Deck 3: Biological Aspects of Psychology

Question 1

An action potential has just sped down one of your efferent neurons to jerk your hand off the hot stove.Before an action potential will speed through this neuron again,the membrane of the neuron must become repolarized.The time between the action potentials is called the ____ period.

A) refractory
B) polarization
C) self-propagating
D) repolarization

Answer 1

refractory

Question 2

If the myelin sheathing on neurons is absent or removed in a given individual,he or she will exhibit difficulties in speaking,vision,and balance because without myelin,the ____.

A) quantity of neurotransmitters released into synapses will be reduced
B) quantity of neurotransmitters released into synapses will be increased
C) speed of neural conduction along critical paths will be too fast
D) speed of neural conduction along critical paths will be too slow

Answer 2

speed of neural conduction along critical paths will be too slow

Question 3

You are looking at a neuron under a microscope.You find many structures coming off the cell body.Some of these are relatively thick and branch many times.One of the structures,however,is very thin and very long.This latter structure is most likely the neuron's ____,which carries the ____.

A) dendrite; efferent signal
B) dendrite; afferent signal
C) axon; action potential
D) axon; receptors

Answer 3

axon; action potential

Question 4

Biological psychology is the study of the ____ factors that influence or cause behavior and mental processes.

A) physical and chemical
B) naturalistic
C) social and physical
D) cognitive

Question 5

Neurons have some similarities with other cells in the human body.Which characteristic is seen in neurons,but not in most other cells?

A) having an outer membrane
B) having a cell body with a nucleus
C) having the ability to transmit signals to other cells
D) having mitochondria to help generate energy

Question 6

Selwyn is developing a neuromuscular problem because of a shortage of certain neurotransmitters in his cells.This shortage means that ____.

A) information cannot get transmitted across his synapses
B) his cells have too many vesicles
C) there are only inhibitory postsynaptic potentials in his cells

Question 7

Neurotransmitters are ____ that travel across the ____ to another cell.

A) electrical signals; neural receptors
B) electrical signals; synapse
C) chemicals; neural receptors
D) chemicals; synapse

Question 8

A neuron cell body reaches threshold and depolarizes.The depolarization propagates down the length of the ____,is chemically transmitted across the ____,and directly affects the electrical potential in the ____ of the successive neuron.

A) axon; synapse; dendrites
B) dendrites; synapse; axon
C) myelin; synapse; dendrites
D) dendrites; receptor; axon

Question 9

Eycine operates the telephone switchboard at a large company,answering calls and directing them to the appropriate extensions.Remembering her introductory psychology class,she decides that her situation is much like the ____ of neurons because numerous people can call her at one time,but she can send out only one call at a time.

A) sodium and potassium
B) dendrites and axons
C) myelin and mitochondria
D) synapses and neurotransmitters

Question 10

Kawanna notices that her reaction time is much slower than many of her friends' time on various tasks,and she believes this is because the action potentials fired by the cells in her nervous system slow down as they reach the end of the axons.This statement is incorrect because action potentials ____.

A) are fired by cells outside of the nervous system
B) speed up as they reach the end of the axon
C) neither speed up nor slow down as they travel down the axon
D) shoot down the dendrite, not the axon

Question 11

Multiple sclerosis is a disease in which the immune system mistakenly destroys some of the myelin wrapped around nerve cell fibers.Which nerve cell fibers are being attacked by this process?

A) synapses
B) axons
C) dendrites
D) mitochondria

Question 12

Ivan has discovered how to tame neurons and keep them as pets.When he's bored,he sometimes starts an action potential going down the axon of each of his four pet neurons,just to see which one will "win" by releasing neurotransmitters first.All of his neurons have axons of the exact same length.Ivan's game got old fast,though,because one neuron always wins.The winner is always ____.

A) Sue, the neuron with the most dendrites
B) Harry, the neuron with the fattest axon
C) Elspeth, the neuron with the largest axon hillock
D) Johann, the neuron with the most potassium channels

Question 13

The nervous system is directlyresponsible for all of the following activities except ____.

A) receiving information from sensory systems
B) secreting hormones into the bloodstream
C) integrating new information with past experiences
D) directing the movement of muscles

Question 14

Dr.Wozniak is examining a cell from the nervous system of an animal.He notices that at one end of the cell body is a long,fibrous strand of tissue.He immediately recognizes this as an axon that is responsible for ____.

A) carrying signals away from the cell body
B) receiving signals from other cells and carrying them toward the cell body
C) determining the speed at which an action potential will travel
D) determining whether the cell inhibits or excites neighboring neurons

Question 15

A neuron evokes the action potential of another neuron by releasing ____ into the synapse before they fit into the ____ of the other neuron.

A) neural receptors; neurotransmitters
B) neurotransmitters; neural receptors
C) dendrites; axon
D) axons; dendrites

Question 16

"I'm very important," says Nathan."I direct the growth of cells in the brain,and I secrete chemicals to repair damaged cells." Kate says,"Well,I'm special too.I receive messages from thousands of other cells,and my axon can conduct action potentials." Nathan is a ____ and Kate is a ____.

A) dendrite; neuron
B) dendrite; mitochondrion
C) glial cell; neuron
D) glial cell; mitochondrion

Question 17

Doctor Simo is building a super-genius monster.He wants to make sure that his monster's neurons can turn oxygen and glucose into energy,so he gives the neurons plenty of ____.

A) dendrites
B) mitochondria
C) nuclei
D) axons

Question 18

Nina the neuron has been damaged and the vesicles in her axon are now empty and cannot be refilled.What will Nina no longer be able to do?

A) Receive signals from other neurons.
B) Polarize her membrane.
C) Depolarize her membrane.
D) Stimulate a postsynaptic receptor.

Question 19

A biological psychologist would be most likely to research ____.

A) how you learn a list of words
B) the developmental process that leads to your ability to learn
C) the physical and chemical changes that occur when you learn
D) why learning deficits occur

Question 20

Nathan Neuron just fired his axon,causing a release of chemicals into the synapse."More! More!" shout the neurons that received Nathan's chemicals.Nathan replies,"I can't right now,I have to take my break,a.k.a.,my ____."

A) refractory period
B) postsynaptic potential
C) action potential
D) self-propagation

Question 21

A neurotransmitter is released into a synapse,but it has no effect on a neighboring neuron.Which statement best accounts for the unresponsiveness of the neighboring neuron?

A) The neighboring neuron does not contain any neurotransmitters of its own.
B) The neighboring neuron's vesicles are defective.
C) The neighboring neuron has an outer membrane.
D) The neighboring neuron's receptors do not accept this type of neurotransmitter.

Question 22

Neurons are organized into groups that fire in different combinations to produce certain patterns of behavior.These groups are known as ____.

A) fiber tracts
B) cytokines
C) glial cell systems
D) neural networks

Question 23

Nilam accidentally touches the hot burner on the stove.Sensory information about the pain and heat will be carried to her brain by the ____ nervous system,her heart rate will increase as a result of activation by the ____ nervous system,and when she calms down the ____ nervous system will slow her heart rate down.

A) peripheral; central; autonomic
B) somatic; autonomic; central
C) central; sympathetic; parasympathetic
D) somatic; sympathetic; parasympathetic

Question 24

Rashaun sees something terrifying.His muscles tense,he begins breathing more rapidly,and he starts to sweat.Having taken introductory psychology,Rashaun realizes that the ____ division of his ____ nervous system has been activated.

A) sympathetic; limbic
B) parasympathetic; somatic
C) peripheral; central
D) sympathetic; autonomic

Question 25

When you are running to catch a bus,the ____ nervous system is directly responsible for making the muscles in your legs move.

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

Question 26

The two major divisions of the nervous system are the ____.

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

Question 27

When a stranger began walking behind Timothy on the dark and deserted street,his heart rate increased and the muscles in his legs began moving faster so he could gain some distance from the stranger.These mobilization and motor activities were most directly orchestrated by his ____ nervous system.

A) central
B) endocrine
C) peripheral
D) parasympathetic

Question 28

"Hey! It's too crowded in here! Stop shoving! Boy,I can't wait 'til I'm free! I'm going to flow across that synapse and find the perfect neural receptor for me and you guys won't fit." "Oh yeah! You'd better hope you connect soon or else you'll be sucked back into this crowded room again!" This conversation is taking place among ____.

A) postsynaptic potentials
B) dendrites connected to a neuron
C) sodium ions in an axon
D) neurotransmitter molecules in a vesicle

Question 29

After a back injury,Riamsalat has no feeling below his waist,though he can still move his legs and feet.Riamsalat has probably damaged his ____neurons.

A) motor
B) output
C) processing
D) sensory

Question 30

While Bonnie is getting ready for her first date with Juan,her heart is racing and her blood pressure is high because she is excited and nervous.While dining,Bonnie becomes calm and relaxed.While getting ready,Bonnie's ____ nervous system was activated.While dining,Bonnie's ____ nervous system was activated.

A) peripheral; autonomic
B) autonomic; peripheral
C) parasympathetic; sympathetic
D) sympathetic; parasympathetic

Question 31

The main divisions of the peripheral nervous system are the ____ and the ____ systems.

A) somatic; autonomic
B) sympathetic; parasympathetic
C) afferent; efferent
D) reticular; limbic

Question 32

A scientist who wants to know more about how neurons are organized,how they communicate in varying combinations,and how they are involved in producing different patterns of behavior will most likely focus her research on ____.

A) feedback systems
B) neurotransmitters
C) postsynaptic potentials
D) neural networks

Question 33

Which nervous system is most involved in allowing you to shoot a basketball,smell freshly baked bread,and push the keys on a piano?

A) The sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system
B) The parasympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system
C) Both branches of the autonomic nervous system
D) The somatic nervous system

Question 34

The group of neurons in the nervous system that control how muscles and other organs respond to the environment are known as ____neurons.

A) sensory
B) olfactory
C) motor
D) reflexive

Question 35

The digestion of last night's dinner is most directly controlled by the ____ system.

A) autonomic nervous
B) central nervous
C) somatic nervous
D) endocrine

Question 36

Neurons communicate across the synapse by means of neurotransmitters,which bind to special proteins on the postsynaptic membrane,like a key fitting into a lock.In this analogy,the neurotransmitter is the key and the ____ is the lock.

A) neural receptor
B) axon
C) postsynaptic potential
D) dendrite

Question 37

Carlos was in a car accident and received a head injury that resulted in a decreased ability to produce speech.Carlos has more than likely damaged his ____ nervous system.

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

Question 38

Tisha has a disorder that affects the functioning of her somatic nervous system.Of the following,Tisha probably experiences the most trouble with ____.

A) digesting food
B) thinking
C) moving her limbs
D) breathing

Question 39

The voluntary command Julie uses to raise her hand in class will travel through the ____ nervous system from the spinal cord to the muscles that control the movement.

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

Question 40

If a person had a diseased autonomic nervous system,the kinds of functions most directly affected would be actions such as ____ and ____.

A) decision making; problem solving
B) getting dressed; driving a car
C) reflexive movements; receiving sensory input
D) digestion; breathing

Question 41

Latoria is horseback riding when she falls and hits her head.After the accident,she has difficulty performing finely coordinated movements.Latoria has most likely damaged her ____.

A) medulla oblongata
B) recticular formation
C) cerebellum
D) locus coeruleus

Question 42

Herman suffers a stroke that destroys the connections between the reticular formation and the rest of his brain.Herman will most likely ____.

A) be in a permanent coma
B) have increased activity in the locus coeruleus
C) lose automatic control of his heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure
D) lose all reflexes

Question 43

While waiting to begin his college entrance exam,John becomes nervous.As a result,his medulla oblongata begins to function differently.This will cause a change in his ____.

A) emotional experience
B) balance and coordination
C) heart rate and breathing
D) memory

Question 44

Mitch trips and falls near the campfire.When he reflexively draws back his hand,which has touched a hot coal,the signal sent throughout his nervous system went from his hand to his ____.

A) spinal cord, then to his brain, then back to his hand
B) brain, then to his spinal cord, then back to his hand
C) spinal cord, then back to his hand, then to his brain
D) brain, then simultaneously to his hand and spinal cord

Question 45

Alfred is in a car accident,and the doctor suspects that Alfred may have suffered structural damage to his brain.Which test would be most appropriate to find out whether there is structural damage?

A) electrical stimulation
B) electroencephalogram (EEG)
C) positron emission tomography (PET)
D) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Question 46

During a job interview,Samira realizes that she is sweating a little bit and feels her heart pounding against her chest.Her stomach is also a little bit upset and she hasn't felt like eating all day.From this information,it appears that the ____ division of Samira's ____ nervous system is very active.

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

Question 47

After Les touches a hot iron,he pulls his hand away almost instantaneously.The command from the brain that instructed Les's muscles to pull his arm away so quickly was passed along by the ____.

A) glia
B) spinal cord
C) pain neurons
D) corpus callosum

Question 48

Which part of a neuron is most likely to be found in a fiber tract of the nervous system?

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

Question 49

To understand how to better treat depression,Dr.Kloss and his team plan to use transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS).By using this technology,the research team will be able to____.

A) detect changes in blood flow within the brain
B) measure general electrical activity in the brain
C) disrupt the activity of neurons in a particular brain region
D) trace the activity of axon pathways

Question 50

Athea is a subject in a study in which the glucose in her brain is marked with a radioactive substance.Then radiation detectors identified especially active brain areas.Which technology is likely used in this study?

A) electroencephalograms (EEGs).
B) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
C) psychophysical radiograms (PPRs).
D) positron emission tomography (PET).

Question 51

Doctor Emarih wants to know what conclusions he can draw from fMRI research.He has been reviewing criticisms of this technology and finds one of them to be incorrect.According to your textbook,which criticism is false?

A) An fMRI scan does not necessarily reveal how the mind works.
B) An fMRI scan shows only the location of blood flow and oxygen activity in the brain.
C) Researchers may be accepting the value of fMRI too readily.
D) fMRI technology shows us how the brain produces thoughts and feelings with a remarkable amount of precision.

Question 52

Dr.Zomboss plans to overtake all of humankind by shutting down the fiber tracts of their brains.To do this,Dr.Zomboss will set his brain zappers to target ____.

A) sections of the limbic system involved in emotion
B) collections of cell bodies
C) collections of axons that travel together in bundles
D) afferent neurons that line the reflex pathways

Question 53

You have been up all night studying for an important midterm examination and are exhausted.As you reach for your hot chocolate,you accidentally touch the hot burner on the stove.You quickly pull your hand away from the burner.Which statement about your action is true?

A) The medulla oblongata and cerebellum played major parts in your response.
B) The reflexive command came from the spinal cord.
C) Glial cells did most of the work necessary to move your hand.
D) Your forebrain sent a direct command to your hand.

Question 54

To study brain activity,Dr.Nu Rho uses a new scanning technique that traces the activity of axon pathways.Dr.Rho's brain imaging procedure is known as ____.

A) diffusion tensor imaging (DTI)
B) electroencephalograph (EEG)
C) positron emission tomography (PET)
D) transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)

Question 55

Chirag's spinal cord is completely severed at the neck in an auto accident.What will he still be able to do?

A) Wiggle his toes as long as he can see them.
B) Exhibit the "knee-jerk" reflex in response to a tap on the knee.
C) Feel the pain of a pin prick on his foot.
D) Snap his fingers with some training.

Question 56

Yao is participating in a study that is investigating sleep patterns.As part of the study,researchers paste electrodes to Yao's scalp.The electrodes are then hooked up to an electroencephalograph (EEG),which will provide information about the ____.

A) specific areas of the brain involved with sleep
B) general electrical activity of the brain during sleep
C) changes in blood flow that occur within the brain during sleep
D) physical shape of the brain structures involved with sleep

Question 57

Blesdo keeps falling asleep at odd times,and generally has issues with arousal and attention.His doctors have ruled out sleep disorders and are now concentrating on certain brain structures.The one that is most likely malfunctioning is the ____.

A) thalamus
B) reticular formation
C) substantia nigra
D) hippocampus

Question 58

According to your text,we know that fMRI technology ____.

A) directly measures brain activity
B) can reveal the brain areas that are active when a person experiences an emotion
C) can detect any neuronal activity, even if changes of activity in the same region cancel each other out.
D) is not very susceptible to experimenter bias because the images are difficult to misinterpret.

Question 59

Casey gets up one morning after only a few hours of sleep and heats up some water for tea in a pot with a noninsulated handle.As he picks up the pot by the handle a few minutes later,he drops it with a crash.Which part of Casey's nervous system causes him to drop the pot?

A) substantia nigra and sensory neurons
B) spinal cord, sensory neurons, and motor neurons
C) cerebral cortex and motor neurons
D) amygdala and sensory neurons

Question 60

Claudia has just come home from a long,difficult day of writing questions for this test.As she sits down on the sofa,her heart rate and breathing slow down,her muscles relax,and her digestive system starts getting ready for food.It appears as though Claudia's ____ has been activated.

A) thalamus
B) parasympathetic nervous system
C) amygdala
D) somatic nervous system

Question 61

After a freak boating accident,Arlo's hippocampus is lost at sea.Although he has recovered in all other respects,Arlo will have difficulty ____.

A) forming new memories of events after the accident
B) speaking fluently in his native language
C) making controlled, purposeful movements
D) smiling

Question 62

Bobby,Peter,and Greg are working outside on their bikes when their father,Mike,accidentally slips on some axle grease and pulled the trigger of the nail gun he is carrying several times as he is falling.All four survive,but Bobby's hippocampus,Peter's amygdala,Greg's striatum,and Mike's hypothalamus are destroyed.Who will no longer be able to dance?

A) Bobby
B) Peter
C) Greg
D) Mike

Question 63

You are a morning person who loves to get up early and enjoy the new day.Your roommate is a night person who only begins to wake up in the early afternoon.The part of the brain that regulates each of your biological clocks is the ____.

A) thalamus
B) suprachiasmatic nucleus
C) hippocampus
D) striatum

Question 64

Recent animal studies have shown that removal of the hippocampus several days after a mildly painful experience will not erase the memory of the experience.This evidence suggests that ____.

A) the hippocampus is necessary only for long-term memory
B) the hippocampus is not necessary for forming new memories
C) memories are transferred and stored somewhere other than the hippocampus
D) memories of pain are stored in different areas of the brain than other memories

Question 65

In the middle school play of "Braintastic," Joss plays the part of one of the forebrain structures.During her lines,she says,"I am like a relay station.I send signals from the senses to higher levels of the brain to make sense of the information." Joss is playing the part of the ____.

A) cerebellum
B) striatum
C) hippocampus
D) thalamus

Question 66

One moment Sharese is happy,the next moment she is sad.First she is angry,and then she is disgusted.There is probably something wrong with Sharese's ____.

A) limbic system
B) corpus callosum
C) medulla oblongata
D) reticular formation

Question 67

During a recent study session,your friend asks you to explain what the locus coeruleus does.You explain the locus coeruleus is part of the hindbrain responsible for ____.

A) emotional response
B) sexual arousal
C) balance
D) directing attention

Question 68

Andre was in a terrible car accident and had a serious head injury.As a result,he is now in a permanent coma.Andre most likely has damage to his ____.

A) cerebellum
B) hypothalamus
C) corpus callosum
D) reticular formation

Question 69

When a balloon pops near Tyler's head,the circuits in his ____ cause him to reflexively turn his head toward the source of the startling noise.

A) hindbrain
B) midbrain
C) forebrain
D) lateral brain

Question 70

The human brain appears extremely wrinkled when closely examined.These folds ____.

A) are purely cosmetic and have no actual purpose
B) are byproducts of old age; normal adults' brains are smooth
C) act as a shock-absorption device, preventing neural damage
D) allow a greater surface area of cortex to be included in the skull

Question 71

While playing with their new "Do-It-YourselfHomeBrain-SurgeryKit," which recently washed ashore,Skipper and the Professor stimulate an area of the cortex in Gilligan's temporal lobe.Gilligan will most likely report a conscious experience of ____.

A) smelling colors
B) hearing voices
C) tasting fruit punch
D) feeling off balance

Question 72

Jerod was in an automobile accident and can no longer control his own heart rate or breathing.Jerod most likely has damage to his ____.

A) cerebellum
B) hippocampus
C) amygdala
D) medulla oblongata

Question 73

When Cade was tackled during a football game,he hit the back of his head on the turf,which results in a concussion.Cade now has trouble with his vision.Cade has most likely injured his ____ lobe.

A) frontal
B) parietal
C) temporal
D) occipital

Question 74

After consuming a few alcoholic beverages,Sejal finds it hard to tie her shoes.This is most likely because the alcohol has affected her ____.

A) corpus callosum
B) hypothalamus
C) cerebellum
D) hippocampus

Question 75

Bert and Ernie have very different sleeping patterns.Bert always wakes up early in the morning,but he starts to get tired early in the evening.Ernie,on the other hand,prefers to stay up late and then sleep until noon.Bert and Ernie's different sleeping preferences are most likely due to their ____.

A) thalamus
B) amygdala
C) suprachiasmatic nuclei
D) corpus callosum

Question 76

Trisha is gradually developing an impairment in her ability to perform finely coordinated movements,such as cutting a clove of garlic into very small pieces.Doctors will probably discover a problem in her ____.

A) medulla oblongata
B) hypothalamus
C) cerebellum
D) amygdala

Question 77

After an evil scientist destroys part of Patrick's brain,Patrick finds that he is constantly hungry and he eats much more than before.The scientist has likely destroyed Patrick's ____.

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

Question 78

Suppose that you have just been abducted by aliens from the planet Zeebo.The Zeeboians are very interested in life on Earth,and one of them asks you how humans are different from other species.In terms of brain anatomy,which structure would you say best differentiates humans from the so-called lower species?

A) reticular formation
B) cerebral cortex
C) cerebellum
D) medulla oblongata

Question 79

After a freak accident involving a falling piano,Dr.Diart informs you that you have sustained damage to your limbic system.Which function will be most affected?

A) emotion
B) vision
C) intelligence
D) perception

Question 80

After an accident,Stella is left with brain damage.Now Stella has trouble judging the emotions of others,even when she can see their facial expressions.Stella has most likely damaged her ____.

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