MCAT Psychology Behavioral Neuroscience

Question 1

Almond shaped structure deep withi nthe brain that orchestrates emotional experiences

Answer 1

Amygdala

Question 2

Structures that coordinate smooth motion by inhibiting excess movement

Answer 2

Basal nuclei or ganglia

Question 3

The region of the brain that coordinates and smoothes skeletal muscle activity

Answer 3

Cerebellum

Question 4

The largest bundle of white matter (axons) connecting the two cerebral hemispheres

Answer 4

Corpus callosum

Question 5

The portion of the forebrain that includes the thalamus and hypothalamus

Answer 5

Diencephalon

Question 6

Low resolution functional technique that provides real-time data on brain wave synchronization at nodes spread through the scalp

Answer 6

Electroencephalography

Question 7

Higher order thinking processes that include planning, organizing, and decision-making

Answer 7

Executive functions

Question 8

Brain structure located in the medial temporal lobe, plays a key role in forming memories

Answer 8

Hippocampus

Question 9

An increase in synaptic strength between two neurons following simultaneous firing

Answer 9

Long-term potentiation

Question 10

Portion of the hindbrain that controls respiratory rate and blood pressure, and specialized digestive and respiratory functions

Answer 10

Medulla oblongata

Question 11

The portion of the brain responsible for visual and auditory startle reflex

Answer 11

Midbrain

Question 12

A process that refers to the malleability of the brain’s pathways and synapses based on behavior, the environment, and neural processes

Answer 12

Neural plasticity

Question 13

Structure located in the brainstem that releases dopamine in response to many drugs, contributing to addictive behavior

Answer 13

Nucleus accumbens

Question 14

A theory of information retrieval that involves a search process where specific nodes are activated, which leads to the activation of related nodes, and so on

Answer 14

Spreading activation theory

Question 15

A relay station and major integrating area for sensory impulses

Answer 15

Thalamus

Question 16

An area of the brain known to be involved in reflection, planning, emotional regulation, and the ability to understand the perspective of others

Answer 16

Prefrontal cortex

Question 17

The __ is involved in primitive processes such as walking, urination, and sex organ functions

Answer 17

Spinal cord

Question 18

The hindbrain includes the__,__,and__

Answer 18

medulla, pons, and cerebellum

Question 19

The __ functions in relaying information between other areas of the brain, regulating vital autonomic functions such as BP, digestive functions and also the respiratory rhythmicity centers are found here

Answer 19

Medulla

Question 20

The __ is the connection point between the brain stem and the cerebellum. The ___ controls some autonomic functions and coordinates movement; it plays a role in balance and antigravity posture

Answer 20

Pons

Question 21

The __ is an integrating center where complex movements are coordinated

Answer 21

Cerebellum

Question 22

Damage to the __results in poor hand-eye coordination and balance

Answer 22

Cerebellum

Question 23

Both the __ and __ receive information from the vestibular apparatus in the inner ear, which monitors acceleration and position relative to gravity

Answer 23

Cerebellum and pons

Question 24

The ___ is a relay for visual and auditory information and contains much of the reticular activating system (RAS) which is responsible for arousal and wakefulness

Answer 24

Reticular activating system

Question 25

Medulla, pons, and midbrain constitute the__

Answer 25

brainstem

Question 26

The forebrain includes the __ and the__

Answer 26

diencephalon and telencephalon

Question 27

The __ includes the thalamus and hypothalamus

Answer 27

Diencephalon

Question 28

The __ interacts directly with many parts of the brian, containing the center for controlling emotions and autonomic functions

Answer 28

Hypothalamus

Question 29

All parts of the CNS up to and including the __ form a single symmetrical stalk, but the telencephlaon consists of two separate cerebral hemispheres

Answer 29

Diencephalon

Question 30

The __ initiates all voluntary movement and is involved in complex reasoning skills and problem-solving

Answer 30

Frontal lobe

Question 31

The __ is involved in general sensations (such as touch, temperature, pressure, vibrations, and guastation

Answer 31

Parietal lobe

Question 32

The __ receives input from mechanoreceptors and proprioceptors

Answer 32

Parietal lobe

Question 33

The __ processes auditory and olfactory sensation and is involved in short-term memory, language comprehension, and emotion

Answer 33

Temporal lobe

Question 34

The __ and __ work together to process and coordinate movement initiated by the primary motor cortex

Answer 34

Basal nuclei

Question 35

The ___ are inhibitory, preventing excessive movement

Answer 35

Basal nuclei

Question 36

The __ is excitatory increasing movement

Answer 36

Cerebellum

Question 37

The __ includs the amygdala, cingulate gyrus, and the hippocampus

Answer 37

Limbic system

Question 38

This neurotransmitter is involved in reward, mood, pleasure, smooth motor movements, focus and attention

Answer 38

Dopamine

Question 39

Shortage of this neurotransmitter can lead to depression, lethargy, and difficulty coordinating motion

Answer 39

Dopamine

Question 40

This neurotransmitter is involved in mood, digestion, sleep, memory, and sexual desire

Answer 40

Serotonin

Question 41

Shortage of this neurotransmitter can result in aggression, compulsive behavior, overeating, and depression

Answer 41

Serotonin

Question 42

This neurotransmitter is involved in circadian rhythm, sleepiness, sleep initiation

Answer 42

Melatonin

Question 43

__ is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain

Answer 43

GABA (Gamma Aminobutyric Acid)

Question 44

Shortage of this neurotransmitter can lead to stress, anxiety, depression, ADHD, Panic disorders

Answer 44

GABA

Question 45

Shortage of this neurotransmitter can lead to dysfunction of GI tract and paralysis

Answer 45

Acetylcholine

Question 46

__ is the primary excitatory neurotransmitter in theb rain, learning, memory, long term potentiation

Answer 46

Glutamate

Question 47

Serotonin pathways project from the ___

Answer 47

raphe nucleus

Question 48

The __ is known as a natural pathway for feelings of reward and pleasure

Answer 48

Mesolimbic circuit

Question 49

___ is the hormone involved in regulating energy, and inhibiting hunger

Answer 49

Leptin

Question 50

The __ controls the physiological aspect of emotion, such as sweating and a racing heart

Answer 50

Hypothalamus

Question 51

Decreased response to a stimulus over time

Answer 51

Habituation

Question 52

Renewed response to a previously habituated stimulus

Answer 52

Dishabituation

Question 53

Increased response to a stimulus over time

Answer 53

Sensitization

Question 54

Decreased response to a previously sensitized stimulus over time

Answer 54

Desensitization

Question 55

The deepest of non-REM sleep occurs during __

Answer 55

slow-wave sleep (Stages 3 &4)

Question 56

The deepest of non-REM sleep during slow-wave sleep is characterized by __ waves which demonstrate the lowest frequency and highest amplitude observed during the sleep cycle

Answer 56

Delta waves

Question 57

___ and __ are high-frequency, low-amplitude waves characteristic of waking states

Answer 57

Alpha and beta waves

Question 58

__ have the highest frequency and are characteristic of awake and alert states

Answer 58

Beta waves

Question 59

__have more regularity and are characteristic of awake and relaxed states

Answer 59

Alpha waves

Question 60

__ are characteristic of sleep stage 1 "light sleep"

Answer 60

Theta waves

Question 61

During stage 2 sleep theta waves still predominate like in stage 1 but are interrupted by occasional ___ and __

Answer 61

``` Sleep spindles (burst in frequency) K-complexes (increases in wavelength) ```

Question 62

___is memory for facts and evetns that can be consciously or intentionally recalled, including semantic memory and episodic memory

Answer 62

Explicit/Declarative memory

Question 63

__ includes knowledge about facts

Answer 63

Semantic memory

Question 64

__ includes knowledge about personal experiences

Answer 64

Episodic memory

Question 65

___ is memory for things that can't be conciously recalled such as skills, tasks, emotions, and reflexes

Answer 65

Implicit/Nondeclarative memory

Question 66

___ suggests that when a node in the semantic network is activated, the nodes directly connected to that note are then activated as well (priming)

Answer 66

Spreading activation theory