Question 1

The action potential causes neurotransmitters to be released into the ________.
A) cell membrane
B) synaptic space
C) axon
D) myelin sheath

Accepted Answer

The release of neurotransmitters occurs at the synaptic space, which is the small gap between the axon of one neuron and the dendrite of another. Therefore, the correct answer is B.

Question 2

An elderly female is diagnosed as having Alzheimer's disease. Her physician tells her the disorder involves a deficiency of ________.
A) acetylcholine
B) serotonin
C) norepinephrine
D) dopamine

Accepted Answer

Alzheimer's disease is believed to involve a deficiency of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that is important for memory and learning.

Question 3

Research on human brain tissue has found that human brains are ________.
A) capable of neurogenesis only during early childhood
B) capable of neurogenesis only through adolescence
C) capable of neurogenesis even in adulthood
D) not capable of neurogenesis after birth

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that human brains are capable of neurogenesis even in adulthood. This process occurs in the hippocampus and olfactory bulb regions of the brain, and is believed to play a role in learning and memory. While neurogenesis is highest during early childhood, studies have shown that it continues throughout adulthood.

Question 4

Undifferentiated precursor cells that, under the right conditions, can give rise to any specialized cell in the body are called ________ cells.
A) stem
B) receptor
C) glial
D) T-cells

Accepted Answer

Stem cells have the ability to differentiate into any specialized cell in the body. Receptor cells respond to certain stimuli, glial cells provide support and protection for neurons, and T-cells are a type of immune cell.

Question 5

After drinking several cups of strong coffee, a person develops "coffee nerves" or "jitters." This probably is due to the ability of caffeine to ________.
A) block adenosine receptor sites
B) cause neurotransmitters to leak out of the synaptic vesicles and be destroyed by enzymes
C) cause an increase in the release of excitatory neurotransmitters
D) inhibit enzymes which break down excitatory neurotransmitters

Accepted Answer

Caffeine blocks adenosine receptor sites in the brain, which normally inhibit the release of excitatory neurotransmitters. This leads to an increase in the release of these neurotransmitters and can result in jittery or anxious feelings.

Question 6

The nervous system is comprised of two major parts - the ________.
A) central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system
B) brain and the spinal cord
C) afferent nervous system and the efferent nervous system
D) sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system

Accepted Answer

The nervous system is divided into two major parts - the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) and the peripheral nervous system (nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord). The other options given are only subdivisions within these two major parts.

Question 7

In research with human patients suffering from Parkinson's disease, fetal nerve cell transplants ________.
A) resulted in only sporadic, temporary improvements in motor control
B) resulted in worsening of motor control
C) improved motor control
D) resulted in no improvement in motor control

Accepted Answer

Fetal nerve cell transplants have been shown to improve motor control in patients with Parkinson's disease. While improvements may not be permanent or consistent, studies have shown that some patients experience significant improvement in motor function following the procedure.

Question 8

Despite its dangers, a young man continues to take cocaine because of the feelings of euphoria it produces for him. This powerful arousal of his nervous system is probably due to cocaine's ability to ________.
A) inhibit enzymes that break down neurotransmitters
B) block the receptor sites for neurotransmitters
C) increase the release of dopamine
D) allow excess amounts of dopamine to accumulate in the synapses

Accepted Answer

Cocaine blocks the reuptake of dopamine, allowing excess amounts to accumulate in the synapses, leading to increased stimulation and feelings of euphoria.

Question 9

A neuron is likely to fire ________ when stimulated by a strong signal.
A) less often
B) for a longer period of time
C) more often
D) more intensely

Accepted Answer

A stronger signal causes a greater depolarization of the neuron's membrane potential, making it more likely to reach the threshold for firing an action potential. This results in the neuron firing more often in response to the stronger stimulus.

Question 10

A frog muscle is stimulated with an electric current, but the muscle doesn't twitch. This probably happens because ________.
A) ionic balance has been restored
B) the synapses are underactive
C) the threshold of excitation was not reached
D) the graded potential is too great

Accepted Answer

If the muscle doesn't twitch, it means that the threshold of excitation wasn't reached, which is when sufficient depolarization is achieved to trigger an action potential and contraction. The other options don't seem to be the cause of the lack of twitching.

Question 11

Immediately after firing, a neuron cannot fire again no matter how strong the incoming messages may be. This period is called the ________ period.
A) relative refractory
B) primary refractory
C) polarization
D) absolute refractory

Accepted Answer

The period immediately after firing, during which the neuron cannot fire again no matter how strong the incoming messages may be, is called the absolute refractory period.

Question 12

What is the role of endorphins?
A) involved in the regulation of sleep
B) involved in the inhibition of pain
C) involved in the perception of pain
D) assists in learning and memory

Accepted Answer

Endorphins are neurotransmitters that are released by the pituitary gland in response to stress or pain. They bind to opiate receptors in the brain and spinal cord, which reduces the perception of pain and produces feelings of pleasure and well-being. Therefore, endorphins are involved in the inhibition of pain.

Question 13

A person with schizophrenia is most likely to have a problem with which of the following neurotransmitters?
A) dopamine
B) serotonin
C) acetylcholine
D) norepinephrine

Accepted Answer

Research suggests that patients with schizophrenia have an overactive dopamine system, leading to symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, and disordered thinking.

Question 14

Depression is linked to an ________.
A) oversupply of serotonin and an undersupply of norepinephrine
B) undersupply of serotonin and an oversupply of norepinephrine
C) undersupply of serotonin and norepinephrine
D) oversupply of serotonin and norepinephrine

Accepted Answer

Depression is often linked to a deficiency in certain neurotransmitters, particularly an undersupply of serotonin and norepinephrine, which are involved in regulating mood, anxiety, and happiness.

Question 15

R. Rosenzweig examined rats by studying the ________.
A) behavioral effects of lesions in different parts of their brains
B) sexual orientation effects of prenatal exposure to maternal hormones
C) effects on their brains of electrical stimulation to the frontal and parietal lobes
D) effects on their brains of exposure to impoverished or enriched environments

Accepted Answer

R. Rosenzweig is known for his research on the effects of environmental enrichment or impoverishment on the neuroplasticity of the brain in rats. His studies demonstrated that rats raised in enriched environments showed significant differences in brain structure compared to those raised in impoverished conditions.

Question 16

Because they have similar chemical structures, morphine and other narcotics are able to lock into receptor sites for ________.
A) dopamine
B) serotonin
C) endorphins
D) acetylcholine

Accepted Answer

Morphine and other narcotics are able to lock into receptor sites for endorphins because they have a similar chemical structure. Endorphins are natural painkillers produced by the body and play a role in regulating pain. Morphine and other narcotics mimic the effects of endorphins by attaching to the same receptor sites in the brain and spinal cord, blocking pain signals and producing a sense of euphoria. This is why they are often used as painkillers in medical settings.

Question 17

When a neural impulse reaches the end of an axon, it causes tiny oval sacs at the end of the axon to release chemicals called ________.
A) hormones
B) neurotransmitters
C) antioxidants
D) electrolytes

Accepted Answer

When a neural impulse reaches the end of an axon, it causes tiny oval sacs at the end of the axon to release chemicals called neurotransmitters. This is how neurons communicate with each other and send messages throughout the body. Hormones are released by glands and affect organs and tissues in the body, but do not play a direct role in neural communication at the synapse. Antioxidants and electrolytes are not directly involved in the release of neurotransmitters.

Question 18

The brain and spinal cord contain about ________ percent of the body's neurons.
A) 40
B) 65
C) 15
D) 90

Accepted Answer

The brain and spinal cord, which make up the central nervous system, contain about 90 percent of the body's neurons. This highlights the high concentration of neurons in these areas, crucial for processing and transmitting information throughout the body.

Question 19

The neurotransmitter known as the "mood molecule" is ________.
A) dopamine
B) norepinephrine
C) acetylcholine
D) serotonin

Accepted Answer

Serotonin is often referred to as the "mood molecule" due to its role in regulating mood, anxiety, and happiness. Low levels of serotonin have been linked to depression and anxiety disorders.

Question 20

The "all or none law" is the principle stating that ________.
A) a neuron fires at full strength or not at all
B) all neurons in an area fire at the same intensity or not at all
C) a neuron must be receiving only "fire" messages through its dendrites or it will not fire at all
D) all the neurons in a particular area of the brain fire simultaneously or not at all

Accepted Answer

The "all or none law" states that a neuron fires at full strength or not at all. Once the threshold for an action potential is reached, the neuron will fire with a consistent strength and duration regardless of the magnitude or frequency of the incoming stimulus.

Quiz 2: The Biological Basis of Behavior

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

An elderly female is diagnosed as having Alzheimer's disease. Her physician tells her the disorder involves a deficiency of ________.

Research on human brain tissue has found that human brains are ________.

Undifferentiated precursor cells that, under the right conditions, can give rise to any specialized cell in the body are called ________ cells.

After drinking several cups of strong coffee, a person develops "coffee nerves" or "jitters." This probably is due to the ability of caffeine to ________.

The nervous system is comprised of two major parts - the ________.

In research with human patients suffering from Parkinson's disease, fetal nerve cell transplants ________.

Despite its dangers, a young man continues to take cocaine because of the feelings of euphoria it produces for him. This powerful arousal of his nervous system is probably due to cocaine's ability to ________.

A neuron is likely to fire ________ when stimulated by a strong signal.

A frog muscle is stimulated with an electric current, but the muscle doesn't twitch. This probably happens because ________.

Immediately after firing, a neuron cannot fire again no matter how strong the incoming messages may be. This period is called the ________ period.

What is the role of endorphins?

A person with schizophrenia is most likely to have a problem with which of the following neurotransmitters?

Depression is linked to an ________.

R. Rosenzweig examined rats by studying the ________.

Because they have similar chemical structures, morphine and other narcotics are able to lock into receptor sites for ________.

When a neural impulse reaches the end of an axon, it causes tiny oval sacs at the end of the axon to release chemicals called ________.

The brain and spinal cord contain about ________ percent of the body's neurons.

The neurotransmitter known as the "mood molecule" is ________.

The "all or none law" is the principle stating that ________.