Exam 4: The Biological Mind: the Physical Basis of Behavior

Marcus works in the laboratory of Dr. Flores, an expert in the electrophysiology of squid axons. After taking a reading from a recording electrode placed within a squid axon, Marcus comments to Dr. Flores that the squid axon is at its resting potential. What measurement did Marcus take with the recording electrode?

Juan, a graduate student in an electrophysiology lab, stimulates an isolated neuron grown in a petri dish and measures its action potential. How will the neuron respond to the firing of the action potential?

How does the brain control human behavior?

According to the text, "The nature of the autonomic nervous system is important to our understanding of stress. The sympathetic division was designed to deal with emergencies that could be resolved relatively quickly. Our ancestors either escaped that lion or they did not. Worrying about far distant dangers is a luxury that human beings did not have until quite recently." Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Explain your reasoning. What are the physical consequences of "worrying about far distant dangers?"

Stephanie reports to her physician that she suddenly cannot sleep because she is unable to tune out noises such as the humming of the refrigerator or an occasional car driving down the street. After undergoing an MRI, she finds out that she has a tumor in her ____.

The ____ is a part of the prefrontal cortex located right behind the eyes that participates in our emotional lives.

Tomas, age 15, beat a younger boy severely, causing extensive injuries. When asked why, he said the boy sat in a seat on the school bus that Tomas wanted. Which of the following statements might his attorney make in his defense? "Neuroscience evidence shows that ____."

The ________ is sometimes referred to as a "second brain," because it has as many neurons in it as the spinal cord.

Junko's grandmother survived a stroke but is paralyzed on her left side. She has likely suffered damage to her ____.

Mariah is a neuroscience graduate student interested in understanding how the human brain processes early childhood memories. What technique should Mariah use to determine which brain regions are activated when someone recalls their first memory?

Which of the following is an example of the autonomic nervous system at work?

Which statement best describes the relationship between the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system?

Molly, a second year neuroscience graduate student, treats neurons grown in a petri dish with drugs that "block" the function of neuronal receptors. What is a consequence of the drug treatment?

Professor Freeman calls on his student Maya to describe how the presence of myelin affects an action potential. Maya should respond with which of the following statements?

Hormones released from the ____ gland control the production and release of sex hormones by the ovaries and testes, initiating puberty and maintaining fertility.

What is the major function of the spinal cord?

Henry works the night shift at a convenience store. He sees a man entering the store with his hood up, hands in his pockets, and eyes darting around. This causes Henry's stress level to surge. At times of stress, pituitary hormones activate the ____ gland(s), which release(s)other hormones, including ____, that travel throughout the body and brain to provide a general "wake up" message.

A rare health condition caused damage to the amygdala on both sides of Nina's brain. She is now more likely than most people to ____.