Unit 3: BioPsychology UPDATED ACTUAL
Questions and CORRECT Answers
Nature - CORRECT ANSWER The influence of biological or genetic factors on behavior and
traits.
Genetics - CORRECT ANSWER The study of heredity and the variation of inherited
characteristics.
Heredity - CORRECT ANSWER The passing of traits from parents to offspring through genes.
Epigenetics - CORRECT ANSWER The study of how environment and experience can change
gene expression without altering DNA sequence.
Nurture - CORRECT ANSWER The influence of environmental factors and experiences on
behavior and development.
Environmental factors - CORRECT ANSWER External elements like family, culture, and life
experiences that affect behavior and development.
Evolutionary perspective - CORRECT ANSWER A psychological approach that explains behavior
through adaptation and natural selection.
Natural selection - CORRECT ANSWER The process where traits that help survival and
reproduction become more common in a species.
Discrimination - CORRECT ANSWER Unfair treatment based on group membership (e.g., race,
gender, age).
Eugenics - CORRECT ANSWER A discredited movement aimed at improving genetic quality
through selective breeding.
, Twin studies - CORRECT ANSWER Research comparing identical and fraternal twins to
determine genetic vs. environmental influences.
Family studies - CORRECT ANSWER Research examining how traits run in biological families to
estimate genetic influence.
Adoption studies - CORRECT ANSWER Research comparing adopted children to biological and
adoptive parents to assess nature vs. nurture.
Central nervous system (CNS) - CORRECT ANSWER Consists of the brain and spinal cord;
processes and interprets information.
Brain - CORRECT ANSWER The control center of the body that coordinates thought, behavior,
and movement.
Spinal cord - CORRECT ANSWER The pathway for messages between the brain and the body;
also controls reflexes.
Peripheral nervous system (PNS) - CORRECT ANSWER Connects the CNS to the rest of the body
through nerves. Consists of neurons and nerves
Somatic nervous system - CORRECT ANSWER Controls voluntary movements of skeletal
muscles. Enables voluntary control of our skeletal muscles.
Autonomic nervous system - CORRECT ANSWER Regulates involuntary body functions (e.g.,
heart rate, digestion). Controls our glands and internal organ muscles.
Parasympathetic nervous system - CORRECT ANSWER Calms the body and conserves energy
("rest and digest"). Conserves energy to calm you
Questions and CORRECT Answers
Nature - CORRECT ANSWER The influence of biological or genetic factors on behavior and
traits.
Genetics - CORRECT ANSWER The study of heredity and the variation of inherited
characteristics.
Heredity - CORRECT ANSWER The passing of traits from parents to offspring through genes.
Epigenetics - CORRECT ANSWER The study of how environment and experience can change
gene expression without altering DNA sequence.
Nurture - CORRECT ANSWER The influence of environmental factors and experiences on
behavior and development.
Environmental factors - CORRECT ANSWER External elements like family, culture, and life
experiences that affect behavior and development.
Evolutionary perspective - CORRECT ANSWER A psychological approach that explains behavior
through adaptation and natural selection.
Natural selection - CORRECT ANSWER The process where traits that help survival and
reproduction become more common in a species.
Discrimination - CORRECT ANSWER Unfair treatment based on group membership (e.g., race,
gender, age).
Eugenics - CORRECT ANSWER A discredited movement aimed at improving genetic quality
through selective breeding.
, Twin studies - CORRECT ANSWER Research comparing identical and fraternal twins to
determine genetic vs. environmental influences.
Family studies - CORRECT ANSWER Research examining how traits run in biological families to
estimate genetic influence.
Adoption studies - CORRECT ANSWER Research comparing adopted children to biological and
adoptive parents to assess nature vs. nurture.
Central nervous system (CNS) - CORRECT ANSWER Consists of the brain and spinal cord;
processes and interprets information.
Brain - CORRECT ANSWER The control center of the body that coordinates thought, behavior,
and movement.
Spinal cord - CORRECT ANSWER The pathway for messages between the brain and the body;
also controls reflexes.
Peripheral nervous system (PNS) - CORRECT ANSWER Connects the CNS to the rest of the body
through nerves. Consists of neurons and nerves
Somatic nervous system - CORRECT ANSWER Controls voluntary movements of skeletal
muscles. Enables voluntary control of our skeletal muscles.
Autonomic nervous system - CORRECT ANSWER Regulates involuntary body functions (e.g.,
heart rate, digestion). Controls our glands and internal organ muscles.
Parasympathetic nervous system - CORRECT ANSWER Calms the body and conserves energy
("rest and digest"). Conserves energy to calm you
