Deck 2: Biology and Behaviour

Question 1

Each neuron potentially connects

A) physically with dozens of neurons.
B) with one or two other neurons.
C) with thousands of other neurons.
D) physically with a few axons.

Answer 1

with thousands of other neurons.

Question 2

All of our thoughts, feelings, and behaviour can be traced to the activity of the

A) neurons.
B) ganglia.
C) genes.
D) nerve fibres.

Answer 2

neurons.

Question 3

If a neuron only fires at full strength how is it possible for us to perceive the difference between a weak stimulus and a strong stimulus?

A) It is the number of neurons firing, and their rate of fire, that determines this.
B) The brain must determine from other factors how strong or weak a stimulus is.
C) Memory of past similar stimuli determines this.
D) We still don't know this. It is being researched.

Answer 3

It is the number of neurons firing, and their rate of fire, that determines this.

Question 4

The fluid-filled gap between a sending neuron and a receiving neuron is called the

A) axon terminal.
B) synaptic cleft.
C) reuptake site.
D) neural gap.

Question 5

Where are the receptor sites for neurotransmitters located on the neuron?

A) the myelin sheath
B) the clefts
C) the dendrites and cell body
D) the synaptic vesicles

Question 6

The process that produces an action potential is best described as

A) a change that occurs as a result of neuroelectrical stimulation.
B) the creation of chemical transmitters by electrical energy.
C) an exchange of positive and negative ions through the cell membrane.
D) a molecular chain reaction.

Question 7

Which of the following is a function of glial cells?

A) receiving signals for sensory systems
B) storing and releasing neurotransmitters
C) generating action potentials
D) removing waste products, including dead neurons, from the brain

Question 8

A typical neuron might have more than one

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

Question 9

The function of the dendrites is to

A) support the cell bodies.
B) send the neural impulse to the next neuron.
C) act as the primary receivers of signals from other neurons.
D) feed the remainder of the neurons in the brain.

Question 10

The sudden reversal of the electrical potential within a neuron is called

A) a nerve impulse.
B) a refraction.
C) a neural discharge.
D) an action potential.

Question 11

The part of the neuron that transmits signals to another neuron is called the

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

Question 12

Action potentials operate according to the "all-or-none law" because

A) all the axon terminals must be in refraction or the neuron does not fire.
B) neurons either fire at full strength or not at all.
C) all the dendrites must be activated before a neuron fires.
D) all the neurons in a nerve fire or none of them fire.

Question 13

What happens when a neuron is sufficiently stimulated by incoming signals from other neurons that ion channels open and positive ions move into a neuron?

A) The cell goes into refraction.
B) An action potential occurs.
C) The polarization of the cell increases.
D) Transmitter substances are synthesized.

Question 14

The "resting potential" refers to

A) action potential.
B) synaptic potential.
C) the state during which a neuron contains more negatively charged particles inside the cell than outside the cell.
D) the state during which a neuron contains more positively charged particles inside the cell than outside the cell.

Question 15

When a neuron is at rest, the inside of the cell

A) has no charge.
B) has a slight positive charge relative to the outside.
C) has a charge identical to the outside.
D) has a slight negative charge relative to the outside.

Question 16

Which of the following functions has not been associated with glial cells ?

A) They hold neurons together.
B) They help remove waste from the brain.
C) They aid in the inhibition of emotional memories.
D) They assist in the production of myelin.

Question 17

When the cell membrane of a neuron changes its permeability, allowing more positively charged ions to flow into the cell and other ions to flow out, the neuron has been induced to create a(an)

A) transmission potential.
B) resting potential.
C) synaptic potential.
D) action potential.

Question 18

Professor Bennett is studying how neurons communicate with each other. Which of the following areas would most likely be of greatest interest to him?

A) the cell body
B) the sodium pump
C) the synapse
D) the mitochondria

Question 19

The specialized cell that transmits signals throughout the nervous system is called the

A) neuron.
B) glial cell.
C) myelin.
D) neurotransmitter.

Question 20

Receiving information is to transmitting information as

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

Question 21

The process by which neurotransmitter molecules are taken back into the axon terminal is called

A) reuptake.
B) reabsorption.
C) synaptic cleft.
D) inhibitory action.

Question 22

When a neuron fires, neurotransmitters are released from the synaptic vesicles in the ________ into the synaptic cleft.

A) receptor
B) dendrite
C) cell body
D) axon

Question 23

Neurotransmitter substances can have either of two effects:

A) continuous or discrete.
B) global or analytical.
C) excitatory or inhibitory.
D) positive or negative.

Question 24

Chemicals released by neurons that reduce the likelihood that neuron cells will fire, are referred to as

A) excitatory.
B) receptors.
C) receivers.
D) inhibitory.

Question 25

The white, fatty coating wrapped around some axons is called

A) an effective potential enhancer.
B) a myelin sheath.
C) the axon band.
D) a mylar insulator.

Question 26

Chemicals released by neurons that increase the likelihood that neuron cells will fire are referred to as

A) inhibitory.
B) excitatory
C) receptors.
D) receivers.

Question 27

The myelin sheath ________ the neural impulse.

A) terminates
B) starts up
C) slows down
D) speeds up

Question 28

At receptor sites a certain neurotransmitter may compete for the same receptor with

A) glial cells.
B) another neurotransmitter of a slightly different shape.
C) viruses.
D) amino acids.

Question 29

Which of the following has, among other effects, an excitatory effect on skeletal muscle fibres and an inhibitory effect on the muscles of the heart?

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

Question 30

How can synaptic vesicles continue to pour out their neurotransmitters, and yet still have a ready supply of neurotransmitters to respond to continuing stimulation?

A) Through the process of reuptake, they absorb some of the neurotransmitter left in the gap between the axon and the dendrite.
B) Other nearby cells donate a portion of neurotransmitter to the vesicle in need, through a process called "synaptic transfer."
C) The vesicles never fire completely, always holding a little amount of neurotransmitter back.
D) The cells re-energize with every firing.

Question 31

Receptor sites on the receiving neuron

A) receive any available neurotransmitter molecules.
B) can only be influenced by neurotransmitters from a single neuron.
C) receive only neurotransmitter molecules of a specific shape.
D) are located only on the dendrites.

Question 32

The function of synaptic vesicles is to

A) store neurotransmitters.
B) produce potassium ions.
C) deactivate action potentials.
D) produce sodium ions.

Question 33

The insulation around a neuron's axon that has an effect on the speed of the action potential is called the

A) axonal insulation
B) myelin sheath.
C) fatty insulation.
D) Nodes of Ranvier.

Question 34

The chemicals stored in neurons that excite or inhibit other neurons are called

A) neurotransmitters.
B) vesicles.
C) somas.
D) inhibitors.

Question 35

Professor Momar is interested in studying what takes place when a neuron communicates with another neuron. Which of the following will he LEAST LIKELY study?

A) neurotransmitters
B) mitochondria
C) reuptake
D) action potential

Question 36

All of the following are monoamines, except

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

Question 37

A deficiency in ________ would be associated with movement, pleasure, learning, attention, and reinforcement.

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

Question 38

Just before they release their neurotransmitters, synaptic vesicles are located

A) throughout the neuron's structure.
B) in the cell body's nucleus.
C) in the synapses.
D) within the axon terminal.

Question 39

The interaction between a neurotransmitter and a receptor is controlled by their mutual ________ on each other.

A) influence
B) attraction
C) chemical structure
D) charge

Question 40

Endorphins, norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin are all examples of

A) neuropeptides.
B) hormones.
C) neuromodulators.
D) neurotransmitters.

Question 41

The cerebellum mainly regulates

A) digestive activities.
B) metabolic activities.
C) thinking activities.
D) motor activities.

Question 42

The brainstem includes all of the following, except the

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

Question 43

Which of the following is not a function of the spinal cord?

A) It controls the release of neurotransmitters from the synaptic vesicles.
B) It carries sensory information to the brain.
C) It allows reflexive behaviour to occur.
D) It carries information from the brain to the muscles and glands.

Question 44

The thalamus is believed to work with the pons and the reticular formation to

A) allow us to move in a straight line.
B) regulate sleep cycles.
C) offset the influence of the brainstem.
D) determine body temperature.

Question 45

The central nervous system consists of the

A) brain and spinal cord.
B) autonomic system and the somatic system.
C) forebrain, midbrain, and hindbrain.
D) afferent system and efferent system.

Question 46

________ is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain.

A) Serotonin
B) Norepinephrine
C) Acetylcholine
D) GABA

Question 47

Skilled gymnasts and divers can perform smooth and expertly coordinated muscular movements thanks largely to their

A) occipital lobes.
B) amygdala.
C) medulla.
D) cerebellum.

Question 48

Both ________ and ________ have been associated with positive moods, while deficiencies in both have been associated with depression.

A) endorphins; serotonin
B) glutamate; acetylcholine
C) norepinephrine; serotonin
D) serotonin; acetylcholine

Question 49

The reticular formation is to alertness as the cerebellum is to ________.

A) skilled movements
B) blood pressure
C) sleep
D) attention

Question 50

The relay station for information flowing into and out of the higher brain centres is the

A) hypothalamus.
B) reticular activating system.
C) thalamus.
D) hippocampus.

Question 51

Which of the following is not associated with mood or emotional state in humans?

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

Question 52

Which sense does not use the thalamus to relay information within the brain?

A) touch
B) hearing
C) smell
D) vision

Question 53

The central nervous system includes

A) the brain only.
B) the spinal cord only.
C) the entire nervous system except the brain and the spinal cord.
D) both the brain and the spinal cord.

Question 54

________ is to the control of anxiety as ________ is (are) to pain.

A) Serotonin; glutamate
B) Norepinephrine; epinephrine
C) L-dopa; GABA
D) GABA; endorphins

Question 55

The main functions of the ________ are to execute smooth, skilled movements and to regulate muscle tone and posture.

A) pons
B) medulla
C) cerebellum
D) hypothalamus

Question 56

The brain produces its own opiate-like substances known as

A) heroins.
B) morphemes.
C) endorphins.
D) monoamines.

Question 57

Damage to the cerebellum is likely to disrupt which of the following?

A) thinking
B) homeostasis
C) sleeping
D) playing basketball

Question 58

Epilepsy is

A) a problem with understanding speech.
B) involved with the central hypothalamus and the occipital lobes.
C) almost always unnoticed by the person who is experiencing a seizure.
D) a disorder in which neural activity can become so heightened that seizures result.

Question 59

What connects the brain with the peripheral nervous system?

A) the reticular formation
B) the autonomic nervous system
C) the spinal cord
D) the brainstem

Question 60

Damage to your cerebellum might affect your ability to

A) become sexually aroused.
B) dance.
C) digest food.
D) sleep.

Question 61

What brain system is responsible for emotional expression, some memory functions, and motivation?

A) pons
B) cerebellum
C) brainstem
D) limbic system

Question 62

The hippocampus plays a central role in

A) hunger.
B) speech.
C) emotions.
D) memory.

Question 63

The brain structure that controls heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure is the

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

Question 64

Which of the following brain structures influences attention and arousal?

A) reticular formation
B) medulla
C) thalamus
D) spinal cord

Question 65

Linda can sleep through a thunderstorm but wakes up at the slightest cry of her baby, thanks to her

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

Question 66

Which of the following is not a role of the hypothalamus?

A) regulation of food intake
B) coordination of body movements
C) regulation of thirst
D) regulation of sexual behaviour

Question 67

The area of the brain just above the spinal cord is called the

A) brain bulb.
B) amygdala.
C) corpus callosum.
D) brainstem.

Question 68

Which of the following is composed of several brain structures, including the hippocampus and the amygdala?

A) limbic system
B) reticular system
C) peripheral system
D) brainstem

Question 69

The bridge-like structure at the top of the medulla is called the

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

Question 70

The amygdala and the hippocampus are two structures that are part of the

A) cerebral cortex.
B) somatic system.
C) brainstem.
D) limbic system.

Question 71

Which of the following is not part of the brain stem?

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

Question 72

The area of the brain that consists of the medulla, pons, and reticular formation is known as the

A) cerebral cortex.
B) midbrain.
C) brainstem.
D) limbic system.

Question 73

The medulla and pons are located in the

A) thalamus.
B) midbrain.
C) brainstem.
D) corpus callosum.

Question 74

The hypothalamus regulates all of the following except

A) sexual behaviour.
B) coordinated movement.
C) hunger and thirst.
D) internal body temperature.

Question 75

Which of the following is not controlled by the medulla?

A) blood pressure
B) heart rate
C) arousal
D) breathing

Question 76

After damage to a part of her brainstem, Reba is unable to perform simple reflexive actions, such as swallowing or coughing. Which part of the brainstem is most likely to have been affected?

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

Question 77

Electrodes are implanted into the brain of a monkey. If the monkey is behaving aggressively, stimulation of the electrodes causes the monkey to stop. In which of the following areas is the electrode most likely implanted?

A) cerebellum
B) occipital lobe
C) hippocampus
D) hypothalamus

Question 78

Laura has been involved in a serious accident; as a result she cannot form new memories about people or concepts. Which of the following areas was most likely damaged?

A) cerebellum
B) hypothalamus
C) frontal lobes
D) hippocampus

Question 79

The structure which controls arousal and attention and screens sensory messages entering the brain is the

A) reticular formation.
B) pons.
C) amygdala.
D) hippocampus.

Question 80

Which structure of the limbic system is associated with the representation of special "maps" of our environment?

A) the hippocampus
B) the amygdala
C) the corpus callosum
D) the thalamus