Oxytocin Is Thought to Play an Important Role in the Development

question 85

Multiple Choice

Oxytocin is thought to play an important role in the development and expression of maternal behavior, as suggested by the observation that maternal behaviors in various animal species can be disrupted by administering oxytocin antagonists. However, maternal behaviors can be seen in non-nursing mothers and also in mothers of adopted children. The best interpretation of these results is that

• A) previous studies implicating oxytocin in maternal behavior were incorrect; it plays no role in maternal behavior.
• B) oxytocin may contribute to development of maternal behavior, but other mechanisms are likely to be involved.
• C) prostaglandin, rather than oxytocin, is the hormone most responsible for the expression of maternal behavior.
• D) the biological mechanisms underlying maternal behavior develop during pregnancy and are not dependent upon whether a mother breast-feeds or not.
• E) maternal behavior is not biologically determined.

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Definitions:

Biceps Brachii

A muscle of the upper arm that is involved in the flexion of the forearm and supination of the forearm.

Serratus Anterior

The serratus anterior is a muscle that originates on the surface of the upper eight or nine ribs and inserts on the medial border of the scapula, playing a key role in the movement of the shoulder.

Linea Alba

The linea alba is a fibrous structure that runs down the midline of the abdomen, forming the seam that joins the left and right abdominal muscles.

Serratus Anterior

A muscle located on the side of the thorax, which plays a crucial role in the movement of the shoulder blade.