Deck 2: The Nervous System: Structure and Function

Question 1

Your biopsychology professor keeps correcting you to remind you to refer to single cells of the nervous system as _____________ and not as __________________.

A) neurons; nerves
B) nerve cells; nerves
C) ganglion; nerves
D) nerves; neurons

Answer 1

A

Question 2

The dendrites of a neuron________

A) have expanded their surface area by developing dendritic spines.
B) house the ribosomes of the cell.
C) transmit neural impulses to the glia.
D) release messages to neighboring neurons.

Answer 2

A

Question 3

The axon of a neuron ________

A) ends in swellings known as terminal branches.
B) receives messages from other neurons.
C) transmits neural impulses to the soma.
D) contains the cell's nucleus.

Answer 3

A

Question 4

A(n) ______________________ would be transmitting impulses between a sensory neuron with a motor neuron.

A) glial neuron
B) projection
C) interneuron
D) multipolar

Question 5

Who first proposed that individual neurons were not in direct contact with each other?

A) Golgi
B) Loewi
C) Cajal
D) Ranvier

Question 6

Immediately_______ to the thalamus is the ____________.

A) dorsal; pituitary gland
B) ventral; pituitary gland
C) dorsal; hypothalamus
D) ventral; hypothalamus

Question 7

Which of the cranial nerves extends to the body's organs?

A) optic
B) auditory
C) olfactory
D) vagus

Question 8

The sites of protein synthesis in neurons are called ________

A) granule.
B) ribosomes.
C) liposomes.
D) Golgi bodies.

Question 9

What do you predict would happen if a purple dye made of a large protein molecule was injected into a rat's bloodstream?

A) The brain would be stained purple
B) The spinal cord would be stained purple.
C) All tissues except brain and spinal cord would be stained purple.
D) None of the body tissues would be stained purple.

Question 10

Being given a "pat on the back" refers to being hit on the body's ____________ surface.

A) dorsal
B) ventral
C) rostral
D) anterior

Question 11

The temporal lobes are ____________ to the thalamus.

A) dorsal
B) rostral
C) medial
D) lateral

Question 12

A cut through the brain that divides the two hemispheres (a cut "between the eyes") is called a ____________ section.

A) sagittal
B) coronal
C) horizontal
D) superior

Question 13

The two main parts of the peripheral nervous system are the

A) sympathetic and parasympathetic.
B) brain and spinal cord.
C) somatic and autonomic
D) somatic and voluntary.

Question 14

Which structure is part of the temporal lobes?

A) Cerebellum
B) Hippocampus
C) Tectum
D) Tegmentum

Question 15

The visual information is processed in the ________ lobe.

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

Question 16

A primary function of the thalamus is to ________

A) regulate blood pressure.
B) control the pituitary gland.
C) relay information to the cerebral cortex.
D) initiate hunger,

Question 17

The basal ganglia are important for ________

A) processing visual information.
B) processing auditory information.
C) directing attention.
D) regulating movement.

Question 18

You've just eaten a huge meal consisting of a three meat barbecue plate (spareribs, brisket, polish sausage) with sides of beans, French fries and corn on the cob, cornbread with butter, 2 quarts of sweet tea, 2 slices of apple pie, and a wafer-thin mint. Your __________ is likely highly activated at this time.

A) somatic nervous system
B) sympathetic nervous system
C) parasympathetic nervous system
D) basal ganglia

Question 19

You've just been mugged and punched. Your __________ is likely highly activated at this time

A) somatic nervous system
B) sympathetic nervous system
C) parasympathetic nervous system
D) basal ganglia

Question 20

The reticular formation is a network of neurons in the brain that ________

A) controls respiration.
B) regulates blood pressure.
C) processes odor information.
D) can cause you to pay attention to a new sound.

Question 21

The ________ initiates the process of propagating neural messages away from the soma toward a target such as another neuron.

A) Golgi apparatus
B) mitochondria
C) dendrite
D) axon hillock

Question 22

Cabled axons of multiple neurons within the central nervous system are called ________

A) nerves.
B) tracts.
C) projections.
D) commissures.

Question 23

As a group, the 12 cranial nerves differ from spinal nerves in that they ________

A) only project to the head, neck and shoulders.
B) exit directly from the brain.
C) carry only sensory information.
D) carry only motor commands.

Question 24

Each spinal nerve projects to a specific patch of skin on the body surface called a ________

A) dermatome.
B) somatotome.
C) receptive field.
D) target field.

Question 25

The lowest level of the brain is called the ________

A) telencephalon.
B) myelencephalon.
C) metencephalon.
D) mesencephalon.

Question 26

The highest level of the brain is called the ________.

A) mesencephalon
B) diencephalon
C) telencephalon
D) myelencephalon

Question 27

Parkinson's disease affects the function of the ________.

A) cerebellum.
B) limbic system.
C) basal ganglia.
D) reticular formation.

Question 28

Epileptics experiencing intense emotions instead of convulsions may be having a _______________ seizure.

A) limbic system
B) basal ganglia
C) reticular formation
D) cerebellar

Question 29

The limbic system is present in ________

A) fish.
B) reptiles.
C) mammals.
D) worms.

Question 30

The bulges on the surface of the cerebral cortex are referred to as ________

A) sulci.
B) gyri.
C) lobes.
D) tuberosities.

Question 31

The misfortune of Phineas Gage helped illuminate the function of the ________

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

Question 32

One of the specialized functions of the left cerebral hemisphere is ________

A) mathematics.
B) musical ability.
C) motor skills.
D) language.

Question 33

The body's tendency to maintain a consistent internal environment is called ________

A) homeostasis.
B) metastasis.
C) allostasis.
D) resilience.

Question 34

The body's management of the varying energy demands across organs in response to stress is called ________

A) homeostasis.
B) metastasis.
C) allostasis.
D) resilience.

Question 35

The work of Ader and Cohen established ________

A) that the nervous and immune systems communicate cooperatively.
B) the function of the limbic system.
C) the effects of split-brain surgery.
D) the role of the sympathetic nervous system in digestion.

Question 36

The immune response within the central nervous system (CNS) is ________

A) more intense than the immune response in the peripheral nervous system (PNS).
B) slower than the immune response in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) but just as strong.
C) weaker than the immune response in the peripheral nervous system (PNS).
D) more selective than the immune response in the peripheral nervous system (PNS).

Question 37

The acquired immune system, or adaptive immune system, was identified by ________

A) Neal Miller.
B) Ader and Cohen.
C) Bruce McEwen.
D) Edward Jenner.

Question 38

The choroid plexus renews the total volume of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) ___________ per day.

A) once
B) twice.
C) ten times
D) three times

Question 39

Compared with other mammals, humans have a ___________ cerebral cortex.

A) disproportionately large
B) disproportionately small
C) proportionately sized
D) slightly larger

Question 40

The ___________ separates the primary motor cortex in the frontal lobe from the primary somatosensory cortex in the parietal lobe

A) central fissure
B) central gyrus
C) insula
D) basal ganglia

Question 41

The human brain's cerebral cortex is divided into how many distinct cellular layers?

A) four
B) five
C) six
D) seven

Question 42

Parkinson's disease results from suboptimal activation of the basal ganglia due to an inadequate supply of ________.

A) cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
B) glucocorticoids.
C) adrenaline.
D) dopamine.

Question 43

The insertion of fluorescent protein genes found in jellyfish and coral into mouse genes is the basis of ________

A) psychoneuroimmunology.
B) biofeedback.
C) Brainbow transgenic mice.
D) allostasis.

Question 44

Which of the following would activate the adaptive immune system?

A) Glucocorticoids
B) Antigens
C) Adrenaline
D) Allostatic overload

Question 45

If stress continues for too long the result can be described as

A) allostatic overload.
B) homeostasis.
C) hypertension.
D) hyperthyroidism.

Question 46

The ___________ provides buoyancy and physical space that acts as a buffer when the brain is jolted as a result of sudden movement.

A) dura mater.
B) cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
C) pia mater
D) arachnoid mater

Question 47

A person with a split-brain surgery has objects presented visually in front of them. What might be expected?

A) They could respond verbally only if the left hemisphere was activated by the right visual field.
B) They could respond verbally only if the left hemisphere was activated by the left visual field.
C) They could respond verbally only if the right hemisphere was activated by the left visual field.
D) They could respond verbally only if the right hemisphere was activated by the right visual field.

Question 48

You have a very clear memory for what you were wearing on the day you proposed marriage to your significant other. Why might this be the case?

A) Reduced serotonin activity in the reticular formation.
B) Seizure activity in the basal ganglia.
C) Increased motor inputs to the cerebellum.
D) Stress hormone activation of the hippocampus.

Question 49

Which of the following structures is the least critical for maintaining basic autonomic functions?

A) Forebrain
B) Cerebellum
C) Medulla oblongata
D) Hypothalamus

Question 50

Which of the following structures is the most critical for maintaining basic autonomic functions?

A) Forebrain
B) Cerebellum
C) Medulla oblongata
D) Hypothalamus

Question 51

Which of the following conditions should result in the least amount of neurogenesis in rats?

A) Socially housed rats allowed to run.
B) Socially housed rats not allowed to run.
C) Individually housed rats allowed to run.
D) Individually housed rats not allowed to run.

Question 52

Which of the following conditions should result in the greatest amount of neurogenesis in rats?

A) Socially housed rats allowed to run.
B) Socially housed rats not allowed to run.
C) Individually housed rats allowed to run.
D) Individually housed rats not allowed to run.

Question 53

After damage, neurons in the central nervous system (CNS) do not regenerate because ________

A) microglia do not readily clear away debris from the damage.
B) of the presence of inhibitory proteins
C) astrocytes promote the formation of scar tissue.
D) All of the above options are correct.

Question 54

Isotropic fractionation was used to answer what question about the brain?

A) The amount of myelin loss in Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
B) Relative overall number of glial cells versus neurons.
C) The speed of a nerve signal.
D) The rate of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) synthesis.

Question 55

Gaps along the axon between segments of myelin are called ________.

A) dendritic spines
B) terminal branches
C) axon hillocks
D) nodes of Ranvier

Question 56

Stimulating activity of what brain region would be predicted to enhance the effectiveness of biofeedback techniques?

A) insular cortex
B) parietal cortex.
C) the cerebellum
D) the amygdala

Question 57

_____________ are an important part of the adaptive immune system.

A) Phagocytes
B) Macrophages
C) T-cells
D) Microglia

Question 58

In response to environmental stressors the adrenal medulla releases ________

A) corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH).
B) adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH).
C) glucocorticoids
D) adrenaline.

Question 59

In response to environmental stressors the adrenal cortex releases ________

A) corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH).
B) adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH).
C) glucocorticoids.
D) adrenaline.

Question 60

The choroid plexus produces ________

A) neuronal stem cells.
B) microglia.
C) cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
D) the blood-brain barrier.

Question 61

Brain lateralization means ________

A) the two cerebral hemispheres have specialized functions.
B) anatomical structures on one side of the brain have a twin counterpart on the other.
C) the two cerebral hemispheres are connected.
D) damage to one of the two cerebral hemispheres can be compensated for by the other.

Question 62

Split-brain surgery conducted to treat epilepsy also provided evidence for ________

A) multiple personalities.
B) the biological basis of depression.
C) brain lateralization.
D) none of the above options are correct.

Question 63

Which of the following structures is critical for the regulation of the pituitary gland?

A) thalamus
B) hypothalamus
C) amygdala
D) basal ganglia

Question 64

The corpus callosum connects what two structures?

A) The hippocampus and amygdala
B) The brain stem and forebrain
C) The thalamus and hypothalamus
D) The right and left cerebral hemispheres

Question 65

The use of field sobriety tests by the police are intended to assess the function of ________

A) the pons.
B) the medulla oblongata.
C) the cerebellum.
D) the basal ganglia.

Question 66

Which of the following is part of the forebrain?

A) hippocampus
B) cerebellum
C) superior colliculi
D) inferior colliculi

Question 67

Which of the following is not part of the forebrain?

A) amygdala
B) basal ganglia
C) hypothalamus
D) red nucleus

Question 68

Which of the following is part of the midbrain?

A) inferior colliculi
B) hypothalamus
C) basal ganglia
D) medulla oblongata

Question 69

Which of the following is not part of the midbrain?

A) superior colliculi
B) inferior colliculi
C) basal ganglia
D) periaqueductal gray

Question 70

Which of the following is part of the brainstem?

A) hypothalamus
B) thalamus
C) superior colliculi
D) basal ganglia

Question 71

The brain micromanages its energy expenditure in proportion to its missions because it consumes ________ of the body's fuel.

A) 5%
B) 15%
C) 25%
D) 50%

Question 72

Which branch of the nervous system can be characterized as the "rest-and-digest" system?

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

Question 73

Activation of the sympathetic nervous system ________

A) prepares the individual for empathic contact with emotional individuals.
B) prepares the individual to store excess calories as fat.
C) prepares the individual for digesting a meal.
D) prepares the individual for strenuous physical responses.

Question 74

Up to 80% of the brain's neurons can be found in ________

A) the cerebral cortex.
B) the sympathetic nervous system
C) the cerebellum.
D) the ganglia.

Question 75

Endothelial cells with tight junctions in combination with ________ are responsible for the blood-brain barrier.

A) bipolar cells
B) astrocytes
C) oligodendrocytes
D) microglia

Question 76

Self-proclaimed endurance artist ________ increased voluntary control over his autonomic breathing functions to break the world record for holding one's breath.

A) David Blaine
B) Neal Miller
C) Camillo Golgi
D) Santiago Ramón y Cajal

Question 77

Who abandoned the nerve net theory and endorsed the notion that neurons are discrete units, not part of a continuous network?

A) Camillo Golgi
B) Santiago Ramón y Cajal
C) Sir Charles Sherrington
D) Neal Miller

Question 78

Who demonstrated that autonomic functions were within individual voluntary control?

A) Camillo Golgi
B) Santiago Ramón y Cajal
C) Sir Charles Sherrington
D) Neal Miller

Question 79

Who believed that the nervous system consisted of a continuous network of connected nerves?

A) Camillo Golgi
B) Santiago Ramón y Cajal
C) Sir Charles Sherrington
D) Neal Miller

Question 80

Dendritic spines are small fibers where terminal branches appear.