AP Psych Unit 3: Biological Basis of Behavior

The "master gland" that controls or influences all of the other endocrine glands is the:

• adrenal gland.
• pituitary gland.
• thyroid gland.
• pineal gland.

The part of the brain that controls life-sustaining functions, such as heartbeat, breathing, and swallowing, is the:

• cerebral cortex.
• cerebellum.
• medulla.
• hippocampus.

The venom of a black widow spider is an example of a(n) __________, which mimics or enhances the effects of neurotransmitters.

• beta blocker
• antagonist
• endorphin
• agonist

A functional MRI (fMRI) and a PET scan both:

• provide a way to measure the functioning and activity of the brain.
• produce black and white scans of the brain’s structures.
• create selective injuries that allow researchers to study brain function.
• provide detailed computerized interpretations of brain dysfunctions.

Xzasia has been suffering from severe bouts of depression for the past several years. Her doctor suggests that some medications designed to impact a specific neurotransmitter might be helpful for her. Which neurotransmitter would be the most likely target of this medication?

• GABA
• Dopamine
• Serotonin
• Acetylcholine

Young Keith was in a very bad accident, where specific parts of his brain were damaged. His neurologists noted that over the course of the next several months, other parts of his brain began to compensate for these deficits, and he was not as impaired as they had expected. Keith’s case demonstrates the concept of _______________.

• neuroadaptivity
• neuroplasticity
• neurogenesis
• pruning

When people are walking, raising their hands in class or smelling a flower, they are using the:

• central nervous system
• somatic nervous system
• autonomic nervous system
• sympathetic nervous system 

Which sense is the only one that is NOT processed through the thalamus?

• taste
• hearing
• touch
• smell

Melissa is walking around barefoot and suddenly steps on a sharp nail. She feels the pain and immediately pulls her foot off the ground away from the nail. Which neurons were involved in her response?

• interneurons and motor neurons only
• sensory neurons only
• sensory and motor neurons only
  
• sensory neurons, motor neurons, and interneurons

The job of the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system is to:

• stabilize emotions such as happiness and sadness.
• get the body ready to deal with stress.
• control voluntary muscles.
• react to the activity of the parasympathetic division.