Question 1

During the refractory period, an action neuron __________.

Accepted Answer

A)   absolutely cannot engage in an action potential
B)   has more difficulty conducting an action potential
C)   more easily conducts an action potential
D)   shows faster depolarization across the axon B

Question 2

What is the difference between an MRI and a fMRI?

Accepted Answer

A)   fMRI scans rely only on changes in glucose, not hemoglobin.
B)   MRI scans use X rays.
C)   fMRI scans rely on changes in hemoglobin, using the BOLD signal.
D)   MRI scans use a radioisotype while fMRI scans do not. C

Question 3

One thing that makes the study of the human brain so incredibly daunting is the fact that within the brain, the total number of neurons-the cells that act as information processors- has been estimated to be as high as __________.

Accepted Answer

A)   1 million
B)   1 billion
C)   100 billion
D)   500,000 C

Question 4

Zach was in a car accident, and injured his brain. As a result of the car accident, he seems to have undergone a dramatic transformation from a calm professional to a wild and unpredictable individual. He is no longer able to plan or reason, and he shows great variation in his emotions throughout the day. As a result of the car accident, which part of Zach's brain was most likely injured?

Accepted Answer

A)   his temporal lobe
B)   his limbic system
C)   his frontal lobe
D)   his parietal lobe

Question 5

Brian falls asleep and begins to dream. The part of his brain that controls his overall attentiveness, including his sleepiness, and helps govern his dreaming is the __________.

Accepted Answer

A)   cerebellum
B)   midbrain
C)   forebrain
D)   pons

Question 6

Which of the following is not a unique characteristic of the brain?

Accepted Answer

A)   It is well protected in comparison to the spinal cord.
B)   It has three layers of tough membranes that protect it.
C)   It is able to quickly repair itself when damaged.
D)   It floats in a bath of cerebrospinal fluid that acts as a shock absorber.

Question 7

Synaptic vesicles are structures __________.

Accepted Answer

A)   in which transmitters are stored
B)   from which axon collaterals extend
C)   in the shape of bulbs that protrude into the synaptic gap
D)   found in the postsynaptic membrane

Question 8

You might expect a disproportionately large portion of the somatosensory area of a giraffe's cortex to map the giraffe's __________.

Accepted Answer

A)   lips and tongue
B)   neck and chest
C)   back and belly
D)   legs and tail

Question 9

The cell that specializes in sending and receiving information in the brain is called a __________.

Accepted Answer

A)   neuron
B)   glial cell
C)   transducer cell
D)   node of Ranvier

Question 10

Agonist is to __________ as antagonist is to __________.

Accepted Answer

A)   reducing the action of a neurotransmitter; increasing the action of a neurotransmitter
B)   increasing the action of a neurotransmitter; reducing the action of a neurotransmitter
C)   destroying the neurotransmitter; creating a neurotransmitter
D)   creating a neurotransmitter; destroying a neurotransmitter

Question 11

Let's say person X suffers a stroke and, as a result, is unable to recognize faces. Chances are good that the damage is located __________.

Accepted Answer

A)   in the corpus callosum
B)   in the amygdala
C)   in the right hemisphere
D)   in the left hemisphere

Question 12

__________ measure brain activity over a longer time period, about 40 seconds, while __________ measure brain activity over a shorter time period of just a few seconds.

Accepted Answer

A)   CT scans; PET scans
B)   fMRI; MRI
C)   PET; EEG
D)   PET; MRI and fMRI

Question 13

__________ are bundles of neurons that conduct excitation from the brain or spinal cord.

Accepted Answer

A)   Receptors
B)   Effectors
C)   Efferent nerves
D)   Afferent nerves

Question 14

Sam picks up a hot cookie sheet and then quickly drops it as her body begins to respond to the heat sensations. The neurons responsible for sending the signal regarding the pain would be considered __________ neurons.

Accepted Answer

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

Question 15

Nodes of Ranvier are important in __________.

Accepted Answer

A)   speeding up the transmission of nerve impulses
B)   shielding the synapse from extraneous chemicals
C)   the synthesis of fatty tissue that makes up the myelin sheath
D)   transducing mechanical stimuli into nerve impulses

Question 16

Descartes' early forerunner of the reflex concept differs from our modern one because Descartes __________.

Accepted Answer

A)   distinguished between sensory and motor nerves
B)   posited the existence of the synapse
C)   said that nerve impulses are electrochemical events
D)   argued that the ultimate controller was the soul

Question 17

A right-handed stroke victim has a slight paralysis of his right arm and leg, as well as a severe speech defect. He seems to understand what is said to him, but all he can say is "tan." His brain damage is probably centered in the __________ region.

Accepted Answer

A)   right frontal
B)   right temporal
C)   left frontal
D)   left temporal

Question 18

The sympathetic system is to the parasympathetic system as __________ is to __________ CNS?

Accepted Answer

A)   voluntary; involuntary
B)   arousal; restoration
C)   hormones; neurotransmitters
D)   central; peripheral

Question 19

The brain lobe located on the side of your head is called the __________ lobe.

Accepted Answer

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

Question 20

The synapse is __________.

Accepted Answer

A)   the area in which transmitters are stored.
B)   the structure at the end of the neuron from which the neurotransmitter is released
C)   the gap between neurons
D)   found on the postsynaptic membrane

Exam 3: The Brain and the Nervous System