Deck 4: Neurons, Hormones, and the Brain

Question 1

The _______________ receives,processes,interprets,and stores incoming sensory information and also sends out messages destined for muscles,glands,and internal organs.

A)autonomic nervous system
B)central nervous system
C)endocrine system
D)action potential

Answer 1

central nervous system

Question 2

Cameron touches a hot iron and immediately pulls his hand away.His quick response occurs because

A)spinal reflexes are automatic,requiring no conscious effort.
B)the brain has registered that pain is occurring and responds quickly.
C)his glands have secreted chemical messengers called hormones.
D)pain information is sent to the brain faster than other sensory information.

Answer 2

spinal reflexes are automatic,requiring no conscious effort.

Question 3

In the peripheral nervous system,_______________ carry messages from special receptors in the skin,muscles,and other internal and external sense organs to the spinal cord,which sends them along to the brain.

A)spinal reflexes
B)motor nerves
C)cranial reflexes
D)sensory nerves

Answer 3

sensory nerves

Question 4

Molly smells chocolate chip cookies baking in the oven and is immediately reminded of her grandmother's house.Her perception of smell and its association to her grandmother's house are processed in the

A)peripheral nervous system.
B)spinal reflexes.
C)skeletal nervous system.
D)central nervous system.

Question 5

The subdivision of the peripheral nervous system that connects to sensory receptors and to skeletal muscles is called the

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

Question 6

Reflexes above the neck,such as sneezing and blinking,involve the _______________,and reflexes below the neck,such as pulling a hand away from a hot stove,involve the _______________.

A)spinal cord;cranial nerves
B)sensory nerves;lower part of the brain
C)lower part of the brain;spinal cord
D)cranial nerves;precursor cells

Question 7

The nervous system is divided into two main parts:

A)the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system.
B)the brain and the spinal cord.
C)the neuron and the nerve.
D)the brain and the nerves.

Question 8

Another name for the somatic nervous system is the

A)sympathetic nervous system.
B)parasympathetic nervous system.
C)central nervous system.
D)skeletal nervous system.

Question 9

In the peripheral nervous system,_______________ carry orders from the central nervous system to muscles and glands.

A)spinal reflexes
B)motor nerves
C)cranial reflexes
D)sensory nerves

Question 10

The somatic nervous system is activated when you

A)turn off a light or write your name.
B)begin taking an exam and your hands perspire.
C)begin to relax after a tense experience.
D)cry as a result of peeling an onion.

Question 11

Skeletal muscles and sensory organs are connected to the brain and spinal cord by

A)the autonomic nervous system.
B)the sympathetic nervous system.
C)the parasympathetic nervous system.
D)the somatic nervous system.

Question 12

The input and output for the brain is handled by

A)the peripheral nervous system.
B)the spinal column.
C)the sympathetic nervous system.
D)the central nervous system.

Question 13

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 14

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 15

The function of _______________ is to gather and process information,produce responses to stimuli,and coordinate the workings of different cells.

A)a cell body
B)a synapse
C)a nervous system
D)endorphins

Question 16

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

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

Question 17

An important role of the spinal cord is

A)processing and storing incoming sensory information.
B)producing responses to complex stimuli.
C)monitoring the activity of the internal organs.
D)producing automatic spinal reflexes.

Question 18

Shannon blinks as she steps off the school bus and walks into a gust of wind.This automatic reaction is regulated by the

A)spinal cord.
B)lower part of her brain.
C)surge of her adrenal hormones.
D)localization of function in her frontal lobes.

Question 19

A collection of neurons and supportive tissue running from the base of the brain down the center of the back,protected by a column of bones is called the

A)spinal cord.
B)cerebellum.
C)somatic nervous system.
D)amygdala.

Question 20

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

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

Question 21

A cell that conducts electrochemical signals and is the basic unit of the nervous system is called a

A)glial cell.
B)neuron.
C)cell body.
D)myelin sheath.

Question 22

Dr.Chapin has just finished a delicate brain operation.He turns to a group of interns and says,"She probably lost about 1,000 ___________,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 23

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 24

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)endocrine

Question 25

Another name for neuron is

A)glial cell.
B)precursor cell.
C)nerve cell.
D)neurotransmitter.

Question 26

April spots the boy that she has a crush on sitting by his friends.Her heart begins to pound,her hands get sweaty and her cheeks feel hot.April's _______________ has/have been activated.

A)autonomic nervous system
B)somatic nervous system
C)spinal reflexes
D)skeletal nervous system

Question 27

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 28

The sympathetic nervous system acts like the _______________ of a car,whereas the parasympathetic nervous system acts more like a(n)_______________.

A)spark plug;accelerator
B)accelerator;brake
C)radiator;spark plug
D)brake;radiator

Question 29

As Bridget is walking across campus,a bicyclist swerves toward her.Her heart races and sweat breaks out as she jumps out of harm's way.Soon,Bridget's heart rate begins to decrease and return to a regular rhythm.This calming reaction is due to the action of Bridget's

A)somatic nervous system.
B)skeletal nervous system.
C)parasympathetic nervous system.
D)sympathetic nervous system.

Question 30

Although neurons are often called the building blocks of the nervous system,in structure they are more like _______________ than blocks.

A)snowflakes
B)evergreen needles
C)pebbles
D)branches of a tree

Question 31

The deer waits motionlessly,hidden in the thicket as the band of hunters approach.As they 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 fibers are more active than its parasympathetic nerve fibers.
B)Its parasympathetic nerve fibers are more active than its sympathetic nerve fibers.
C)Both its sympathetic and parasympathetic nerve fibers are equally active.
D)Neither its sympathetic nor its parasympathetic nerve fibers are aroused.

Question 32

When your sympathetic nervous system is activated,you

A)tend to calm down.
B)begin to digest your food.
C)mobilize bodily resources to either fight or flee from danger.
D)begin to produce large amounts of saliva.

Question 33

The autonomic nervous system has two divisions:

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

Question 34

The name "glial" comes from the Greek word for "glue." It is an appropriate name because one function of glial cells is to

A)hold together dendrites and axons.
B)hold neurons in place.
C)fuse neurotransmitters to receptor sites.
D)fuse sodium ions to potassium ions.

Question 35

The _______________ looks like the branches of a tree;in fact,the meaning of this word in Greek is "little tree."

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

Question 36

On a hike through the hills,Tim feels a bug crawling up his leg under his pants.Which system is necessary for Tim to be aware of the bug?

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

Question 37

Glial cells make up _______________ of the brain's cells.

A)10 percent
B)25 percent
C)75 percent
D)90 percent

Question 38

Calm is to aroused as _______ is to _______.

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

Question 39

As she walks out of the living room,Gloriann turns out the light.Which system is necessary for Gloriann to perform this action?

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

Question 40

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.

Question 41

Which of the following transmit messages away from the cell body to neurons,muscles,or gland cells?

A)axons
B)myelin sheaths
C)dendrites
D)glial cells

Question 42

Research by contemporary neuroscientists has shown that

A)no new central nervous system cells are produced after infancy.
B)exercise can regrow severed spinal cord axons to in an animals.
C)it is impossible to regrow spinal cord axons after damage.
D)severed spinal cord axons in an animal regrow if treated with certain nervous system chemicals.

Question 43

The site where a nerve impulse is transmitted from one nerve cell to another is called the

A)action potential.
B)myelinated axon.
C)precursor cell.
D)synapse.

Question 44

What is the name for the insulation covering many neurons?

A)myelin sheath
B)glial cell
C)nodes
D)sclerosis

Question 45

If neuronal communication were compared to radio,the _______________ would be the transmitter at the radio station and the _______________ would be the antenna on your car.

A)cell bodies;axons
B)dendrites;myelin sheaths
C)myelin sheaths;cell bodies
D)axons;dendrites

Question 46

Which of the following statements is true?

A)Injured or damaged neurons in the central nervous system can never regenerate.
B)No new neurons are produced in the central nervous system after infancy.
C)Neurogenesis occurs in the spinal cord but not in the brain.
D)Recent research suggests that stem cells in the brain may be able to generate new neurons throughout life.

Question 47

Stem cells that are involved in learning and memory seem to divide and mature

A)throughout the first 2 years of life.
B)until the age of 7 years.
C)until the age of 12 years.
D)throughout the life span.

Question 48

Neuroscientists have found that _______________ can inhibit the process of neurogenesis.

A)enriched environments
B)stress
C)physical exercise
D)effortful mental activity

Question 49

The small gap between adjacent neurons is the

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

Question 50

Which part of the neuron contains the biochemical machinery for keeping the cell alive?

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

Question 51

Which part of the neuron acts like an antenna to receive messages from other neurons?

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

Question 52

The process of neurogenesis occurs when

A)glial cells convert themselves to neurons.
B)neurons divide to create two new neurons.
C)immature stem cells give birth to new neurons.
D)stress increases the production of new cells in order to facilitate adaptation to the stressor.

Question 53

A nerve is typically a bundle of

A)cell bodies.
B)glial cells.
C)axons.
D)neurofibrils.

Question 54

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 55

A long structure leaving the cell body that action potential travel along is called the

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

Question 56

Kalika is told by her physician that her symptoms are caused by a loss of myelin.Her diagnosis would most likely be

A)Parkinson's disease.
B)multiple sclerosis.
C)early stage Alzheimer's disease.
D)epilepsy.

Question 57

One purpose of the _______________ is to prevent signals in adjacent cells from interfering with each other.

A)cell body
B)myelin sheath
C)dendrite
D)action potential

Question 58

The human body has____ pairs of peripheral nerves.Most of these nerves enter or leave the spinal cord,except for _____ pairs that connect directly to the brain.

A)43;12
B)500;10
C)31;5
D)137;2

Question 59

The _______________ looks like a string of link sausages.

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

Question 60

The short fibers that extend from the neurons and allow it to receive messages from other neurons are

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

Question 61

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

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

Question 62

When a neurotransmitter molecule binds briefly with a receptor site,changes occur in the receiving neuron's membrane.If there is a voltage shift in a positive direction then the effect is

A)a decreased probability that the receiving neuron will fire.
B)an excitatory effect.
C)an inhibitory effect.
D)to prevent an action potential from occurring.

Question 63

Which of the following is true about synapses?

A)Each axon has a single axon terminal.
B)A single neuron may receive input from many neurons.
C)Once a synaptic connection is formed,it will not be lost unless the neuron itself dies.
D)The network of synaptic connections can change throughout childhood,but stops changing at adolescence.

Question 64

What is a synapse?

A)the site where a "message" is transmitted from one nerve cell to another
B)a chemical substance that is released by a transmitting neuron
C)a fatty coating that speeds up the conduction of neural impulses
D)the part of the neuron that keeps it alive

Question 65

The phrase "the plastic brain" refers to the fact that

A)synaptic connections can change throughout life.
B)neurons have a myelin sheath,similar to a plastic shell,that surrounds them.
C)axons,like soft plastic,are flexible and can bend around obstacles to make synaptic connections.
D)people can compensate for brain damage by learning new ways to do things.

Question 66

The function of neurotransmitters is to

A)bind to receptor sites of other neurons so that neurons can communicate.
B)demyelinate axons of other neurons,slowing down neural transmission.
C)create new dendrites in other neurons through the process of plasticity.
D)regenerate damaged axons through the process of the action potential.

Question 67

_______________ describes the brain's ability to retain flexibility in adapting to new experiences.

A)Programmability
B)Plasticity
C)Stability
D)Vulnerability

Question 68

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 69

Action potentials result from

A)an inflow of both potassium and sodium ions.
B)an outflow of both potassium and sodium ions.
C)an inflow of potassium followed by an outflow of sodium.
D)an inflow of sodium followed by an outflow of potassium.

Question 70

Research on neurotransmitters has shown that

A)they exist only in the brain.
B)harmful effects can occur at too high or too low levels.
C)there are five known and ten suspected neurotransmitters.
D)acetylcholine functions as a major inhibitory neurotransmitter.

Question 71

When neurons communicate

A)they do so in an electrical and chemical language.
B)they do so by touching one another,end to end.
C)they do so when an electrical potential "hops" between two cells.
D)they do so through a chemical neurotransmitter that travels down the axon.

Question 72

Receptor sites receive

A)neurotransmitters.
B)synaptic vesicles.
C)action potentials.
D)ions.

Question 73

The process by which a neuron gets its message across the synaptic cleft to another cell is best likened to

A)sailors carrying a message from one island to another.
B)fire traveling along the fuse of a firecracker.
C)dead tree limbs being pruned from a tree.
D)the brief change in electrical voltage when a hair dryer is turned on.

Question 74

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 75

The neural impulse traveling 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 76

Nerve impulses travel more slowly in babies than in older children and adults because

A)the infant does not have as many synaptic connections.
B)dendrites have not yet developed spines in infants.
C)axons are much shorter in infants.
D)the myelin sheaths on axons are not yet fully developed in infants.

Question 77

In order to prepare for her psychology test,Jendaya writes key points on index cards in order to quiz herself on neuronal communication.Which of the following would be found on one of her study cards?

A)A neuron's axon has only one axon terminal.
B)Once a synapse forms,it will only be lost if one of the neurons dies.
C)Nerve impulses travel more quickly in babies than in older children because with age comes neuronal degeneration.
D)When a nerve cell is stimulated,a change in electrical potential occurs between the inside and the outside of the cell.

Question 78

A neurotransmitter binds to a receptor site and the ultimate effect is a voltage shift in a negative direction.When this occurs

A)the probability that the neurons are densely connected decreases.
B)the probability that the receiving neuron will fire decreases.
C)the probability of an excitatory response increases.
D)the probability that the receiving neuron will fire increases.

Question 79

Throughout life,axons and dendrites continue to grow,and tiny projections on dendrites,called _______________ increase in size and number.

A)spines
B)axon terminals
C)precursor cells
D)stem cells

Question 80

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.