EPPP BIOLOGICAL BASES OF BEHAVIOR MAIN EXAMINATION
SHEET 2025/2026 QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS GRADED A+
✔✔The ___ plays a vital role in regulation and coordination of movement. in order to
move smoothly, the motor cortexes must receive info from it, and without it, the cortex is
unable to properly direct motor control. - ✔✔basal ganglia
✔✔The _____ is inhibitory and generally puts the brakes on movement, allowing us to
be still and maintain posture. In order to move voluntarily, the breaks must be released.
- ✔✔basal ganglia
✔✔Dysfunction in the basal ganglia results in which two major disorders? -
✔✔Huntington's and Parkinson's (OCD and Tourette syndrome also)
✔✔Disease characterized by the presence of extraneous movements including
continuous thrusting movements of the face and limbs - ✔✔Huntington's disease /
characteristics
✔✔Results from degeneration of the caudate nucleus and putamen - ✔✔Huntington's
disease / areas of brain involved
✔✔Disease characterized by difficulty with intended movement, and typically results in
tremor, rigidity, and bradykinesia (slowed movements). - ✔✔Parkinson's disease /
characteristics of
✔✔Name the five parts of the basal ganglia - ✔✔caudate nuculeus, putamen,
substantia nigra, globus pallidus, and subthalamic nucleus
✔✔Results from a slow and steady loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia
nigra, and as a result, there is a decrease of dopamine available in the basal ganglia. -
✔✔Parkinson's disease / brain areas involved
✔✔Medication used to treat Parkinson's disease - ✔✔L-Dopa or Levodopa
✔✔lies below the subcortical regions and in front of the cerebellum
most primitive part of the brain and is an extension of the spinal cord.
major areas are: pons, medulla, and reticular formation
involved in the control and regulation of autonomic functions and maintaining the body's
homeostasis (e.g., breathing, heart rate, temperature regulation, blood pressure)
10/12 cranial nerves begin here - ✔✔The brain stem
,✔✔______ is characterized by ataxia (lack of coordination of voluntary movements in
the absence of weakness or sensory loss). symptoms may appear as problems with
gait, posture, incorrect timing in the activation of muscles, disequilibrium, vertigo,
inability to reach out and grab objects, difficulty making rapid movements, or problems
coordinating fine movements - ✔✔cerebellar disease
✔✔Involved in movement and balance
provides excitatory inputs that are responsible for maintaining smooth movement and
coordinating motor activity.
Controls autonomic adjustments of posture and muscle tone that result in balance and
equilibrium
second largest structure in the brain; located at the base of the brain behind the stem
highly impacted by multiple sclerosis
role in learning and attention - ✔✔cerebellum
✔✔______ (top) and _______ (bottom) are involved in sleep (including initiation of
REM), respiration, movement, and cardiovascular activity. damage can lead to a failure
of bodily functions and death. - ✔✔pons and medulla
✔✔originates in the medulla and damage can cause similar problems to Broca's
aphasia due to its involvement with the tongue - ✔✔Cranial nerve XII or hypoglossal
nerve
✔✔set of interconnected nuclei in the brainstem, important in awareness,
consciousness, sleep, and pain - ✔✔reticular formation
✔✔the _____ projects to the thalamus and is involved in the sleep-wake cycle, serves
as a filter for incoming sensory info, and mediates alertness. - ✔✔Reticular Activating
System (RAS) - part of the reticular formation
✔✔Name the three parts of a neuron - ✔✔Dendrites, cell body (soma), and axon
✔✔Receive info from other neurons by capturing neurotransmitters released into the
synaptic cleft (space btw neurons) at their receptor sites. A neuron may have hundreds
or thousands of these - ✔✔Dendrites
✔✔integrates info from the dendrites. contains the nucleus which regulates all cell
activity and controls hereditary characteristics. - ✔✔Cell body (SOMA)
,✔✔tube like structure that transmits info down the neuron - ✔✔axon
✔✔cell to cell communication - ✔✔action potential
✔✔Process of an action potential:
At rest, the outside of the cell has an excess of _____ ions, while the inside has an
excess of _____ ions. When a stimulus of sufficient charge reaches a resting neuron,
the ______ outside of the cell rushes into the cell, creating an action potential (electric
pulse). ______ moves out of the cell. The action potential travels the entire length of the
axon to the boutons (terminal buttons) releasing neurotransmitters into the synapse -
✔✔sodium, potassium
✔✔Neurotransmitters in the synaptic cleft are taken up by the pre-synaptic neurons'
terminal buttons and therefore never reach the adjoining neuron - ✔✔Reuptake
✔✔if a neuron is sufficiently stimulated, it will fire to its fullest extent. If not sufficiently
stimulated, it will not fire at all. After firing, there is an absolute refractory period, during
which the neuron can't fire, regardless of the strength of stimulation. Sodium and
potassium return to their normal sides during the refractory period. - ✔✔All or none
principle
✔✔any substance that enhances the effect of the neurotransmitter - ✔✔agonist
✔✔any substance that inhibits the neurotransmitter's effect
An agnoist must be present or it has no effect - ✔✔Antagonist
✔✔Neurotransmitter involved in voluntary movement and memory/cognition
Linked to Alzheimer's disease and Huntington's disease
Role in parasympathetic nervous system & autonomic nervous system -
✔✔Acetylcholine functions
✔✔Poison of black widow spider causes paralysis and directly effects what
neurotransmitter - ✔✔acetylcholine
✔✔neurotransmitters that decrease the likelihood of an action potential (e.g., GABA,
endorphins) - ✔✔inhibitory neurotransmitters
✔✔neurotransmitters that increase the likelihood of an action potential (e.g.,
acetylcholine, norepinephrine, glutamate) - ✔✔excitatory neurotransmitters
, ✔✔Dopamine and Norepinephrine are _____ - ✔✔Catecholamines
✔✔involved in thought, movement, and emotion as well as the reward system of the
brain
Also: attention, sociability, motivation, desire/pleasure, endocrine functioning -
✔✔Dopamine
✔✔traditional antipsychotics are mainly dopamine ___________ - ✔✔antagonists
✔✔second generation antipsychotics are combined ____/______ antagonists -
✔✔serotonin/dopamine
✔✔_______ block dopamine at a lower rate than first generation / traditional
antipsychotics - ✔✔second generation antipsychotics
✔✔deficit in ______ transmission in prefrontal cortex could lead to cognitive
impairments and negative symptoms of schizophrenia - ✔✔dopamine / deficit in
transmission results in
✔✔Schizophrenia is related to ________ dopamine or _________ of the dopaminergic
system - ✔✔excess/hyperactivity
✔✔neurotransmitter involved with mood, pain perception, sleep, alterness, hormones,
ability to feel pleasure
Released as a hormone into the bloodstream which can cause heart rate increase
Formed in the brain stem at the "locus coeruleus" - ✔✔Norepinephrine or noradrenaline
✔✔Depression is associated with a relative _______ in norepinephrine while mania is
involved with ______ - ✔✔deficiency, excess
✔✔Neurotransmitter involved in mood, sleep, appetite, aggression, sexual activity, and
pain perception
Also: level of consciouness, learning
Primarily inhibitory - ✔✔Serotonin (AKA 5-HT)
✔✔Neurotransmitter produced by a dietary modification of tryptophan. - ✔✔Serotonin
(AKA 5-HT)
SHEET 2025/2026 QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS GRADED A+
✔✔The ___ plays a vital role in regulation and coordination of movement. in order to
move smoothly, the motor cortexes must receive info from it, and without it, the cortex is
unable to properly direct motor control. - ✔✔basal ganglia
✔✔The _____ is inhibitory and generally puts the brakes on movement, allowing us to
be still and maintain posture. In order to move voluntarily, the breaks must be released.
- ✔✔basal ganglia
✔✔Dysfunction in the basal ganglia results in which two major disorders? -
✔✔Huntington's and Parkinson's (OCD and Tourette syndrome also)
✔✔Disease characterized by the presence of extraneous movements including
continuous thrusting movements of the face and limbs - ✔✔Huntington's disease /
characteristics
✔✔Results from degeneration of the caudate nucleus and putamen - ✔✔Huntington's
disease / areas of brain involved
✔✔Disease characterized by difficulty with intended movement, and typically results in
tremor, rigidity, and bradykinesia (slowed movements). - ✔✔Parkinson's disease /
characteristics of
✔✔Name the five parts of the basal ganglia - ✔✔caudate nuculeus, putamen,
substantia nigra, globus pallidus, and subthalamic nucleus
✔✔Results from a slow and steady loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia
nigra, and as a result, there is a decrease of dopamine available in the basal ganglia. -
✔✔Parkinson's disease / brain areas involved
✔✔Medication used to treat Parkinson's disease - ✔✔L-Dopa or Levodopa
✔✔lies below the subcortical regions and in front of the cerebellum
most primitive part of the brain and is an extension of the spinal cord.
major areas are: pons, medulla, and reticular formation
involved in the control and regulation of autonomic functions and maintaining the body's
homeostasis (e.g., breathing, heart rate, temperature regulation, blood pressure)
10/12 cranial nerves begin here - ✔✔The brain stem
,✔✔______ is characterized by ataxia (lack of coordination of voluntary movements in
the absence of weakness or sensory loss). symptoms may appear as problems with
gait, posture, incorrect timing in the activation of muscles, disequilibrium, vertigo,
inability to reach out and grab objects, difficulty making rapid movements, or problems
coordinating fine movements - ✔✔cerebellar disease
✔✔Involved in movement and balance
provides excitatory inputs that are responsible for maintaining smooth movement and
coordinating motor activity.
Controls autonomic adjustments of posture and muscle tone that result in balance and
equilibrium
second largest structure in the brain; located at the base of the brain behind the stem
highly impacted by multiple sclerosis
role in learning and attention - ✔✔cerebellum
✔✔______ (top) and _______ (bottom) are involved in sleep (including initiation of
REM), respiration, movement, and cardiovascular activity. damage can lead to a failure
of bodily functions and death. - ✔✔pons and medulla
✔✔originates in the medulla and damage can cause similar problems to Broca's
aphasia due to its involvement with the tongue - ✔✔Cranial nerve XII or hypoglossal
nerve
✔✔set of interconnected nuclei in the brainstem, important in awareness,
consciousness, sleep, and pain - ✔✔reticular formation
✔✔the _____ projects to the thalamus and is involved in the sleep-wake cycle, serves
as a filter for incoming sensory info, and mediates alertness. - ✔✔Reticular Activating
System (RAS) - part of the reticular formation
✔✔Name the three parts of a neuron - ✔✔Dendrites, cell body (soma), and axon
✔✔Receive info from other neurons by capturing neurotransmitters released into the
synaptic cleft (space btw neurons) at their receptor sites. A neuron may have hundreds
or thousands of these - ✔✔Dendrites
✔✔integrates info from the dendrites. contains the nucleus which regulates all cell
activity and controls hereditary characteristics. - ✔✔Cell body (SOMA)
,✔✔tube like structure that transmits info down the neuron - ✔✔axon
✔✔cell to cell communication - ✔✔action potential
✔✔Process of an action potential:
At rest, the outside of the cell has an excess of _____ ions, while the inside has an
excess of _____ ions. When a stimulus of sufficient charge reaches a resting neuron,
the ______ outside of the cell rushes into the cell, creating an action potential (electric
pulse). ______ moves out of the cell. The action potential travels the entire length of the
axon to the boutons (terminal buttons) releasing neurotransmitters into the synapse -
✔✔sodium, potassium
✔✔Neurotransmitters in the synaptic cleft are taken up by the pre-synaptic neurons'
terminal buttons and therefore never reach the adjoining neuron - ✔✔Reuptake
✔✔if a neuron is sufficiently stimulated, it will fire to its fullest extent. If not sufficiently
stimulated, it will not fire at all. After firing, there is an absolute refractory period, during
which the neuron can't fire, regardless of the strength of stimulation. Sodium and
potassium return to their normal sides during the refractory period. - ✔✔All or none
principle
✔✔any substance that enhances the effect of the neurotransmitter - ✔✔agonist
✔✔any substance that inhibits the neurotransmitter's effect
An agnoist must be present or it has no effect - ✔✔Antagonist
✔✔Neurotransmitter involved in voluntary movement and memory/cognition
Linked to Alzheimer's disease and Huntington's disease
Role in parasympathetic nervous system & autonomic nervous system -
✔✔Acetylcholine functions
✔✔Poison of black widow spider causes paralysis and directly effects what
neurotransmitter - ✔✔acetylcholine
✔✔neurotransmitters that decrease the likelihood of an action potential (e.g., GABA,
endorphins) - ✔✔inhibitory neurotransmitters
✔✔neurotransmitters that increase the likelihood of an action potential (e.g.,
acetylcholine, norepinephrine, glutamate) - ✔✔excitatory neurotransmitters
, ✔✔Dopamine and Norepinephrine are _____ - ✔✔Catecholamines
✔✔involved in thought, movement, and emotion as well as the reward system of the
brain
Also: attention, sociability, motivation, desire/pleasure, endocrine functioning -
✔✔Dopamine
✔✔traditional antipsychotics are mainly dopamine ___________ - ✔✔antagonists
✔✔second generation antipsychotics are combined ____/______ antagonists -
✔✔serotonin/dopamine
✔✔_______ block dopamine at a lower rate than first generation / traditional
antipsychotics - ✔✔second generation antipsychotics
✔✔deficit in ______ transmission in prefrontal cortex could lead to cognitive
impairments and negative symptoms of schizophrenia - ✔✔dopamine / deficit in
transmission results in
✔✔Schizophrenia is related to ________ dopamine or _________ of the dopaminergic
system - ✔✔excess/hyperactivity
✔✔neurotransmitter involved with mood, pain perception, sleep, alterness, hormones,
ability to feel pleasure
Released as a hormone into the bloodstream which can cause heart rate increase
Formed in the brain stem at the "locus coeruleus" - ✔✔Norepinephrine or noradrenaline
✔✔Depression is associated with a relative _______ in norepinephrine while mania is
involved with ______ - ✔✔deficiency, excess
✔✔Neurotransmitter involved in mood, sleep, appetite, aggression, sexual activity, and
pain perception
Also: level of consciouness, learning
Primarily inhibitory - ✔✔Serotonin (AKA 5-HT)
✔✔Neurotransmitter produced by a dietary modification of tryptophan. - ✔✔Serotonin
(AKA 5-HT)
