Deck 2: The Biology of Mind and Consciousness

Question 1

Neurons are best described as

A)positively charged sodium and potassium ions.
B)chemical molecules that cross the synaptic gap.
C)nerve cells that function as the building blocks of the nervous system.
D)bundled axon cables that connect the CNS with muscles,glands,and sense organs.

Answer 1

nerve cells that function as the building blocks of the nervous system.

Question 2

Which specialty area would be most interested in identifying the brain-activation patterns associated with a person's conscious recognition of familiar faces or voices?

A)evolutionary psychology
B)cognitive neuroscience
C)behavior genetics
D)personality psychology

Answer 2

cognitive neuroscience

Question 3

An axon is

A)a cell that serves as the basic building block of the nervous system.
B)a layer of fatty tissue that encases the fibers of many neurons.
C)a molecule that blocks neurotransmitter receptor sites.
D)the extension of a neuron that carries messages away from the cell body.

Answer 3

the extension of a neuron that carries messages away from the cell body.

Question 4

An electrical signal that travels down the axon of a neuron is called the

A)synapse.
B)myelin sheath.
C)action potential.
D)refractory period.

Question 5

In transmitting sensory information to the brain,an electrical signal travels from the ________ of a single neuron.

A)dendrites to the axon to the cell body
B)axon to the cell body to the dendrites
C)dendrites to the cell body to the axon
D)axon to the dendrites to the cell body

Question 6

Cognitive neuroscience is most directly concerned with studying connections between

A)hormonal and neural processes.
B)evolution and natural selection.
C)genes and neurotransmitters.
D)brain activity and thought processes.

Question 7

Blind echolocation experts who can use the brain's visual centers to process auditory signals best illustrate the value of

A)plasticity.
B)reuptake.
C)endorphins.
D)refractory periods.

Question 8

The speed at which a neural impulse travels is increased when the axon is encased by a(n)

A)endorphin.
B)myelin sheath.
C)glial cell.
D)synaptic vesicle.

Question 9

One function of glial cells is to

A)increase the speed of neural impulses.
B)mimic the effects of neurotransmitters.
C)provide nutrients to neurons.
D)stimulate the production of hormones.

Question 10

Mathematical computations by a computer are faster than your quickest mathematical computations because the top speed of a neural impulse is about ________ times slower than the speed of electricity through the wired circuitry in a computer.

A)3 hundred
B)3 thousand
C)3 hundred thousand
D)3 million

Question 11

Dr.Wolski conducts research on the relationship between neurotransmitter deficiencies and mood states.Dr.Wolski's research focus is most characteristic of

A)tomography.
B)biological psychology.
C)endocrinology.
D)cognitive psychology.

Question 12

Many years of intensive guitar practice have led to changes in Karyasa's motor cortex that enable her skilled finger movements.This best illustrates the value of

A)reuptake.
B)echolocation.
C)plasticity.
D)lateralization.

Question 13

The scientific study of the links between biological and psychological processes is called

A)neurology.
B)cognitive psychology.
C)endocrinology.
D)biological psychology.

Question 14

Neurons are surrounded by ________,which guide neural connections and clean up after neurons send messages to one another.

A)endorphins
B)glial cells
C)hormones
D)SSRIs

Question 15

A myelin sheath is a

A)nerve network within the spinal cord that controls physical arousal.
B)large band of neural fibers connecting the two adrenal glands.
C)layer of fatty tissue encasing the axons of some nerve cells.
D)bushy extension of a neuron that conducts impulses toward the cell body.

Question 16

Plasticity refers to the brain's capacity to change by forming new neural pathways based on

A)refractory periods.
B)lateralization.
C)experience.
D)reuptake.

Question 17

Dendrite is to ________ as axon is to _________.

A)sensory neuron;motor neuron
B)sympathetic nervous system: parasympathetic nervous system
C)signal reception;signal transmission
D)central nervous system;peripheral nervous system

Question 18

The function of dendrites is to

A)receive incoming signals from other neurons.
B)release neurotransmitters into the spatial junctions between neurons.
C)coordinate the activation of the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems.
D)control pain through the release of opiate-like chemicals into the brain.

Question 19

Dendrites are branching extensions of

A)neurotransmitters.
B)endorphins.
C)neurons.
D)glial cells.

Question 20

A biological psychologist would be most interested in conducting research on the relationship between

A)neurotransmitters and depression.
B)age and bone density.
C)self-esteem and popularity.
D)genetics and eye color.

Question 21

The minimum level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse is called the

A)reflex.
B)threshold.
C)synapse.
D)action potential.

Question 22

Mr.Averro's symptoms of confusion and memory loss have led his physicians to conclude that he suffers from Alzheimer's disease.His symptoms are most likely to be linked with a deterioration of brain cells that produce the neurotransmitter

A)dopamine.
B)acetylcholine.
C)epinephrine.
D)endorphins.

Question 23

Mr.Anderson suffers from Parkinson's disease and his shaking arm movements are so severe that he has difficulty feeding or dressing himself without help.His symptoms are most likely to be linked with an undersupply of the neurotransmitter

A)cortisol.
B)dopamine.
C)serotonin.
D)oxytocin.

Question 24

The number of neurotransmitter molecules located within a specific synaptic gap would most clearly be reduced by

A)an action potential.
B)ACh-producing neurons.
C)lateralization.
D)reuptake.

Question 25

When an action potential reaches the end of an axon,an electrical impulse is then converted into a

A)myelin sheath.
B)reflexive response.
C)chemical message.
D)glial cell.

Question 26

Neuron-produced chemicals that carry messages to other neurons or to muscles and glands are called

A)synapses.
B)interneurons.
C)dendrites.
D)neurotransmitters.

Question 27

The axon of a sending neuron is separated from the dendrite of a receiving neuron by a

A)myelin sheath.
B)neural network.
C)glial cell.
D)synaptic gap.

Question 28

A synapse is a(n)

A)chemical messenger that triggers muscle contractions.
B)automatic response to sensory input.
C)junction between a sending neuron and a receiving neuron.
D)electrical cable containing many axons.

Question 29

A neuron's reaction of either firing at full strength or not firing at all is described as

A)an all-or-none response.
B)a refractory period.
C)neural plasticity.
D)a reflexive response.

Question 30

A slap on the back is more painful than a pat on the back because a slap triggers

A)the release of endorphins.
B)more intense neural impulses.
C)the release of GABA.
D)more neurons to fire,and to fire more often.

Question 31

The chemical messengers released into the spatial junctions between neurons are called

A)hormones.
B)neurotransmitters.
C)interneurons.
D)glial cells.

Question 32

Increasing excitatory signals above the threshold for a neuron to fire will not affect the intensity of an action potential.This indicates that a neuron's reaction

A)is inhibited by the myelin sheath.
B)is delayed by a refractory period.
C)is an all-or-none response.
D)depends on neurotransmitter molecules.

Question 33

Which neurotransmitter plays the most direct role in learning and memory?

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

Question 34

Neurotransmitters are released from the end (terminal branches)of the

A)dendrites.
B)cell body.
C)axon.
D)myelin sheath.

Question 35

SSRIs relieve depression by partially blocking the reuptake of

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

Question 36

An undersupply of serotonin is most closely linked to

A)Alzheimer's disease.
B)schizophrenia.
C)Parkinson's disease.
D)depression.

Question 37

Schizophrenia is most closely linked to an oversupply of the neurotransmitter

A)dopamine.
B)epinephrine.
C)acetylcholine.
D)serotonin.

Question 38

Excitatory signals to a neuron must exceed inhibitory signals by a minimum intensity in order to trigger

A)reuptake.
B)a refractory period.
C)an action potential.
D)neurogenesis.

Question 39

Reuptake refers to the

A)movement of neurotransmitter molecules across a synaptic gap.
B)release of hormones into the bloodstream.
C)resting pause that occurs after a neuron has fired.
D)reabsorption of excess neurotransmitter molecules by a sending neuron.

Question 40

The refractory period that occurs after a neuron has fired is a time interval in which

A)chemical messengers cross synaptic gaps between neurons.
B)a neurotransmitter is reabsorbed by a sending neuron.
C)an action potential cannot occur.
D)an organism reflexively withdraws from a pain stimulus.

Question 41

Motor neurons transmit signals to

A)glands.
B)interneurons.
C)sensory neurons.
D)all of these parts.

Question 42

Jacob's severe migraine headaches have led him to seek medical help.It is likely that his symptoms are most closely linked to an

A)oversupply of GABA.
B)undersupply of serotonin.
C)oversupply of glutamate.
D)undersupply of acetylcholine.

Question 43

Opiate drugs ______ neural activity and temporarily ______ pain and anxiety.

A)depress;increase
B)accelerate;decrease
C)depress;decrease
D)accelerate;increase

Question 44

The body's natural production of endorphins is likely to be

A)increased by heroin use and increased by vigorous exercise.
B)decreased by heroin use and decreased by vigorous exercise.
C)increased by heroin use and decreased by vigorous exercise.
D)decreased by heroin use and increased by vigorous exercise.

Question 45

An undersupply of the major inhibitory neurotransmitter known as ________ is linked to seizures.

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

Question 46

You feel the pain of a sprained ankle when ________ relay(s)messages from your ankle to your central nervous system.

A)the myelin sheath
B)interneurons
C)motor neurons
D)sensory neurons

Question 47

Opiate-like neurotransmitters linked to pain control and to feelings of pleasure are known as

A)glia.
B)SSRIs.
C)endorphins.
D)glutamates.

Question 48

The nervous system is the

A)complete set of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream.
B)collection of bundled axons that form electrical cables carrying information to the body's muscles.
C)an organism's complete set of automatic reflex responses.
D)electrochemical communication network that includes all the body's neurons.

Question 49

José has just played a long,bruising football game but feels little fatigue or discomfort.His lack of pain is most likely caused by the release of

A)glutamate.
B)dopamine.
C)acetylcholine.
D)endorphins.

Question 50

Information is carried from the central nervous system to the body's tissues by

A)interneurons.
B)sensory neurons.
C)motor neurons.
D)adrenal glands.

Question 51

Endorphins are

A)neurotransmitters.
B)sex hormones.
C)endocrine glands.
D)glial cells.

Question 52

Which of the following is an opiate that elevates mood and eases pain?

A)GABA
B)acetylcholine
C)morphine
D)glutamate

Question 53

Neurons that function within the brain and spinal cord are called

A)sensory neurons.
B)interneurons.
C)endorphins.
D)motor neurons.

Question 54

Jason's intensely uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms following heroin use were probably due in part to a reduction in his body's normal production of

A)dopamine.
B)epinephrine.
C)acetylcholine.
D)endorphins.

Question 55

Information travels through axons that are bundled into the cables we call

A)interneurons.
B)action potentials.
C)nerves.
D)reflex pathways.

Question 56

Some neurons enable you to grasp objects by relaying outgoing messages to the muscles in your arms and hands.These neurons are called

A)interneurons.
B)sensory neurons.
C)neurotransmitters.
D)motor neurons.

Question 57

The two major divisions of the nervous system are the central and the ________ nervous systems.

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

Question 58

Opiate drugs occupy the same receptor sites as

A)serotonin.
B)endorphins.
C)dopamine.
D)epinephrine.

Question 59

Sensory neurons are located in the

A)synaptic gaps.
B)endocrine system.
C)peripheral nervous system.
D)myelin sheath.

Question 60

The central nervous system consists of

A)sensory and motor neurons.
B)somatic and autonomic systems.
C)the brain and the spinal cord.
D)sympathetic and parasympathetic branches.

Question 61

The somatic nervous system is a component of the ________ nervous system.

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

Question 62

In a tragic diving accident,Andrew damaged his spinal cord.As a result,his legs were paralyzed.Andrew's injury was located in his

A)somatic nervous system.
B)autonomic nervous system.
C)sympathetic nervous system.
D)central nervous system.

Question 63

Messages are transmitted from your spinal cord to muscles in your hands by the ________ nervous system.

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

Question 64

Messages are transmitted from your spinal cord to your heart muscles by the

A)sensory nervous system.
B)somatic nervous system.
C)central nervous system.
D)autonomic nervous system.

Question 65

Which division of the autonomic nervous system arouses the body and mobilizes its energy in stressful situations?

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

Question 66

The strengthening of the brain's synaptic connections facilitates the formation of

A)interneurons.
B)endorphins.
C)neural networks.
D)glial cells.

Question 67

The knee-jerk reflex is controlled by interneurons in the

A)synaptic gap.
B)spinal cord.
C)sympathetic nervous system.
D)parasympathetic nervous system.

Question 68

You come home one night to find a burglar in your house.Your heart starts racing and you begin to perspire.These physical reactions are triggered by the

A)somatic nervous system.
B)sympathetic nervous system.
C)parasympathetic nervous system.
D)sensory nervous system.

Question 69

Central nervous system neurons that process information between sensory inputs and motor outputs are called

A)neurotransmitters.
B)interneurons.
C)synapses.
D)dendrites.

Question 70

An accelerated heartbeat is to a slowed heartbeat as the ________ nervous system is to the ________ nervous system.

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

Question 71

The two parts of the peripheral nervous system are the

A)brain and spinal cord.
B)sympathetic nervous system and parasympathetic nervous system.
C)endocrine system and circulatory system.
D)somatic nervous system and the autonomic nervous system.

Question 72

A simple,automatic,inborn response to a sensory stimulus is called a(n)

A)neural network.
B)action potential.
C)neurotransmitter.
D)reflex.

Question 73

The part of the central nervous system that carries information from your senses to your brain and motor-control information to your body parts is the

A)pituitary gland.
B)pancreas.
C)spinal cord.
D)myelin sheath.

Question 74

The part of the peripheral nervous system that controls the glands and the muscles of the internal organs is called the

A)somatic nervous system.
B)endocrine system.
C)sensory nervous system.
D)autonomic nervous system.

Question 75

Neural networks refer to

A)the branching extensions of a neuron.
B)interrelated clusters of neurons in the central nervous system.
C)electrical cables containing many axons.
D)junctions between sending and receiving neurons.

Question 76

After discovering that the shadows outside his window were only the trees in the yard,Ralph's blood pressure decreased and his heartbeat slowed.These physical reactions were most directly regulated by his

A)parasympathetic nervous system.
B)sympathetic nervous system.
C)somatic nervous system.
D)sensory nervous system.

Question 77

Football quarterbacks can simultaneously make calculations of receiver distances,player movements,and the force of their own arm movements needed to effectively throw a pass.This best illustrates the activity of multiple

A)endocrine glands.
B)endorphins.
C)neural networks.
D)reticular formations.

Question 78

The part of the peripheral nervous system that controls the movements of your mouth and jaws as you eat is called the

A)somatic nervous system.
B)sympathetic nervous system.
C)endocrine system.
D)autonomic nervous system.

Question 79

Aaron consistently exhibits a knee-jerk response without having any sensations of the taps on his knees.Aaron's experience is most indicative of

A)neural plasticity.
B)a severed spinal cord.
C)a sympathetic nervous system injury.
D)a refractory period.

Question 80

The parasympathetic nervous system

A)stimulates digestion and slows heartbeat.
B)inhibits digestion and accelerates heartbeat.
C)stimulates digestion and accelerates heartbeat.
D)inhibits digestion and slows heartbeat.