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NSC 4330 Exam 1 Terms (for final)
Questions and Correct Answers
plasticity Ans: in the nervous system, this refers to change,
flexibility, or adaptation, usually in response to an experience or
learning
neurons Ans: nerve cell; the information processing and
information transmitting cells of the nervous system
neruogenesis Ans: production of new neurons through the
division of neural stem cells; occurs in the hippocampus and
olfactory bulb and appears to play a role in learning
generalization Ans: a type of scientific explanation; a general
conclusion based on many observations of similar phenomena
reduction Ans: A type of scientific explanation; a phenomenon is
described in terms of the more elementary processes that underlie
it
dualism Ans: The belief that the body is physical but the mind (or
soul) is not
monism Ans: the belief that the world consists only of matter and
energy and that the mind is a phenomenon produced by the
workings of the nervous system
reflex Ans: an automatic, stereotyped movement produced as the
direct result of a stimulus
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doctrine of specific nerve energies Ans: Muller's conclusion that
because all nerve fibers carry the same type of message, sensory
information must be specified by the particular nerve fibers that
are active
epigenetics Ans: changes to gene expression induced by
environmental factors
functionalism Ans: The principle that the best way to understand
a biological phenomenon (a behavior or a physiological structure)
is to try to understand its useful functions for the organism.
natural selection Ans: the process by inherited traits that confer a
selective advantage (increase animal's likelihood to live and
reproduce) become more prevalent in a population
mutation Ans: a change in the genetic information contained in
the chromosomes of sperm or eggs, which can be passed on to an
organism's offspring; provides genetic variability
selective advantage Ans: a characteristic of an organism that
permits it to produce more than the average number of offspring
of its species
evolution Ans: a gradual change in the structure and physiology of
plant and animal species- generally producing more complex
organisms- as a result of natural selection
informed consent Ans: the process in which researchers must
inform any potential participant about the nature of the research
study, how any data will be collected and stored, and what the
anticipated benefits and costs of participating will be
© 2025 All rights reserved
NSC 4330 Exam 1 Terms (for final)
Questions and Correct Answers
plasticity Ans: in the nervous system, this refers to change,
flexibility, or adaptation, usually in response to an experience or
learning
neurons Ans: nerve cell; the information processing and
information transmitting cells of the nervous system
neruogenesis Ans: production of new neurons through the
division of neural stem cells; occurs in the hippocampus and
olfactory bulb and appears to play a role in learning
generalization Ans: a type of scientific explanation; a general
conclusion based on many observations of similar phenomena
reduction Ans: A type of scientific explanation; a phenomenon is
described in terms of the more elementary processes that underlie
it
dualism Ans: The belief that the body is physical but the mind (or
soul) is not
monism Ans: the belief that the world consists only of matter and
energy and that the mind is a phenomenon produced by the
workings of the nervous system
reflex Ans: an automatic, stereotyped movement produced as the
direct result of a stimulus
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 2 | Page
doctrine of specific nerve energies Ans: Muller's conclusion that
because all nerve fibers carry the same type of message, sensory
information must be specified by the particular nerve fibers that
are active
epigenetics Ans: changes to gene expression induced by
environmental factors
functionalism Ans: The principle that the best way to understand
a biological phenomenon (a behavior or a physiological structure)
is to try to understand its useful functions for the organism.
natural selection Ans: the process by inherited traits that confer a
selective advantage (increase animal's likelihood to live and
reproduce) become more prevalent in a population
mutation Ans: a change in the genetic information contained in
the chromosomes of sperm or eggs, which can be passed on to an
organism's offspring; provides genetic variability
selective advantage Ans: a characteristic of an organism that
permits it to produce more than the average number of offspring
of its species
evolution Ans: a gradual change in the structure and physiology of
plant and animal species- generally producing more complex
organisms- as a result of natural selection
informed consent Ans: the process in which researchers must
inform any potential participant about the nature of the research
study, how any data will be collected and stored, and what the
anticipated benefits and costs of participating will be
© 2025 All rights reserved
