Question 1

Henry is being chased by a large angry dog and manages to jump and scramble up a tall tree. The next day he can't believe that he managed to climb this tree so easily. A biopsychology major he knows correctly suggests that his exceptional performance the previous day was due to the

Accepted Answer

When faced with a threat, the sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system is activated, leading to an increased flow of blood to the muscles. This physiological response enhances physical capabilities, enabling actions such as climbing a tree quickly to escape danger.

Question 2

Many of the activities of the autonomic nervous system are regulated by the

Accepted Answer

The hypothalamus plays a crucial role in regulating many autonomic nervous system functions, including temperature regulation, thirst, hunger, sleep, mood, sex drive, and the release of other hormones within the body.

Question 3

Which of the following glands regulates the activities of the other four?

Accepted Answer

The pituitary gland, often referred to as the "master gland," regulates the activities of several other glands, including the adrenal cortex, thyroid, and parathyroid, through the hormones it secretes.

Question 4

What is the name for the type of cells that contain special receptor molecules sensitive to hormones?

Accepted Answer

Target cells are specifically named for their characteristic of having receptor molecules that can bind to hormones, making them responsive to hormonal signals.

Question 5

The parasympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system controls functions that occur when we are in a(n) __________ state, whereas the sympathetic branch controls functions that occur when we are in a(n) __________ state.

Accepted Answer

The parasympathetic branch is responsible for "rest and digest" functions, helping the body to relax and conserve energy, while the sympathetic branch activates the "fight or flight" response, preparing the body for action or arousal.

Question 6

The sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system controls all of the following activities EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

The answer of The sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous...

Question 7

Activation of the parasympathetic nervous system would explain which of the following behaviours?

Accepted Answer

The parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for "rest and digest" functions, which include pupil constriction.

Question 8

Damage to the hypothalamus may likely result in

Accepted Answer

The hypothalamus plays a crucial role in regulating body temperature, among other functions such as hunger, thirst, and circadian rhythms. Damage to it can disrupt its ability to maintain homeostasis, leading to problems with temperature regulation.

Question 9

Which of the following are structures found in the limbic system?

Accepted Answer

The limbic system is a complex set of structures in the brain that deals with emotions and memory. The hippocampus is crucial for memory processes, and the amygdala is involved in emotional responses, making option D correct.

Question 10

The part of the cerebral cortex associated with emotional expression and located at the edges of the cerebral hemispheres is the

Accepted Answer

The limbic cortex is part of the limbic system, which is involved in emotional expression and is located at the edges of the cerebral hemispheres.

Question 11

After brain surgery, a rat no longer shows normal emotional responses to stimuli that would otherwise cause anxiety and stress. Apparently during surgery, this animal's __________ was damaged.

Accepted Answer

The amygdala is crucial for processing emotions, including fear and anxiety. Damage to this area can lead to diminished emotional responses to stimuli that would normally provoke these feelings.

Question 12

Some people suffer from a form of amnesia in which they cannot learn new information. Their most recent memories seem to be only those that occurred prior to the onset of the amnesia. These people are likely to have sustained damage to a part of the brain called the

Accepted Answer

The hippocampus is crucial for the formation of new memories. Damage to this area can result in an inability to form new memories, a condition known as anterograde amnesia, which is described in the scenario.

Question 13

The amygdala is to __________ as the hippocampus is to __________.

Accepted Answer

The amygdala is primarily involved in processing emotions, particularly fear and aggression, while the hippocampus plays a crucial role in learning and memory formation.

Question 14

Unilateral neglect leads people to ignore one side of their body and visual field.

Accepted Answer

Unilateral neglect, also known as hemispatial neglect, is a condition often resulting from brain damage (such as from a stroke) where individuals fail to attend to or respond to stimuli presented on one side of their body or visual field, typically the side opposite the brain damage.

Question 15

Structural changes to the brain cease to occur within hours after birth.

Accepted Answer

Structural changes to the brain continue throughout life, not just in the hours after birth, due to neuroplasticity and ongoing development and learning.

Question 16

One of the most primitive parts of the brain is the brain stem.

Accepted Answer

The brain stem is considered one of the most primitive parts of the brain because it controls basic life functions such as breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure, which are essential for survival and were among the first brain functions to develop in the evolutionary history of animals.

Question 17

The hollow bones through which the spinal cord runs are called vertebrae.

Accepted Answer

Vertebrae are the series of small bones that make up the vertebral column, or spine, in vertebrates, and they indeed have a central hollow portion through which the spinal cord runs.

Question 18

The meninges protect the brain but not the spinal cord.

Accepted Answer

The meninges protect both the brain and the spinal cord by covering and shielding them from injury.

Question 19

The cerebral cortex is often referred to as white matter.

Accepted Answer

The cerebral cortex is primarily composed of gray matter, which consists of neuron cell bodies, dendrites, and unmyelinated axons, distinguishing it from white matter that contains myelinated axon tracts.

Question 20

One function of the glial cells is to protect the brain from invading microorganisms that might infect it.

Accepted Answer

Glial cells, among their various functions, provide immune protection to the brain by acting as part of the brain's defense system against invading microorganisms.

Quiz 4: Biology of Behaviour