Multiple Choice Answer Key & Explanations

Biological Bases of Behavior

1. Which of the following would the autonomic nervous system control?

A. Regulating your oxygen intake This is the correct answer. The autonomic nervous system
controls internal involuntary processes.

B. Playing a video game This is not the correct answer. This is controlled by the central
nervous system

C. Experiencing a burn on your hand This is not the correct answer. This is controlled by the central
nervous system

D. Driving to Chipotle This is not the correct answer. This is controlled by the central
nervous system

E. Running a marathon This is not the correct answer. This is controlled by the central
nervous system

2. Which of the following would be an example of an antagonist?

A. Xanax, which This is not the correct answer. This would be an example of an agonist
increases GABA

B. Prozac, which This is not the correct answer. This would be an example of an agonist
prevents the reuptake
of serotonin

C. Opioids, which This is not the correct answer. This would be an example of an agonist
minimic endorphins

D. Alcohol, which This is the correct answer. Antagonists block receptors, and decrease the
blocks dopamine effectiveness of neurotransmission
receptors

E. Cocaine, increases This is not the correct answer. This would be an example of an agonist
dopamine

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 Multiple Choice Answer Key & Explanations
Biological Bases of Behavior

3. While riding Splash Mountain Sophia experienced a rush of excitement, but when it came to the large
drop that excitement quickly turned into fear and panic. Which brain structure would most likely be
associated with Sophia’s excitement changing to fear?

A. Wernicke’s area This is not the correct answer. This area helps with creating meaningful speech.

B. Amygdala This is the correct answer. This structure deals with emotional reactions

C. Corpus Callosum This is not the correct answer. This structure connects the two cerebral
hemispheres. Which allows the hemispheres to communicate

D. Parietal lobe This is not the correct answer. This structure receives sensory information,
which allows you to understand different senses such as touch, pain,
temperature, and spatial orientation

E. Medulla Oblongata This is not the correct answer. This structure helps with autonomic functions.

4. Which of the following structures is number 3?

A. Dendrites This is not the correct answer. This is number 1

B. Axon This is not the correct answer. This is number 5

C. Soma This is the correct answer. This is the cell body that contains the nucleus

D. Myelin Sheath This is not the correct answer. This is number 6

E. Axon Terminal This is not the correct answer. This is number 7

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 Multiple Choice Answer Key & Explanations
Biological Bases of Behavior

5. Which of the following answers would best describe the hippocampus?

A. A structure in the brain that allows an This is the correct answer. The hippocampus helps with
individual to create and form memories memory creation but does not store the memories

B. A structure in the brain that allows an This is not the correct answer. This would better connect with
individual to remain balanced the hypothalamus, semicircular canals, or cerebellum

C. A structure in the brain that stores This is not the correct answer. The hippocampus helps with
memories after they have been created memory creation, but does not store memories

D. A structure which allows an individual to This is not the correct answer. This answer would better
have voluntary movement connect with the motor cortex, or cerebellum

E. An area in the brain that helps an This is not the correct answer. This answer would better
individual be able to speak connect with Broca’s area.

6. Nick was playing Clash Royale and noticed that every time he started to open a loot box he got
excited anticipating what might be in the box. Identify the neurotransmitter that is most likely
impacting Nick in this situation.

A. Dopamine This is the correct answer. This is known as a natural drug because of how it
impacts a person’s feelings and emotions. Also helps with movement, learning,
and attention

B. Endorphins This is not the correct answer. This neurotransmitter helps with pain control

C. GABA This is not the correct answer. This neurotransmitter helps with sleep and movement, it
slows down a person’s nervous system

D. Acetylcholine This is not the correct answer. This neurotransmitter helps with muscle action, learning,
and memory

E. Glutamate This is not the correct answer. This neurotransmitters helps with long term memory and
learning

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 Multiple Choice Answer Key & Explanations
Biological Bases of Behavior

7. Which of the following psychological perspectives would most likely favor nurture over nature?

A. Biological This is not the correct answer. This perspective would favor nature

B. Cognitive This is not the correct answer. This perspective would favor nature

C. Evolutionary This is not the correct answer. This perspective would favor nature

D. Behaviorism This is the correct answer. This perspective would favor nurture

E. All of the above This is not the correct answer. Behaviorism would most likely favor nurture

8. Which of the following would best describe the pituitary gland?

A. Located above the brainstem in the middle This is not the correct answer. This would better describe the
of the brain. It helps regulate sleep cycles pineal gland

B. Located in the throat. It helps control This is not the correct answer. This would better describe the
calcium and phosphate levels in the blood thyroid and parathyroid gland

C. Helps regulate a person’s sugar levels This is not the correct answer. This would better describe the
and is located by the stomach pancreas

D. Located above a person’s kidneys. This This is not the correct answer. This would better describe the
helps regulate salt, blood pressure, and adrenal glands
oxygen intake

E. Helps regulate all other glands in the This is the correct answer. This answer best describes
body and is located at the base of your the pituitary gland
brain

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 Multiple Choice Answer Key & Explanations
Biological Bases of Behavior

9. Which of the following is most likely to occur during NREM Stage 1?

A. Hypnagogic sensations This is the correct answer. These are sensations that feel very
real. They happen when you are in a light sleep and are easily
woken

B. K-complexes and sleep spindles This is not the correct answer. This happens when a person is no
longer easily woken and their brain starts to admit theta waves.

C. Production of growth hormones This is not the correct answer. This is more likely to occur during
may increase NREM Stage 3

D. Muscles become paralyized This is not the correct answer. This happens when a person enters
REM

E. Sleepwalking This is not the correct answer. This is most likely to occur during
NREM Stage 3

10. Throughout Noelle’s day she will randomly fall asleep uncontrollably. This is most likely an example of
which of the following sleep disorders?

A. Sleep Apnea This is not the correct answer. This is when a person struggles with their breathing
while sleeping

B. Insomnia This is not the correct answer. This is when a person has trouble falling asleep or
staying asleep

C. Somnambulism This is not the correct answer. This is sleepwalking

D. Narcolepsy This is the correct answer. This is when a person will uncontrollably fall asleep

E. Sleep terrors This is not the correct answer. This is when an individual will experience intense fearing
while asleep

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