Master Biological Bases of Behavior in Psychology (MSc): Practice Quizzes

Question 1

Which brain structure is responsible for maintaining body temperature and regulating sleep-wake cycles?

Accepted Answer

Hypothalamus

Answer

Hippocampus

Answer

Thalamus

Answer

Amygdala

Question 2

Which of the following is a fundamental principle of neural plasticity?

Accepted Answer

Neurons can modify their connections and functions in response to new experiences.

Answer

The brain is rigidly structured and does not change significantly after early childhood.

Answer

New neurons are continuously generated throughout the lifespan.

Answer

The brain is highly resistant to damage and illness.

Question 3

Which type of neuron carries signals from sensory receptors to the central nervous system?

Accepted Answer

Sensory neurons

Answer

Interneurons

Answer

Motor neurons

Answer

Efferent neurons

Question 4

Which lobe of the brain is primarily responsible for processing visual information?

Accepted Answer

Occipital lobe

Answer

Frontal lobe

Answer

Parietal lobe

Answer

Temporal lobe

Question 5

The process by which neurotransmitters are released into the synaptic cleft is known as:

Accepted Answer

Exocytosis

Answer

Endocytosis

Answer

Diffusion

Answer

Osmosis

Question 6

Which of the following cell types is NOT a type of glial cell in the nervous system?

Accepted Answer

Neurons

Answer

Astrocytes

Answer

Microglia

Answer

Oligodendrocytes

Question 7

Which of the following is a characteristic of the sympathetic nervous system's response?

Accepted Answer

Prepares the body for a "fight or flight" response

Answer

Decreases heart rate

Answer

Dilates blood vessels

Answer

Relaxes muscles

Question 8

The theory that sleep serves the purpose of restoring and repairing the brain is known as:

Accepted Answer

The restoration theory

Answer

The activation-synthesis theory

Answer

The information-processing theory

Answer

The circadian theory

Question 9

Which of the following is not classified as a neurotransmitter?

Accepted Answer

Estrogen

Answer

Glutamate

Answer

Dopamine

Answer

Serotonin

Question 10

Which brain structure is primarily responsible for coordinating movement and balance?

Accepted Answer

Cerebellum

Answer

Hypothalamus

Answer

Amygdala

Answer

Hippocampus

Question 11

Which of the following is a key characteristic of the parasympathetic nervous system?

Accepted Answer

Rest-and-digest response

Answer

Fight-or-flight response

Answer

Sympathetic nervous system

Answer

Somatic nervous system

Question 12

Which neurotransmitter is primarily associated with the reward and pleasure pathways in the brain?

Accepted Answer

Dopamine

Answer

Serotonin

Answer

Noradrenaline

Answer

GABA

Question 13

Which brain hemisphere is typically dominant for language and logical thinking in most individuals?

Accepted Answer

Left

Answer

Right

Answer

Both

Answer

Neither

Question 14

Which of the following genes is strongly associated with an increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease?

Accepted Answer

APOE4

Answer

BRCA1

Answer

CFTR

Answer

HBB

Question 15

Which neuroimaging technique measures brain activity by detecting changes in blood flow?

Accepted Answer

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)

Answer

Electroencephalography (EEG)

Answer

Magnetoencephalography (MEG)

Answer

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)

Question 16

Which brain structure is primarily responsible for triggering the body's response to stressful or threatening situations?

Accepted Answer

Amygdala

Answer

Hippocampus

Answer

Prefrontal Cortex

Answer

Cerebellum

Question 17

How does neurogenesis contribute to brain plasticity and adaptation, particularly in cognitive functions, learning, and recovery from brain injury?

Accepted Answer

Neurogenesis supports cognitive functions like memory and learning by facilitating neural circuit growth and remodeling.

Answer

Neurogenesis is mainly limited to early development and has minimal impact in adulthood.

Answer

Neurogenesis does not play a role in recovery from brain injury or neurodegenerative diseases.

Answer

Brain plasticity and adaptation can occur without neurogenesis.

Question 18

Which neurotransmitter is associated with reward, motivation, and movement control?

Accepted Answer

Dopamine

Answer

Acetylcholine

Answer

Serotonin

Answer

GABA

Question 19

Which brain structure is involved in maintaining homeostasis, regulating body temperature, and controlling sleep-wake cycles?

Accepted Answer

Hypothalamus

Answer

Thalamus

Answer

Hippocampus

Answer

Cerebellum

Question 20

Which neuroimaging technique utilizes electrodes placed on the scalp to record electrical activity in the brain?

Accepted Answer

Electroencephalography (EEG)

Answer

Magnetoencephalography (MEG)

Answer

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)

Answer

Positron emission tomography (PET)

Question 21

Which genetic disorder is caused by the presence of an extra copy of chromosome 21?

Accepted Answer

Down syndrome

Answer

Fragile X syndrome

Answer

Cystic fibrosis

Answer

Turner syndrome

Question 22

Which theory postulates that the limbic system is the primary neural substrate for emotional processing?

Accepted Answer

MacLean's triune brain theory

Answer

Schachter-Singer two-factor theory of emotion

Answer

James-Lange theory of emotion

Answer

Cannon-Bard theory of emotion

Question 23

Which neurohormone is released by the adrenal glands in response to stress and plays a role in energy mobilization and immune function?

Accepted Answer

Cortisol

Answer

Oxytocin

Answer

Insulin

Answer

Estrogen

Question 24

Which type of synaptic plasticity involves a long-lasting enhancement of synaptic strength following high-frequency stimulation?

Accepted Answer

Long-term potentiation (LTP)

Answer

Long-term depression (LTD)

Answer

Short-term potentiation (STP)

Question 25

Which brain imaging technique measures changes in blood oxygen levels associated with neural activity?

Accepted Answer

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)

Answer

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Answer

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)

Answer

Electroencephalography (EEG)

Question 26

Which principle of neural coding suggests that the number of action potentials generated by a neuron within a given time frame conveys information about the stimulus intensity?

Accepted Answer

Rate coding

Answer

Population coding

Answer

Synchrony coding

Answer

Spike timing