Biological Bases of Behavior MCQs 2026

The hippocampus is most strongly involved in

1. A Reflexive blinking ✓
2. B Hormonal growth control ✓
3. C Formation of new declarative memories ✓
4. D Control of blood glucose ✓

The occipital lobe is most directly concerned with

1. A Voluntary movement ✓
2. B Taste perception ✓
3. C Emotional arousal ✓
4. D Vision ✓

The sodium-potassium pump helps maintain resting potential by moving

1. A Only calcium into the axon ✓
2. B Only chloride out of the nucleus ✓
3. C Glucose into the synapse ✓
4. D Sodium out and potassium in ✓

The largest part of the human brain is the

1. A Medulla ✓
2. B Pons ✓
3. C Cerebrum ✓
4. D Cerebellar vermis ✓

In neuropsychology, the lesion method studies behavior by examining

1. A Blood sugar after meals ✓
2. B Language textbooks only ✓
3. C Unrelated survey opinions ✓
4. D Effects of damage to brain areas ✓

The autonomic nervous system is divided mainly into

1. A Sensory and motor cortex ✓
2. B Left and right hemispheres ✓
3. C Sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions ✓
4. D Occipital and temporal lobes ✓

The primary motor cortex is located in the

1. A Occipital lobe ✓
2. B Frontal lobe ✓
3. C Temporal lobe ✓
4. D Cerebellum ✓

Cortisol is primarily secreted by the

1. A Adrenal cortex ✓
2. B Pancreatic islets ✓
3. C Pineal body ✓
4. D Cerebellar cortex ✓

The reticular formation is important in

1. A Bone marrow production ✓
2. B Visual color mixing ✓
3. C Insulin release ✓
4. D Arousal and alertness ✓

The adrenal medulla releases mainly

1. A Cortisol only ✓
2. B Insulin and glucagon ✓
3. C Adrenaline and noradrenaline ✓
4. D Melatonin and thyroxine ✓

In a typical neuron, dendrites mainly

1. A Receive incoming signals ✓
2. B Secrete thyroid hormone ✓
3. C Cover the spinal cord ✓
4. D Pump blood to the brain ✓

MRI is mainly valued for producing

1. A Immediate reflex responses ✓
2. B Direct hormone assays ✓
3. C Detailed structural brain images ✓
4. D Classical conditioning trials ✓

In behavioral genetics, heritability refers to the proportion of variation in a trait that is attributable to

1. A Diet in one person only ✓
2. B Genetic differences within a population ✓
3. C The size of the brainstem ✓
4. D A single learned habit ✓

Genes are best described as

1. A Segments of DNA carrying hereditary information ✓
2. B Hormones released by the pituitary ✓
3. C Reflex arcs in the spinal cord ✓
4. D Electrical charges in axons ✓

The basal ganglia are most closely linked with

1. A Language comprehension only ✓
2. B Retinal focusing ✓
3. C Taste bud formation ✓
4. D Regulation of movement ✓

The frontal lobe is especially important for

1. A Hearing only ✓
2. B Planning, decision making and motor control ✓
3. C Basic visual reception only ✓
4. D Insulin secretion ✓

Classic split-brain research involved cutting the

1. A Optic nerve ✓
2. B Medulla oblongata ✓
3. C Corpus callosum ✓
4. D Auditory canal ✓

Glial cells in the nervous system mainly

1. A Support, nourish and protect neurons ✓
2. B Replace all neurotransmitters ✓
3. C Serve as endocrine glands ✓
4. D Form only skeletal muscle ✓

At resting potential, the inside of a neuron is usually

1. A Exactly neutral ✓
2. B Negatively charged relative to outside ✓
3. C Filled only with calcium ions ✓
4. D Disconnected from ion channels ✓

Insulin is secreted by the

1. A Adrenal cortex ✓
2. B Pituitary gland ✓
3. C Pineal gland ✓
4. D Pancreas ✓

Compared with neural messages, endocrine messages are generally

1. A Slower but longer lasting ✓
2. B Faster and always conscious ✓
3. C Limited to the spinal cord ✓
4. D Unable to affect behavior ✓

The limbic system is especially related to

1. A Kidney filtration ✓
2. B Bone growth ✓
3. C Emotion, motivation and memory ✓
4. D Sound wave amplification ✓

An action potential is best defined as

1. A A hormone secreted by neurons ✓
2. B A slow change in bone tissue ✓
3. C A learned emotional response ✓
4. D An all-or-none electrical impulse ✓

The somatic nervous system mainly controls

1. A Pituitary secretion ✓
2. B Voluntary skeletal muscle movement ✓
3. C Digestive enzyme release ✓
4. D Pupil color ✓

fMRI is commonly used in psychology because it measures

1. A Blood oxygenation changes linked to activity ✓
2. B Direct neurotransmitter release at synapses ✓
3. C Electrical impulses in single axons ✓
4. D Cerebrospinal fluid pressure only ✓

Neurotransmitters are usually released from axon terminals into the

1. A Ventricular system ✓
2. B Synaptic cleft ✓
3. C Cell nucleus ✓
4. D Myelin sheath ✓

Wernicke's area is mainly involved in

1. A Balance and posture ✓
2. B Insulin regulation ✓
3. C Language comprehension ✓
4. D Visual field mapping ✓

The peripheral nervous system includes

1. A The cerebral cortex only ✓
2. B Nerves outside the brain and spinal cord ✓
3. C Only the hypothalamus ✓
4. D The ventricles of the brain ✓

The thalamus is often called a relay station because it

1. A Produces thyroid hormones ✓
2. B Stores procedural skills ✓
3. C Controls voluntary breathing only ✓
4. D Routes most sensory information to cortex ✓

For most right-handed people, language functions are mainly lateralized in the

1. A Left cerebral hemisphere ✓
2. B Right cerebellar hemisphere ✓
3. C Occipital cortex only ✓
4. D Brainstem reticular formation ✓

The sympathetic nervous system generally prepares the body for

1. A Sleep and digestion ✓
2. B Memory consolidation ✓
3. C Fight-or-flight responses ✓
4. D Language learning ✓

The cerebellum is especially important for

1. A Language comprehension ✓
2. B Balance and motor coordination ✓
3. C Hormone production ✓
4. D Visual color detection ✓

Broca's area is primarily associated with

1. A Speech production ✓
2. B Visual recognition ✓
3. C Balance control ✓
4. D Pain sensation ✓

The neurotransmitter most closely linked with Parkinson disease is

1. A Acetylcholine ✓
2. B Serotonin ✓
3. C GABA ✓
4. D Dopamine ✓

A synapse is best described as the

1. A Cell body of a motor neuron ✓
2. B Junction where neurons communicate ✓
3. C Outer covering of the brain ✓
4. D Bundle of spinal nerves ✓

The main function of the myelin sheath is to

1. A Produce neurotransmitters ✓
2. B Store genetic material ✓
3. C Speed neural impulse conduction ✓
4. D Control hormone secretion ✓

The basic structural and functional unit of the nervous system is the

1. A Neuron ✓
2. B Nephron ✓
3. C Alveolus ✓
4. D Sarcomere ✓

The gland often called the master gland is the

1. A Thyroid gland ✓
2. B Pituitary gland ✓
3. C Adrenal gland ✓
4. D Pineal gland ✓

The refractory period after an action potential helps ensure that

1. A Hormones stop circulating ✓
2. B The pupil remains dilated ✓
3. C Memory traces disappear ✓
4. D The neuron cannot immediately refire ✓

The hypothalamus plays a central role in regulating

1. A Hunger, thirst and body temperature ✓
2. B Fine hand coordination only ✓
3. C Retinal image formation ✓
4. D Voluntary speech articulation ✓

Endocrine glands differ from exocrine glands because they

1. A Carry impulses through axons ✓
2. B Release hormones into the blood ✓
3. C Form the spinal reflex arc ✓
4. D Transmit signals by myelin ✓

The primary auditory cortex is located mainly in the

1. A Frontal lobe ✓
2. B Occipital lobe ✓
3. C Parietal lobe ✓
4. D Temporal lobe ✓

The central nervous system consists of the

1. A Brain and spinal cord ✓
2. B Heart and lungs ✓
3. C Cranial and spinal nerves only ✓
4. D Endocrine and immune glands ✓

The amygdala is most closely associated with

1. A Visual acuity ✓
2. B Language grammar ✓
3. C Blood filtration ✓
4. D Fear and emotional learning ✓

The parasympathetic nervous system is commonly described as supporting

1. A Fight-or-flight activity ✓
2. B Rest-and-digest activity ✓
3. C Rapid skeletal growth ✓
4. D Color discrimination ✓

The axon of a neuron mainly

1. A Receives hormones from glands ✓
2. B Forms the cell nucleus ✓
3. C Carries impulses away from the cell body ✓
4. D Produces cerebrospinal fluid ✓

The medulla oblongata is vital because it controls

1. A Abstract reasoning ✓
2. B Breathing and heart rate ✓
3. C Color perception ✓
4. D Social imitation ✓

The corpus callosum primarily functions to

1. A Connect the two cerebral hemispheres ✓
2. B Control the pituitary gland directly ✓
3. C Filter sound waves in the ear ✓
4. D Produce cerebrospinal fluid ✓

An EEG records

1. A Electrical activity of the brain ✓
2. B Blood sugar concentration ✓
3. C Bone density of the skull ✓
4. D Hormone levels in urine ✓

Acetylcholine is especially important at the neuromuscular junction because it

1. A Inhibits all reflexes ✓
2. B Stores long-term memories ✓
3. C Triggers skeletal muscle contraction ✓
4. D Forms the blood-brain barrier ✓

The adrenal glands release the hormone associated with stress and the fight-or-flight response called

1. A Insulin ✓
2. B Melatonin ✓
3. C Thyroxine ✓
4. D Adrenaline (epinephrine) ✓

The brain area responsible for language comprehension, damage to which causes fluent but nonsensical speech, is

1. A Broca's area ✓
2. B Corpus callosum ✓
3. C Wernicke's area ✓
4. D Cerebellum ✓

The brain area responsible for speech production, damage to which causes non-fluent aphasia, is

1. A Broca's area ✓
2. B Wernicke's area ✓
3. C Hippocampus ✓
4. D Amygdala ✓

The lobe of the cerebral cortex primarily responsible for processing auditory information and language comprehension is the

1. A Frontal lobe ✓
2. B Temporal lobe ✓
3. C Parietal lobe ✓
4. D Occipital lobe ✓

The lobe of the cerebral cortex primarily responsible for processing touch and spatial awareness is the

1. A Occipital lobe ✓
2. B Frontal lobe ✓
3. C Parietal lobe ✓
4. D Temporal lobe ✓

The lobe of the cerebral cortex primarily responsible for processing visual information is the

1. A Frontal lobe ✓
2. B Temporal lobe ✓
3. C Parietal lobe ✓
4. D Occipital lobe ✓

The lobe of the cerebral cortex primarily responsible for decision-making, planning, and voluntary movement is the

1. A Occipital lobe ✓
2. B Frontal lobe ✓
3. C Parietal lobe ✓
4. D Temporal lobe ✓

The outer, wrinkled layer of the cerebrum responsible for complex mental functions is the

1. A Cerebral cortex ✓
2. B Medulla ✓
3. C Cerebellum ✓
4. D Limbic system ✓

The band of nerve fibers connecting the two cerebral hemispheres is the

1. A Brainstem ✓
2. B Reticular formation ✓
3. C Spinal cord ✓
4. D Corpus callosum ✓

The brain structure essential for forming new long-term memories is the

1. A Amygdala ✓
2. B Thalamus ✓
3. C Hippocampus ✓
4. D Cerebellum ✓

The brain structure primarily associated with processing fear and other emotions is the

1. A Amygdala ✓
2. B Hippocampus ✓
3. C Cerebellum ✓
4. D Medulla ✓

The brain structure that regulates hunger, thirst, body temperature, and links the nervous system to the endocrine system is the

1. A Thalamus ✓
2. B Hypothalamus ✓
3. C Amygdala ✓
4. D Hippocampus ✓

Roger Sperry's research on patients whose corpus callosum was severed is known as

1. A Reflex arc research ✓
2. B Classical conditioning research ✓
3. C Localization of function research ✓
4. D Split-brain research ✓

Research on hemispheric lateralization generally shows that the left hemisphere is more specialized for

1. A Spatial and artistic tasks ✓
2. B Language and logical analysis ✓
3. C Facial recognition ✓
4. D Emotional expression only ✓

A brain imaging technique that records electrical activity of the brain using scalp electrodes is

1. A EEG (electroencephalogram) ✓
2. B CT scan ✓
3. C PET scan ✓
4. D fMRI ✓

A brain imaging technique that measures brain activity by detecting changes in blood oxygen levels is

1. A EEG ✓
2. B X-ray ✓
3. C CT scan ✓
4. D fMRI ✓

The brain structure that acts as the relay station for sensory information (except smell) is the

1. A Hypothalamus ✓
2. B Amygdala ✓
3. C Cerebellum ✓
4. D Thalamus ✓

A brain imaging technique that uses radioactive tracers to show metabolic activity in the brain is

1. A EEG ✓
2. B MRI ✓
3. C PET scan ✓
4. D Ultrasound ✓

The brain structure that regulates vital functions such as heartbeat and breathing is the

1. A Cerebellum ✓
2. B Hippocampus ✓
3. C Medulla oblongata ✓
4. D Corpus callosum ✓

The endocrine gland often called the 'master gland' because it controls other glands is the

1. A Pituitary gland ✓
2. B Thyroid gland ✓
3. C Adrenal gland ✓
4. D Pancreas ✓

The endocrine gland that regulates metabolism through hormones such as thyroxine is the

1. A Pituitary gland ✓
2. B Thyroid gland ✓
3. C Adrenal gland ✓
4. D Pineal gland ✓

The hormone that regulates the sleep-wake cycle and is released by the pineal gland is

1. A Cortisol ✓
2. B Insulin ✓
3. C Melatonin ✓
4. D Oxytocin ✓

The brain structure responsible for coordinating balance and fine motor movement is the

1. A Cerebellum ✓
2. B Hypothalamus ✓
3. C Amygdala ✓
4. D Hippocampus ✓

The hormone secreted by the pancreas that regulates blood sugar levels is

1. A Adrenaline ✓
2. B Insulin ✓
3. C Thyroxine ✓
4. D Melatonin ✓

A simple, automatic, involuntary response to a stimulus, such as withdrawing from a hot object, is called a

1. A Reflex action ✓
2. B Conditioned response ✓
3. C Voluntary response ✓
4. D Habituated response ✓

The neural pathway involved in a reflex action typically bypasses the brain and is processed directly in the

1. A Cerebellum ✓
2. B Hypothalamus ✓
3. C Cerebral cortex ✓
4. D Spinal cord ✓

The brain's ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections is known as

1. A Habituation ✓
2. B Lateralization ✓
3. C Neural plasticity ✓
4. D Synaptic pruning only ✓

The historical and now discredited theory that personality traits could be determined by the shape of the skull is

1. A Localization theory ✓
2. B Phrenology ✓
3. C Lateralization theory ✓
4. D Eugenics ✓

The idea that specific mental functions are controlled by specific areas of the brain is called

1. A Localization of function ✓
2. B Neural plasticity ✓
3. C Lateralization ✓
4. D Phrenology ✓

The largest part of the human brain, responsible for higher mental functions, is the

1. A Cerebellum ✓
2. B Cerebrum ✓
3. C Medulla oblongata ✓
4. D Thalamus ✓

Neurons are supported and protected by non-neuronal cells called

1. A Axon terminals ✓
2. B Synaptic vesicles ✓
3. C Glial cells ✓
4. D Dendritic spines ✓

The part of a neuron that carries electrical impulses away from the cell body toward other neurons is the

1. A Dendrite ✓
2. B Soma ✓
3. C Myelin sheath ✓
4. D Axon ✓

The branch of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body and conserves energy is the

1. A Sympathetic nervous system ✓
2. B Somatic nervous system ✓
3. C Peripheral nervous system ✓
4. D Parasympathetic nervous system ✓

The branch of the autonomic nervous system responsible for the 'fight or flight' response is the

1. A Parasympathetic nervous system ✓
2. B Somatic nervous system ✓
3. C Sympathetic nervous system ✓
4. D Central nervous system ✓

The peripheral nervous system that controls voluntary muscle movements is called the

1. A Somatic nervous system ✓
2. B Autonomic nervous system ✓
3. C Sympathetic nervous system ✓
4. D Parasympathetic nervous system ✓

The autonomic nervous system is divided into the sympathetic and

1. A Somatic nervous system ✓
2. B Parasympathetic nervous system ✓
3. C Central nervous system ✓
4. D Reflex nervous system ✓

The nervous system is broadly divided into the central nervous system and the

1. A Digestive nervous system ✓
2. B Autonomic nervous system only ✓
3. C Peripheral nervous system ✓
4. D Sympathetic nervous system only ✓

The resting potential of a typical neuron is approximately

1. A +40 millivolts ✓
2. B 0 millivolts ✓
3. C -30 millivolts ✓
4. D -70 millivolts ✓

The rapid change in electrical charge that travels down an axon when a neuron fires is called the

1. A Resting potential ✓
2. B Action potential ✓
3. C Synaptic potential ✓
4. D Threshold potential ✓

According to the all-or-none law, a neuron

1. A Fires with varying strength depending on stimulus intensity ✓
2. B Either fires completely or does not fire at all ✓
3. C Never fires without external stimulation ✓
4. D Fires continuously regardless of stimulus ✓

The principal inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system is

1. A GABA ✓
2. B Glutamate ✓
3. C Dopamine ✓
4. D Acetylcholine ✓

The neurotransmitter involved in muscle contraction and memory, deficient in Alzheimer's disease, is

1. A Dopamine ✓
2. B Serotonin ✓
3. C Acetylcholine ✓
4. D GABA ✓

A neurotransmitter that plays a major role in mood regulation and is linked to depression when deficient is

1. A Dopamine ✓
2. B Serotonin ✓
3. C Glutamate ✓
4. D Norepinephrine ✓

A neurotransmitter primarily associated with reward, pleasure, and motivation is

1. A Serotonin ✓
2. B Acetylcholine ✓
3. C GABA ✓
4. D Dopamine ✓

The chemical messengers released by neurons to communicate across the synapse are called

1. A Neurotransmitters ✓
2. B Hormones ✓
3. C Enzymes ✓
4. D Antibodies ✓

The tiny gap between two neurons across which neurotransmitters are released is called the

1. A Axon hillock ✓
2. B Node of Ranvier ✓
3. C Synapse ✓
4. D Soma ✓

The fatty insulating layer that covers many axons and speeds up neural transmission is the

1. A Synapse ✓
2. B Node of Ranvier ✓
3. C Dendrite ✓
4. D Myelin sheath ✓

The part of the neuron that receives signals from other neurons is called the

1. A Dendrite ✓
2. B Axon ✓
3. C Soma ✓
4. D Myelin sheath ✓

The basic unit of the nervous system, specialized to transmit information, is the

1. A Glial cell ✓
2. B Neuron ✓
3. C Synapse ✓
4. D Axon terminal ✓