🧠 Biological Psychology MCQs (Batch 6)
Biological Psychology is one of the most important branches of psychology that explains how the brain, nervous system, and hormones shape human behavior. In this set of Biological Psychology MCQs ( Questions 1–40), we cover advanced topics such as neurotransmitters, brain functions, endocrine glands, neuroplasticity, and brain imaging techniques.
These MCQs with answers and explanations are designed for students preparing for AP Psychology, GRE Psychology, A-level Psychology, UPSC, CSS, PMS, FPSC, and other competitive exams. Practicing these questions will not only strengthen your exam preparation but also deepen your understanding of biological psychology concepts.
1. Which part of the brain is primarily responsible for higher cognitive functions such as reasoning and decision-making?
(A) Cerebellum
(B) Brainstem
(C) Frontal lobe ✅
(D) Temporal lobe
Explanation: The frontal lobe controls reasoning, planning, decision-making, and higher-order thinking.
2. The hippocampus is mainly associated with:
(A) Balance and coordination
(B) Memory formation ✅
(C) Breathing regulation
(D) Hormone secretion
Explanation: The hippocampus plays a critical role in learning and forming new memories.
3. Which neurotransmitter is most associated with mood regulation and depression?
(A) Dopamine
(B) Serotonin ✅
(C) Acetylcholine
(D) GABA
Explanation: Low levels of serotonin are linked to depression and mood disorders.
4. The myelin sheath around axons helps in:
(A) Slowing neural impulses
(B) Storing neurotransmitters
(C) Speeding up signal transmission ✅
(D) Producing hormones
Explanation: Myelin insulates axons and allows faster conduction of electrical signals.
5. The amygdala is crucial for processing:
(A) Anger only
(B) Emotional responses, especially fear ✅
(C) Sleep regulation
(D) Logical reasoning
Explanation: The amygdala plays a role in emotional processing, especially fear and aggression.
6. Which division of the autonomic nervous system prepares the body for “fight or flight”?
(A) Parasympathetic
(B) Sympathetic ✅
(C) Somatic
(D) Central
Explanation: The sympathetic nervous system activates increased heart rate, breathing, and energy use.
7. Which lobe of the brain processes visual information?
(A) Frontal
(B) Temporal
(C) Occipital ✅
(D) Parietal
Explanation: The occipital lobe contains the primary visual cortex responsible for vision.
8. Broca’s area is associated with:
(A) Understanding speech
(B) Producing speech ✅
(C) Memory recall
(D) Motor control
Explanation: Broca’s area, located in the left frontal lobe, is critical for speech production.
9. Which neurotransmitter is important for muscle contraction?
(A) Acetylcholine ✅
(B) Serotonin
(C) Dopamine
(D) Norepinephrine
Explanation: Acetylcholine stimulates muscle contractions and is vital in motor control.
10. The cerebellum controls:
(A) Emotions
(B) Hormone release
(C) Coordination and balance ✅
(D) Language processing
Explanation: The cerebellum fine-tunes motor activity and helps maintain balance.
11. The hypothalamus regulates:
(A) Speech and hearing
(B) Hormones, hunger, and body temperature ✅
(C) Balance and coordination
(D) Long-term memory
Explanation: The hypothalamus maintains homeostasis by controlling the endocrine system and autonomic nervous functions.
12. Which brain structure processes fear and aggression?
(A) Hippocampus
(B) Amygdala ✅
(C) Cerebellum
(D) Thalamus
Explanation: The amygdala is central to emotional responses, particularly fear and anger.
13. Which part of the neuron receives incoming signals?
(A) Axon
(B) Dendrites ✅
(C) Synapse
(D) Cell body
Explanation: Dendrites are branched projections that receive messages from other neurons.
14. Which neurotransmitter is the primary inhibitory chemical in the brain?
(A) Glutamate
(B) GABA ✅
(C) Serotonin
(D) Dopamine
Explanation: GABA reduces neuronal excitability, preventing overstimulation.
15. The left hemisphere of the brain is typically more dominant in:
(A) Spatial ability
(B) Language and logical thinking ✅
(C) Musical ability
(D) Emotional processing
Explanation: The left hemisphere controls speech, grammar, and logical reasoning.
16. Which structure acts as a relay station for sensory information?
(A) Amygdala
(B) Thalamus ✅
(C) Cerebellum
(D) Hypothalamus
Explanation: The thalamus directs sensory signals (except smell) to the appropriate cortical areas.
17. The limbic system is primarily associated with:
(A) Emotions and memory ✅
(B) Breathing and heartbeat
(C) Muscle coordination
(D) Hormone regulation
Explanation: The limbic system includes the hippocampus and amygdala, controlling memory and emotions.
18. Parkinson’s disease is linked to low levels of:
(A) Serotonin
(B) Dopamine ✅
(C) Acetylcholine
(D) Norepinephrine
Explanation: Dopamine deficiency in the substantia nigra leads to motor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease.
19. Which gland is called the “master gland”?
(A) Thyroid
(B) Pituitary ✅
(C) Adrenal
(D) Pineal
Explanation: The pituitary gland regulates other endocrine glands and secretes growth hormones.
20. The corpus callosum connects:
(A) Brain to spinal cord
(B) Left and right hemispheres ✅
(C) Cerebellum to brainstem
(D) Thalamus to hippocampus
Explanation: The corpus callosum enables communication between the two hemispheres.
21. The pineal gland primarily regulates:
(A) Growth hormone
(B) Melatonin and sleep-wake cycles ✅
(C) Cortisol
(D) Blood sugar
Explanation: The pineal gland produces melatonin, which controls circadian rhythms and sleep patterns.
22. Which neurotransmitter is the primary excitatory chemical in the brain?
(A) Dopamine
(B) GABA
(C) Glutamate ✅
(D) Acetylcholine
Explanation: Glutamate excites neurons and is critical for learning and memory.
23. The part of the brainstem responsible for basic life functions like breathing and heart rate is:
(A) Cerebellum
(B) Medulla oblongata ✅
(C) Pons
(D) Thalamus
Explanation: The medulla regulates autonomic processes like breathing, blood pressure, and heartbeat.
24. Which of the following is not part of the central nervous system (CNS)?
(A) Spinal cord
(B) Brain
(C) Nerves ✅
(D) Cerebrum
Explanation: Nerves are part of the peripheral nervous system (PNS), not the CNS.
25. Broca’s area is associated with:
(A) Understanding language
(B) Speech production ✅
(C) Balance
(D) Memory storage
Explanation: Damage to Broca’s area (left frontal lobe) causes difficulty in producing speech (Broca’s aphasia).
26. The reticular formation controls:
(A) Sleep-wake cycles and alertness ✅
(B) Voluntary movements
(C) Hormone regulation
(D) Fear responses
Explanation: The reticular formation maintains consciousness and regulates sleep.
27. Which of the following is a neurotransmitter linked to learning and memory?
(A) Acetylcholine ✅
(B) Dopamine
(C) Serotonin
(D) GABA
Explanation: Acetylcholine is vital for memory and is found to be reduced in Alzheimer’s patients.
28. The autonomic nervous system has two main divisions:
(A) Central and peripheral
(B) Sympathetic and parasympathetic ✅
(C) Motor and sensory
(D) Somatic and reflex
Explanation: The sympathetic system activates stress responses, while parasympathetic calms the body.
29. The brain’s ability to reorganize itself after injury is called:
(A) Synaptic transmission
(B) Neuroplasticity ✅
(C) Neurogenesis
(D) Myelination
Explanation: Neuroplasticity allows the brain to adapt by forming new connections.
30. Which endocrine gland produces adrenaline (epinephrine)?
(A) Thyroid
(B) Adrenal ✅
(C) Pituitary
(D) Pineal
Explanation: The adrenal glands release adrenaline during stress to activate fight-or-flight response.
31. Which of the following protects the brain and spinal cord?
(A) Cartilage
(B) Meninges ✅
(C) Ligaments
(D) Muscles
Explanation: The meninges are protective membranes around the brain and spinal cord.
32. Which neurotransmitter is most associated with addiction and drug abuse?
(A) GABA
(B) Dopamine ✅
(C) Acetylcholine
(D) Glutamate
Explanation: Drugs like cocaine and methamphetamine increase dopamine in the reward pathway.
33. Which part of the brain helps regulate hunger and thirst?
(A) Thalamus
(B) Hypothalamus ✅
(C) Amygdala
(D) Cerebellum
Explanation: The hypothalamus regulates eating, drinking, and body temperature.
34. Which part of the neuron carries signals away from the cell body?
(A) Dendrite
(B) Axon ✅
(C) Synapse
(D) Myelin
Explanation: Axons transmit electrical impulses from the neuron to other cells.
35. Which brain imaging technique measures blood flow and brain activity?
(A) MRI
(B) EEG
(C) fMRI ✅
(D) CT scan
Explanation: fMRI detects brain activity by measuring changes in blood flow.
36. The resting potential of a neuron is approximately:
(A) +70 mV
(B) –70 mV ✅
(C) 0 mV
(D) –30 mV
Explanation: At rest, neurons have a negative charge of about –70 millivolts.
37. Which neurotransmitter deficiency is linked to Alzheimer’s disease?
(A) Dopamine
(B) Acetylcholine ✅
(C) Serotonin
(D) GABA
Explanation: Alzheimer’s is associated with reduced acetylcholine levels, impairing memory.
38. Which gland regulates metabolism?
(A) Adrenal
(B) Thyroid ✅
(C) Pituitary
(D) Pineal
Explanation: The thyroid gland controls metabolism through hormones like thyroxine.
39. The blood-brain barrier functions to:
(A) Transport oxygen to neurons
(B) Prevent harmful substances from entering the brain ✅
(C) Produce cerebrospinal fluid
(D) Control hormone release
Explanation: The blood-brain barrier protects the brain from toxins while allowing nutrients.
40. Which hemisphere is more specialized in spatial and creative tasks?
(A) Left
(B) Right ✅
(C) Both equally
(D) None
Explanation: The right hemisphere is dominant for spatial reasoning, creativity, and visual imagination.
👉 Set 1: Introduction to Psychology
👉 Set 2: Brain, Vision, Hearing, and Sleep
👉 Set 3: Biological Basis of Behavior