Question 1

When a neuron is firing its action potential the neuron's electrical charge is

Accepted Answer

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

Question 2

Which of the following techniques is likely to be MOST useful for locating specific neurotransmitter substances in the brain?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 3

The occipital lobe of the brain consists primarily of the

Accepted Answer

A)  motor cortex. 
B)  primary somatosensory cortex. 
C)  auditory cortex. 
D)  visual cortex.

Question 4

Which of the following has been implicated in pain alleviation?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 5

If IPSP's did not exist,

Accepted Answer

A)  it would be "easier" for a neuron to fire its action potential. 
B)  it would be "harder" for a neuron to fire its action potential. 
C)  since the action potential happens according to the all-or-none principle there would be no effect on the ease at which the neuron fired its action potential. 
D)  action potentials would not occur.

Question 6

Bradley is deeply relaxed and his muscles are not moving at all. This suggests that, for Bradley's motor neurons

Accepted Answer

A)  sodium ions are concentrated inside the neurons and potassium ions are concentrated outside the neurons. 
B)  sodium ions and potassium ions are both concentrated inside the neurons. 
C)  sodium ions and potassium ions are both concentrated outside the neurons. 
D)  sodium ions are concentrated outside the neurons and potassium ions are concentrated inside the neurons.

Question 7

Robyn has just eaten a full meal and is now relaxing. Robyn's ____ is in primary control at this time.

Accepted Answer

A)  sympathetic nervous system 
B)  parasympathetic nervous system 
C)  hormonal system 
D)  thyroid gland

Question 8

Bonnie has a disease that disrupts the functioning of her hypothalamus. With which of the following areas of functioning is she likely to have serious difficulty with?

Accepted Answer

A)  reading, writing, and tasting. 
B)  thinking, problem solving, and hearing. 
C)  eating, drinking, and body temperature control. 
D)  sexual motivation, tasting, and controlling fine motor movements.

Question 9

When a neuron is at its resting potential it has

Accepted Answer

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

Question 10

Edmund was walking down a dark street when he heard a car backfire. His heart started to race and he began to perspire in response to this sudden, startling noise. These physical reactions were triggered by Edmund's

Accepted Answer

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

Question 11

The hypothalamus influences or regulates all of the following EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

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

Question 12

An electric potential that increases the likelihood that the postsynaptic neuron will fire is called an

Accepted Answer

A)  all-or-none potential. 
B)  inhibitory postsynaptic potential. 
C)  excitatory postsynaptic potential. 
D)  excitatory presynaptic potential.

Question 13

The minimum length of time between action potentials is determined by

Accepted Answer

A)  transduction capacity. 
B)  transduction incapacity. 
C)  the absolute refractory period. 
D)  the relative threshold period.

Question 14

Which of the following individuals is likely to be at the highest level of sympathetic arousal?

Accepted Answer

A)  Melissa, who is daydreaming and staring out the window 
B)  Keith, who is concentrating on a lecturer and taking careful notes 
C)  Professor Trong, who is lecturing 
D)  Bill, who is anticipating an exam he will take within the hour and for which he is unprepared

Question 15

The ____ fluid nourishes the brain and provides a protective cushion for it.

Accepted Answer

A)  amniotic 
B)  cerebrospinal 
C)  parasympathetic 
D)  somatic

Question 16

Sara is holding Scott's hand during a scary movie. Suddenly she squeezes his hand very hard. When she does this, the neurons in Scott's hand will

Accepted Answer

A)  start to fire at a faster rate. 
B)  send stronger signals to his central nervous system. 
C)  enter an absolute refractory period. 
D)  release more chloride ions.

Question 17

Efferent nerve fibers transmit messages ____ the brain and spinal cord.

Accepted Answer

A)  within or between 
B)  away from 
C)  toward 
D)  away from and toward

Question 18

When curare blocks the action of acetylcholine by occupying its receptor sites, it is acting

Accepted Answer

A)  as an agonist. 
B)  as an antagonist. 
C)  as a neurotransmitter. 
D)  as a placebo.

Question 19

The largest and most complex part of the human brain is the

Accepted Answer

A)  medulla. 
B)  cerebrum. 
C)  cerebellum. 
D)  limbic system.

Question 20

Neurotransmitters are secreted from the

Accepted Answer

A)  myelin sheath. 
B)  terminal buttons. 
C)  neuromodulators. 
D)  dendrites.

Exam 5: The Biological Bases of Behavior Part 1