Deck 3: Biology and Behavior

Question 1

What part of the neuron releases chemical signals?

A) axon
B) terminal buttons
C) cell body
D) dendrite

Answer 1

B

Question 2

In the nervous system,cells called ________ receive,integrate,and transmit information.

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

Answer 2

B

Question 3

Thara's roommate has been complaining about having a "pinched nerve" from moving some furniture.What is she likely referring to as a nerve?

A) a single axon from a portion of her back to her spinal cord
B) a neuron that is part of her spinal cord
C) a bundle of axons from some nerves in her back
D) a neuron that connects to the pain center in her spine

Answer 3

C

Question 4

Neurons outside the brain and the spinal cord are part of the ________ nervous system.

A) secondary
B) peripheral
C) central
D) auxiliary

Question 5

Interneurons communicate:

A) within local or short distance circuits.
B) directly on muscles.
C) directly on sensory organs.
D) with glial cells.

Question 6

The basic building blocks of the nervous system are the:

A) neurons.
B) synapses.
C) dendrites.
D) glial cells.

Question 7

What are the branchlike appendages that detect chemical signals from other neurons?

A) axons
B) synapses
C) cell bodies
D) dendrites

Question 8

The central nervous system (CNS)consists of:

A) the brain and spinal cord.
B) the somatic and autonomic nervous systems.
C) the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.
D) the central and peripheral nervous systems.

Question 9

Which of the following is NOT a part of a neuron?

A) dendrite
B) cell body
C) terminal button
D) interneuron

Question 10

A neuron without dendrites is most similar to:

A) a computer without a mouse.
B) a telephone that cannot receive incoming calls.
C) a light with no "off" switch.
D) a car that cannot go above 60 mph.

Question 11

Axons:

A) transmit nerve impulses to terminal buttons and vary in length.
B) are always bundled with other axons to form nerves and are individually very short in length.
C) vary in length depending on whether they send or receive information.
D) are uniform in size throughout the body though capable of serving different functions.

Question 12

The extensions of a neuron that receive messages from other neurons are the:

A) nerves.
B) cell body.
C) dendrites.
D) axon terminal buttons.

Question 13

Which of the following parts of a neuron integrates information from other neurons?

A) axon
B) synapse
C) cell body
D) dendrite

Question 14

Which of the following is NOT a basic type of neuron?

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

Question 15

In the nervous system,each neuron communicates:

A) with one or two other neurons.
B) with a random subset of the other neurons.
C) selectively with many other neurons.
D) with all the other neurons in the nervous system.

Question 16

The brain and the spinal cord make up the ________ nervous system.

A) central
B) peripheral
C) primary
D) autonomic

Question 17

Imagine that scientists have developed an experimental medication that completely blocks the sensation of pain.This medication most likely targets:

A) the amygdala.
B) the autonomic nervous system.
C) interneurons.
D) somatosensory nerves.

Question 18

The function of interneurons is to communicate:

A) between the brain and the spinal cord.
B) between the brain and sensory neurons.
C) outside of the brain.
D) within a neural circuit.

Question 19

The spinal cord is part of the ________ nervous system.

A) sensory
B) peripheral
C) somatic
D) central

Question 20

Our body's neural system is built from billions of nerve cells,also called:

A) neurotransmitters.
B) neurons.
C) axons.
D) genomes.

Question 21

Another term for neuron firing is:

A) action potential.
B) somatic potential.
C) resting membrane potential.
D) ion potential.

Question 22

A synapse is a:

A) chemical.
B) joint.
C) signal.
D) gap.

Question 23

Why are the nodes of Ranvier important structures for neural firing?

A) They release neurotransmitters.
B) They are involved in reuptake.
C) They are the receptor sites for binding with neurotransmitters.
D) They are areas along the axon that speed transmission.

Question 24

If you had a disorder that caused neurons to demyelinate,this would initially cause:

A) neurons to immediately begin to die.
B) dendrites to proliferate excessively.
C) the insulation of the axon to deteriorate.
D) a decreased number of nodes of Ranvier.

Question 25

A myelin sheath is like the:

A) tuning dial of a radio.
B) insulation of a wire.
C) layers of a cake.
D) thermostat of a heater.

Question 26

When not active,neurons have a negative electrical charge.This is referred to as:

A) action potential.
B) resting membrane potential.
C) all-or-none principle.
D) electron principle.

Question 27

What allows the movement of sodium and potassium ions to the inside and the outside of the neuron to cause firing?

A) gating mechanisms contained within the cell wall
B) changes in the chemical structure of the ions
C) changes in the charge of the ions
D) refraction

Question 28

The nodes of Ranvier are:

A) unmyelinated portions of an axon.
B) the bulblike endings of axons.
C) receptor sites on dendrites.
D) myelinated portions of an axon.

Question 29

Which of the following sequences reflects the order in which a signal generally travels through a neuron?

A) dendrite à soma à axon à terminal buttons
B) terminal buttons à axon à cell body à dendrite
C) cell body à dendrite à axon à terminal buttons
D) dendrite à axon à cell body à terminal buttons

Question 30

The two types of ions that control neuron firing are:

A) nitrogen and calcium.
B) calcium and sodium.
C) sodium and potassium.
D) potassium and magnesium.

Question 31

Typically,it takes about a 100 mV depolarization change to produce an action potential.Which of the following should result in an action potential?

A) inhibitory signals equaling approximately 110 mV
B) excitatory signals equaling 75 mV plus inhibitory signals equaling 25 mV
C) excitatory signals equaling 110 mV
D) inhibitory signals equaling 75 mV plus excitatory signals equaling 25 mV

Question 32

The extensions of a neuron that transmit information to other neurons are the:

A) dendrites.
B) cell bodies.
C) axons.
D) ion channels.

Question 33

What is the state of the electrical charge when a neuron is said to be at resting potential?

A) Inside the neuron is more positive than outside the neuron.
B) Inside the neuron is more negative than outside the neuron.
C) Both the inside and outside of the neuron are of equal electrical charge.
D) The inside of the neuron is hyperpolarized.

Question 34

Propagation of the action potential occurs:

A) along the axon at the nodes of Ranvier.
B) along the dendrites at the nodes of Ranvier.
C) between neurons at the synapse.
D) on the cell body.

Question 35

Excitatory signals are ________,whereas inhibitory signals are ________.

A) depolarized; hyperpolarized
B) positively charged; negatively charged
C) hyperpolarized; depolarized
D) negatively charged; positively charged

Question 36

The neural impulse,or ________,is a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon.

A) action potential
B) resting membrane potential
C) neurotransmitters
D) all-or-none principle

Question 37

The ________ capture(s)the incoming chemical signal while the ________ release(s)the chemical signal.

A) terminal buttons; dendrites
B) dendrites; terminal buttons
C) cell body; axon
D) axon; cell body

Question 38

If your house was "selectively permeable" like a neuron,which of the following situations would be most likely?

A) Everyone would be welcome to enter.
B) All the doors would be open.
C) Only certain people would be allowed inside.
D) No one would be allowed to leave.

Question 39

Inhibitory signals ________ polarization,________ the likelihood of an action potential.

A) decrease; decreasing
B) decrease; increasing
C) increase; decreasing
D) increase; increasing

Question 40

The action of neural firing as it proceeds down the axon is similar to which of the following types of movement?

A) skipping
B) crawling
C) running laps
D) driving on a road

Question 41

A medication that blocks the reuptake of serotonin would lead to:

A) more serotonin in the synapse.
B) less serotonin in the synapse.
C) more serotonin in the axon.
D) less serotonin in the axon.

Question 42

There are three events that can terminate a neurotransmitter's influence in the synapse.Which of the following is NOT one of these events?

A) The neurotransmitter is taken back into the presynaptic neuron.
B) Enzymes in the synapse destroy the neurotransmitter.
C) Autoreceptors signal the presynaptic neuron to stop releasing neurotransmitter.
D) The neurotransmitter alters its structure after release from the synaptic vesicle.

Question 43

Drugs affect neural communication in each of the following ways EXCEPT:

A) blocking reuptake.
B) blocking receptors.
C) destroying neurotransmitters.
D) eliminating the need for action potentials.

Question 44

What do we call the neurons on the sending side of a synaptic cleft?

A) postsynaptic neurons
B) presynaptic neurons
C) interneurons
D) excitatory neurons

Question 45

Chemical substances that carry messages directly from one neuron to the next are called:

A) agonists.
B) neurotransmitters.
C) enzymes.
D) hormones.

Question 46

Imagine you are part of the chain of activity on a production line.Your boss,who in his previous career was a neuroscientist,calls you an agonist.What would he be implying?

A) that you completely halt production
B) that you interfere with production
C) that you take stuff out of the process that is defective
D) that you facilitate production

Question 47

Another way to think of agonists and antagonists,with respect to their involvement in the actions of neurotransmitters,is that agonists ________,whereas antagonists ________ the action of neurotransmitters.

A) help; hinder
B) hinder; help
C) alter; maintain
D) maintain; alter

Question 48

You cannot fire a gun softly or flush a toilet halfway.Like an action potential,gunfire and a toilet's flush follow the ________ law.

A) on-or-off
B) this-or-that
C) binary response
D) all-or-none

Question 49

One mechanism of drugs is to alter the availability of neurotransmitters,thus affecting the functioning of neurons.Antagonistic drugs ________ the availability,whereas agonistic drugs ________ the availability.

A) increase; decrease
B) decrease; increase
C) eliminate; block
D) block; eliminate

Question 50

Cocaine causes the neurotransmitter dopamine to remain at the site of the synapse longer than it normally would; cocaine thus inhibits the process termed:

A) recycling.
B) reabsorption.
C) reuse.
D) reuptake.

Question 51

An overdose of an acetylcholine agonist is most likely to produce:

A) fatigue.
B) paralysis.
C) impulsiveness.
D) anxiety.

Question 52

Drugs that produce their effects by mimicking neurotransmitters are called:

A) antagonists.
B) agonists.
C) acetylcholines.
D) reuptake inhibitors.

Question 53

Imagine you are part of the chain of activity on a production line.Your boss,who in his previous career was a neuroscientist,calls you an antagonist.What would he be implying?

A) that you interfere with production
B) that you speed up production
C) that you take stuff out of the process that is defective
D) that you sleep on the job,doing nothing

Question 54

Using a key to open the front door of your house is analogous to the:

A) randomness of neural activation.
B) unique chemical structure of a neurotransmitter that fits certain receptor sites.
C) neurotransmitters that carry a secret code to neurons.
D) activity log that the nervous system maintains.

Question 55

Drugs that block the effects of neurotransmitters by occupying their receptor sites are called:

A) antagonists.
B) agonists.
C) acetylcholines.
D) selective inhibitors.

Question 56

Joyce is experiencing tremors,muscular rigidity,cognitive disturbances,and mood disturbances.Which of the following is most likely to improve Joyce's condition?

A) epinephrine
B) L-DOPA
C) SSRI
D) endorphins

Question 57

How do neurons communicate?

A) Terminal buttons plug into receptor sites on adjacent dendrites.
B) Neurotransmitters cross the synapse and bind with receptors on the postsynaptic dendrite.
C) Electric signals jump across the synapse to the adjacent neuron.
D) Chemicals released into the synapse are converted to neurotransmitters that bind with receptors.

Question 58

What do we call the neurons on the receiving side of a synaptic cleft?

A) postsynaptic neurons
B) presynaptic neurons
C) interneurons
D) excitatory neurons

Question 59

Scientists develop a new,highly addictive drug called PxH.Based on what you know about the effect of drugs on neural activity,which of the following is LEAST likely to be true?

A) PxH can be distinguished from naturally occurring neurotransmitters in the synapse.
B) PxH can alter how a neurotransmitter is synthesized.
C) PxH can change the concentration of a neurotransmitter in the synapse.
D) PxH can mimic neurotransmitters and bind to receptors.

Question 60

What happens when the action potential reaches the terminal button?

A) The signal terminates,or ends.
B) The signal causes the vesicles to release neurotransmitters.
C) The terminal button sends it down the axon.
D) The signal causes reuptake of neurotransmitters in the synapse.

Question 61

Drugs that enhance the effects of GABA:

A) are used to treat depression.
B) affect the location of reception.
C) are used to treat anxiety disorders.
D) may cause seizures and hallucinations.

Question 62

Which of the following is NOT part of the brain stem?

A) the pons
B) the medulla
C) the midbrain
D) the cerebellum

Question 63

GABA is to glutamate as ________ is to ________.

A) control; out of control
B) inhibit; excite
C) arouse; paralyze
D) awake; asleep

Question 64

A neurotransmitter that is important in muscle contraction is:

A) epinephrine.
B) norepinephrine.
C) acetylcholine.
D) dopamine.

Question 65

Penny consumes a recreational drug.She finds that she is extremely sensitive to what is going on around her,too vigilant in fact.The drug Penny consumed seems to enhance the activity of the neurotransmitter:

A) serotonin.
B) GABA.
C) norepinephrine.
D) glutamate.

Question 66

Which of the following groups identifies the structures in the brain stem?

A) medulla,thalamus,amygdala
B) reticular formation,thalamus,amygdala
C) medulla,thalamus,reticular formation
D) medulla,pons,reticular formation

Question 67

Narcotics,such as heroin and morphine,are probably rapidly addictive because they:

A) block neural transmission.
B) cause a placebo effect.
C) cause the release of GABA.
D) bind to endorphin receptors.

Question 68

Drugs that treat ________ make serotonin more available by blocking reuptake.

A) motor disturbances
B) memory disturbances and hallucinations
C) obsessive-compulsive disorders and depression
D) pain and somatic sensitivity

Question 69

Alcohol is a depressant,not a stimulant.Although alcohol may make people feel outgoing,it inhibits the nervous system by effectively increasing the binding of:

A) GABA.
B) epinephrine.
C) serotonin.
D) glutamate.

Question 70

Since curare interferes with acetylcholine functioning,we would assume it is a(n):

A) agonist.
B) antagonist.
C) substance that destroys neurons with acetylcholine receptors.
D) toxin released by neurons that binds to acetylcholine receptors.

Question 71

In the brain of someone who suffers from Parkinson's disease,what is happening to the neurons involved with dopamine activity?

A) They are dying off.
B) They are overproducing dopamine.
C) They are blocked for reuptake.
D) They are rapidly multiplying.

Question 72

You wish to examine the structure of a person's brain.Given the choice,you should use:

A) electrophysiology.
B) positron emission tomography.
C) magnetic resonance imaging.
D) functional magnetic resonance imaging.

Question 73

Since nicotine increases acetylcholine functioning,we can assume it is a(n):

A) agonist.
B) antagonist.
C) substance that destroys neurons with acetylcholine receptors.
D) toxin released by neurons that binds to acetylcholine receptors.

Question 74

Regarding the role they play in behavior,neurotransmitters:

A) are very specific,with a separate neurotransmitter for each behavior.
B) may affect a variety of behaviors depending on the size of the action potential produced.
C) influence behavior through the function of a particular postsynaptic neuron.
D) convert enzymes at particular synapses.

Question 75

Unlike a full set of electroencephalograms,examining event-related potentials means that an investigator is looking at:

A) average neural responses to an event.
B) the relatedness between different cognitive states.
C) electrical potentials.
D) multiple recordings.

Question 76

The phrase adrenaline rush refers to the action of the neurotransmitter:

A) dopamine.
B) serotonin.
C) acetylcholine.
D) epinephrine.

Question 77

The effect of the botulism toxin (also known as Botox)on acetylcholine is to:

A) increase the amount of acetylcholine available.
B) inhibit the release of acetylcholine from the terminal buttons.
C) destroy acetylcholine within the synapse.
D) prevent the production of acetylcholine in the vesicles.

Question 78

James experienced a brain injury and now he can only say "tan." James's injury most likely occurred in:

A) medulla oblongata.
B) motor cortex.
C) the brainstem.
D) Broca's area.

Question 79

Which brain stem structure influences the sleep cycle,as well as general alertness?

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

Question 80

Which of the following neurotransmitters would be most involved in enabling nerves that connect with muscles as you raise your arms above your head?

A) acetylcholine
B) epinephrine
C) serotonin
D) norepinephrine