Deck 2: The Biology of Mind and Behavior: The Brain in Action

Question 1

The function of the neuron's axon is to ______.

A) carry messages to other cells
B) regulate the neuron's life processes
C) receive messages from neighboring neurons
D) insulate against leakage of electrical impulses

Answer 1

carry messages to other cells

Question 2

What is the term used to describe the branches located at the end of the axon?

A) terminal buttons
B) synaptic vesicles
C) synapses
D) receptor sites

Answer 2

terminal buttons

Question 3

"All or none" is the principle stating that ______.

A) a neuron either fires or does not fire
B) a neuron fires at full strength or not at all
C) all the dendrites must be receiving messages telling the neuron to fire or it will not fire at all
D) all somas must be receiving messages telling the neuron to fire or it will not fire at all

Answer 3

a neuron either fires or does not fire

Question 4

A specialized cell that makes up the nervous system that receives and sends messages within that system is called a _________.

A) glial cell
B) neuron
C) cell body
D) myelin sheath

Question 5

The physical characteristics of the brain give rise to _______ contents and processes.

A) sensory
B) intellectual
C) mental
D) iterative

Question 6

Which of the following best represents the order in which a neuron receives and transmits information?

A) dendrites, cell body, axon, terminal buttons
B) terminal buttons, dendrites, cell body, axon
C) cell body, dendrites, terminal buttons, axon
D) axon, cell body, dendrites, terminal buttons

Question 7

The three types of neurons are ________.

A) sensory neurons, excitation neurons, and intraneurons
B) receptor neurons, excitation neurons, and intraneurons
C) cell bodies, cell membranes, and ions
D) sensory neurons, motor neurons, and interneurons

Question 8

Mary put her hand on a hot stove. Which neuron is responsible for sending a pain message up her spinal column, where it would then enter into the main area of the cord?

A) motor neuron
B) interneuron
C) sensory neuron
D) reflex

Question 9

What do we call the state of a neuron when it is not firing a neural impulse?

A) action potential
B) resting potential
C) myelination signal
D) transmission impulse

Question 10

The state during which a neuron contains more negatively charged ions inside the cell than outside the cell and is not firing is referred to as the__________.

A) action potential
B) quiet potential
C) synaptic potential
D) resting potential

Question 11

Dendrite is to axon as ___________.

A) send is to receive
B) send is to regulate
C) receive is to send
D) receive is to release

Question 12

A(n) ________ is a specialized cell that receives, processes, and sends information.

A) axon
B) dendrite
C) neuron
D) synapse

Question 13

LaKeisha stepped on a piece of glass and quickly pulled her foot away from that sharp object. Which of the following are responsible for sending a message to the muscles in LaKeisha's foot, resulting in her pulling her foot away from the piece of glass?

A) motor neurons
B) interneurons
C) sensory neurons
D) reflexes

Question 14

Neurons that carry information from the senses to the spinal cord are called ___________.

A) motor neurons
B) interneurons
C) sensory neurons
D) reflexes

Question 15

The branchlike structures that receive messages from other neurons are called ______.

A) axons
B) nerve bundles
C) dendrites
D) synapses

Question 16

The charge that a neuron at rest maintains is due to the presence of a high number of _________ charged ions inside the neuron's membrane.

A) actively
B) passively
C) negatively
D) positively

Question 17

What term is used to describe a specialized cell that makes up the nervous system and receives and sends messages within that system?

A) neuron
B) glial cell
C) myelin sheath
D) dendritic spine

Question 18

The function of the _________________________ is to carry information to and from all parts of the body.

A) soma
B) synapse
C) nervous system
D) endorphins

Question 19

_________ receive messages from other neurons and _____________send messages to other neurons.

A) Axons; dendrites
B) Axon; soma
C) Soma; glial cells
D) Dendrites; axons

Question 20

Which of the following are the three basic types of neurons?

A) reflexes, sensory neurons, motor neurons
B) sensory neurons, motor neurons, stem cells
C) motor neurons, stem cells, reflexes
D) interneurons, sensory neurons, motor neurons

Question 21

Which neurotransmitter is associated with sleep and mood?

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

Question 22

When a neuron fires, it fires in a(n) ________ fashion, because there is no such thing as "partial" firing.

A) all-or-none
B) rapid fire
C) accidental patterned
D) quick succession

Question 23

Endogenous cannabinoids are neurotransmitter substances that ___________.

A) influence the activity of the receiving neuron
B) affect imprecise locations on neurons
C) work by influencing the activity of a sending neuron
D) influence visual processing of information

Question 24

____________neurotransmitters make it more likely that a neuron will send its message to other neurons, whereas _____________ neurotransmitters make it less likely that a neuron will send its message.

A) Excitatory; inhibitory
B) Inhibitory; excitatory
C) Augmentation; depletion
D) Depletion; augmentation

Question 25

Isabella is putting mustard on her hot dog. She realizes she has put too much and sucks up some of it back into the squeeze bottle. This process is similar to

A) the action potential.
B) receptor site bindings.
C) binding specificity.
D) reuptake.

Question 26

The precise location where communication between neurons occurs is the ________.

A) neuromodulator
B) synapse
C) terminal button
D) myelin sheath

Question 27

A chemical found in the synaptic vesicles which, when released, has an effect on the next cell is called a__________.

A) glial cell
B) neurotransmitter
C) precursor cell
D) synapse

Question 28

Which structure is like a locked door that only certain neurotransmitter keys can unlock?

A) synapses
B) receptor sites
C) neural chiasms
D) response terminals

Question 29

Agonist is to antagonist as ___________.

A) neuromodulator is to neurotransmitter.
B) reuptake is to receptor.
C) mimic is to block.
D) block is to mimic.

Question 30

Sara has been experiencing a serious memory problem. An interdisciplinary team has ruled out a range of causes and believes that a neurotransmitter is involved. Which neurotransmitter is most likely involved in this problem?

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

Question 31

The term "fire" when referring to neural transmission indicates that a neuron ___________.

A) has become less positive in charge
B) has received, in its dendrites, appropriate inputs from other neurons
C) is unable to transmit information to another neuron
D) has become more negative in charge

Question 32

The action potential causes neurotransmitters to be released into the ______.

A) myelin sheath
B) axon
C) synapse
D) synaptic vesicle

Question 33

Which of the following is true about myelin?

A) It's a fatty substance.
B) It is covered by axons.
C) It inhibits neural communication.
D) It slows down neuronal operations.

Question 34

Reuptake refers to ________.

A) an area where neurotransmitters or neuromodulators attach themselves
B) the process by which the surplus neurotransmitters are reabsorbed back into the sending neuron
C) a chemical that mimics the effects of a neurotransmitter
D) a chemical that blocks the effect of a neurotransmitter

Question 35

A(n) ________ is a site on the dendrite or cell body where a neurotransmitter molecule attaches itself.

A) agonist
B) antagonist
C) neuromodulator
D) receptor

Question 36

What is the function of myelin?

A) to serve as a structure for neurons
B) to monitor neural activity
C) to speed up the neural impulse
D) to produce neurotransmitters

Question 37

A receptor is a site that can be found ___________.

A) on dendrites or cell bodies
B) only on cell bodies
C) only on axons
D) on axons or cell bodies

Question 38

The saclike structures found inside the synaptic knob containing chemicals are called________.

A) axon terminals
B) synapses
C) synaptic vesicles
D) receptor sites

Question 39

Andy has decided to seek medical help for mood disturbances and appetite problems. Which neurotransmitter is most likely involved in the problems Andy is experiencing?

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

Question 40

A fatty substance that is wrapped around the shaft of axons in the nervous system and whose function is to insulate neurons and speed up the neural impulse is called a _________.

A) synaptic vesicle
B) dendrite
C) glial cell
D) myelin cell

Question 41

How many pairs of spinal nerves stem from the spinal cord?

A) 30
B) 31
C) 32
D) 33

Question 42

The peripheral nervous system consists of the ___________.

A) brain and the sensory-somatic nervous system
B) spinal cord and the sensory-somatic system
C) brain and the autonomic nervous system
D) autonomic nervous system and the sensory-somatic nervous system

Question 43

Which of the following is the most accurate statement regarding the relationship between neural cells and glial cells?

A) Neurons and glia influence each other in mutually beneficial ways.
B) Glia exist solely to support neurons. Neurons do not influence glia.
C) Neurons exist solely to support glia. Glia do not influence neurons.
D) Glia and neurons are both assisted/aided by oligodendrocytes; however, neurons and glia do not have any direct interaction with each other.

Question 44

Every deliberate action you make, such as pedaling a bike, walking, scratching, or smelling a flower, involves neurons in the ______ nervous system.

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

Question 45

As Molly is walking across campus, a car swerves toward her. Her heart races and sweat breaks out as she jumps out of harm's way. This mobilization of energy is due to the action of Molly's ______________.

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

Question 46

Involuntary muscles are controlled by the ________ nervous system.

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

Question 47

The division of the nervous system that allows the brain and the spinal cord to communicate with the sensory systems of the eyes, ears, skin, and mouth and allows the brain and spinal cord to control the muscles and glands of the body is called the ______.

A) peripheral nervous system
B) central nervous system
C) endocrine system
D) secondary nervous system

Question 48

Which of the following is a long bundle of neurons that functions as a carrier of messages from the body to the brain and from the brain to the body and is responsible for certain reflexes?

A) spinal cord
B) cerebellum
C) somatic nervous system
D) amygdala

Question 49

The parasympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system is responsible for which of the following?

A) increased heart rate
B) dilation of pupils
C) increased salivation
D) decreased digestion

Question 50

The brain and spinal cord are two components of the______.

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

Question 51

The sensory-somatic nervous system is one branch of the ________ nervous system.

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

Question 52

The central nervous system consists of ______.

A) the parasympathetic and sympathetic divisions
B) the brain and spinal cord
C) muscles and glands
D) sense organs and sensory neurons

Question 53

The autonomic nervous system can be further subdivided into ___________.

A) the sympathetic and sensory-somatic systems
B) the peripheral and semi-peripheral systems
C) the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems
D) the sympathetic and peripheral systems

Question 54

The autonomic nervous system has two divisions called the __________ and the ____________.

A) central; peripheral
B) sympathetic; parasympathetic
C) receptors; effectors
D) limbic; endocrine

Question 55

Which of the following is associated with the sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system?

A) reduced heart rate
B) contraction of pupils
C) decreased sweat
D) decreased salivation

Question 56

There are approximately how many glial cells in the brain relative to the number of neurons?

A) half as many glial cells relative to the number of neurons
B) approximately the same number of glial cells relative to the number of neurons
C) about ten times more glial cells relative to the number of neurons
D) about 100 times more glial cells relative to the number of neurons

Question 57

As she walks out of the living room, Gloriann turns out the light. In this example, Gloriann's __________________ is active.

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

Question 58

A reflex involves which of the following type(s) of neurons?

A) sensory, interneurons, and motor
B) motor
C) interneurons
D) sensory

Question 59

Jill has recently been prescribed L-Dopa to treat her condition. Jill most likely has which of the following?

A) Parkinson's disease
B) major depression
C) Alzheimer's disease
D) generalized anxiety disorder

Question 60

Which component of the nervous system mobilizes the body in times of stress?

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

Question 61

Why do many reflexes, such as pulling your hand away from a hot iron, happen so quickly?

A) They involve the neurotransmitter GABA rather than dopamine.
B) The message involved does not have to go all the way to the brain.
C) The speed of processing is faster in the frontal lobes than in the occipital lobes.
D) The path that reflexes follow to the brain is direct and does not involve any neurotransmitters.

Question 62

If you were to play a very dangerous (and somewhat gruesome) game and saw part of your skull off and look at your now well-ventilated brain in a mirror, the first structure(s) you would see under the skull will be the ________.

A) corpus callosum
B) meninges
C) ventricle
D) gyrus

Question 63

Warren is having trouble deciding what he wants to eat for breakfast. Which lobe of his brain is especially active as he makes his selection?

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

Question 64

Which of the following lobes is involved in planning, memory, and personality?

A) temporal lobes
B) parietal lobes
C) frontal lobes
D) occipital lobes

Question 65

Which sensory system is generally controlled by the parietal lobes?

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

Question 66

The ________ is located right behind the central sulcus.

A) motor strip
B) frontal lobe
C) somatosensory strip
D) forebrain

Question 67

The two halves of the brain are connected by the ________.

A) cerebral hemisphere
B) sulcus
C) corpus callosum
D) cerebral cortex

Question 68

Bobby B. was rollerblading when a cat jumped right in front of him, causing him to fall. When he fell, he landed on the side of his head. Shortly afterwards, Bobby complained that he could not understand what people were saying to him. Which lobe would have been most affected by this fall given what he experienced?

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

Question 69

Darla was in an automobile accident that resulted in an injury to her brain. Her sense of touch has been affected. Which part of the brain is the most likely site of the damage?

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

Question 70

Which of the following is one of the lobes of the human brain?

A) cruciate
B) anterior
C) occipital
D) cerebellar

Question 71

The thick band of neurons that connects the right and left cerebral hemispheres is called the ___________.

A) cortex
B) cerebrum
C) corpus callosum
D) cerebellum

Question 72

Which of the following regions contains the primary centers for processing visual data?

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

Question 73

Your occipital lobe is located ________.

A) below the temples
B) at the back of the brain
C) immediately behind the forehead
D) under the corpus callosum

Question 74

The temporal lobe is involved in which of the following functions?

A) processing of touch
B) expression of language
C) storing new information into memory
D) recognizing various visual properties such as motion

Question 75

Suppose Al is trying to recall where he left his keys, Hal is listening to his MP3 player, and Sal is looking at a beautiful painting in an art museum. Which individual is using his parietal lobe?

A) Al
B) Hal
C) Sal
D) Hal and Sal are, but Al is not.

Question 76

The part of the brain located just behind the temples, containing neurons responsible for the sense of hearing and meaningful speech, is called the ___________.

A) temporal lobes
B) parietal lobes
C) frontal lobes
D) occipital lobes

Question 77

Suzie Q. was rollerblading when a cat jumped right in front of her, causing her to fall. She landed on the back of her head at which point she saw "stars." Which lobe would have been most affected by this fall given what she saw?

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

Question 78

After a head injury a person reports that she is unable to see, although her eyes are uninjured. A doctor would suspect an injury in the ______ lobe.

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

Question 79

The chief function of the occipital lobe is concerned with ________.

A) motor control
B) hearing
C) memory
D) vision

Question 80

Which of the following is generally handled by the frontal lobes of the brain?

A) your sense of taste
B) regulation of sleep cycles
C) producing speech
D) reasoning