TEST BANK RATIONALE : EPPP DIAGNOSIS
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AND PSYCHOPATHOLOGY EXAM = = =
(2026/2027 UPDATED) = =
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Overview Rationale =
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Section 1: Biological Bases of Behavior (10%)
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1. Which ion primarily drives the depolarizing phase of the
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neuronal action potential?
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• A. K⁺ (Potassium)
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• B. Na⁺ (Sodium)
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• C. Ca²⁺ (Calcium)
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• D. Cl⁻ (Chloride)
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Answer: B = =
Rationale: During depolarization, voltage-
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gated sodium channels open, allowing Na⁺ ions to rapidly flow into
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,the neuron, making the inside more positive . K⁺ efflux drives
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repolarization,
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Ca²⁺ is involved in neurotransmitter release, and Cl⁻ influx typicall
= = = = = = = = =
y causes hyperpolarization. Understanding the ionic basis of the
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action potential is fundamental to neurophysiology.
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Cognitive Level: Knowledge | Exam Domain: Biological Bases of
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Behavior | Reference: ASPPB Content Outline
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2. Which neurotransmitter is most directly implicated in the
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pathophysiology of Parkinson's disease? = = = =
• A. Serotonin
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• B. Norepinephrine
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• C. Dopamine
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• D. Acetylcholine
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Answer: C = =
Rationale: Parkinson's disease is characterized by the progressive
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degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra
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pars compacta, leading to dopamine depletion in the basal gangli
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a. =
,This results in the motor symptoms of tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia,
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and postural instability. Dopamine replacement therapy
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(levodopa) remains the primary treatment.
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Cognitive Level: Knowledge | Exam Domain: Biological Bases of
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Behavior | Reference: ASPPB Content Outline
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=
3. The primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central
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nervous system is:
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• A. Glutamate
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• B. GABA
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• C. Glycine
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• D. Substance P
= = =
Answer: B = =
Rationale: GABA (gamma- = =
aminobutyric acid) is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the
= = = = = = = = =
CNS, reducing neuronal excitability by increasing Cl⁻ influx .
= = = = = = = = =
Glutamate is the primary excitatory neurotransmitter. Glycine is
= = = = = = =
inhibitory in the spinal cord. Substance P is involved in pain
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transmission.
= =
, Cognitive Level: Knowledge | Exam Domain: Biological Bases of
= = = = = = = = =
Behavior | Reference: ASPPB Content Outline
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=
4. Which brain structure is most critical for the consolidation of
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new explicit (declarative) memories?
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• A. Amygdala
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• B. Hippocampus
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• C. Cerebellum
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• D. Basal ganglia
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Answer: B = =
Rationale: The hippocampus is critical for the consolidation of expli
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cit/declarative memories (facts and events) . The amygdala is invol
= = = = = = = = =
ved in emotional memory, the cerebellum in implicit/procedural me
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mory, and the basal ganglia in habit learning. This is supported by t
= = = = = = = = = = = =
he famous case of HM who had bilateral hippocampal resection an
= = = = = = = = = =
d could no longer form new declarative memories.
= = = = = = = =
Cognitive Level: Knowledge | Exam Domain: Biological Bases of
= = = = = = = = =
Behavior | Reference: ASPPB Content Outline
= = = = = =
=
= = = = =
AND PSYCHOPATHOLOGY EXAM = = =
(2026/2027 UPDATED) = =
=
Overview Rationale =
=
Section 1: Biological Bases of Behavior (10%)
= = = = = =
1. Which ion primarily drives the depolarizing phase of the
= = = = = = = =
neuronal action potential?
= = = =
• A. K⁺ (Potassium)
= = =
• B. Na⁺ (Sodium)
= = =
• C. Ca²⁺ (Calcium)
= = =
• D. Cl⁻ (Chloride)
= = =
Answer: B = =
Rationale: During depolarization, voltage-
= = =
gated sodium channels open, allowing Na⁺ ions to rapidly flow into
= = = = = = = = = =
,the neuron, making the inside more positive . K⁺ efflux drives
= = = = = = = = = = =
repolarization,
= =
Ca²⁺ is involved in neurotransmitter release, and Cl⁻ influx typicall
= = = = = = = = =
y causes hyperpolarization. Understanding the ionic basis of the
= = = = = = = = =
action potential is fundamental to neurophysiology.
= = = = = =
Cognitive Level: Knowledge | Exam Domain: Biological Bases of
= = = = = = = = =
Behavior | Reference: ASPPB Content Outline
= = = = = =
=
2. Which neurotransmitter is most directly implicated in the
= = = = = = = =
pathophysiology of Parkinson's disease? = = = =
• A. Serotonin
= =
• B. Norepinephrine
= =
• C. Dopamine
= =
• D. Acetylcholine
= =
Answer: C = =
Rationale: Parkinson's disease is characterized by the progressive
= = = = = = = =
degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra
= = = = = = = =
pars compacta, leading to dopamine depletion in the basal gangli
= = = = = = = = =
a. =
,This results in the motor symptoms of tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia,
= = = = = = = = = =
and postural instability. Dopamine replacement therapy
= = = = = =
(levodopa) remains the primary treatment.
= = = = = =
Cognitive Level: Knowledge | Exam Domain: Biological Bases of
= = = = = = = = =
Behavior | Reference: ASPPB Content Outline
= = = = = =
=
3. The primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central
= = = = = =
nervous system is:
= = = =
• A. Glutamate
= =
• B. GABA
= =
• C. Glycine
= =
• D. Substance P
= = =
Answer: B = =
Rationale: GABA (gamma- = =
aminobutyric acid) is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the
= = = = = = = = =
CNS, reducing neuronal excitability by increasing Cl⁻ influx .
= = = = = = = = =
Glutamate is the primary excitatory neurotransmitter. Glycine is
= = = = = = =
inhibitory in the spinal cord. Substance P is involved in pain
= = = = = = = = = = =
transmission.
= =
, Cognitive Level: Knowledge | Exam Domain: Biological Bases of
= = = = = = = = =
Behavior | Reference: ASPPB Content Outline
= = = = = =
=
4. Which brain structure is most critical for the consolidation of
= = = = = = = = = =
new explicit (declarative) memories?
= = = =
• A. Amygdala
= =
• B. Hippocampus
= =
• C. Cerebellum
= =
• D. Basal ganglia
= = =
Answer: B = =
Rationale: The hippocampus is critical for the consolidation of expli
= = = = = = = = =
cit/declarative memories (facts and events) . The amygdala is invol
= = = = = = = = =
ved in emotional memory, the cerebellum in implicit/procedural me
= = = = = = = =
mory, and the basal ganglia in habit learning. This is supported by t
= = = = = = = = = = = =
he famous case of HM who had bilateral hippocampal resection an
= = = = = = = = = =
d could no longer form new declarative memories.
= = = = = = = =
Cognitive Level: Knowledge | Exam Domain: Biological Bases of
= = = = = = = = =
Behavior | Reference: ASPPB Content Outline
= = = = = =
=
