Biological Psychology Quizzes: Test Your Knowledge

Question 1

How do hormones influence psychological functions? Provide specific examples to demonstrate their effects.

Accepted Answer

Epinephrine and cortisol, hormones released during stress, can heighten alertness, anxiety, and heart rate.

Answer

Hormones solely impact physical processes like growth and metabolism, having no direct influence on psychological functions.

Answer

Hormones function as neurotransmitters, directly affecting the activity of brain neurons.

Answer

Hormones like estrogen and progesterone do not affect psychological processes, as they are exclusively involved in reproductive functions.

Question 2

Which of the following provides evidence for the genetic basis of psychological disorders?

Accepted Answer

Heritability studies suggest that both genetic and environmental factors influence the development of psychological disorders.

Accepted Answer

Twin studies indicate that identical twins have a higher likelihood of sharing psychological disorders compared to fraternal twins.

Answer

Candidate genes alone determine the development of all psychological disorders.

Answer

The genetic basis of psychological disorders is limited to rare, single-gene disorders.

Question 3

Examine the role of the limbic system in emotional processing and memory formation, focusing on the specific functions of the amygdala and hippocampus.

Accepted Answer

The amygdala is primarily responsible for fear and anxiety, while the hippocampus is essential for forming long-term memories.

Answer

The hippocampus is the main center for emotional processing, and the amygdala helps form memories.

Answer

The limbic system does not directly contribute to emotional processing or memory formation.

Answer

The amygdala and hippocampus operate independently in emotional processing and memory formation, respectively.

Question 4

Which perspective focuses on the similarities and differences in psychological processes across species, tracing their evolutionary origins?

Accepted Answer

Comparative psychology

Answer

Behavioral genetics

Answer

Neuropsychology

Answer

Psychopharmacology

Question 5

Which neurotransmitter is associated with reward and motivation?

Accepted Answer

Dopamine

Answer

Serotonin

Answer

Acetylcholine

Question 6

In the James-Lange theory of emotion, what triggers the emotional experience?

Accepted Answer

Physiological arousal

Answer

Cognitive evaluation

Answer

Emotional response

Answer

Subjective feeling of emotion

Question 7

Which brain region plays a primary role in creating new memories?

Accepted Answer

Hippocampus

Answer

Cerebellum

Answer

Amygdala

Answer

Frontal lobe

Question 8

Which of the following is NOT a neurotransmitter?

Accepted Answer

Epinephrine

Answer

Acetylcholine

Answer

GABA

Answer

Glutamate

Question 9

Which neurotransmitter is mainly linked to the reward system and motivation?

Accepted Answer

Dopamine

Answer

Serotonin

Answer

Acetylcholine

Answer

Glutamate

Question 10

Which function is NOT performed by the sympathetic nervous system?

Accepted Answer

Increasing saliva production for digestion

Answer

Dilating pupils to improve vision

Answer

Increasing heart rate for physical activity

Question 11

Which neurotransmitter is primarily involved in reinforcement and reward pathways in the brain?

Accepted Answer

Dopamine

Answer

Serotonin

Answer

Glutamate

Question 12

Which of these substances is not a neurotransmitter?

Accepted Answer

Insulin

Answer

Serotonin

Answer

Glutamate

Answer

Acetylcholine

Question 13

Which substance is not a neurotransmitter?

Accepted Answer

Glucose

Answer

Dopamine

Answer

Epinephrine

Answer

Serotonin

Question 14

Which neurotransmitter is primarily involved in memory and learning?

Accepted Answer

Acetylcholine

Answer

Dopamine

Answer

Epinephrine

Answer

Norepinephrine

Question 15

Which neurotransmitter plays a critical role in the formation and consolidation of memories?

Accepted Answer

Hippocampal acetylcholine

Answer

Dopamine

Answer

Glutamate

Answer

Acetylcholine

Question 16

Which of the following is NOT a neurotransmitter?

Accepted Answer

Insulin

Answer

Serotonin

Answer

Dopamine

Question 17

When faced with stressful situations, which hormone is released by the adrenal glands?

Accepted Answer

Cortisol

Answer

Estrogen

Answer

Testosterone

Answer

Insulin

Question 18

Which neurotransmitter is the primary mediator of excitatory synaptic transmission in the central nervous system?

Accepted Answer

Glutamate

Answer

GABA

Answer

Serotonin

Answer

Dopamine

Question 19

Which of the following is NOT a neurotransmitter?

Accepted Answer

Estrogen

Answer

Dopamine

Answer

Endorphins

Answer

Serotonin

Question 20

Within the central nervous system, which neurotransmitter is primarily responsible for inhibiting synaptic communication, thereby decreasing neuronal excitability?

Accepted Answer

GABA

Answer

Dopamine

Answer

Serotonin

Answer

Acetylcholine

Question 21

Which neurotransmitter is primarily linked to feelings of reward and pleasure?

Accepted Answer

Dopamine

Answer

Serotonin

Answer

Glutamate

Answer

GABA

Question 22

Which neurotransmitter is most closely linked to feelings of reward and pleasure?

Accepted Answer

Dopamine

Answer

Glutamate

Answer

Serotonin

Answer

Acetylcholine

Question 23

The structure responsible for transmitting signals away from the neuron's cell body is:

Accepted Answer

Axon

Answer

Dendrite

Answer

Synapse

Answer

Cell body

Question 24

Which lobe of the cerebral cortex is primarily involved in higher-order cognitive processes such as reasoning and language?

Accepted Answer

Frontal lobe

Answer

Parietal lobe

Answer

Occipital lobe

Answer

Temporal lobe

Question 25

The hormone released in response to stress is:

Accepted Answer

Cortisol

Answer

Estrogen

Answer

Testosterone

Answer

Insulin

Question 26

The technique used to measure electrical activity in the brain from the scalp is known as:

Accepted Answer

Electroencephalography (EEG)

Answer

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Answer

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)

Answer

Positron emission tomography (PET)

Question 27

Which neuroimaging technique provides detailed anatomical images of the brain?

Accepted Answer

MRI

Answer

fMRI

Answer

PET

Answer

EEG

Question 28

The process of translating genetic information into proteins is referred to as:

Accepted Answer

Translation

Answer

Transcription

Answer

Epigenetics

Answer

Mutation

Question 29

Which function is NOT carried out by the nervous system?

Accepted Answer

Performing photosynthesis

Answer

Receiving information from the environment

Answer

Controlling and coordinating bodily functions

Answer

Storing and retrieving memories

Question 30

Which brain region is primarily responsible for complex cognitive processes such as language, problem-solving, and decision-making?

Accepted Answer

Cerebrum

Answer

Cerebellum

Answer

Brainstem

Answer

Thalamus

Question 31

The concept that genes influence the development and functioning of psychological traits is known as what?

Accepted Answer

Behavioral genetics

Answer

Psychobiology

Answer

Neuroscience

Answer

Cognitive psychology

Question 32

What is the term for the brain's ability to change and adapt in response to experiences and learning?

Accepted Answer

Neuroplasticity

Answer

Synaptic Pruning

Answer

Long-term potentiation

Answer

Neurogenesis

Question 33

Which hormone is known for its involvement in stress responses, metabolism, and immune function?

Accepted Answer

Cortisol

Answer

Insulin

Answer

Estrogen

Answer

Testosterone

Question 34

What is the process by which drugs interact with neurotransmitters to alter brain function and behavior called?

Accepted Answer

Neuropharmacology

Answer

Toxicology

Answer

Clinical pharmacology

Answer

Pharmacokinetics

Question 35

What is the name for the specialized junction between two neurons that allows for signal transmission?

Accepted Answer

Synapse

Answer

Dendrite

Answer

Axon

Answer

Cell body

Question 36

Identify the neurotransmitter primarily associated with reward and motivation:

Accepted Answer

Dopamine

Answer

Serotonin

Answer

Norepinephrine

Answer

Glutamate

Question 37

Which brain lobe is responsible for processing visual information and perception?

Accepted Answer

Occipital lobe

Answer

Frontal lobe

Answer

Parietal lobe

Answer

Temporal lobe

Question 38

Which function is not within the domain of the autonomic nervous system?

Accepted Answer

Controlling voluntary movement

Answer

Regulating heart rate

Answer

Facilitating digestion

Answer

Responding to stress

Question 39

Identify the hormone released during stressful situations, enhancing alertness and energy:

Accepted Answer

Cortisol

Answer

Estrogen

Answer

Testosterone

Answer

Insulin

Question 40

Which genetic disorder can result in intellectual disability and behavioral challenges?

Accepted Answer

Down syndrome

Answer

Schizophrenia

Answer

Depression

Answer

Anxiety

Question 41

Identify the research method involving animal observation and manipulation in a controlled environment:

Accepted Answer

Experimental study

Answer

Observational study

Answer

Case study

Answer

Naturalistic observation

Question 42

Which 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 43

What brain structure regulates sleep-wake cycles?

Accepted Answer

Hypothalamus

Answer

Thalamus

Answer

Hippocampus

Answer

Amygdala

Question 44

Heritability refers to:

Accepted Answer

The proportion of trait variance attributable to genetic factors

Answer

The proportion of trait variance attributable to environmental factors

Answer

The total range of trait expression

Answer

The effect of the environment on gene expression

Question 45

Which hormone is primarily released during stress?

Accepted Answer

Epinephrine

Answer

Insulin

Answer

Progesterone

Answer

Estrogen

Question 46

What structure connects the left and right cerebral hemispheres?

Accepted Answer

The corpus callosum

Answer

The cerebellum

Answer

The hippocampus

Answer

The thalamus

Question 47

Which research method is most appropriate for testing the effects of a drug on behavior?

Accepted Answer

Controlled experiment

Answer

Observational study

Answer

Case study

Answer

Naturalistic observation

Question 48

What is the concept of synaptic plasticity?

Accepted Answer

Changes in synaptic strength over time

Answer

The release of neurotransmitters across the synaptic cleft

Answer

The formation of new neurons

Answer

The growth of dendrites and axons

Question 49

Which of the following is NOT a neurotransmitter?

Accepted Answer

Endorphin

Answer

Dopamine

Answer

Serotonin

Answer

Epinephrine

Question 50

What is the primary function of the occipital lobe?

Accepted Answer

Vision

Answer

Hearing

Answer

Motor function

Answer

Memory

Question 51

What is the study of the relationship between genes and behavior called?

Accepted Answer

Behavior genetics

Answer

Molecular biology

Answer

Evolutionary psychology

Answer

Neuroscience

Question 52

Which part of the brain is primarily responsible for advanced cognitive functions like planning, decision-making, and language comprehension?

Accepted Answer

Cerebral cortex

Answer

Cerebellum

Answer

Brainstem

Answer

Limbic system

Question 53

Which neurotransmitter plays a significant role in regulating mood, controlling sleep patterns, and stimulating appetite?

Accepted Answer

Serotonin

Answer

Dopamine

Answer

Glutamate

Answer

Acetylcholine

Question 54

Which hormone, synthesized by the pituitary gland, is crucial for growth and development processes?

Accepted Answer

Growth hormone

Answer

Cortisol

Answer

Thyroid hormone

Answer

Insulin

Question 55

Which brain structure is essential for coordinating voluntary movements and maintaining balance?

Accepted Answer

Cerebellum

Answer

Cerebral cortex

Answer

Brainstem

Answer

Thalamus

Question 56

Which type of neuron transmits signals away from the cell body towards other neurons?

Accepted Answer

Efferent neuron

Answer

Afferent neuron

Answer

Interneuron

Answer

Sensory neuron

Question 57

Which neurotransmitter is associated with both reward pathways and reinforcement mechanisms?

Accepted Answer

Dopamine

Answer

Serotonin

Answer

Norepinephrine

Answer

GABA

Question 58

Which of the following is not a mechanism involved in synaptic plasticity?

Accepted Answer

Retrograde inhibition

Answer

Long-term potentiation

Answer

Long-term depression

Answer

Synaptic pruning

Question 59

Which psychological theory emphasizes the influence of environmental reinforcements and punishments on shaping behavior?

Accepted Answer

Behaviorism

Answer

Psychoanalytic theory

Answer

Humanistic theory

Answer

Cognitive theory

Question 60

Which hormone, secreted by the adrenal glands, plays a primary role in the body's response to stressful situations?

Accepted Answer

Adrenaline

Answer

Estrogen

Answer

Insulin

Question 61

The primary function of a neuron is to:

Accepted Answer

Transmit signals

Answer

Maintain homeostasis

Answer

Store memories

Answer

Regulate body temperature

Question 62

The neurotransmitter primarily associated with reward and pleasure is:

Accepted Answer

Dopamine

Answer

Serotonin

Answer

Acetylcholine

Answer

Epinephrine

Question 63

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

Accepted Answer

Occipital lobe

Answer

Frontal lobe

Answer

Parietal lobe

Answer

Temporal lobe

Question 64

Which hormone is released by the adrenal glands in response to stress?

Accepted Answer

Cortisol

Answer

Testosterone

Answer

Insulin

Answer

Estrogen