just one gene, but rather by the interaction of many genes. Examples of traits influenced by polygenic inheritance include height, intelligence, and personality.

Quiz 2: The Biological Basis of Behavior

Fraternal twins are ________ similar genetically than are other brothers and sisters.

The subfield of psychology concerned with the roots of behaviors and mental processes is ________.

Masculine sex hormones are called ________.

Pairs of tiny threadlike bodies that carry genes are ________.

A procedure in which cells are collected from the membranes surrounding the fetus, and then tested for genetic abnormalities, is called ________.

From an evolutionary perspective, for mate selection in humans, it is most advantageous for ________.

One process by which physicians can obtain cell samples from fetuses in order to analyze their genes for possible genetic abnormalities (defects) is called ________.

Strain studies involve ________.

The mechanism proposed by Darwin in his theory of evolution stating that organisms best adapted to their environment tend to survive and transmit their genetic characteristics to their offspring, is called ________.

The two hormones which keep the blood-sugar level properly balanced are ________.

Oversecretion of insulin by the pancreas results in ________.

The adrenal glands are important in your body's reaction to ________.

________ has long been linked to aggressive behavior.

Studies of heritability in humans that assume that if genes influence a certain trait, close relatives should be more similar with that trait than distant relatives are called ________ studies.

An organism's entire unique genetic makeup is called its ________.

The only known molecule that can replicate or reproduce itself is ________.

The sum total of all genes within a human cell is ________.

Jessica's mother has blue eyes, with two recessive genes for blue eyes. Her father has brown eyes, with a dominant gene for brown eyes and a recessive gene for blue eyes. What are the chances that Jessica has blue eyes?

The hormone that causes the anterior pituitary gland to release hormones that prolong responses to stress, thus causing you to remain aroused for some time after extreme emotional excitement is ________.

In many important psychological characteristics, a number of genes make a small contribution to the trait in question. This process is known as ________.