Deck 3: Biological Foundations of Behaviour

Question 1

When the charge inside of a neuron shifts from -70 millivolts to +40 millivolts,it is called:

A)polarization.
B)depolarization.
C)a resting potential.
D)an ion channel.

Answer 1

depolarization.

Question 2

What is the effect of the myelin sheath on the conduction of neural impulses?

A)Myelin sheaths decrease the speed of electrical conduction.
B)Myelin sheaths increase the speed of electrical conduction.
C)Myelin sheaths vary the graded potential of the neuron..
D)Myelin sheaths are responsible for the refractory period after a neuron has fired.

Answer 2

Myelin sheaths increase the speed of electrical conduction.

Question 3

In a large communication network such as the national telephone company,the actual cables and transmissions could be analogous to the body's neurons,while the technicians and mechanics who support the equipment are analogous to the body's _______.

A)glial cells
B)brain
C)chemicals
D)neurotransmitters

Answer 3

glial cells

Question 4

It is relatively easy to see how there can be millions of connections in the brain given the diverse structures of the _________________.

A)cell body and the axon
B)axon and the dendrites
C)cell body and the dendrites
D)axon and the myelin sheath

Question 5

The function of the axon is to:

A)surround the neurons and hold them in place.
B)speed up the transmission of electrical impulses.
C)receive chemical messages from neighbouring neurons.
D)transmit electrical messages from the cell body to the other muscles,glands,or neurons.

Question 6

When a neuron is stimulated,tiny protein structures on the cell membrane are activated and pump specific ions back and forth,thus changing the overall potential of the neuron.These cell membranes are called___________:

A)ion channels
B)action potentials
C)neurotransmitters
D)glial cells

Question 7

The presence of many branches on the axons makes it possible for a single neuron to connect to the dendrites of as many as 50,000 other neurons.The branches on the axons are called ___________:

A)cell bodies
B)dendrites
C)axon terminals
D)glial cells

Question 8

For a brief period of time,shortly after a neural impulse has been triggered,a neuron is not excitable and cannot fire another impulse.This is called ____________:.

A)action potential
B)graded potential
C)refractory period
D)depolarization

Question 9

The nervous system communicates the difference between a strong and weak stimulus by:

A)varying the action potential of the neuron.
B)varying the firing rate of the neuron.
C)varying the graded potential of the neuron.
D)varying the depolarization of neuron.

Question 10

The resting potential of a typical neuron is:

A)-70 volts.
B)-70 millivolts.
C)-7 millivolts.
D)70 millivolts.

Question 11

Scientists used to think that neurons communicated with each other through direct physical contact.With the advent of the electron microscope,the synapse or gap between neurons is evident and it is apparent that rather than direct contact,the communication continues through _______.

A)axon terminals
B)action potentials
C)neurotransmitters
D)dendrites

Question 12

The resting potential of the typical neuron is determined by:

A)extra negative ions on the outside of the neuron and extra neutral ions on the inside of the neuron.
B)extra positive ions on the inside of the neuron and extra neutral ions on the outside of the neuron.
C)extra positive ions on the inside of the neuron and extra negative ions on the outside of the neuron.
D)extra positive ions on the outside of the neuron and extra negative ions on the inside of the neuron.

Question 13

Branch-like fibres that collect messages from adjacent neurons and pass them along to the cell body of the receiving neuron are called _______________.

A)axons
B)glial cells
C)dendrites
D)neurotransmitters

Question 14

Which of the following statements regarding the nervous system is true?

A)Glial cells outnumber neurons about 10 to 1.
B)Glial cells outnumber neurons about 1000 to 1.
C)Neurons outnumber glial cells about 10 to 1.
D)Neurons outnumber glial cells about 1000 to 1.

Question 15

The gaps between segments of myelin sheath that occur at regular intervals are called:

A)synapses.
B)dendrites.
C)fissures.
D)nodes of Ranvier.

Question 16

The changes in the electrical potential of a neuron that are proportional to the amount of incoming stimulation from other neurons are called:

A)resting potentials.
B)action potentials.
C)graded potentials.
D)polarized potentials.

Question 17

One of the functions of glial cells is to:

A)increase the presence of positive ions inside the cell body.
B)absorb toxins that might damage neurons.
C)increase the speed of neural impulses.
D)generate an action potential.

Question 18

Multiple sclerosis occurs when a person's own immune system specifically attacks:

A)the dendrites.
B)the glial cells.
C)the myelin sheath.
D)the ion channels.

Question 19

The synaptic cleft is a tiny gap between:

A)the axon and the cell body.
B)the axon terminal and the next neuron.
C)the cell body and the dendrites.
D)the segments of myelin sheath.

Question 20

Surrounding neurons and holding them in place is one of the functions of ___________________.

A)axons
B)axon terminals
C)glial cells
D)the myelin sheath

Question 21

The job of interneurons is to:

A)carry information from the sense organs to the brain or spinal cord.
B)carry information form the brain and spinal cord to various muscles or organs.
C)perform connective or associative functions in the nervous system.
D)inhibit neurons from firing by reducing the action potential threshold.

Question 22

Neurotransmitters that depolarize the postsynaptic neuron are called:

A)excitatory transmitters.
B)inhibitory transmitters.
C)receptor sites.
D)synaptic vesicles.

Question 23

The neurotransmitter dopamine was mentioned as involved in all the following disorders EXCEPT for:

A)Schizophrenia
B)Depression
C)Alzheimer's disease
D)Parkinson's disease

Question 24

Acetylcholine (Ach)is known to be involved in:

A)mood,eating,and sexual behaviour.
B)disordered thinking and emotions.
C)reducing pain.
D)memory and muscle activity.

Question 25

Abnormally high levels of dopamine have been observed in the brains of people with:

A)schizophrenia.
B)Alzheimer's disease.
C)a damaged reticular formation.
D)spinal injuries.

Question 26

During the chemical communication process,neurotransmitters cross the synapse and attach themselves to receptor sites on the postsynaptic neurons.This stage is called _____________:

A)synthesis
B)storage
C)release
D)binding

Question 27

Ron,a middle-aged bank executive,is in excellent health.Ron jogs five miles four times a week,keeps his weight at a healthy point,and eats a well-balanced diet.He is particularly worried about the effects of aging as both his parents developed Alzheimer's disease in their later years.Recently Ron has been receiving Botox injections to reduce the wrinkles on his forehead.Little does he know that the Botox injections he receives and the aging disease he so dreads have this same neurotransmitter in common:

A)serotonin
B)acetylcholine
C)dopamine
D)endorphins

Question 28

During the final period of the championship hockey game,Tim is sliced across the ear by an opponent's skate.Despite the damage to his ear,Tim continues to play the game,and scores the winning goal.Tim's ability to continue playing the game despite the searing pain in his ear is likely a result of a massive release of which type of transmitter?

A)acetylcholine
B)serotonin
C)dopamine
D)endorphins

Question 29

An excitatory neurotransmitter that is found throughout the brain and is especially important in learning and memory is:

A)serotonin.
B)glutamate.
C)gamma-amino-butyric acid.
D)acetylcholine.

Question 30

The drug Prozac has a positive effect on depression by:

A)blocking the reuptake of serotonin,so that more of the neurotransmitter remains to enhance mood.
B)breaking down excess serotonin,so that less of the neurotransmitter remains,which in turn enhances mood.
C)blocking the reuptake of dopamine,so that more of the neurotransmitter remains to enhance mood.
D)breaking down excess dopamine,so that less of the neurotransmitter remains,which in turn enhances mood.

Question 31

Caffeine is an example of a drug that:

A)binds to a neurotransmitter receptor and denies the naturally occurring neurotransmitter access to its receptor.
B)alters how the naturally occurring neurotransmitter is cleared from the synaptic cleft after it has been released.
C)interferes with a chemical that is responsible for the breakdown of naturally occurring neurotransmitters.
D)binds to a neurotransmitter receptor and imitates the naturally occurring neurotransmitter.

Question 32

The process in which neurotransmitters are deactivated when they are taken back into the presynaptic axon terminal is called:

A)restoring.
B)regeneration.
C)recycling.
D)reuptake.

Question 33

What are the three major types of neurons in the nervous system?

A)sensory neurons,motor neurons,and interneurons
B)sensory neurons,inhibitory neurons,and interneurons
C)excitatory neurons,inhibitory neurons,and sensory neurons
D)excitatory neurons,motor neurons,and interneurons

Question 34

When the resting potential of a neuron becomes more negative (e.g.,goes from -70 millivolts to -72 millivolts),this is referred to as:

A)excitation.
B)depolarization.
C)hyperpolarization.
D)an action potential.

Question 35

Psychoactive drugs act by:

A)replacing the naturally occurring neurotransmitter.
B)denying the naturally occurring neurotransmitter access to its receptor.
C)adding chemicals that prohibit breakdown naturally occurring neurotransmitters.
D)denying the receptor access to the naturally occurring neurotransmitter.

Question 36

In addition to reuptake,neurotransmitters can also be deactivated by:

A)being broken down into their chemical components by chemicals in the synapse.
B)being taken back into the axon terminal of the presynaptic neuron.
C)being taken back into the axon terminal of the postsynaptic neuron.
D)being absorbed in the myelin sheath by chemicals in the synapse.

Question 37

Ashley's parents do not like the contemporary techno music that Ashley and her friends listen to and prefer old show tunes to which they can sing along.Along with the neurons that help them sense the music,there is a link between the sensory input from a song to which they are listening and their memory of that song.This link is made by ________________:

A)interneurons
B)sensory neurons
C)motor neurons
D)inhibitory neurons

Question 38

A neuron is responsible for conveying a message from the brain to a particular muscle,such as the muscle that contracts your eyelid.This neuron would be classified as a(n):

A)inhibitory neuron.
B)interneuron.
C)sensory neuron.
D)motor neuron.

Question 39

Neurotransmitters that hyperpolarize a neuron are specifically called:

A)excitatory neurotransmitters.
B)inhibitory neurotransmitters.
C)graded potentials.
D)action potentials.

Question 40

The two ways that neurotransmitters can be deactivated are:

A)postsynaptic reuptake and chemical breakdown.
B)presynaptic reuptake and chemical breakdown.
C)presynaptic reuptake and postsynaptic reuptake.
D)postsynaptic reuptake and graded potentials.

Question 41

The two divisions of the autonomic nervous system are:

A)sensory and motor.
B)somatic and parasympathetic.
C)sympathetic and parasympathetic.
D)sympathetic and central.

Question 42

The electroencephalogram (EEG)is an example of which method of assessing the relation between the brain and behaviour?

A)brain imaging
B)neuropsychological tests
C)electrical recording
D)destruction and stimulation techniques

Question 43

The technique that measures how atoms in living tissue respond to a magnetic pulse is called ___________:.

A)magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
B)electroencephalogram (EEG)
C)computerized axial tomography (CT)scan
D)positron emission tomography (PET)scan

Question 44

During brain surgery,a physician places a small electrode on various portions of the patient's exposed cerebral cortex.Though the patient is anaesthetized,he is still conscious and the physician asks him to report what he experiences when different parts of the brain are electrically activated.This physician is using which method of studying the relation between the brain and behaviour?

A)neuropsychological tests
B)destruction and stimulation techniques
C)brain imaging
D)electrical recording

Question 45

The somatic nervous system:

A)consists of sensory and motor neurons designed to transmit information to slow down the body and keeping it calm.
B)consists of sensory and motor neurons designed to transmit information for involuntary functions such as circulation and digestion.
C)consists of sensory and motor neurons designed to transmit information for the fight-or-flight response.
D)consists of sensory and motor neurons designed to transmit information between muscles,sensory receptors,and the central nervous system.

Question 46

The sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems play complementary roles in maintaining a balanced or constant internal state.This constant internal state is referred to as _____________________:

A)homeosynthesis
B)homeostasis
C)neural plasticity
D)a resting potential

Question 47

The technique that measures the amount of harmless radioactive glucose used by the brain is called a(n):

A)functional magnetic resonance imagining (fMRI).
B)magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
C)computerized axial tomography (CT)scan.
D)positron emission tomography (PET)scan.

Question 48

After a very loud noise in her backyard woke her from a sound sleep,Ursula is lying in bed paralyzed by fear.Her heart is pounding,her face is flushed,and there is a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach.The nervous system that is responsible for Ursula's body reactions to the noise is called ________________:

A)autonomic nervous system
B)voluntary nervous system
C)central nervous system
D)somatic nervous system

Question 49

Computerized axial tomography (CAT)scans,positron emission tomography (PET)scans,and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)are all examples of which method of measuring brain-behaviour relations?

A)electrical recording
B)destruction and stimulation techniques
C)brain imaging
D)neuropsychological tests

Question 50

To measure brain-behaviour relations,this method uses highly concentrated X-rays to take pictures of narrow slices of the brain.This method is called ____________:

A)positron emission tomography (PET)scan
B)computerized axial tomography (CT)scan
C)magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
D)functional magnetic resonance imagining (fMRI)

Question 51

The two divisions of the peripheral nervous system are:

A)somatic and autonomic.
B)sensory and motor.
C)sympathetic and somatic.
D)sympathetic and autonomic.

Question 52

A CT scan is used to study brain ___________ while the PET scan is used to examine brain __________.

A)activity; structures
B)structures; activity
C)damage; excitation
D)excitation; damage

Question 53

In the human body,the sympathetic system is responsible for activating the body for such things as the fight-or-flight response.The system is responsible for calming and slowing down the body is called the _______________________.

A)somatic system
B)parasomatic system
C)autonomic system
D)parasympathetic system

Question 54

Spinal reflexes are reflexes that:

A)cannot be triggered without the involvement of the sympathetic nervous system.
B)can be triggered without any involvement of the brain.
C)occur when the brain senses it could be threatened or damaged.
D)can significantly increase reaction time.

Question 55

A person who has just suffered a head trauma due to a car accident is given the "Trail Making Test" by a psychologist in order to assess the person's memory and planning abilities.This test is an example of which method of studying brain-behaviour relations?

A)brain imaging
B)electrical recording
C)neuropsychological tests
D)destruction and stimulation techniques

Question 56

Lucy and her older brother Louis have developed quite a fierce sibling rivalry.On vacation in Mexico with their father,Louis and Lucy were being relatively well-behaved until one afternoon when Lucy accidentally stepped on her brother's foot and he automatically punched her.Louis apologized profusely saying that he just reacted and didn't even have time to think about what he did before he did it.Louis might try to claim that his brain was unaware of what he was doing at the time he punched Lucy because this type of response is considered a:

A)nervous twitch
B)muscular reflex
C)sensory reflex
D)spinal reflex

Question 57

The central nervous system is defined as:

A)only the neurons in the brain.
B)only the neurons in the spinal cord.
C)only the neurons in the brain and spinal cord.
D)only the neurons outside of the brain and spinal cord.

Question 58

In the wilds of northern Canada,Joe is elk hunting with some college friends.After the hunters separate in search of a lone elk,Joe finds himself staring straight into the eyes of a grizzly bear.Joe's heart rate increases,and as he runs through the woods praying the bear is not following him,he is aware that he has never run faster.The nervous system responsible for Joe's speedy flight is the ______________.

A)central nervous system
B)sympathetic nervous system
C)parasympathetic nervous system
D)somatic nervous system

Question 59

Ursula is sound asleep one night when she is suddenly awakened by a loud noise coming from her backyard.She gets out of bed and moves to the window in order to see what made the noise.Ursula is relying on her ______ nervous system.

A)parasympathetic
B)sympathetic
C)autonomic
D)somatic

Question 60

Mark's father had triple bypass surgery a week ago and has been told by his doctors to reduce the stress in his life in general and at least for the next several weeks try to maintain calmness about him.After opening a letter from school containing Mark's poor semester grades,his father does his biofeedback exercises in an effort to return his blood pressure to normal and his muscles back to relaxation.For this to work,a particular nervous system is working overtime.This is the ________________ nervous system.

A)parasympathetic
B)sympathetic
C)central
D)homeostatic

Question 61

The primary job of the ascending reticular formation is to:

A)regulate vital functions such as respiration and heart rate.
B)block out or admit sensory information to the brain.
C)alert the brain that information is coming.
D)coordinate muscle movements.

Question 62

The function of the descending reticular formation is to:

A)regulate learning and memory.
B)block out or admit sensory information to the brain.
C)alert the brain that information is coming.
D)regulate vital functions such as respiration and heart rate.

Question 63

Judith has noticed that her elderly husband is behaving differently lately.His movements have become uncoordinated,jerky,and clumsy,and he even has difficulty walking or getting up from a chair.These symptoms are most likely related to a tumor in the:

A)cerebellum.
B)pons.
C)medulla.
D)reticular formation.

Question 64

After partying with friends one night,Angela got into her car to drive herself home.She had been drinking and was involved in a tragic accident.The doctors at the hospital kept Angela alive on life support systems until her parents arrived.They explained to Angela's grief stricken parents that this structure of the brain had been damaged and without life support she would die.This structure is the __________:

A)thalamus
B)forebrain
C)medulla
D)cerebellum

Question 65

The area of the brain that produces orexins,a substance found to stimulate eating,is the:

A)basal ganglia.
B)hypothalamus.
C)amygdala.
D)thalamus.
CL: F

Question 66

One of the primary functions of the thalamus is to:

A)regulate the vital functions of respiration and heart rate.
B)organize input from the sense organs and route it to the appropriate brain area.
C)regulate various aspects of motivation and emotion.
D)play a key role in the encoding and storage of memories.

Question 67

A male rat has a particular area of its brain destroyed and it subsequently loses its sex drive.It is most likely that the site of the damage was the rat's __________________..

A)hippocampus
B)thalamus
C)hypothalamus
D)amygdala

Question 68

The basal ganglia plays an important role in:

A)producing dopamine.
B)initiating voluntary movements.
C)organizing and routing sensory inputs to appropriate areas of the brain.
D)controlling reflexive,automatic,and rapid movements.

Question 69

Which of the following are among the functions affected by the hypothalamus?

A)sexual behaviour,temperature regulation,and sleeping
B)memory encoding,storage and retrieval
C)respiration and heart rate
D)alerting the higher brain centres that sensory information is about to come in

Question 70

The area of the brain that plays a role in vital life functions,such as heart rate and respiration,is the:

A)thalamus.
B)cerebellum.
C)medulla.
D)hypothalamus.

Question 71

Research on schizophrenia has found that men with this disorder have abnormalities that might account for their confused thinking and disordered attention.These abnormalities tended to occur in their ____________:

A)cerebrum
B)limbic system
C)hypothalamus
D)thalamus

Question 72

The structure of the human brain can be said to mirror an archaeological site because:

A)the older structures of the human brain are responsible for the more complex brain functions,such as thinking and creativity.
B)the more recently developed structures of the brain are responsible for the basic life functions,such as breathing and heart rate.
C)the more recently developed brain structures are built atop the older brain structures.
D)the older brain structures are built atop the more recently developed brain structures.

Question 73

In addition to playing an important role in controlling respiration,the groups of neurons that regulate sleep and dreaming are called the ___________:

A)cerebellum
B)pons
C)medulla
D)reticular formation

Question 74

The reticular formation is considered to be the "brain's gatekeeper" because:

A)it can block or admit incoming sensory information.
B)it can block or release outgoing neural motor commands.
C)it regulates the vital functions of respiration and heart rate.
D)it determines what neurons are physically connected to the cerebral cortex.

Question 75

George has agreed to participate in a memory experiment where both the structure of his brain and the brain activity will be captured as he performs various memory tasks.He has been assured he will not be exposed to X-rays and the procedure is relatively non-intrusive.George will be having:

A)electroencephalogram (EEG)
B)neuropsychological tests
C)positron emission tomography (PET)scan
D)functional magnetic resonance imagining (fMRI)

Question 76

Julie was a concert pianist until she was in a serious skiing accident.As a result,she was no longer able to control the timing and coordination of her motor movements.She had sustained severe damage to her ______________:

A)cerebellum
B)reticulum
C)thalamus
D)hypothalamus

Question 77

Alexis is riding her bicycle to school one day and slides on some loose gravel at the bottom of a hill.Her bike flies out from under her and she looses consciousness.At the hospital Alexis does not seem oriented to the situation and cannot remember even riding her bike let alone falling.The doctors wish to take pictures of the structure of her brain to determine whether or not there are injuries.To do this,they use a _______________:

A)electroencephalogram (EEG)
B)chemical stimulation technique
C)computerized axial tomography (CT)scan
D)positron emission tomography (PET)scan

Question 78

At a local university the freshman hazing involved chugging bottles of vodka.When two naïve young men fell unconscious after finishing the bottles of vodka,their girlfriends rushed them to the emergency room.It seems their basic body functions had been suppressed by the alcohol and they died from heart failure.Which portion of the brain governs these vital body functions?

A)cerebellum
B)medulla
C)corpus callosum
D)motor neurons

Question 79

The role of the thalamus in brain functioning has been compared to a:

A)file cabinet.
B)computer.
C)switchboard.
D)jury.

Question 80

A newborn baby is having trouble regulating her breathing and heart rate and doctors are forced to place her on life support.Given her symptoms,it is most likely that this infant may have some abnormalities in or damage to her:

A)thalamus.
B)hypothalamus.
C)cerebellum.
D)medulla.