Deck 3: B: The Biological Bases of Behaviour

Question 1

What is the main function of the axon?

A)release neurotransmitters
B)transmit information
C)support and insulate the neuron
D)receive information

Answer 1

transmit information

Question 2

When a synapse is created, which of the following becomes possible?

A)destruction of dendrites
B)blockage of neurotransmission
C)increase in myelinization
D)communication between two neurons

Answer 2

communication between two neurons

Question 3

What do neurons do?

A)receive, integrate, and transmit information
B)provide support for the other cells in the nervous system
C)insulate the other cells in the nervous system
D)connect the other cells in the nervous system

Answer 3

receive, integrate, and transmit information

Question 4

Which cells in the nervous system provide support and insulation for other cells?

A)glial cells
B)terminal cells
C)neurons
D)synapse cells

Question 5

What is the main role of glial cells?

A)receive information from other cells
B)transmit information to other cells
C)provide support and insulation for other cells in the nervous system
D)transfer information within the nervous system

Question 6

Which of the following is the correct order for information to pass through a neuron?

A)axon, soma, dendrite
B)dendrite, axon, soma
C)dendrite, soma, axon
D)axon, dendrite, soma

Question 7

If you needed to send a message from the brain to your big toe, which of the following cells would be used?

A)receptor
B)neuron
C)glial cell
D)epithelial cell

Question 8

Which part of the neuron typically receives information, and which part of the neuron typically sends information?

A)Dendrites receive, and the soma sends.
B)The axon receives, and the soma sends.
C)The axon receives, and dendrites send.
D)Dendrites receive, and the axon sends.

Question 9

A neuron is currently not receiving any input. Which of the following would describe the current state of that neuron?

A)It has a stable positive charge.
B)It has an unstable negative charge.
C)It has an unstable positive charge.
D)It has a stable negative charge.

Question 10

What are the chemicals that are secreted from the terminal buttons into the synapse?

A)action potentials
B)antagonists
C)agonists
D)neurotransmitters

Question 11

Where are terminal buttons located?

A)at the end of dendrites
B)at the end of axons
C)on the soma
D)in the synaptic cleft

Question 12

If you know that someone has a disorder that results from a loss of myelin in the nervous system, which of the following would be a key problem in that disorder?

A)blockage of important receptors
B)neurons that depolarize too easily
C)lack of neurotransmitters
D)poor transmission of signals along the axon

Question 13

Which part of the neuron has branched extensions that are specialized to receive information?

A)axons
B)terminal buttons
C)somas
D)dendrites

Question 14

What is the name for the insulation that covers some axons and increases the speed of transmission of the neural impulse?

A)neurotransmitter sheath
B)terminal cover
C)myelin sheath
D)glia wrap

Question 15

Which cells in the nervous system receive, integrate, and transmit information?

A)glial cells
B)synapse cells
C)terminal cells
D)neurons

Question 16

What happens to a neuron's electrical charge as it is stimulated by an excitatory neurotransmitter and starts to receive information?

A)It immediately becomes positive.
B)It becomes more negative.
C)It becomes less negative and may become positive.
D)It immediately affects the next neuron.

Question 17

Which part of a neuron transmits information away from the neuron and toward another neuron?

A)synapse
B)soma
C)axon
D)dendrites

Question 18

What is the main function of dendrites?

A)receive information
B)transmit information
C)support and insulate the neuron
D)release neurotransmitters

Question 19

What is the role of the soma or cell body of a neuron?

A)It releases neurotransmitters.
B)It transmits signals toward other neurons.
C)It contains the cell nucleus.
D)It receives information from other neurons.

Question 20

Which term best describes the process by which neural impulses are transmitted through the nervous system?

A)chemical
B)electrical
C)biological
D)electrochemical

Question 21

An action potential has just arrived at the terminal buttons of a neuron. Which of the following events will occur immediately?

A)neurotransmitters will be taken up by the postsynaptic neuron
B)neurotransmitters will be pulled back into the presynaptic neuron
C)neurotransmitters will be manufactured in the synaptic vesicles
D)neurotransmitters will be released into the synaptic cleft

Question 22

Which of the following reflects Hebbian learning?

A)The synapse between Neuron A and Neuron B has been pruned.
B)Neuron A becomes more efficient at depolarizing Neuron B over time.
C)Neuron A produces more neurotransmitters over time.
D)Neuron A has just created a new synapse with Neuron B.

Question 23

What would happen if inhibitory postsynaptic potentials did not exist?

A)Antagonism would not occur.
B)Neurons would be more likely to depolarize.
C)Neurons would be more resistant to depolarization.
D)Reuptake would not occur.

Question 24

Comparing a neuron to a gun that holds only a single bullet, which of the following is similar to the time it takes to reload the gun?

A)relative refractory period
B)relative firing rate
C)absolute refractory period
D)absolute firing rate

Question 25

What does the "all-or-none law" refer to?

A)A neuron transmits a consistent impulse each time it fires an action potential.
B)The neuron is selective regarding the type of other neuron it responds to.
C)A neuron is either working properly, or it has become necrotic.
D)All neurons in a chain are active or none are active.

Question 26

In the 'lock and key' analogy of synaptic communication, which of the following is the 'lock'?

A)the soma
B)the receptor
C)the axon
D)the neurotransmitter

Question 27

What is the law that states that a neuron fires an action potential at only one level of intensity?

A)refractory
B)all-or-none
C)threshold
D)action

Question 28

What is the process through which neurotransmitters are "recycled" to be used again?

A)absorption
B)reabsorption
C)uptake
D)reuptake

Question 29

Which neurotransmitter is released by motor neurons and results in movement of the voluntary muscles?

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

Question 30

What is the term for a chemical that mimics a neurotransmitter and can bind to receptor sites and cause postsynaptic potentials?

A)agonist
B)artificial neurotransmitter
C)endogenous neurotransmitter
D)antagonist

Question 31

What is a neuron said to be having when its electrical charge becomes positive and travels along the axon?

A)a resting potential
B)an action potential
C)a chemical potential
D)an electrical potential

Question 32

What is the term for the microscopic gap between the terminal buttons of one neuron and the cell membrane of another neuron?

A)presynaptic space
B)synaptic cleft
C)neurotransmitter cleft
D)postsynaptic space

Question 33

In the 'lock and key' analogy of synaptic communication, which of the following is the 'key'?

A)the axon
B)the receptor
C)the soma
D)the neurotransmitter

Question 34

Which of the following is true of a neuron after it fires an action potential?

A)It cannot fire another action potential until at least five minutes have elapsed.
B)It can continue firing the original action potential for an extended period of time.
C)It can immediately fire additional action potentials.
D)It cannot immediately fire another action potential.

Question 35

Which of the following situations is most likely to lead to the depolarization of a postsynaptic neuron?

A)Reuptake has occurred in the synapse.
B)Neurotransmitters have been released into the synapse.
C)The number of excitatory PSPs is greater than the number of inhibitory PSPs.
D)The number of inhibitory PSPs is greater than the number of excitatory PSPs.

Question 36

In the 'lock and key' analogy of synaptic communication, which of the following would function like a piece of gum that is stuck in the lock?

A)the neurotransmitter
B)the receptor
C)a synapse
D)an antagonist

Question 37

As a result of receiving neurotransmitters, the voltage of a postsynaptic receptor has become less negative. What will be the result of this change?

A)The presynaptic neuron is more likely to fire again.
B)The postsynaptic neuron is less likely to fire.
C)The presynaptic neuron is less likely to fire again.
D)The postsynaptic neuron is more likely to fire.

Question 38

As a result of receiving neurotransmitters, the voltage of a postsynaptic receptor has become more negative. What will be the result of this change?

A)The presynaptic neuron is less likely to fire again.
B)The presynaptic neuron is more likely to fire again.
C)The postsynaptic neuron is less likely to fire.
D)The postsynaptic neuron is more likely to fire.

Question 39

As a result of brain maturation, a neuron in a network now receives fewer excitatory post-synaptic potentials. Which of the following processes has most likely occurred?

A)pruning
B)agonism
C)degeneration
D)antagonism

Question 40

What happens to a neuron's electrical charge when a neuron is firing its action potential?

A)It becomes positive and travels along the dendrite.
B)It becomes negative and travels along the axon.
C)It becomes negative and travels along the dendrite.
D)It becomes positive and travels along the axon.

Question 41

Which nervous system is responsible for the activation of the "fight or flight" response?

A)parasympathetic
B)efferent
C)sympathetic
D)afferent

Question 42

How do efferent nerve fibres communicate with the central nervous system (CNS)?

A)They take messages toward the CNS.
B)They relay messages within the CNS.
C)They take messages away from the CNS.
D)They carry messages both away from and toward the CNS.

Question 43

Which of the following is characteristic of endorphins?

A)They have been related to the development of certain psychological disorders.
B)They are associated with the movement of voluntary muscles.
C)They are associated with sleep and wakefulness.
D)They resemble opiates in structure and effect.

Question 44

Eric believes that smoking tobacco is beneficial when he is studying because of its relationship to acetylcholine (ACh). Which of the following outcomes should nicotine cause?

A)Nicotine is an excitor for ACh, so it should keep him awake.
B)Nicotine is an agonist for ACh, so it should facilitate memory and attention.
C)Nicotine is an inhibitor for ACh, so it should prevent distraction.
D)Nicotine is an antagonist for ACh, so it should block nervousness.

Question 45

What are the two major divisions of the nervous system?

A)central and peripheral
B)autonomic and sympathetic
C)central and autonomic
D)peripheral and somatic

Question 46

If the parasympathetic nervous system is currently active, which of the following bodily functions is likely to be occurring?

A)digestion
B)cortisol secretion
C)crying
D)orgasm

Question 47

Which of the following could be considered an endorphin agonist?

A)histamine
B)cocaine
C)morphine
D)curare

Question 48

Handyman Holmes just hit his thumb with a hammer. Which nerve fibres will transmit the command from his central nervous system to jerk his hand away?

A)efferent
B)sympathetic
C)afferent
D)autonomic

Question 49

Handyman Holmes just hit his thumb with a hammer. Which nerve fibres will transmit the sensation to his central nervous system?

A)sympathetic
B)efferent
C)autonomic
D)afferent

Question 50

Which of the following neurotransmitters is NOT a monoamine?

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

Question 51

If you removed the top of the skull, what would you be able to see on top of the brain?

A)meninges
B)brain stem
C)ventricles
D)CSF

Question 52

Which of the following is most likely to occur if you were to administer a dopamine antagonist?

A)addiction
B)schizophrenia
C)difficulty with movement
D)pain reduction

Question 53

In which nervous system would you find cerebrospinal fluid?

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

Question 54

Which nervous system carries information from the voluntary skeletal muscles and sensory receptors to the central nervous system and also carries commands from the central nervous system to the muscles?

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

Question 55

Which nervous system controls the heart, glands, and smooth muscles?

A)visceral nervous system
B)efferent nervous system
C)somatic nervous system
D)autonomic nervous system

Question 56

Which of the following neurotransmitters produce only inhibitory postsynaptic potentials?

A)GABA and glycine
B)serotonin and endorphins
C)serotonin and glycine
D)GABA and endorphins

Question 57

Which of the following is most likely to occur if you were to administer a serotonin antagonist?

A)pain reduction
B)increased focus and attention
C)schizophrenia
D)aggressive behaviour

Question 58

Which nervous system is subdivided into the somatic and autonomic nervous systems?

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

Question 59

Which of the following is most likely to occur if you were to administer a serotonin agonist?

A)stable mood and arousal
B)sensitivity to pain
C)depression
D)schizophrenia

Question 60

Which neurotransmitter is believed to be associated with schizophrenia?

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

Question 61

Which procedure results in a high-quality three-dimensional picture of the brain?

A)transcranial magnetic stimulation
B)magnetic resonance imaging
C)positron emission tomography
D)electrical stimulation of the brain

Question 62

If you hypothesized that damage to a particular region of the brain led to symptoms of anxiety, which of the following techniques would be both useful and ethical to test this hypothesis in human participants?

A)electroencephalography
B)electric stimulation of the brain
C)transcranial magnetic stimulation
D)magnetic resonance imaging

Question 63

Through which of the following areas will all visual and auditory signals travel?

A)sensory cortex
B)thalamus
C)cerebellum
D)hypothalamus

Question 64

Which of the following structures contains dopamine-releasing neurons and, if it deteriorates, is involved in Parkinson's disease?

A)midbrain
B)forebrain
C)limbic system
D)hindbrain

Question 65

As a result of a stroke, Helen has sustained damage to her reticular formation. Which of the following will be difficult for Helen?

A)relaying sensory information to the cerebral cortex
B)coordinating bodily movements and balance
C)regulation of sleep, wakefulness, and arousal
D)relaying information between the brainstem and cerebellum

Question 66

Where are the thalamus, hypothalamus, and limbic system all located?

A)cerebrum
B)forebrain
C)hindbrain
D)midbrain

Question 67

A gunshot wound in the back of the head caused the victim to be permanently unable to maintain balance and bodily coordination. Which of the following portions of the brain was damaged?

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

Question 68

Which method would you use if you needed to know which areas of the brain experienced the greatest blood flow during a particular task?

A)magnetic resonance imaging
B)computerized tomography
C)positron emission tomography
D)electroencephalography

Question 69

Which of the following pairs of procedures allows researchers to visualize changes in brain activity over time?

A)positron emission tomography and functional magnetic resonance imaging
B)computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging
C)positron emission tomography and computerized tomography
D)magnetic resonance imaging and functional magnetic resonance imaging

Question 70

Which of the following techniques would be most useful for research in sleep laboratories?

A)transcranial magnetic stimulation
B)electrical stimulation of the brain
C)electroencephalography
D)lesioning

Question 71

What does electrical stimulation of the brain (ESB) involve?

A)monitoring the electrical activity of the brain over time
B)destroying a piece of the brain via small electrodes that are carefully implanted
C)visualizing the three-dimensional structure of the brain
D)sending a weak current into a brain structure to activate that structure

Question 72

If a person's hippocampus is damaged, what would become difficult for that person?

A)controlling her response to pleasurable stimuli
B)vision and hearing
C)controlling her food intake
D)remembering

Question 73

If you wanted to monitor the electrical activity of the brain over time, what recording device should you use?

A)EEG
B)MRI
C)CT
D)PET

Question 74

Which of the following is a loosely connected network of brain structures involved in memory and emotional experiences such as fear and pleasure?

A)thalamus
B)hypothalamus
C)limbic system
D)reticular formation

Question 75

What processes is the medulla involved in?

A)relaying sensory information to the cerebral cortex
B)sleep and arousal
C)coordinating body movements and balance
D)controlling essential functions such as breathing

Question 76

If a patient has a stroke that leads to respiratory failure, in which of the following brain areas did the stroke likely occur?

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

Question 77

How do lesioning studies relate to studies of patients with brain injuries?

A)Lesioning was originally used for research purposes, but is beginning to be accepted as a therapeutic technique.
B)Lesioning is an imaging method that is appropriate for use with patients who may have foreign materials lodged in their wounds.
C)Lesioning is used in animal research to test hypotheses generated from case studies of patients with brain damage.
D)Lesioning is a therapeutic technique designed to reduce symptoms associated with brain damage.

Question 78

Electrical stimulation of which brain structure will result in an animal eating constantly and gaining weight rapidly?

A)thalamus
B)frontal lobe
C)limbic system
D)hypothalamus

Question 79

Which of the following is NOT directly regulated or influenced by the hypothalamus?

A)the autonomic nervous system
B)feeding
C)the endocrine system
D)memory

Question 80

According to the Featured Study (Searching for the Self in the Brain), with which sort of task is activity in the right prefrontal cortex associated?

A)all cognitive tasks that involve reading
B)semantic encoding
C)syllabic encoding
D)self-referent encoding