Download Unit II Practice Exam – Answer Key

AP Psychology
Unit II Practice Exam
Fall Semester 2013
Kelley
Unit II: The Biological Bases of Behavior
Corresponding Chapter(s): Chapter 2/Chapter 3
Topic: Biological Bases of Behavior (8-10%)
PRACTICE EXAM MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS
1.
Which of the following was a major problem with phrenology?
a. It was “ahead of its time” and no one believed it could be true
b. The brain is not neatly organized into structures that correspond to our categories of behavior
c. The brains of humans and animals are much less similar than they theory implied
d. All of the above were problems with phrenology
2.
The axons of certain neurons are covered by a layer of fatty tissue that helps speed neural transmission. This tissue is:
a. Glia
d. Endorphins
b. Myelin sheath
e. Dendrites
c. Acetylcholine
3.
A biological psychologist would be most likely to study:
a. How one learns to express emotions
b. How to help people overcome emotional disorders
c.
d.
Life-span changes in the expression of emotion
The chemical changes that accompany emotions
4.
During an action potential, the electrical state of the axon becomes:
a. Polarized, as positively charged atoms are admitted
b. Polarized, as negatively charged atoms of admitted
c. Depolarized, as positively charged atoms are admitted
d. Depolarized, as negatively charged atoms are admitted
5.
In its resting state, the axon is:
a. Depolarized, with mostly negatively charged ions outside and positively charged ions inside
b. Depolarized, with mostly positively charged ions outside and negatively charged ions inside
c. Polarized, with mostly negatively charged ions outside and positively charged ions inside
d. Polarized, with mostly positively charged ions outside and negatively charged ions inside
6.
Which is the correct sequence in the transmission of a neural impulse?
a. Axon, dendrite, cell body, synapse
b. Dendrite, axon, cell body, synapse
c. Synapse, axon, dendrite, cell body
d.
e.
Axon, synapse, cell body, dendrite
Dendrite, cell body, axon, synapse
7.
A neuron will generate an action potential more often when it:
a. Remains below its threshold
b. Receives an excitatory input
c. Receives more excitatory than inhibitory inputs
d. Is stimulated by a neurotransmitter
e. Is stimulated by a hormone
8.
A strong stimulus can increase the:
a. Speed of the impulse the neuron fires
b. Intensity of the impulse the neuron fires
c. Number of times the neuron fires
d. Threshold that must be reached before the neuron fires
9.
Since Malcolm has been taking a drug prescribed by his doctor, he no longer enjoys the little pleasures in life. His doctor explains that
this is because the drug:
a. Triggers the release of dopamine
c. Triggers the release of ACh
b. Inhibits the release of dopamine
d. Inhibits the release of ACh
10. The neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh) is most likely to be found:
a. At the junction between sensory neurons and muscle fibers
b. At the junction between motor neurons and muscle fibers
c. At the junction between interneurons
d. In all of the above locations
11. Melissa has just completed running a marathon. She is so elated that she feels little fatigue or discomfort. Her lack of pain is probably
the result of the release of:
a. ACh
d. Norepinephrine
b. Endorphins
e. Acetylcholine
c. Dopamine
12. The effect of a drug that is an agonist is to:
a. Cause the brain to stop producing certain neurotransmitters
b. Mimic a particular neurotransmitter
c. Block a particular neurotransmitter
d. Disrupt a neuron’s all-or-none firing pattern
13. Heartbeat, digestion and other self-regulating bodily functions are governed by the:
a. Voluntary nervous system
b. Autonomic nervous system
c. Sympathetic nervous system
d. Somatic nervous system
e. Central nervous system
14. Voluntary movements, such as writing with a pencil, are directed by the:
a. Sympathetic nervous system
b. Somatic nervous system
c.
d.
Parasympathetic nervous system
Autonomic nervous system
15. Following Jaycee’s near-fatal car accident, her physician noticed that the pupillary-reflex of her eyes was abnormal. This may indicate
that Jaycee’s ___________ was damaged in the accident.
a. Occipital lobe
b. Autonomic nervous system
c. Left temporal lobe
d. Cerebellum
e. Brainstem
16. Your brother has been taking prescription medicine and experiencing a number of unpleasant side effects, including an unusually rapid
heartbeat and excessive perspiration. It is likely that the medicine is exaggerating activity in the:
a. Reticular formation
c. Parasympathetic nervous system
b. Sympathetic nervous system
d. Amygdala
17. When Sandy scalded her toe in a tub of hot water, the pain message was carried to her spinal cord by the __________ nervous system.
a. Somatic
c. Parasympathetic
b. Sympathetic
d. Central
18. Which is the correct sequence in the transmission of a simple reflex?
a. Sensory neuron, interneuron, sensory neuron
b. Interneuron, motor neuron, sensory neuron
c. Sensory neuron, interneuron, motor neuron
d. Interneuron, sensory neuron, motor neuron
19. Which of the following are governed by the simplest neural pathways?
a. Emotions
b. Physiological drives, such as hunger
c. Reflexes
d. Movements, such as walking
e. Balance
20. You are able to quickly pull your hand away from hot water before pain is felt because:
a. Movement of the hand is a reflex that involves intervention of the spinal cord only
b. Movement of the hand does not require intervention by the central nervous system
c. The brain reacts quickly to prevent severe injury
d. The autonomic division of the peripheral nervous system intervenes to speed the contractions of hand muscles
21. In the brain, learning occurs as experience strengthens certain connections called:
a. Action potentials
b. Neural networks
c. Endocrine systems
d. Dendrites
e. Synaptic gaps
22. Chemical messengers produced by the endocrine glands are called:
a. Agonists
b. Neurotransmitters
c. Antagonists
d. Hormones
e. Enzymes
23. The gland that regulates body growth is the:
a. Adrenal gland
b. Thyroid gland
c. Hypothalamus
d. Pituitary
e. Hyperthyroid
24. Epinephrine and norepinephrine are ____________ that are released by the ___________ gland.
a. Neurotransmitters; pituitary
b. Hormones; pituitary
c. Neurotransmitters; adrenal
d. Hormones; adrenal
e. Hormones; thyroid
25. The brain research technique that involves monitoring the brain’s usage of glucose is called the:
a. PET scan
c. EEG
b. CT scan
d. MRI
26. The technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer images of structures within the brain is called:
a. CT scan
c. MRI
b. PET scan
d. fMRI
27. Which of the following is not a correct description of a brain research technique?
a. Using a PET scan to examine the brain’s structure
c.
b. Using EEG to record the brain’s electrical activity
d.
Using an MRI to examine the brain’s structure
Using a CT scan to examine the brain’s structure
28. In primitive vertebrate animals, the brain primarily regulates ________________; in other animals, the brain enables ______________.
a. Emotion; memory
b. Memory; emotion
c. Survival functions; emotion
d. Reproduction; emotion
e. Reproduction; memory
29. Following a head injury, a person has ongoing difficulties staying awake. Most likely, the damage occurred to the:
a. Thalamus
b. Corpus callosum
c. Reticular formation
d. Cerebellum
e. Hypothalamus
30. The part of the human brain that is most like that of a fish is the:
a. Cortex
b. Limbic system
c. Right hemisphere
d. Brain stem
e. Corpus callosum
31. Jessica experienced difficulty keeping her balance after receiving a blow to the back of her head. It is likely that she injured her:
a. Medulla
b. Thalamus
c. Hypothalamus
d. Cerebellum
e. Cerebrum
32. Dr. Frankenstein made a mistake during neurosurgery on his monster. After the operation, the monster “saw” with his ears and “heard”
with his eyes. It is likely that Dr. Frankenstein “rewired” neural connections in the monster’s:
a. Hypothalamus
b. Cerebellum
c. Amygdala
d. Thalamus
e. Hippocampus
33. Though there is no single “control center” for emotions, their regulation is primarily attributed to the brain region known as the:
a. Limbic system
c. Brainstem
b. Reticular formation
d. Cerebral cortex
34. If Dr. Rogers wishes to conduct an experiment on the effects of stimulating the reward centers of a rat’s brain, he should insert an
electrode into the:
a. Thalamus
c. Hypothalamus
b. Sensory cortex
d. Corpus callosum
35. The visual cortex is located in the:
a. Occipital lobe
b. Temporal lobe
c.
d.
Frontal lobe
Parietal lobe
36. Raccoons have more precise control of their paws than dogs do. You would expect that raccoons have more cortical space dedicated to
“paw control” in the ____________ of their brains.
a. Frontal lobes
c. Temporal lobes
b. Parietal lobes
d. Occipital lobes
37. Research has found that the amount of representation in the motor cortex reflects the:
a. Size of the body parts
b. Degree of precise control required by each of the parts
c. Sensitivity of the body region
d. Area of the occipital lobe being stimulated by the environment
38. In order to pinpoint the location of a tumor, a neurosurgeon electrically stimulated parts of the patient’s sensory cortex. If the patient
was conscious during the procedure, which of the following was probably experienced?
a. “Hearing” faint sounds
c. Movement of the arms or legs
b. “Seeing” random visual patterns
d. A sense of having the skin touched
39. Following a gunshot wound to his head, Jack became more uninhibited, irritable and profane. It is likely that his personality change was
the result of injury to his:
a. Parietal lobe
b. Temporal lobe
c. Occipital lobe
d. Frontal lobe
e. Endocrine system
40. Damage to ______ will usually cause a person to lose the ability to comprehend language.
a. The angular gyrus
c. Wernicke’s area
b. Broca’s area
d. Frontal lobe association areas
41. Three-year-old Marco suffered damage to the speech area of the brain’s left hemisphere when he fell from a swing. Research suggests
that:
a. He will never speak again
b. His motor abilities will improve so that he can easily use sign language
c. His right hemisphere will take over much of the language function
d. His earlier experience with speech will enable him to continue speaking
42. Dr. Johnson briefly flashed a picture of a key in the right visual field of a split-brain patient. The patient could probably:
a. Verbally report that a key was seen
c. Draw a picture of a key using the left hand
b. Write the word key using the left hand
d. Do none of the above
43. Which of the following is typically controlled by the right hemisphere?
a. Language
b. Learned voluntary movements
c.
d.
Arithmetic reasoning
Perpetual tasks
44. Anton is applying for a technician’s job with a neurosurgeon. In trying to impress his potential employer with his knowledge of the
brain, Anton says, “After my father’s stroke I knew immediately that the blood clot had affected his left cerebral hemisphere because he no
longer recognized a picture of his friend.” Should Anton be hired?
a. Yes, Anton obviously understands brain structure and function
b. No, the right hemisphere, not the left, specializes in picture recognition
c. Yes, although blood clots never form in the left hemisphere, Anton should be rewarded for recognizing the left hemisphere’s
role in picture recognition
d. No, blood clots never form in the left hemisphere, and the right hemisphere is more involved than the left in recognizing
pictures
45. Chromosomes are composed of small segments of ______________ called _____________.
a. DNA; genes
c.
b. DNA; neurotransmitters
d.
Genes; DNA
DNA; enzymes
46. Each cell of the human body has a total of:
a. 23 chromosomes
b. 23 genes
46 chromosomes
46 genes
c.
d.
47. The human genome is best defined as:
a. A complex molecule containing genetic information that makes up the chromosomes
b. A segment of DNA
c. The complete instructions for making an organism
d. The four-letter genetic “alphabet”
48. Mutations are random errors in _______________ replication that lead to a change in the sequence of _____________.
a. Gene; nucleotides
c. DNA; genes
b. Chromosome; genes
d. Gene; DNA
49. An evolutionary psychologist would be most interested in studying:
a. Why most parents are so passionately devoted to their children
b. Hereditary influences on skin color
c. Why certain diseases are more common among certain age groups
d. Genetic differences in personality
50. When evolutionary psychologists use the word “fitness,” they are specifically referring to:
a. An animal’s ability to adapt to changing environments
b. The diversity of a species’ gene pool
c. The total number of members of the species currently alive
d. A species’ ability to survive and reproduce
51. According to evolutionary psychology, men are sexually drawn to women who seem _____________, while women are attracted to men
who seem ____________.
a. Nurturing; youthful
c. Slender; muscular
b. Youthful and fertile; mature and affluent
d. Exciting; dominant
52. If a fraternal twin becomes schizophrenic, the likelihood of the other twin developing serious mental illness is much lower than with
identical twins. This suggests that:
a. Schizophrenia is caused by genes
b. Schizophrenia is influenced by genes
c. Environment is unimportant in the development of schizophrenia
d. Identical twins are especially vulnerable to mental disorders
53. Which of the following is the best way to separate the effects of genes and environment in a research study?
a. Study fraternal twins
b. Study identical twins
c. Study adopted children and their adoptive parents
d. Study identical twins raised in different environments
54. Adoption studies demonstrate that the personalities of adopted children:
a. Closely match those of their adoptive parents
b. Bear more similarities to their biological parents than to their adoptive parents
c. Closely match those of the biological children of their adoptive parents
d. Closely match those of other children reared in the same house, whether or not they are biologically related
55. To say that the heritability of a trait is approximately 50 percent means that:
a. Genes are responsible for 50 percent of the trait in an individual, while environment is responsible for the rest
b. The trait’s appearance in a person will reflect approximately equal genetic contributions from both parents
c. Of the variation in the trait within a group of people, 50 percent can be attributed to genes
d. All of the above
56. Despite growing up in the same home environment, Karen and her brother John have personalities as different from each other as two
people selected randomly from the population. Why is this so?
a. Personality is inherited. Since Karen and John are not identical twins, it is not surprising that they have very different
personalities
b. Gender is the most important factor in personality. If Karen had a sister, the two of them would be much more alike.
c. The interaction of their individual genes and non-shared experiences accounts for the common finding that children in the
same family are usually very different
d. Their case is unusual; children in the same family usually have very similar personalities
57. Most human traits are:
a. Learned
b. Determined by a single gene
c.
d.
Influenced by many genes acting together
Unpredictable
58. A pair of adopted children or identical twins reared in the same home are most likely to have similar:
a. Temperaments
c. Religious beliefs
b. Personalities
d. Emotional reactivity
59. The fertilized egg will develop into a boy if, at conception:
a. The sperm contributes an X chromosome
b. The sperm contributes a Y chromosome
c. The egg contributes an X chromosome
d. The egg contributes a Y chromosome
60. The hormone testosterone:
a. Is found only in females
b. Determines the sex of the developing person
c. Stimulates growth of the female sex organs
d. Stimulates growth of the male sex organs