Jack Is an Adolescent That Has Been Known to Make

question 18

Multiple Choice

Jack is an adolescent that has been known to make some poor choices in his behavior. Most recently, he was caught stealing the answers to an upcoming chemistry exam. When he was caught, the teacher asked why he did it, and he said, "I don't know. I am worried about my grade." Unfortunately, he failed to consider the outcome of cheating which is an automatic failure for the semester. Jack most likely made the poor choice to cheat because ______.

• A) his prefrontal cortex developed before the limbic system, producing the hormone melatonin which causes poor impulse control
• B) stress from low grades causes a surge of cortisol, which caused him to act impulsively
• C) a burst of testosterone interferes with his ability to think clearly when faced with a decision
• D) his limbic system developed before his prefrontal cortex, resulting in an emotional response over a reasoned response

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Definitions:

Neural Pathways

These are networks of neurons in the body that transmit signals between different parts, crucial for processing information and coordinating actions.

Action Potential

A neural impulse; a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon.

Neurons

Nerve cells that serve as the building blocks of the nervous system, vital for carrying messages throughout the body.

Sodium Ions

Positively charged particles of sodium, essential for conducting nerve impulses and maintaining fluid balance in the body.