Test on Neurobiology of Sexual Motivation

Question 1: The activation of growth factors that direct the formation of new synapses is a molecular event that shapes neuronal plasticity.

A. Ano

B. Ne

Explanation: The study materials explicitly state that molecular events shaping neuronal plasticity include 'the activation of growth factors that direct the formation of new synapses'.

Question 2: Based on the study materials, which of the following statements about dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) in male rats is correct?

A. Conditioned dopamine release in the NAc occurs in Unpaired-trained male rats in response to an almond odor.

B. The interaction of oxytocin (OT) and dopamine (DA) in the NAc induces penile erections.

C. Opioid reward states can sensitize dopamine release in the NAc in the presence of reward-related cues.

D. Sexual bond formation is facilitated by the activation of D1 receptors, which influences NAc activity.

Explanation: The study materials state that the interaction of OT and DA in the NAc of male rats induces penile erections and links them to appetitive sexual behaviors. Additionally, opioid reward states may form the rudimentary mechanism of bonding because they sensitize DA release in the presence of reward-related cues. The text also explicitly states that conditioned DA release in the NAc occurred in Paired-trained male rats, not Unpaired-trained males, in response to almond odor. Furthermore, sexual bond formation was inhibited by D1 receptor activation, not facilitated by it.

Question 3: Research exists on 'liking' and 'wanting' food rewards and their brain substrates.

A. Ano

B. Ne

Explanation: K. C. Berridge's 2009 work, 'Liking' and 'wanting' food rewards: Brain substrates and roles in eating disorders, is listed in the study materials.

Question 4: According to the study by Miller and Baum (1987), what effect does naloxone have on male rats soon after castration?

A. It enhances mating behavior and increases their preference for an oestrous female.

B. It inhibits mating and conditioned place preference for an oestrous female.

C. It only inhibits mating but has no effect on conditioned place preference for an oestrous female.

D. It has no significant effect on either mating or conditioned place preference in castrated male rats.

Explanation: Miller and Baum (1987) found that naloxone inhibits mating and conditioned place preference for an oestrous female in male rats soon after castration.

Question 5: Sexual experience makes male rats more susceptible to the disruptive effects of novelty stress on copulation.

A. Ano

B. Ne

Explanation: The study materials state that sexually experienced males are resistant to the disruptive effects of novelty stress, while sexually naive males are susceptible. Males with 10 prior multi-ejaculatory sexual experiences were not susceptible to novelty stress.