Deck 4: A: Neural and Hormonal Systems

Question 1

The branching extensions of nerve cells that receive incoming signals from sensory receptors or from other neurons are called the

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

Answer 1

dendrites.

Question 2

The resting potential of a neuron refers to

A) a brief electrical charge that travels down the axon.
B) the storage of neurotransmitter molecules within synaptic vesicles.
C) the electrical polarization of the inside and outside of the neural membrane.
D) a capacity to reabsorb neurotransmitter molecules released into the synaptic gap.

Answer 2

the electrical polarization of the inside and outside of the neural membrane.

Question 3

An action potential refers to a

A) neural impulse.
B) synaptic gap.
C) neurotransmitter.
D) reflex.

Answer 3

neural impulse.

Question 4

The depolarization of an axon is most likely to occur when

A) positively charged ions rush into the axon.
B) negatively charged ions rush into the axon.
C) positively charged ions rush out of the axon.
D) negatively charged ions rush out of the axon.

Question 5

Which part of a neuron is often encased by a fatty myelin sheath?

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

Question 6

The nineteenth-century theory that bumps on the skull reveal a person's abilities and traits is called

A) evolutionary psychology.
B) behavior genetics.
C) biological psychology.
D) phrenology.

Question 7

In the process of beginning an action potential, the threshold refers to

A) neuron extensions that conduct messages toward the cell body.
B) a minimum intensity of excitatory minus inhibitory stimulation.
C) neuron extensions that send messages to other neurons.
D) the junction between a sending and receiving neuron.

Question 8

Because neural communication occurs within the context of both cultural influences and individual mental processes, people are best understood as

A) genetic profiles.
B) action potentials.
C) biopsychosocial systems.
D) cognitive systems.

Question 9

Who first suggested that different regions of the brain control different aspects of behavior?

A) Aristotle
B) Charles Sherrington
C) Plato
D) Franz Gall

Question 10

Professor Seif conducts research on the relationship between the brain and sexual motivation. Her research focus is most characteristic of someone working from the ________ perspective.

A) biological
B) psychodynamic
C) cognitive
D) behavioral

Question 11

Signal reception is to ________ as signal transmission is to ________.

A) interneuron; neural network
B) dendrite; axon
C) neurotransmitter; hormone
D) sympathetic nervous system; parasympathetic nervous system

Question 12

The cells that serve as the basic building blocks of the body's information system are called

A) neurons.
B) neurotransmitters.
C) vesicles.
D) genes.

Question 13

The selective permeability of a neural membrane creates a

A) myelin sheath.
B) resting potential.
C) neural network.
D) synaptic gap.

Question 14

The movement of positively charged ions across the membrane of a neuron can produce a(n)

A) synaptic gap.
B) action potential.
C) myelin sheath.
D) interneuron.

Question 15

The part of a neuron that transmits neural messages to other neurons or to muscles or glands is called the

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

Question 16

The slowdown of neural communication in multiple sclerosis involves a degeneration of the

A) neural network.
B) cell body.
C) myelin sheath.
D) pituitary gland.

Question 17

A neural impulse is generated only when excitatory minus inhibitory signals exceed a certain

A) action potential.
B) synaptic gap.
C) level of reuptake.
D) threshold.

Question 18

Aristotle believed that the mind was most intimately connected with the

A) head.
B) stomach.
C) heart.
D) liver.

Question 19

The myelin sheath helps to increase the ________ of neural impulses.

A) frequency
B) intensity
C) threshold
D) speed

Question 20

Psychologists who work from the biological perspective are most likely to focus on the links between

A) physiological activity and psychological events.
B) genes and neurotransmitters.
C) sensory and motor neurons.
D) the CNS and the PNS.

Question 21

Neurotransmitters bind to receptor sites and influence the flow of ________ into receiving neurons.

A) ions
B) opiates
C) myelin
D) hormones

Question 22

Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that travel across the

A) cell body.
B) synaptic gap.
C) myelin sheath.
D) threshold.

Question 23

Neurotransmitter receptor sites are primarily located on the

A) dendrites.
B) myelin sheath.
C) cell bodies.
D) axon terminals.

Question 24

Seizures are likely to be associated with an

A) undersupply of GABA and an oversupply of glutamate.
B) oversupply of GABA and an undersupply of glutamate.
C) undersupply of GABA and an undersupply of glutamate.
D) oversupply of GABA and an oversupply of glutamate.

Question 25

After three hours of playing a physically exhausting professional tennis match, Chitra began to experience feelings of exhilaration and pleasure. It is likely that her feelings were most directly linked to the release of

A) dopamine.
B) acetylcholine.
C) endorphins.
D) growth hormones.

Question 26

Endorphins are most directly involved in the control of

A) body temperature.
B) physical pain.
C) muscle contraction.
D) attention.

Question 27

The pain of childbirth is most likely to be reduced by the release of

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

Question 28

When the transmission of ACh is blocked, the result is

A) depression.
B) aggression.
C) muscular paralysis.
D) schizophrenia.

Question 29

Morphine and heroin are

A) free radicals.
B) hormones.
C) dendrites.
D) opiates.

Question 30

The tremors of Parkinson's disease result from the death of nerve cells that produce the neurotransmitter

A) serotonin.
B) ACh.
C) GABA.
D) dopamine.

Question 31

A drug that blocks a neurotransmitter's functioning is called a(n)

A) opiate.
B) agonist.
C) antagonist.
D) glutamate.

Question 32

Transferring messages from a motor neuron to a leg muscle requires the neurotransmitter known as

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

Question 33

An undersupply of GABA is most closely linked to

A) schizophrenia.
B) paralysis.
C) insomnia.
D) Alzheimer's disease.

Question 34

The reabsorption of excess neurotransmitter molecules by a sending neuron is called

A) an action potential.
B) the all-or-none response.
C) fight or flight.
D) reuptake.

Question 35

The reuptake of a neurotransmitter such as serotonin would involve the reabsorption of serotonin into a(n)

A) axon terminal.
B) receiving neuron.
C) myelin sheath.
D) dendrite.

Question 36

The brain's own natural production of endorphins is likely to be suppressed by

A) physical pain.
B) physical exercise.
C) heroin usage.
D) antidepressant drugs.

Question 37

Endorphins are neurotransmitter molecules similar to

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

Question 38

An all-or-none response pattern is characteristic of the

A) activation of either the sympathetic or the parasympathetic system.
B) release of endorphins into the central nervous system.
C) release of hormones into the bloodstream.
D) initiation of neural impulses.

Question 39

Agonists are chemicals that may mimic the activity of

A) motor neurons.
B) genes.
C) synapses.
D) neurotransmitters.

Question 40

The junctions where impulses are chemically transmitted from one neuron to another are called

A) vesicles.
B) synapses.
C) dendrites.
D) thresholds.

Question 41

The sympathetic 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.

Question 42

The neurons of the central nervous system cluster into work groups known as

A) stem cells.
B) dendrites.
C) interneurons.
D) neural networks.

Question 43

When Jenny saw that a large barking dog was enclosed by a very high fence, her racing heartbeat began to slow. The slowed heartbeat was most directly regulated by her

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

Question 44

The brain's information-processing capacities are most clearly enhanced by

A) neural networks.
B) ACh agonists.
C) endorphins.
D) reflexes.

Question 45

When Dirk was stung by a bee, the pain message was transmitted to his spinal cord by the ________ nervous system.

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

Question 46

The body's speedy electrochemical information network is called the

A) circulatory system.
B) digestive system.
C) nervous system.
D) endocrine system.

Question 47

The parasympathetic nervous system is a division of the ________ nervous system.

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

Question 48

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

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

Question 49

Sensory neurons transmit signals to

A) glands.
B) tissues.
C) motor neurons.
D) interneurons.

Question 50

Motor neurons are an important part of the

A) central nervous system.
B) circulatory system.
C) peripheral nervous system.
D) endocrine system.

Question 51

When Mr. Valdez thought his 1-year-old daughter had fallen down the stairs, his heartbeat accelerated, his blood pressure rose, and he began to perspire heavily. Mr. Valdez's state of arousal was activated by his ________ nervous system.

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

Question 52

For you to be able to run, ________ must relay messages from your central nervous system to your leg muscles.

A) interneurons
B) motor neurons
C) the sympathetic nervous system
D) the autonomic nervous system

Question 53

Messages are transmitted from your spinal cord to your digestive system's stomach muscles by the

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

Question 54

The spinal cord is part of the ________ nervous system.

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

Question 55

Information travels from spinal cord to the brain through

A) interneurons.
B) somatic nervous system.
C) adrenal glands.
D) the sympathetic nervous system.

Question 56

Paralysis triggered by botulin poisoning is most likely to be relieved by a(n)

A) ACh agonist.
B) serotonin agonist.
C) ACh antagonist.
D) serotonin antagonist.

Question 57

People can simultaneously process many aspects of sensory information such as color, shape, and size. This best illustrates the functioning of multiple

A) ACh agonists.
B) resting potentials.
C) neural networks.
D) ACh antagonists.

Question 58

The part of the peripheral nervous system that controls the movement of your arms when you write is the

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

Question 59

Nerves are neural cables formed from bundles of

A) endorphins.
B) interneurons.
C) axons.
D) dendrites.

Question 60

The parasympathetic nervous system is to the sympathetic nervous system as ________ is to ________.

A) pupil dilation; pupil contraction
B) raising blood pressure; lowering blood pressure
C) inhibition of digestion; stimulation of digestion
D) lowering of blood sugar; raising of blood sugar

Question 61

The release of epinephrine into the bloodstream is most likely to

A) lower blood sugar.
B) lower blood pressure.
C) stimulate digestion.
D) accelerate heartbeat.

Question 62

Cortisol is a stress hormone released by the

A) pituitary gland.
B) thyroid gland.
C) pancreas.
D) adrenal glands.

Question 63

The body's chemical communication system that is much slower than the nervous system is called the

A) somatic system.
B) parasympathetic system.
C) autonomic system.
D) endocrine system.

Question 64

Group cohesion, pair bonding, and social trust are promoted by pituitary gland secretions of

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

Question 65

The simplest neural pathways are those that govern our

A) thoughts.
B) emotions.
C) reflexes.
D) sexual drives.

Question 66

In a moment of danger, an individual's adrenal glands release

A) ACh.
B) insulin.
C) epinephrine.
D) endorphins.

Question 67

The chemical messengers of the endocrine system are called

A) neurotransmitters.
B) hormones.
C) agonists.
D) genes.

Question 68

The pituitary has been identified as a(n)

A) neurotransmitter.
B) myelin sheath.
C) master gland.
D) neural network.

Question 69

Which endocrine gland regulates body growth?

A) adrenal
B) thyroid
C) pituitary
D) pancreas

Question 70

Sheelah was able to jerk her hand out of the scalding water before sensing any pain because this withdrawal reflex

A) was activated by interneurons in her spinal cord.
B) did not involve any activity within her central nervous system.
C) was activated by the rapidly responding reticular formation of her brain.
D) was activated by her self-regulating autonomic nervous system.

Question 71

The knee-jerk reflex requires the activity of the

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

Question 72

Epinephrine and norepinephrine are released by the

A) thyroid gland.
B) pituitary gland.
C) adrenal glands.
D) pancreas.