Deck 4: The Biological Bases of Behaviour

Question 1

Neurons are:

A)cells in the brain that are believed to help clean and feed brain cells.
B)cells that send and receive information.
C)bundles of nerves.
D)chemical transmitters found in the hypothalamus.

Answer 1

cells that send and receive information.

Question 2

When the electrical charge inside a neuron is negative in relation to the outside,the neuron is said to be in a state of:

A)equilibrium.
B)shock.
C)polarization.
D)depolarization.

Answer 2

polarization.

Question 3

The cell body is enclosed by the:

A)axon.
B)dendrite.
C)cell membrane.
D)myelin sheath.

Answer 3

cell membrane.

Question 4

The period in which the neuron begins to pump sodium ions out of the cell and can fire only if the incoming message is extremely powerful is called the:

A)absolute refractory period.
B)relative refractory period.
C)secondary refractory period.
D)recovery period.

Question 5

The neural impulse travelling down the axon is _______; it gets across the synapse by _______.

A)electrical; remaining electrical but changing from positively charged to negatively charged
B)electrical; remaining electrical but changing from negatively charged to positively charged
C)electrical; being changed into a chemical message
D)chemical; being changed into an electrical message

Question 6

The three parts of every neuron are:

A)myelin; glia; cell body.
B)dendrite; cell body; axon.
C)glia; dendrite; axon.
D)myelin; cell body; dendrite.

Question 7

Endorphins:

A)are found where neurons meet skeletal muscles.
B)are less powerful than enkaphalins.
C)reduce pain messages in the brain.
D)are radically different in function from neurotransmitters.

Question 8

A young man reads in a letter that he has just won $1000 in a province-wide lottery and he literally jumps for joy.Which neurons are sending messages from his brain to his legs,ordering them to jump?

A)sensory neurons
B)motor neurons
C)interaction neurons
D)association neurons

Question 9

The basic message-carrying cells of the nervous system are labelled:

A)dendrites.
B)neurons.
C)nerves.
D)ganglia.

Question 10

Which of the following neurotransmitters is known for its role in schizophrenia and Parkinson's disease?

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

Question 11

The part of the neuron that carries outgoing messages either to another neuron or to a muscle or gland is the:

A)myelin sheath.
B)axon.
C)dendrite.
D)cell body.

Question 12

Which of the following is true of neural impulses in a single neuron?

A)The neuron may fire during the absolute refractory period.
B)The strength of a neural impulse increases as the strength of the incoming message gets stronger.
C)The strength of a neural impulse decreases as the strength of the incoming message gets stronger.
D)The strength of a neural impulse is the same each time the neuron fires.

Question 13

The short fibres that extend from the neurons,allowing them to receive messages from other neurons,are

A)axons
B)dendrites
C)nerve bundles
D)synapses

Question 14

The small gap between adjacent neurons is the:

A)glia.
B)myelin sheath.
C)synaptic cleft.
D)terminal.

Question 15

Neurons in the brain that carry messages from one neuron to another and do most of the work of the nervous system are called __________.

A)afferent neurons
B)active neurons
C)efferent neurons
D)interneurons

Question 16

The myelin sheath:

A)is a fatty substance protecting the dendrites.
B)helps to speed up neural messages within the cell.
C)is found in all neurons.
D)protects the cell's vesicles.

Question 17

Neuroscientists study __________.

A)human mental and physical growth from the prenatal period through childhood,adolescence,adulthood,and old age
B)the biological basis for human behaviour
C)the differences among individuals in such traits as anxiety,sociability,self-esteem,the need for achievement,and aggressiveness
D)how people influence one another

Question 18

What kinds of neurons are connected to receptor cells in the skin,muscles,and joints?

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

Question 19

A long structure leaving the cell body that action potentials travel along is called the __________.

A)cell membrane
B)dendrite
C)axon
D)myelin sheath

Question 20

Axons:

A)receive/detect neural impulses.
B)carry messages away from a cell body.
C)secrete chemicals to lubricate the cell body.
D)are found in the cell body.

Question 21

Axons:

A)may be up to 400 metres long.
B)carry messages away from a cell body.
C)are primarily responsible for the hypothalamic functions of regulation and motivation of sexual functions.
D)are contained within the cell nucleus.

Question 22

Specialized cells in the brain that send and receive information are called:

A)limbic cells.
B)neurons.
C)ganglia
D)gonads.

Question 23

Our brain contains nerves and __________.

A)neurons
B)synapses
C)ganglia
D)all of the above

Question 24

The cell that underlies the activity of the entire nervous system is the _________.

A)transmitter cell
B)amoeba
C)neuron
D)carcinoma

Question 25

Dr.Chapin has just finished a delicate brain operation.He turns to a group of interns and says,"She probably lost about 1000 ___________,but since she still has over 100 billion left,she should recover nicely." Dr.Chapin was most likely referring to:

A)parts of the brain.
B)neurons.
C)pituitary glands.
D)speech and language areas.

Question 26

Dendrites:

A)may be up to 400 metres long.
B)carry messages to cell bodies.
C)are primarily responsible for the hypothalamic functions of regulation and motivation of sexual functions.
D)are contained within the cell nucleus.

Question 27

The entire area composed of the axon terminal of one neuron,the synaptic cleft,and the dendrite or cell body of the next neuron is called the _________.

A)synaptic vesicle
B)synaptic knob
C)synaptic space
D)synapse

Question 28

The purpose of the myelin sheath is to _________.

A)provide a place for respiration and metabolism to occur
B)carry messages from the spinal cord to the brain
C)insulate the neuron so it can act more efficiently
D)receive messages from outside the neuron and carry them to the cell nucleus

Question 29

Neural messages travel faster on axons that:

A)are polarized.
B)are not exposed to acetylcholine (ACh).
C)are located in the hypothalamus.
D)have a myelin sheath.

Question 30

Our brain contains __________.

A)neurons
B)synapses
C)ganglia
D)all of the above

Question 31

The part of the neuron that carries outgoing messages either to another neuron or to a muscle or gland is the _________.

A)myelin sheath
B)axon
C)dendrite
D)cell body

Question 32

The smallest unit in the nervous system is the _________.

A)dendrite
B)neuron
C)axon
D)myelin sheath

Question 33

A synapse is most important in:

A)separating the medulla from the hindbrain.
B)regulating the parasympathetic nervous system.
C)the process of transmitting messages between neurons.
D)connecting the basal ganglia.

Question 34

There are approximately _________ neurons in the brain of an average human being.

A)100 thousand
B)100 million
C)100 billion
D)100 trillion

Question 35

The short fibres that extend from the neuron,allowing it to receive messages from other neurons,are __________.

A)axons
B)dendrites
C)nerve bundles
D)cell membranes

Question 36

The tiny space between the axon terminal and the dendrites of another neuron is called the __________.

A)synaptic vesicle
B)synaptic knob
C)synaptic cleft or gap
D)synapse

Question 37

A nerve impulse from one neuron affects the activity of a neighbouring neuron at a point of interaction called the:

A)corpuscle.
B)synapse.
C)transmission cleft.
D)neuronal junction.

Question 38

Assume that you are testing a split-brain human subject whose language centre is in his left hemisphere.If you place a house key into his left hand,he will:

A)not be able to later select the object he was holding from a group of various objects.
B)not be able to tell you what object he is presently holding.
C)immediately be able to tell you what he is holding.
D)be able to tell you what he is presently holding if allowed to think about it for several seconds.

Question 39

The myelin sheath:

A)is a special substance protecting the dendrites.
B)helps to speed up transmission of neural messages.
C)is responsible for polarization.
D)all of the above

Question 40

Most axon terminals contain a number of tiny oval sacs called __________.

A)synaptic vesicles
B)synaptic knobs
C)neurotransmitters
D)receptor sites

Question 41

An emergency room physician must quickly treat a patient who has been bitten by a black widow spider.The physician knows she must:

A)prevent the buildup of acetylcholine in the patient's nervous system.
B)prevent the buildup of catecholamines in the patient's nervous system.
C)prevent the breakdown of catecholamines in the patient's nervous system.
D)prevent the reabsorption of acetylcholine in the patient's nervous system.

Question 42

The ___________ gland produces the hormone that regulates the body's rate of metabolism.

A)pituitary
B)adrenal
C)thyroid
D)parathyroid

Question 43

The autonomic nervous system has two divisions: __________.

A)central and peripheral
B)receptors and effectors
C)sympathetic and parasympathetic
D)limbic and endocrine

Question 44

The branch of the autonomic nervous system that prepares the body for quick action in an emergency is the __________ division.

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

Question 45

The process of digesting your last snack or meal and the unconscious regulation of your breathing are primarily rooted in the __________ nervous system.

A)autonomic
B)limbic
C)somatic
D)secondary

Question 46

A young woman returns from a day at the beach to find she has developed a severe sunburn.Which neurons are sending the messages from her burned skin to her brain informing her of the pain from the burn?

A)sensory neurons
B)motor neurons
C)synaptic neurons
D)association neurons

Question 47

The nervous system is composed of two major parts: __________.

A)the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system
B)the afferent nervous system and the efferent nervous system
C)the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system
D)the brain and the spinal cord

Question 48

When a neural impulse reaches the end of an axon,it causes the tiny oval sacs at the end of the axon to release chemicals called __________.

A)effectors
B)neurotransmitters
C)stimulants
D)ions

Question 49

Estrogen is to _______ as testosterone is to _______.

A)gonads; testes
B)testes; ovaries
C)ovaries; testes
D)ovaries; gonads

Question 50

The branch of the autonomic nervous system that prepares the body for quick action in an emergency is the __________ division.

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

Question 51

Which of the following is NOT a part of the endocrine system?

A)thyroid
B)pons
C)pituitary
D)pancreas

Question 52

An emergency room physician must treat a patient who has recently eaten a can of tainted mushrooms.Suspecting botulism,the physician must treat the woman in order to:

A)prevent the breakdown of catecholamines in the patient's nervous system.
B)prevent the botulism toxin from blocking the release of acetylcholine.
C)prevent the toxin from breaking down the acetylcholine in the patient's nervous system.
D)prevent the botulism from blocking the release of catecholamines.

Question 53

All nerve cells and fibres that are NOT in the brain or spinal cord make up the __________ nervous system.

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

Question 54

Which of the following is NOT true of all neurotransmitters?

A)They are chemicals.
B)They are stored in synaptic vesicles.
C)They are released across the synaptic space.
D)They increase the likelihood that the next neuron will fire.

Question 55

The deer waits motionlessly,hidden in the thicket as the band of hunters approaches.As the hunters get closer,their dogs bark,picking up the scent of their prey.In a futile effort to escape,the deer bolts.Which of the following most accurately describes the nervous system of the hunted deer at this point?

A)Its sympathetic nerve fibres are more active than its parasympathetic nerve fibres.
B)Its parasympathetic nerve fibres are more active than its sympathetic nerve fibres.
C)Both its sympathetic and parasympathetic nerve fibres are equally active.
D)Neither its sympathetic nor its parasympathetic nerve fibres are aroused.

Question 56

The limbic system is responsible for ___________.

A)filtering incoming messages to the brain
B)connecting the brain to most of the rest of the body
C)fighting disease organisms that attempt to infect the brain
D)controlling learning and emotional behaviour

Question 57

The myelin sheath _______.

A)is a fatty substance protecting the dendrites
B)helps to speed up neural messages within the cell
C)is found in all neurons
D)protects the cell's vesicles

Question 58

The division of the nervous system that connects the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body is the __________ system.

A)peripheral nervous
B)endocrine
C)central nervous
D)secondary nervous

Question 59

The system that relays messages in the form of electrochemical impulses throughout the body is called __________.

A)the arousal system
B)the nervous system
C)the limbic system
D)the endocrine system

Question 60

Nodes of Ranvier are:

A)specialized synapses.
B)gaps in the myelin sheath.
C)functional divisions of the brain produced by the central,lateral,and longitudinal fissures.
D)none of the above

Question 61

The two major divisions of the central nervous system are:

A)left and right hemispheres.
B)the brain and autonomic systems.
C)the brain and spinal cord.
D)peripheral and autonomic systems.

Question 62

When the sympathetic nervous system assumes control of the involuntary bodily processes during a stressful situation,which of the following changes is likely to occur?

A)digestion stops
B)less blood is pumped to muscles
C)air passages become smaller
D)sweat glands are less active

Question 63

Which hemisphere of the cerebral cortex is usually dominant in spatial tasks?

A)the front hemisphere
B)the rear hemisphere
C)the left hemisphere
D)the right hemisphere

Question 64

The nervous system is composed of two parts: ________.

A)the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system
B)the afferent nervous system and the efferent nervous system
C)the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system
D)the brain and the spinal cord

Question 65

The part of the nervous system that allows the brain to regulate digestion,heart rate,and respiration without our conscious attention is the:

A)autonomic nervous system.
B)central nervous system.
C)somatic nervous system.
D)spinal cord.

Question 66

Which of the following most directly controls bodily reflexes?

A)peripheral nervous system
B)brain stem
C)spinal cord
D)hindbrain

Question 67

The central nervous system consists of the __________.

A)parasympathetic and sympathetic divisions
B)brain and the spinal cord
C)muscles and glands
D)sense organs and sensory neurons

Question 68

The area in the back of the temporal lobe that is important in our ability to listen and in processing and understanding what others are saying is __________.

A)Korsakoff's area
B)Wernicke's area
C)Broca's area
D)Sach's area

Question 69

It's midnight,and you are alone in your room studying.You hear a loud crash outside your room,and your whole body reacts instantly and furiously.The system that produces these reactions is the ________ system.

A)central nervous
B)sympathetic nervous
C)parasympathetic nervous
D)limbic

Question 70

The autonomic nervous system is responsible for:

A)controlling the skeletal muscles.
B)sending sensory input to the brain.
C)making choices and decisions.
D)the activity of internal organs and glands.

Question 71

The autonomic and somatic nervous systems are divisions of the _______ system.

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

Question 72

The part of the brain that receives sensations of touch,balance,and bodily position and that oversees spatial abilities is the __________.

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

Question 73

The autonomic nervous system is divided into two parts.These are termed the __________ nervous systems.

A)ascending and descending
B)frontal and temporal
C)left and right
D)parasympathetic and sympathetic

Question 74

The structure in the hindbrain that controls certain reflexes and coordinates the body's movements is the __________.

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

Question 75

The parasympathetic and sympathetic divisions make up the:

A)motor cortex.
B)endocrine system.
C)autonomic nervous system.
D)neocortex.

Question 76

The FIRST division of the nervous system consists of the:

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

Question 77

Calm is to aroused as _______ is to _______.

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

Question 78

The nervous system called the "fight or flight" system is the _______ system.

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

Question 79

Calm is to aroused as _______ is to _______.

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

Question 80

One evening Betty was walking to the dorm from the gym when she was stopped by two men who demanded her money.Since she was a good athlete,Betty decided to make a run for it.Pretending to open her purse,she suddenly turned and dashed off.Although pursued,Betty outran her assailants.During this incident,which part of Betty's nervous system was most directly responsible for her successful escape?

A)midbrain
B)parasympathetic nervous system
C)forebrain
D)sympathetic nervous system