Deck 3: Biological Foundations of Behaviour

Question 1

One of the functions of glial cells is to:

A) increase the presence of positive ions inside the cell body.
B) absorb toxins that might damage neurons.
C) increase the speed of neural impulses.
D) generate an action potential.

Answer 1

absorb toxins that might damage neurons.

Question 2

When the charge inside of a neuron shifts from -70 millivolts to +40 millivolts,it is called:

A) polarization.
B) depolarization.
C) a resting potential.
D) an ion channel.

Answer 2

depolarization.

Question 3

For a brief period of time,shortly after a neural impulse has been triggered,a neuron is not excitable and cannot fire another impulse.This is called _______________.

A) action potential
B) graded potential
C) absolute refractory period
D) depolarization

Answer 3

absolute refractory period

Question 4

That action potentials occur at a uniform and maximum intensity or they do not occur at all is known as:

A) the all-or-none law.
B) the absolute refractory period.
C) depolarization.
D) neuromodulators.

Question 5

Which of the following statements regarding the nervous system is true?

A) Glial cells outnumber neurons about 10 to 1.
B) Glial cells outnumber neurons about 1000 to 1.
C) Neurons outnumber glial cells about 10 to 1.
D) Neurons outnumber glial cells about 1000 to 1.

Question 6

The presence of many branches on the axons makes it possible for a single neuron to connect to the dendrites of as many as 50,000 other neurons.The branches on the axons are called ______________.

A) cell bodies
B) dendrites
C) axon terminals
D) glial cells

Question 7

In a large communication network such as the National Telephone Company,the actual cables and transmissions could be analogous to the body's neurons,while the technicians and mechanics that support the equipment are analogous to the body's __________.

A) glial cells
B) brain
C) chemicals
D) neurotransmitters

Question 8

The gaps between segments of myelin sheath that occur at regular intervals are called:

A) synapses.
B) dendrites.
C) fissures.
D) nodes of Ranvier.

Question 9

It is relatively easy to see how there can be trillions of interconnections in the brain,given the diverse structures of the ______________.

A) cell body and the axon
B) axon and the dendrites
C) cell body and the dendrites
D) axon and the myelin sheath

Question 10

When a neuron is stimulated,tiny protein structures on the cell membrane are activated that pump specific ions back and forth,thus changing the overall potential of the neuron.These cell membranes are called _______________.

A) ion channels
B) action potentials
C) neurotransmitters
D) glial cells

Question 11

The function of the axon is to:

A) surround the neurons and hold them in place.
B) speed up the transmission of electrical impulses.
C) receive chemical messages from neighbouring neurons.
D) transmit electrical messages from the cell body to other muscles,glands,or neurons.

Question 12

Branchlike fibres that collect messages from adjacent neurons and pass them along to the cell body of the receiving neuron are called ____________.

A) axons
B) axon terminals
C) dendrites
D) nodes of Ranvier

Question 13

Surrounding neurons and holding them in place is one of the functions of ________________.

A) axons
B) axon terminals
C) glial cells
D) the myelin sheath

Question 14

The synaptic cleft is a tiny gap between:

A) the neuron and a glial cell.
B) the axon terminal of one neuron and dendrite of the next neuron.
C) the cell body and the dendrites.
D) the segments of myelin sheath.

Question 15

The resting potential of the typical neuron is determined by:

A) extra negative ions on the outside of the neuron and extra neutral ions on the inside of the neuron.
B) extra positive ions on the inside of the neuron and extra neutral ions on the outside of the neuron.
C) extra positive ions on the inside of the neuron and extra negative ions on the outside of the neuron.
D) extra positive ions on the outside of the neuron and extra negative ions on the inside of the neuron.

Question 16

Multiple sclerosis occurs when a person's own immune system specifically attacks:

A) the dendrites.
B) the glial cells.
C) the myelin sheath.
D) the ion channels.

Question 17

The changes in the electrical potential of a neuron that do not reach -50 millivolts are called:

A) resting potentials.
B) action potentials.
C) graded potentials.
D) polarized potentials.

Question 18

The role of the blood-brain barrier is to:

A) stabilize the brain within the skull.
B) enhance neurotransmitter functioning.
C) provide nutrients to the brain.
D) prevent many foreign substances from gaining access to the brain.

Question 19

The resting potential of a typical neuron is:

A) 27 millivolts.
B) -70 millivolts.
C) -27 millivolts.
D) 70 millivolts.

Question 20

What is the effect of the myelin sheath on the conduction of neural impulses?

A) Myelin sheaths decrease the speed of electrical conduction.
B) Myelin sheaths increase the speed of electrical conduction.
C) Myelin sheaths vary the graded potential of the neuron.
D) Myelin sheaths are responsible for the refractory period after a neuron has fired.

Question 21

The drug Prozac has a positive effect on depression by:

A) blocking the reuptake of serotonin,so that more of the neurotransmitter remains to enhance mood.
B) breaking down excess serotonin,so that less of the neurotransmitter remains to enhance mood.
C) blocking the reuptake of dopamine,so that more of the neurotransmitter remains to enhance mood.
D) breaking down excess dopamine,so that less of the neurotransmitter remains to enhance mood.

Question 22

Agonists are drugs that can influence the activity of a neurotransmitter by doing one of the following EXCEPT:

A) blocking the receptor sites on the postsynaptic neuron
B) enhancing a neuron's ability to synthesize neurotransmitters
C) inhibiting reuptake
D) mimicking the action of a neurotransmitter

Question 23

Caffeine is an antagonist and therefore it is an example of a drug that:

A) inhibits the action of a neurotransmitter.
B) increases the action of a neurotransmitter.
C) makes it more difficult for neurotransmitters to be deactivated.
D) mimics the action of a neurotransmitter by binding with and stimulating postsynaptic receptor sites.

Question 24

Which of the following is an inhibitory neurotransmitter found throughout the brain,especially important in anxiety and motor control?

A) serotonin
B) norepinephrine
C) GABA
D) glutamate

Question 25

When the resting potential of a neuron becomes more negative (e.g. ,goes from -70 millivolts to -72 millivolts),this is referred to as:

A) excitation.
B) depolarization.
C) hyperpolarization.
D) an action potential.

Question 26

Acetylcholine (ACh)is known to be involved in:

A) mood,eating,and sexual behaviour.
B) disordered thinking and emotions.
C) reducing pain.
D) memory and muscle activity.

Question 27

Neurotransmitters that depolarize the postsynaptic neuron are called:

A) excitatory transmitters.
B) inhibitory transmitters.
C) receptor sites.
D) synaptic vesicles.

Question 28

The process in which neurotransmitters are deactivated when they are taken back into the presynaptic axon terminal is called:

A) restoring.
B) regeneration.
C) recycling.
D) reuptake.

Question 29

Ron,a middle-aged bank executive,is in excellent health.Ron jogs five miles four times a week,keeps his weight at a healthy point,and eats a well-balanced diet.He is particularly worried about the effects of aging as both his parents developed Alzheimer's disease in their later years.Recently Ron has been receiving Botox injections to reduce the wrinkles on his forehead.Little does he know that the Botox injections he receives and the aging disease he so dreads have this same neurotransmitter in common:

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

Question 30

The neurotransmitter dopamine was mentioned as involved in all the following disorders EXCEPT for:

A) Schizophrenia
B) Depression
C) Alzheimer's disease
D) Parkinson's disease

Question 31

During the final period of the championship hockey game,Tim is sliced across the ear by an opponent's skate.Despite the damage to his ear,Tim continues to play the game,and scores the winning goal.Tim's ability to continue playing the game despite the searing pain in his ear is likely a result of a massive release of which type of transmitter?

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

Question 32

Scientists used to think that neurons communicated with each other through direct physical contact.With the advent of the electron microscope,the synapse or gap between neurons is evident and it is apparent that rather than direct contact,the communication continues through ____.

A) axon terminals
B) action potentials
C) neurotransmitters
D) dendrites

Question 33

During the chemical communication process,neurotransmitters cross the synapse and attach themselves to receptor sites on the postsynaptic neurons.This stage is called ________________.

A) synthesis
B) storage
C) release
D) binding

Question 34

Cara has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.It is likely she will be treated with a drug which increases the levels of which neurotransmitter?

A) GABA
B) dopamine
C) acetylcholine
D) serotonin

Question 35

An excitatory neurotransmitter that is found throughout the brain and is especially important in and memory is:

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

Question 36

In addition to reuptake,neurotransmitters can also be deactivated by being:

A) broken down into their chemical components by chemicals in the synapse.
B) taken back into the axon terminal of the presynaptic neuron.
C) taken back into the axon terminal of the postsynaptic neuron.
D) absorbed in the myelin sheath by chemicals in the synapse.

Question 37

The two ways that neurotransmitters can be deactivated are:

A) postsynaptic reuptake and chemical breakdown.
B) presynaptic reuptake and chemical breakdown.
C) presynaptic reuptake and postsynaptic reuptake.
D) postsynaptic reuptake and graded potentials.

Question 38

Psychoactive drugs act by:

A) replacing the naturally occurring neurotransmitter.
B) denying the naturally occurring neurotransmitter access to its receptor.
C) affecting the resting potential of the targeted neurons.
D) influencing the length of the refractory period for the targeted neurons.

Question 39

Neurotransmitters that hyperpolarize a neuron are specifically called:

A) excitatory neurotransmitters.
B) inhibitory neurotransmitters.
C) graded potentials.
D) action potentials.

Question 40

Abnormally high levels of dopamine have been observed in the brains of people with:

A) schizophrenia.
B) Alzheimer's disease.
C) a damaged reticular formation.
D) spinal injuries.

Question 41

After a very loud noise in her backyard woke her from a sound sleep,Ursula is lying in bed paralyzed by fear.Her heart is pounding,her face is flushed,and there is a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach.The nervous system that is responsible for Ursula's body reactions to the noise is called ___________________.

A) autonomic nervous system
B) voluntary nervous system
C) central nervous system
D) somatic nervous system

Question 42

What are the three major types of neurons in the nervous system?

A) sensory neurons,motor neurons,and interneurons
B) sensory neurons,inhibitory neurons,and interneurons
C) excitatory neurons,inhibitory neurons,and sensory neurons
D) excitatory neurons,motor neurons,and interneurons

Question 43

The job of interneurons is to:

A) carry information from the sense organs to the brain or spinal cord.
B) carry information from the brain and spinal cord to various muscles or organs.
C) perform connective or associative functions in the nervous system.
D) inhibit neurons from firing by reducing the action potential threshold.

Question 44

Rohypnol and GHB are so-called 'date rape' drugs that work by enhancing the activity of which neurotransmitter?

A) GABA
B) dopamine
C) norepinphrine
D) acetylcholine

Question 45

The sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems play complementary roles in maintaining a balanced or constant internal state.This constant internal state is referred to as ________________________.

A) homeosynthesis
B) homeostasis
C) neural plasticity
D) a resting potential

Question 46

Spinal reflexes are reflexes that:

A) cannot be triggered without the involvement of the sympathetic nervous system.
B) can be triggered without any involvement of the brain.
C) occur when the brain senses it could be threatened or damaged.
D) can significantly increase reaction time.

Question 47

The two divisions of the autonomic nervous system are:

A) sensory and motor.
B) somatic and parasympathetic.
C) sympathetic and parasympathetic.
D) sympathetic and central.

Question 48

In the wilds of Northern Canada,Joe is elk hunting with some college friends.After the hunters separate in search of a lone elk,Joe finds himself staring straight into the eyes of a grizzly bear.Joe's heart rate increases,and as he runs through the woods praying the bear is not following him,he is aware that he has never run faster.The nervous system responsible for Joe's speedy flight is the ___________.

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

Question 49

Alcohol effect on the brain is as a(n):

A) agonist by stimulating activity of the inhibitory transmitter GABA.
B) antagonist by stimulating activity of the inhibitory transmitter GABA.
C) antagonist by decreasing the activity of the excitatory transmitter glutamate.
D) both an agonist and antagonist by stimulating activity of GABA and decreasing the activity glutamate.

Question 50

Lucy and her older brother Louis have developed quite a fierce sibling rivalry.On a vacation in Mexico with their father,Louis and Lucy were being relatively well-behaved until one afternoon when Lucy accidentally stepped on her brother's foot and he automatically punched her.Louis apologized profusely saying that he just reacted and didn't even have time to think about what he did before he did it.Louis might try to claim that his brain was unaware of what he was doing at the time he punched Lucy because this type of response is considered a:

A) nervous twitch
B) muscular reflex
C) sensory reflex
D) spinal reflex

Question 51

Ashley's parents do not like the contemporary techno music that Ashley and her friends listen to and prefer old show tunes to which they can sing along.Along with the neurons that help them sense the music,there is a link between the sensory input from a song they are listening to,and their memory of that song.This link is made by ___________________.

A) interneurons
B) sensory neurons
C) motor neurons
D) inhibitory neurons

Question 52

The central nervous system is defined as:

A) only the neurons in the brain.
B) only the neurons in the spinal cord.
C) only the neurons in the brain and spinal cord.
D) only the neurons outside of the brain and spinal cord.

Question 53

The somatic nervous system:

A) consists of sensory and motor neurons designed to transmit information to slow down the body and keep it calm.
B) consists of sensory and motor neurons designed to transmit information for involuntary functions such as circulation and digestion.
C) consists of sensory and motor neurons designed to transmit information for the fight-or-flight response.
D) consists of sensory and motor neurons designed to transmit information between muscles,sensory receptors,and the central nervous system.

Question 54

The two divisions of the peripheral nervous system are:

A) somatic and autonomic.
B) sensory and motor.
C) sympathetic and somatic.
D) sympathetic and autonomic.

Question 55

Ursula is sound asleep one night when she is suddenly awakened by a loud noise coming from her backyard.She gets out of bed and moves to the window in order to see what made the noise.Ursula is relying on her ______ nervous system.

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

Question 56

Mark's father had triple bypass surgery a week ago and has been told by his doctors to reduce the stress in his life in general,and at least for the next several weeks try to maintain calmness around him.After opening a letter from school containing Mark's poor semester grades,his father does his biofeedback exercises in an effort to return his blood pressure to normal and his muscles back to relaxation.For this to work,a particular nervous system is working overtime.This is the ________________ nervous system.

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

Question 57

Which of the following drugs influences ACh and dopamine activity?

A) alcohol
B) caffeine
C) nicotine
D) amphetamines

Question 58

Which of the following neurotransmitters have NOT been associated with depression?

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

Question 59

In the human body,the sympathetic system is responsible for activating the body for such things as the fight-or-flight response.The system is responsible for calming and slowing down the body is called the ____________________.

A) somatic system
B) parasomatic system
C) autonomic system
D) parasympathetic system

Question 60

A neuron is responsible for conveying a message from the brain to a particular muscle,such as the muscle that contracts your eyelid.This neuron would be classified as a(n):

A) inhibitory neuron.
B) interneuron.
C) sensory neuron.
D) motor neuron.

Question 61

The electroencephalogram (EEG)is an example of which method of assessing the relation between the brain and behaviour?

A) brain imaging
B) neuropsychological tests
C) electrical recording
D) destruction and stimulation techniques

Question 62

To measure brain-behaviour relations,this method uses highly concentrated X-rays to take pictures of narrow slices of the brain.This method is called _______________.

A) positron emission tomography (PET)scan
B) computerized axial tomography (CT)scan
C) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
D) functional magnetic resonance imagining (fMRI)

Question 63

A CT scan is used to study brain ___________ while the PET scan is used to examine brain _______.

A) activity;structures
B) structures;activity
C) damage;excitation
D) excitation;damage

Question 64

At a local university the freshman hazing involved chugging bottles of vodka.When two naïve young men fell unconscious after finishing the bottles of vodka,their girlfriends rushed them to the emergency room.It seems their basic body functions had been suppressed by the alcohol and they died from heart failure.Which portion of the brain governs these vital body functions?

A) cerebellum
B) medulla
C) corpus callosum
D) motor neurons

Question 65

Julie was a concert pianist until she was in a serious skiing accident.As a result,she was no longer able to control the timing and coordination of her motor movements.She had sustained severe damage to her _________________.

A) cerebellum
B) reticulum
C) thalamus
D) hypothalamus

Question 66

After partying with friends one night,Angela got into her car to drive herself home.She had been drinking and was involved in a tragic accident.The doctors at the hospital kept Angela alive on life support systems until her parents arrived.They explained to Angela's grief stricken parents that this structure of the brain had been damaged and without life support she would die.This structure is the _____________.

A) thalamus
B) forebrain
C) medulla
D) cerebellum

Question 67

Computerized axial tomography (CAT)scans,positron emission tomography (PET)scans,and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)are all examples of which method of measuring brain-behaviour relations?

A) electrical recording
B) destruction and stimulation techniques
C) brain imaging
D) neuropsychological tests

Question 68

A newborn baby is having trouble regulating her breathing and heart rate and doctors are forced to place her on life support.Given her symptoms,it is most likely that this infant may have some abnormalities in or damage to her:

A) thalamus.
B) hypothalamus.
C) cerebellum.
D) medulla.

Question 69

Alexis is riding her bicycle to school one day and slides on some loose gravel at the bottom of a hill.Her bike flies out from under her and she loses consciousness.At the hospital,Alexis does not seem oriented to the situation and cannot remember even riding her bike let alone falling.The doctors wish to take pictures of the structure of her brain to determine whether or not there are injuries.To do this,they use a(n)__________________.

A) electroencephalogram (EEG)
B) chemical stimulation technique
C) computerized axial tomography (CT)scan
D) positron emission tomography (PET)scan

Question 70

The technique that measures the amount of harmless radioactive glucose used by the brain is called a(n):

A) functional magnetic resonance imagining (fMRI).
B) electroencephalogram (EEG).
C) computerized axial tomography (CT)scan.
D) positron emission tomography (PET)scan.

Question 71

Judith has noticed that her elderly husband is behaving differently lately.His movements have become uncoordinated,jerky,and clumsy,and he even has difficulty walking or getting up from a chair.These symptoms are most likely related to a tumour in the:

A) cerebellum.
B) pons.
C) medulla.
D) reticular formation.

Question 72

A person who has just suffered a head trauma due to a car accident is given the "Trail Making Test" by a psychologist in order to assess the person's memory and planning abilities.This test is an example of which method of studying brain-behaviour relations?

A) brain imaging
B) electrical recording
C) neuropsychological tests
D) destruction and stimulation techniques

Question 73

In the human body,which system is responsible for activating the body for things such as the fight-or-flight response?

A) Sympathetic nervous system.
B) Parasympathetic nervous system.
C) Somatic nervous system.
D) Central nervous system.

Question 74

The primary job of the ascending reticular formation is to:

A) regulate vital functions such as respiration and heart rate.
B) block out or admit sensory information to the brain.
C) alert the brain that information is coming.
D) coordinate muscle movements.

Question 75

The structure of the human brain can be said to mirror an archaeological site because:

A) the older structures of the human brain are responsible for the more complex brain functions,such as thinking and creativity.
B) the more recently developed structures of the brain are responsible for the basic life functions,such as breathing and heart rate.
C) the more recently developed brain structures are built atop the older brain structures.
D) the older brain structures are built atop the more recently developed brain structures.

Question 76

The area of the brain that plays a role in vital life functions,such as heart rate and respiration,is the:

A) thalamus.
B) cerebellum.
C) medulla.
D) hypothalamus.

Question 77

George has agreed to participate in a memory experiment where both the structure of his brain and the brain activity will be captured as he performs various memory tasks.He has been assured he will not be exposed to X-rays and the procedure is relatively non-intrusive.George will be having:

A) electroencephalogram (EEG)
B) neuropsychological tests
C) positron emission tomography (PET)scan
D) functional magnetic resonance imagining (fMRI)

Question 78

During brain surgery,a physician places a small electrode on various portions of the patient's exposed cerebral cortex.Though the patient is anaesthetized,he is still conscious and the physician asks him to report what he experiences when different parts of the brain are electrically activated.This physician is using which method of studying the relation between the brain and behaviour?

A) neuropsychological tests
B) destruction and stimulation techniques
C) brain imaging
D) electrical recording

Question 79

The technique that measures how atoms in living tissue respond to a magnetic pulse is called ______________.

A) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
B) electroencephalogram (EEG)
C) computerized axial tomography (CT)scan
D) positron emission tomography (PET)scan

Question 80

In addition to playing an important role in controlling respiration,the groups of neurons that regulate sleep and dreaming are called the ______________.

A) cerebellum
B) pons
C) medulla
D) reticular formation