Question 1

A neuron with thousands of synapses is being bombarded with GABA and glutamate, among other neurotransmitters. Explain how these chemical signals will be averaged to determine whether the neuron should fire. For simplicity, focus on GABA and glutamate in your answer, ignoring the presence of other neurotransmitters.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A neuron with thousands of synapses is...

Question 2

Messages from the central nervous system are carried to muscles by

Accepted Answer

A)  sensory neurons. 
B)  the sympathetic nervous system. 
C)  the hypothalamus. 
D)  motor neurons.

Question 3

A major difference between motor neurons and sensory neurons is that motor neurons

Accepted Answer

A)  more often release acetylcholine. 
B)  are more likely to be sending messages toward the brain. 
C)  are less likely to synapse on glands. 
D)  do not connect with interneurons.

Question 4

Modern brain research has refuted Descartes's concept of the human mind by

Accepted Answer

A)  mapping the detailed structure of the brain. 
B)  classifying chemical activities within neurons. 
C)  providing evidence that the immaterial soul and the material body interact with each other. 
D)  providing evidence that damage to specific parts of the brain causes very specific losses of behaviors

Question 5

Following a head injury, Maria experienced a dramatic personality change. She now gambles heavily, swears and yells at work, and has difficulty planning ahead. She most likely experienced damage to her

Accepted Answer

A)  prefrontal cortex. 
B)  basal ganglia. 
C)  occipital lobe. 
D)  central sulcus.

Question 6

Jake has recently developed a disease that causes him to release too much testosterone. Compared with his behavior prior to developing the disease, his behavior now is likely to be

Accepted Answer

A)  more reserved and thoughtful. 
B)  more irritable and aggressive. 
C)  unchanged, as enzymes break neurotransmitters down quickly. 
D)  unchanged, as testosterone does not affect brain functioning.

Question 7

Collecting fMRI data

Accepted Answer

A)  begins with the injection of a radioactive marker. 
B)  requires control scans and task-specific scans. 
C)  starts with capturing X-ray data from all possible angles. 
D)  begins with the placement of sensors on the scalp to detect electrical activity.

Question 8

Five-year-old James had a brain tumor removed. Initially he had difficulty remembering words he had once known, but over time he regained much of his ability to speak coherently. This demonstrates the concept of neural _______.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Five-year-old James had a brain tumor removed....

Question 9

Which technology enables researchers to temporarily inhibit a localized brain region, like a reversible brain lesion?

Accepted Answer

A)  Electroencephalogram (EEG) 
B)  Transcranial magnetic simulation (TMS) 
C)  Positron emission tomography (PET) 
D)  Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Question 10

Which of these events occurs first during an action potential?

Accepted Answer

A)  Gated potassium channels close. 
B)  Gated sodium channels open. 
C)  Gated sodium channels close. 
D)  The inside of the neuron becomes negatively charged.

Question 11

A _______ scan is likely to be used to _______ of healthy patients.

Accepted Answer

A)  functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI); study the detailed anatomy of specific brain structures 
B)  computed tomography (CT); measure neurotransmitter levels 
C)  magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); study in detail individual neurons 
D)  positron emission tomography (PET); indicate the most active brain regions

Question 12

Debi just ran a marathon in less than four hours and felt no pain during the run. Her lack of pain was most likely due to

Accepted Answer

A)  endorphins. 
B)  serotonin. 
C)  acetylcholine. 
D)  GABA.

Question 13

A scientist has inserted an electrode into the frontal lobe of a monkey. Electrical stimulation would most likely cause the monkey to

Accepted Answer

A)  feel no pain. 
B)  make a kicking motion. 
C)  demonstrate behaviors of intense anxiety. 
D)  respond as if it were hearing other monkeys' screeches.

Question 14

Which pair represents two distinct functional classes of neurons in the human nervous system?

Accepted Answer

A)  Motor neurons and uptake neurons 
B)  Motor neurons and muscle neurons 
C)  Sensory neurons and interneurons 
D)  Sensory neurons and reflex neurons

Question 15

After her stroke, Mei was able to hear, smell, and taste normally. However, she had difficulty with her vision. She most likely experienced damage to her

Accepted Answer

A)  prefrontal cortex. 
B)  limbic system. 
C)  occipital lobe. 
D)  thalamus.

Question 16

Positron emission tomography (PET) uses _______ to show how the brain works.

Accepted Answer

A)  X-ray emissions 
B)  magnetic fields 
C)  ultrasound pulses 
D)  radioactive markers

Question 17

What evidence would be required to show there are mirror neurons for yawning in chimpanzees?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What evidence would be required to show...

Question 18

Otto Loewi electrically stimulated a nerve in a frog heart. He then applied fluid surrounding that heart to a second heart. In this experiment, he found evidence that

Accepted Answer

A)  neurons communicate chemically. 
B)  neurons communicate electrically. 
C)  the speed of neural transmission differs across species. 
D)  his theory of saltatory conduction was correct.

Question 19

Key functions of the hypothalamus are

Accepted Answer

A)  attention and memory. 
B)  problem solving and planning. 
C)  the regulation of hunger and thirst. 
D)  motor coordination and balance.

Question 20

After a skydiving accident, an MRI showed damage to Rose's cerebellum. She is most likely to have difficulty with

Accepted Answer

A)  reading. 
B)  practicing yoga. 
C)  controlling emotions. 
D)  understanding speech.

Exam 3: The Neuroscience of Behavior