Deck 3: A:The Biological Bases of Behaviour

Question 1

Which of the following is the correct sequence of structures through which information flows in a neuron?

A)dendrites to axon to soma
B)axon to glia to dendrites
C)glia to dendrites to axon
D)dendrites to soma to axon

Answer 1

dendrites to soma to axon

Question 2

On a typical neuron, which structure receives the information, and which structure sends information to other neurons?

A)dendrites receive; axons send
B)axons send; synapses receive
C)dendrites receive; synapses send
D)axons receive; dendrites send

Answer 2

dendrites receive; axons send

Question 3

Which of the following is NOT one of the main functions of neurons?

A)integrating information
B)generating information
C)transmitting information
D)receiving information

Answer 3

generating information

Question 4

Which of the following is associated with the fastest neural impulses?

A)unmyelinated dendrites
B)myelinated axons
C)shorter axons
D)multiple dendrites

Question 5

Which of the following is the most accurate description of the structure and function of all neurons in your central nervous system?

A)All neurons contain a cell body and an axon, and may have other structures.
B)All neurons receive information via one or more dendrites and send information via one or more axons.
C)All neurons synapse onto another neuron in order to transmit an electrical signal.
D)All neurons receive and send information.

Question 6

What do glial cells do?

A)They form the primary components of the spinal cord.
B)They provide structural support for neurons.
C)They release neurotransmitters.
D)They release neuromodulators.

Question 7

What would happen if you were to lose all of your glial cells?

A)There would be no change in functioning, because neurons are the cells that are important for transmission of information within the nervous system.
B)One hemisphere could not send information to the other hemisphere.
C)Your neurons would no longer have a normal chemical environment, and there would be problems with efficient neurotransmission.
D)You would no longer be able to send neurotransmitters from one glial cell to another.

Question 8

What happens when sodium channels open, allowing sodium ions to flow into a neuron?

A)The neuron returns to its resting potential.
B)The axon hillock becomes inactivated.
C)The likelihood of an action potential is unchanged.
D)The likelihood of an action potential increases

Question 9

What do we call the tiny electrical charge that exists when a neuron is neither receiving nor sending information?

A)resting potential
B)action potential
C)synaptic gap
D)neurotransmitter

Question 10

Which of the following is a characteristic of both sodium and potassium ions?

A)They carry a negative charge.
B)They are concentrated inside the neuron's cell body.
C)They carry a positive charge.
D)They are concentrated outside the neuron's cell body.

Question 11

Bradley is deeply relaxed and his muscles are not moving at all. What does this suggest about Bradley's motor neurons?

A)Sodium ions and potassium ions are both concentrated inside the neurons.
B)Sodium ions are concentrated outside the neurons and potassium ions are concentrated inside the neurons.
C)Sodium ions and potassium ions are both concentrated outside the neurons.
D)Sodium ions are concentrated inside the neurons and potassium ions are concentrated outside the neurons.

Question 12

When a neuron is neither receiving nor sending, what is the approximate voltage of the electrical charge that exists between the inside and the outside of a neuron?

A)-1000 millivolts
B)-70 millivolts
C)+70 millivolts
D)+1000 millivolts

Question 13

Which neuronal structures are analogous to branches on a tree?

A)dendrites
B)axons
C)nuclei
D)cell bodies

Question 14

What are the cells that provide structural support and insulation for neurons?

A)neuromodulators
B)dendrites
C)glia
D)somata

Question 15

Emma has multiple sclerosis. What would you likely find if you could view her nervous system?

A)a reduction in the number of chloride ions in her peripheral nervous system
B)areas where the myelin sheath has degenerated
C)areas where the dendrites are severely damaged
D)a lack of neurotransmitters in some neurons

Question 16

Which cells in the nervous system do the work of receiving, integrating, and transmitting information?

A)neurons
B)neurotransmitters
C)neurilemma
D)neuroblasts

Question 17

What are three basic components of most neurons?

A)vesicles, terminal buttons, synapses
B)myelin, nodes, axon terminals
C)cell body, axon, dendrites
D)hindbrain, midbrain, forebrain

Question 18

In computers, when the print command is executed, a cable carries this signal from the computer to the printer. In comparing a computer to a neuron, what is the neuronal equivalent to the cable?

A)synapse
B)soma
C)dendrites
D)axon

Question 19

Which part of the neuron secretes neurotransmitters?

A)neuromodulators
B)dendrites
C)myelin sheaths
D)terminal buttons

Question 20

In computers, the keyboard receives input and passes that information along to the computer's central processing unit (CPU). What would the keyboard be equivalent to, in comparing a computer to a neuron?

A)axon
B)soma
C)dendrites
D)terminal buttons

Question 21

The neurons in Noor's arm just sent a neural impulse. It will be 1-2 milliseconds before another neural impulse can be generated. What do we call this brief time increment, when another neural impulse cannot occur?

A)resting potential
B)absolute refractory period
C)postsynaptic discharge
D)all-or-none period

Question 22

Peggy smells a very strong odour; Harry smells an odour that is barely detectable. Based on what is known about neural transmission, what should we predict about each of their action potentials?

A)They will be the same in both individuals due to the all-or-none principle.
B)They will travel a shorter distance in Peggy's system because the stimulus is more intense.
C)They will be weaker in Harry's system because the stimulus is less intense.
D)They will be distinguished by the amount of inhibition they exert on synapses.

Question 23

Tracey became dehydrated during a recent illness, and the levels of sodium in her body were significantly reduced. What would we expect to occur if enough sodium was lost?

A)Her nervous system would become highly activated and action potentials would be generated continuously.
B)More neurotransmitters would be produced in her terminal buttons.
C)Fewer action potentials would occur in her nervous system.
D)Glial cells would start to degenerate and die.

Question 24

Which of the following is the correct sequence of steps through which neurotransmitters progress during synaptic transmission?

A)binding, synthesis, release, inactivation, reuptake
B)synthesis, release, binding, inactivation, reuptake
C)synthesis, binding, release, reuptake, inactivation
D)release, synthesis, binding, reuptake, inactivation

Question 25

What happens when a neurotransmitter is released, but it does not fit into a suitable receptor channel on the postsynaptic neuron?

A)The firing potential of the postsynaptic neuron will not be affected.
B)An inhibitory postsynaptic potential will be generated.
C)The strength of the action potential in the presynaptic neuron will increase.
D)An excitatory postsynaptic potential will be generated.

Question 26

If a brain has several synapses that are not particularly active, and those synapses are eliminated, what does this reflect?

A)the pruning of synapses in order to increase the efficiency of neural networks
B)overactive immune reactions in the nervous system
C)a loss of function that is typically associated with aging
D)a process similar to natural selection, where strong synapses 'kill' weaker synapses

Question 27

Where are neurotransmitters stored?

A)in the dendrites
B)in the mitochondria
C)in the nacelles
D)in the synaptic vesicles

Question 28

The voltage at a receptor site has just changed from -70 millivolts to -75 millivolts. What caused the change?

A)excitatory postsynaptic potential
B)influx of potassium ions
C)influx of sodium ions
D)inhibitory postsynaptic potential

Question 29

What is an action potential?

A)an electrical signal that travels along the axon of a neuron
B)the small gap that exists between adjacent neurons
C)the tiny electrical charge that exists when a neuron is neither receiving nor sending information
D)an electrical signal that travels along the dendrites of a neuron

Question 30

What is a good analogy for the way in which a neurotransmitter binds to receptor sites?

A)the lowering of a drawbridge
B)a key fitting in a lock
C)the pulling of a gun trigger
D)the opening and closing of a window

Question 31

Which of the following is known about action potentials?

A)They travel more slowly if the incoming stimulation is less intense.
B)They are stronger when the incoming stimulation is more intense.
C)They are generated in an all-or-none fashion.
D)They are seldom strong enough to reach the terminal buttons.

Question 32

What do we call the space between a terminal button and a dendrite?

A)the transmission gap
B)the midsynaptic potential range
C)the synaptic cleft
D)the neuromodulator

Question 33

Sara is holding Scott's hand during a scary movie. Suddenly she squeezes his hand very hard. When she does this, what will the nerves in Scott's hand do?

A)release more chloride ions
B)send stronger signals to his central nervous system
C)enter an absolute refractory period
D)start to fire at a faster rate

Question 34

Fiona puts her hands into a sinkful of lukewarm water; Luke puts his hands into a sinkful of ice-cold water. What should we predict about each of their action potentials?

A)Fiona's will be weaker because the stimulus is less intense.
B)Luke's will travel a shorter distance because the stimulus is more intense.
C)Their action potentials will be the same due to the all-or-none principle.
D)Their action potentials will be distinguished by the amount of inhibition.

Question 35

What is the term for the minimum length of time between action potentials?

A)relative threshold period
B)transduction interval
C)absolute refractory period
D)synaptic interval

Question 36

The voltage at a receptor site has just changed from -70 millivolts to -67 millivolts. What will this lead to?

A)an absolute refractory period
B)increased likelihood of an action potential
C)decreased likelihood of an action potential
D)a relative refractory period

Question 37

What type of electric potential increases the likelihood that the postsynaptic neuron will fire?

A)all-or-none potential
B)excitatory postsynaptic potential
C)inhibitory postsynaptic potential
D)excitatory presynaptic potential

Question 38

What is the typical speed of an action potential?

A)at least 600 kilometres/hour
B)up to 300 kilometres/hour
C)approximately the speed of light (300,000 kilometres/second)
D)approximately the speed of sound (343 metres/second)

Question 39

What do we call the process of reabsorption of neurotransmitters into the presynaptic neuron?

A)reuptake
B)uploading
C)regrading
D)cyclomyosis

Question 40

What do synaptic vesicles do?

A)They control the speed with which a neuron fires.
B)They store neurotransmitters.
C)They provide energy for a neuron's activity.
D)They manufacture myelin.

Question 41

Dr. Athorp has just discovered a new drug named P3X that is an agonist for GABA. What effects will this drug likely have?

A)hallucinations and disrupted sleep patterns
B)general stimulation within the body and an increase in heart rate
C)a reduction in pain and a sense of euphoria
D)anxiety reduction and general relaxation

Question 42

Which type of chemical that is produced in the body resembles the opiates?

A)acetylcholines
B)dopamines
C)endorphins
D)biogenic amines

Question 43

What are the two most basic divisions of the nervous system?

A)somatic nervous system and autonomic nervous system
B)brain and spinal cord
C)sympathetic division and parasympathetic division
D)central nervous system and peripheral nervous system

Question 44

Which of the following would the use of a drug that functions as a dopamine agonist probably lead to?

A)chronic insomnia
B)schizophrenic-like symptoms
C)Parkinson-like symptoms
D)excessive anxiety

Question 45

Dr. Ferracane has just discovered a new drug named GL8 that produces side effects such as paralysis and memory loss. Based on this information, how might this drug be acting on the nervous system?

A)as an agonist for GABA
B)as an antagonist for GABA
C)as an antagonist for acetylcholine
D)as an agonist for acetylcholine

Question 46

Garrett has a chronic disease that is slowly destroying the cells that produce serotonin in his brain. Which of the following will likely happen to Garrett as his disease progresses?

A)His memory will gradually worsen.
B)He will start to show signs of Parkinson's disease.
C)His sleeping and waking cycles will be disrupted.
D)He will begin to experience symptoms of schizophrenia.

Question 47

What does an agonist do?

A)It extends the absolute refractory period of neural transmission.
B)It blocks the action of neurotransmitters.
C)It mimics the action of a neurotransmitter.
D)It prevents reuptake of neurotransmitters.

Question 48

Opiate drugs bind onto the same receptor sites as the body's own endorphins. What effect, then, do opiate drugs have?

A)They increase anxiety and agitation.
B)They inhibit all sensations.
C)They produce insomnia.
D)They relieve pain.

Question 49

Jeremy is sitting quietly when the voluntary muscles in his left leg begin to twitch. Which neurotransmitter is likely being released? ?

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

Question 50

Which of the following neurotransmitters is primarily involved in the activation of motor neurons controlling skeletal muscles?

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

Question 51

Julia is currently in the midst of a major depression. What neurotransmitter action is most likely to be associated with her symptoms?

A)reduced levels of the neurotransmitter GABA
B)increased activity at serotonin synapses
C)excess levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine
D)reduced activity at norepinephrine synapses

Question 52

How does nicotine function as an agonist?

A)It stimulates some muscarinic synapses.
B)It occupies acetylcholine receptor sites, thus blocking the action of the neurotransmitter.
C)It stimulates some acetylcholine synapses.
D)It inhibits some dopamine synapses.

Question 53

If you were making a new drug to treat pain, which type of neurotransmitter would you attempt to mimic?

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

Question 54

Caitlin has taken a drug that has reduced the levels of GABA in her nervous system. What side effect is Caitlin likely to experience?

A)motor tics and other involuntary motor movements
B)increased levels of anxiety
C)depression
D)hallucinations

Question 55

In which of the following conditions do abnormalities at norepinephrine and serotonin synapses appear to play a role?

A)depression
B)schizophrenia
C)paralysis
D)delirium

Question 56

Dr. Jacoby has just discovered a new drug named Z2W that is an antagonist to acetylcholine. What are some likely side effects of this new drug?

A)hallucinations and disrupted sleep patterns
B)general stimulation within the body and an increase in heart rate
C)anxiety reduction and general relaxation
D)paralysis and memory loss

Question 57

According to the Hebbian Learning Rule, if an axon of Cell A is near enough to repeatedly stimulate Cell B (causing it to fire often) then what will happen to Cell B?

A)Cell B will become habituated to Cell A, and will stop responding to it.
B)Changes will occur in the synapse between Cells A and B, but those changes will not affect firing in either cell.
C)Cell B will die off, because it is redundant with Cell A.
D)Changes will occur in the synapse between Cells A and B that will increase Cell A's efficiency in firing Cell B.

Question 58

What seems to be a primary cause of Parkinson's disease?

A)degeneration of neurons that use dopamine as a neurotransmitter
B)enzymatic deficiency that does not allow for the proper cleanup of waste products in the nervous system
C)agonistic chemical action on the receptor sites of the cerebrum
D)damage to glial cells

Question 59

Curare blocks the action of acetylcholine by occupying its receptor sites. In this context, what is curare?

A)an accelerant
B)an agonist
C)an asymptote
D)an antagonist

Question 60

In which part of the nervous system are the nerves in your hands and feet found?

A)peripheral
B)vascular
C)vagus
D)skeletal

Question 61

To confirm a diagnosis of epilepsy, a neurologist needs to record the overall electrical activity in Hillary's brain. What would be the best way for the neurologist to obtain this information?

A)magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
B)an electroencephalograph (EEG)
C)transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)
D)a computerized tomography (higher-order) scan

Question 62

What is the distinction between afferent and efferent nerves?

A)Afferent nerves take information to the central nervous system, while efferent nerves take information out from the central nervous system.
B)Afferent nerves are motor neurons while efferent nerves are sensory neurons.
C)Afferent nerves are in the peripheral nervous system, while efferent nerves are in the central nervous system.
D)Afferent nerves take information to the muscles, while efferent nerves take information to the central nervous system.

Question 63

What are the protective membranes that protect the brain and spinal cord?

A)meninges
B)cerebrospinal sheaths
C)ventricles
D)glia

Question 64

Which division of your nervous system handles conservation of body resources, including blood pressure reduction and the promotion of digestion?

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

Question 65

Which part of the nervous system mobilizes the body when one needs to exert tremendous energy, such as when fleeing from an attacker?

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

Question 66

Robyn has just eaten a full meal and is now relaxing. Which system is in primary control at this time?

A)sympathetic nervous system
B)parasympathetic nervous system
C)endocrine system
D)peripheral nervous system

Question 67

Which division of the nervous system is most likely to be in control of bodily processes during periods of rest and recovery for the body?

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

Question 68

What does the central nervous system consist of?

A)the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems
B)the somatic and autonomic nervous systems
C)the body's sensory and motor neurons
D)the brain and the spinal cord

Question 69

What system allows you to receive sensory input from the environment, and to act on the environment?

A)autonomic nervous system
B)somatic nervous system
C)limbic system
D)endocrine system

Question 70

What type of fluid nourishes the brain and provides a protective cushion for it?

A)parasympathetic
B)cerebrospinal
C)amniotic
D)somatic

Question 71

Which major division of the nervous system is comprised of the somatic nervous system and the autonomic nervous system ?

A)skeletal
B)central
C)afferent
D)peripheral

Question 72

During what type of situations is the sympathetic nervous system in primary control?

A)stress
B)sexual
C)calm
D)fatigue

Question 73

Through which type of nerves does the brain send messages to the skeletal muscles in the legs when you are walking?

A)central
B)afferent
C)efferent
D)sensory

Question 74

Karlette took some new medication for her hay fever. The medication made her heart race, and she became agitated and jittery. In which division of the nervous system is the medication likely increasing activity?

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

Question 75

Brenda was startled when a large shadow unexpectedly passed across her living room window. When she realized that it was just a cloud passing in front of the full moon, her racing heart began to slow and her blood pressure started to return to normal. What triggered the reactions as Brenda began to relax?

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

Question 76

Johann took some medication for his flu symptoms. Later, Johann began to feel a little faint because the medication caused his heart to beat more slowly and his blood pressure to fall. What system was likely activated by the medication?

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

Question 77

Which part of the nervous system controls digestion and the flow of blood?

A)somatic
B)motor
C)autonomic
D)sensory

Question 78

Zayed was walking down a dark street when he heard a car backfire. His heart started to race and he began to perspire in response to this sudden, startling noise. Which division of the nervous system is responsible for his physical reactions?

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

Question 79

If brain damage is suspected, which of the following methods is most likely to be used to assess the damage?

A)electroencephalograph
B)lesioning
C)electrocardiograph
D)electrode implantation

Question 80

Which division of the nervous system is necessary if you need to stand up or scratch your nose?

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