Biological Basis of Behavior Quiz

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Questions and Answers

Which part of the neuron is primarily responsible for receiving signals from other neurons?

Myelin sheath

Dendrites (correct)

Synaptic terminals

Axon

The amygdala is primarily responsible for encoding memories.

False

What is the main function of the thalamus?

Relaying sensory information to the appropriate areas of the brain

The limbic system includes key structures such as the amygdala and the _________, which plays a crucial role in memory formation.

hippocampus Signup and view all the answers

Match the following disorders with their primary features:

OCD = Intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors Anxiety = Excessive worry about various aspects of life Depression = Persistent sadness and loss of interest Psychotic disorders = Disconnection from reality Signup and view all the answers

Which type of processing involves interpreting sensory information based on prior knowledge and experiences?

Top-down processing Signup and view all the answers

Glutamate is an inhibitory neurotransmitter.

False Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the hypothalamus?

Regulating homeostasis and controlling the pituitary gland Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary feature differentiating Bipolar I and Bipolar II disorders?

Presence of manic episodes Signup and view all the answers

Hallucinations are defined as false beliefs while delusions are false perceptions.

False Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the amygdala in trauma response?

To process emotions and trigger fear responses. Signup and view all the answers

The biological process that involves adding a ______ group to DNA is known as methylation.

methyl Signup and view all the answers

Match the brain regions with their primary functions:

Hippocampus = Memory formation Prefrontal Cortex = Decision making and self-control Amygdala = Emotion regulation Posterior Cingulate Cortex = Self-referential thought Signup and view all the answers

What are the major symptoms categorized under PTSD?

Hyperarousal and re-experiencing Signup and view all the answers

K species typically produce many offspring but invest less in their care compared to R species.

False Signup and view all the answers

Define epigenetics in the context of gene function.

The study of heritable changes in gene function that do not involve alterations to the DNA sequence. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Biological Basis of Behavior

Neurons have dendrites, axons, and synaptic terminals.
Synaptic communication is the process of communication between neurons.
An action potential involves ions, depolarization, and maintaining a resting potential with the sodium-potassium pump.
Threshold is the level that must be reached to trigger an action potential.
Neurotransmitters like GABA (inhibitory) and glutamate (excitatory) affect neuronal activity.
The central nervous system is distinct from the peripheral nervous system.
Brain lobes (with functions) are key parts; Broca's and Wernicke's areas are associated with language, and aphasia relates to language impairment.
The corpus callosum connects hemispheres in the brain.
The limbic system (amygdala and hippocampus) and main structures (thalamus, hypothalamus) play important roles.
The hindbrain (with cerebellum, pons, medulla, and reticular formation), midbrain, and the overall brain structures have defined roles.

Sensation and Perception

Sensation describes receiving sensory input, while perception is interpreting it.
Transduction converts sensory stimuli into neural signals.
Sensory systems each use specific sensory cells for transduction. (e.g. light energy).
Visual systems use rods and cones in the retina and have complex processes.
The mechanisms are described regarding hyperpolarization and synaptic responses (no need to know all transduction details for synaptic potentials).
Information processing (bottom-up vs top-down processing) is crucial.
Several Gestalt principles explain how our brains perceive patterns and figures.

Memory and Attention

Memory involves encoding, consolidation, and retrieval processes.
Long-term potentiation (LTP) and sleep are critical phases in consolidation.
The amygdala plays a role in processing emotional memories; hippocampus in forming explicit memories.

Abnormal Psychology

Primary features of disorders like OCD, anxiety, depression, and psychosis are presented as key factors.
Specific phobia and generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) are differentiated.
Types of depressive disorders (unipolar, bipolar I, and bipolar II) are identified and differentiated based on symptoms and biological theories.
Schizophrenia, with its positive and negative symptoms, is described. A biological theory of dopamine is included as part of the biological description of the disorder.
Therapy factors including common factors are presented to offer an overview of psychological therapies.

Trauma and Resilience

HPA axis, amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal/posterior cingulate cortices are linked in trauma response and resilience.
Symptoms and definitions, including PTSD criteria are present.
Brain network involvement in PTSD is noted (including specific changes in the hippocampus.)
Epigenetics (alterations in gene function without changes to DNA) is discussed.
Methylation (adding a methyl group to DNA in epigenetic modifications) is mentioned.
Trauma, characteristics of victims and social support are considered.
Resilience is described as a concept related to trauma and its outcomes.

Evolutionary Psychology (PSY102 – 6X section only)

Natural selection and sexual selection are differentiated in evolutionary contexts.
K and R species are distinguished.
Examples of intrasexual and intersexual competition are presented using relevant examples.
Individual selection, kin selection, and reciprocal altruism are differentiated.
A comparative analysis of pair bonding species and tournament species is presented.
Biological purpose of emotions and the concept of trade-offs are briefly discussed.
Human mating strategies (for both men and women) are introduced in an evolutionary context.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the biological foundations of behavior. This quiz covers neurons, synaptic communication, action potentials, neurotransmitters, and brain structures. Explore the relationship between the nervous system and behavior while learning more about brain function and language areas.