Deck 4: Neuroscience

Question 1

The fundamental units of the nervous system are nerve cells, called ______

A) axons
B) glia
C) neurons
D) neurotransmitters

Answer 1

neurons

Question 2

What type of scientists study brain functionality by investigating patients with brain damage?

Answer 2

Neuropsychologists

Question 3

What is the fundamental unit of the nervous system?

A) neuron
B) glia
C) axon
D) nuclei

Answer 3

neuron

Question 4

According to your text, about how many neurons does the nervous system contain?

A) 1 billion
B) 10 billion
C) 100 billion
D) 1 trillion

Question 5

The nervous system contains not only neurons, but also other cells called ___________.

A) axons
B) glia
C) dendrites
D) myelin cells

Question 6

Past researchers avoided analyzing the brain largely for technical reasons.

Question 7

What technological advance allows scientists to study brain activity in healthy, awake humans?

A) neuroimaging
B) lesioning
C) autopsy
D) psychoanalysis

Question 8

Which of the following is not a part of the human nervous system?

A) astrocyte
B) astroglia
C) adrenal
D) microglia

Question 9

Describe how messages enter and leave a neuron.

Question 10

What is the primary function of the oligodendroglia?

Question 11

Which of the following brain study techniques is CORRECTLY matched with a disadvantage?

A) examining cases of brain damage -- tells little about how brain systems work while in use
B) autopsy study - cannot be used to investigate the human brain
C) EEG - only provides a summary of activity over a large area of tissue
D) lesioning - may not reflect the activity of the intact brain

Question 12

An __________ measures brain wave activity from the surface of the scalp.

Question 13

Astroglial cells provide neurons with important growth-promoting molecules called __________.

Question 14

Which of the following brain study techniques cannot be used to investigate the human brain?

A) lesioning
B) EEGs
C) autopsy examination
D) the study of brain damage

Question 15

Which structures are especially important for communication between one neuron and another?

A) axons only
B) dendrites only
C) axons and dendrites
D) axons, dendrites, and glia

Question 16

Approximately how many neurons are housed in the adult, human brain?

Question 17

Which of the following is identified as a neuroimaging technique in your text?

A) autopsy study
B) EEGs
C) lesioning
D) PET

Question 18

There are a greater number of neurons than glial cells in the human nervous system.

Question 19

Which of the following brain study techniques is CORRECTLY matched with a description?

A) EEG - detects uptake of certain molecules in the brain
B) EEG - detects changes in blood flow in the brain
C) PET - detects uptake of certain molecules in the brain
D) fMRI - records brain's electrical activity from the scalp

Question 20

The branch-like structures that extend away from the cell body to receive impulses from other neurons are called __________.

Question 21

As compared to neurons, glia are:

A) less numerous
B) equally numerous
C) slightly more numerous
D) much more numerous

Question 22

Which of the following provides BOTH the correct name AND the correct function of one of the types of glia?

A) astroglia - clean up the debris of dead cells
B) oligodendroglia - provide the myelin sheath
C) microglia - create the blood-brain barrier
D) macroglia - clean up the debris of dead cells

Question 23

Physical gaps between neurons are called __________.

Question 24

Regarding the similarities and differences among neurons, which of the following statements is CORRECT?

A) Neurons are all approximately the same size.
B) Neurons vary in the number of axons they contain.
C) Neurons all have about the same number of dendrites.
D) All neurons can produce and send electrical signals.

Question 25

Perhaps the main reason that neurons can communicate over relatively great distances within the body is the fact that neurons contain:

A) a long axon
B) a large cell body
C) many dendrites
D) a variety of neurotransmitters

Question 26

What is the resting potential of a neuron?

A) -100 millivolts
B) -70 millivolts
C) 50 millivolts
D) 100 millivolts

Question 27

What chemicals travel from neuron to neuron across synapses?

Question 28

Immediately following an action potential, a neuron is ready to fire again.

Question 29

Compare your forearm, hand, and fingers to a neuron. Using such a metaphor, the dendrites are to your _________ as the axon is to your ________.

A) fingers; hand
B) fingers; forearm
C) knuckles; hand
D) knuckles; forearm

Question 30

The openings in the neuron membrane that only allow passage of certain ions are called __________.

Question 31

Electrical wires are generally protected by a tube of plastic. A similar insulating function is performed in the nervous system by:

A) myelin
B) glia
C) nodes of Ranvier
D) vesicles

Question 32

Which of the following sequences accurately reflects the route followed by nerve impulses when one neuron communicates with another?

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

Question 33

Dendrite is to axon as _________ is to _________.

A) receiving; sending
B) sending; receiving
C) glial cell; neuron
D) neuron; glial cell

Question 34

Which positively charged ions pass through the ion channels?

Question 35

An axon is a(n):

A) neuron's cell body
B) branch-like fiber extending in clusters from a neuron's cell body
C) support cell in the nervous system
D) long, tube-like structure extending from a neuron's cell body

Question 36

Describe the all-or-none principle.

Question 37

At resting potential, the extracellular fluid surrounding neurons does not contain ions.

Question 38

The branch-like fibers extending in clusters from the neuron's cell body are called ________.

A) axons
B) nodes of Ranvier
C) glia
D) dendrites

Question 39

What is the significance of the lock and key metaphor?

Question 40

In what regions is the surface of the axon exposed to the extracellular fluid?

A) ion channels
B) nodes of Ranvier
C) refractory
D) axon Hillock

Question 41

The peripheral nervous system includes the somatic and autonomic subdivisions.

Question 42

A certain neurotransmitter receptor receives an excitatory neurotransmitter called dopamine. Based on your text's discussion, which of the following statements is most likely true concerning this receptor's action?

A) This receptor can probably receive only dopamine.
B) This receptor can probably receive any neurotransmitter.
C) This receptor can probably receive not only dopamine, but a few other excitatory neurotransmitters as well.
D) This receptor can probably receive any excitatory neurotransmitter.

Question 43

The peripheral nervous system includes the brain and spinal cord.

Question 44

What part of the nervous system includes the spinal cord?

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

Question 45

Angie has painstakingly made some neuroscience flashcards to help her study group prepare for an upcoming test. Brent picks up a card. "Nodes of Ranvier" is written on the front. Which of the following phrases should he see when he turns over the card?

A) the myelinated portions of an axon
B) the unmyelinated portions of an axon
C) spheres in an axon terminal from which neurotransmitters are released
D) a group of neurons within a neural network

Question 46

A synapse is a:

A) chemical
B) signal
C) joint
D) gap

Question 47

During an action potential, ________ ions rush into a neuron, ultimately resulting in a charge of about ______ mV.

A) chloride; -70
B) calcium; -70
C) sodium; +50
D) potassium; +50

Question 48

Which of the following statements is TRUE regarding action potentials?

A) The strength of action potentials can vary dramatically.
B) Action potentials occur at a constant rate.
C) The strength of action potentials does not vary.
D) Regardless of their rate of occurrence, action potentials fire at a steady rhythm.

Question 49

With respect to neurotransmission, release is to receive as _____ is to _______.

A) postsynaptic; presynaptic
B) dendrite; axon
C) vesicle; receptor
D) receptor; vesicle

Question 50

What functions does the parasympathetic nervous system control?

Question 51

Which of the following statements is TRUE with respect to an axon's ability to fire immediately following an action potential?

A) The axon cannot fire during the absolute refractory period. It can fire during the relative refractory period no matter how strong the stimulus is.
B) The axon cannot fire during either the absolute or the relative refractory period
C) The axon can fire during either the absolute or the relative refractory period no matter how strong the stimulus is.
D) The axon cannot fire during the absolute refractory period. It can fire during the relative refractory period given a strong enough stimulus.

Question 52

An action potential is a sudden ______ change in the electrical charge of a neuron's _________.

A) positive; axon
B) positive; dendrites
C) negative; axon
D) negative; dendrites

Question 53

How is a neuron's resting potential restored after an action potential has passed a particular segment of the axon?

A) Sodium ions are pumped into the cell.
B) Chloride ions are pumped into the cell.
C) Sodium ions are pumped out of the cell.
D) Potassium ions are pumped out of the cell.

Question 54

A neuron's resting potential is _____ mV, reflecting the higher concentration of ______ ions outside the cell.

A) -70; chloride
B) -70; sodium
C) +50; chloride
D) +50; sodium

Question 55

Which of the following statements accurately captures a contrast between action potentials and postsynaptic potentials?

A) Action potentials may be graded in strength. Postsynaptic potentials are all-or-none events.
B) Action potentials can become stronger or weaker with experience. Postsynaptic potentials cannot.
C) Whereas action potentials are depolarizing, postsynaptic potentials may be either depolarizing or hyperpolarizing.
D) Whereas action potentials are depolarizing, postsynaptic potentials are hyperpolarizing.

Question 56

What system is responsible for the "fight or flight" response?

Question 57

Collections of neurons that communicate with one another are called ________.

A) networks
B) nodes
C) systems
D) centers

Question 58

The __________ subdivision of the peripheral nervous system controls voluntary motor activity.

Question 59

Which of the following terms is used to refer to change in the nervous system?

A) malleability
B) mutability
C) adaptability
D) plasticity

Question 60

Neurotransmitter receptors are found on the _______ of _____ neurons.

A) nodes of Ranvier; presynaptic
B) axons; presynaptic
C) axons; postsynaptic
D) dendrites; postsynaptic

Question 61

Which structure of the brain is physically closest to the spinal cord?

A) thalamus
B) pons
C) hippocampus
D) medulla

Question 62

At the broadest level, the nervous system is divided into the _________ and the _______ nervous systems.

A) primary; secondary
B) somatic; autonomic
C) sympathetic; parasympathetic
D) central; peripheral

Question 63

Excitation is to rest as ______ is to ________.

A) autonomic; somatic
B) somatic; autonomic
C) sympathetic; parasympathetic
D) parasympathetic; sympathetic

Question 64

The two major divisions of the peripheral nervous system are the _______ and _______ divisions.

A) somatic; autonomic
B) sympathetic; parasympathetic
C) primary; secondary
D) sensory; motor

Question 65

Several neuron groups form the __________ which is important for sleep and wakefulness.

Question 66

What neurotransmitter used by the cells in the pons are important for arousal and attention?

Question 67

Describe the characteristics of someone who has sustained damage to their cerebellum.

Question 68

People often recover from damage to the brainstem.

Question 69

Izzy's pupils are dilated and her hear is pounding; her breathing is shallow and rapid. Her _________ nervous system is active.

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

Question 70

The brain and the spinal cord constitute the _________ nervous system.

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

Question 71

What part of the central nervous system controls simple reflexes?

Question 72

Which type of cell allows a sensory and motor neuron to communicate with one another?

A) axon
B) stem cell
C) interneuron
D) neuronal

Question 73

Which of the following statements best expresses your text's conclusion regarding the current state of the art in treating spinal cord injury?
a) Little attention has been directed toward the potential regeneration of spinal cord axons.
b) Scientists are really only beginning to tackle the potential regeneration of spinal cord axons.
c) Scientists have made substantial progress toward the potential regeneration of spinal cord axons.
d) In most cases, scientists are now able to regenerate spinal cord axons.

Question 74

Together, the spinal cord and the brain comprise the central nervous system.

Question 75

What is the relationship between the location of a spinal injury and the portion of the body that is likely to be paralyzed?

Question 76

Regarding the spinal cord's control of behavior, which of the following is TRUE?

A) The spinal cord cannot control any behaviors without the help of the brain.
B) The spinal cord is not involved in reflexes.
C) The spinal cord can control some simple reflexes without the brain's help.
D) The spinal cord can sometimes control relatively complex behavior without the brain's help.

Question 77

Which area of the midbrain is responsible for producing dopamine?

A) substantia nigra
B) red nucleus
C) raphe nuclei
D) locus coeruleos

Question 78

Within the reflex circuit, it is the ______ that allows the spinal cord to control certain reflexes without the brain's help.

A) motor neuron
B) sensory neuron
C) interneuron
D) autoneuron

Question 79

What term describes a person who is paralyzed from the neck down after an injury?

Question 80

Which of the following situations is most likely to involve the action of the parasympathetic nervous system?

A) Brooke's finger accidentally grazes the hot iron; she immediately jerks her hand away.
B) After a satisfying evening meal, Callum relaxes in front of the television.
C) Walking toward her car is a deserted parking garage one night, Danica is surprised by a strange man appearing from nowhere.
D) Emmeline feels queasy as she approaches the front of the class to give a speech; suddenly, her throat goes dry.