Question 1

The subdivision of the peripheral nervous system that is made up of all nerves carrying messages from the senses to the central nervous system and all nerves carrying messages from the central nervous system to skeletal muscles is called the __________ nervous system.

Accepted Answer

The somatic nervous system is responsible for carrying sensory information from the senses to the central nervous system and for carrying motor information from the central nervous system to skeletal muscles, enabling voluntary movement. The autonomic nervous system and parasympathetic nervous system are responsible for regulating involuntary bodily functions such as heartbeat and digestion. The central nervous system refers to the brain and spinal cord.

Question 2

Eli is studying alone in his room late at night when he hears a loud noise downstairs. His heartbeat increases significantly and his breathing becomes shallow. He wonders if a burglar has entered the house and decides to investigate. When he gets downstairs, he discovers his cat has knocked over a plant stand. His body begins to relax and return to normal. Which part of his nervous system is responsible for returning Eli to a normal state?

Accepted Answer

The parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for the body's "rest and digest" response and helps return the body to a normal state after a fight or flight response. In this scenario, after Eli's initial fear response (which was due to the activation of the sympathetic nervous system), his parasympathetic nervous system took over as soon as he realized there was no actual threat, allowing him to relax and return to a normal state.

Question 3

As she walks out of the kitchen, Millie turns out the light. In this example, Millie's __________ nervous system is active.

Accepted Answer

Millie's somatic nervous system is active because turning out the light is a voluntary action that involves the control of skeletal muscles.

Question 4

As Li Min 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 Li Min's __________ nervous system.

Accepted Answer

The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for the body's fight or flight response, which is the rapid mobilization of energy and activation of bodily systems necessary for responding to a potential threat or danger. In this scenario, Li Min's reaction of jumping out of harm's way and experiencing a racing heart and sweating are all physiological responses associated with the sympathetic nervous system. The other choices are not as relevant in this situation.

Question 5

In the peripheral nervous system, __________ carry messages from special sense receptors in the skin, muscles, and other internal and external sense organs to the spinal cord.

Accepted Answer

Sensory pathway neurons carry messages from special sense receptors to the spinal cord, while motor pathway neurons carry messages from the spinal cord to muscles and glands. Autonomic nerves and neurons are part of the autonomic nervous system, which controls involuntary functions such as digestion and heart rate.

Question 6

When you see someone you have a crush on and your heart pounds, your hands get sweaty, and your cheeks feel hot, your __________ nervous system is active.

Accepted Answer

The autonomic nervous system regulates involuntary bodily functions such as heart rate, sweating, and the dilation of blood vessels. These physiological responses are often associated with emotional arousal and are activated in situations of stress, excitement, or attraction, such as seeing someone you have a crush on. The skeletal system is not directly involved in these physiological responses. The spinal and somatic nervous systems are both involved in motor control and sensory processing, but are not directly involved in the autonomic nervous system's regulation of physiological responses.

Question 7

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 __________ system.

Accepted Answer

The peripheral nervous system includes all the nerves in the body that are not part of the brain or spinal cord. It connects the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body, allowing for communication between the central nervous system and the sensory systems and muscles of the body. The endocrine system is responsible for producing and releasing hormones, while there is no such thing as a secondary nervous system.

Question 8

Involuntary muscles are controlled by the __________ nervous system.

Accepted Answer

Involuntary muscles, such as those in the digestive system, respiratory system, and heart, are controlled by the autonomic nervous system. The somatic nervous system controls voluntary movements, while the autonomic nervous system controls involuntary actions. Within the autonomic nervous system, there are two branches: the sympathetic and parasympathetic. The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for the fight or flight response, while the parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for rest and digestion.

Question 9

Voluntary muscles are controlled by the __________ nervous system.

Accepted Answer

Voluntary muscles are those that can be controlled consciously, such as those used for movement and posture. The somatic nervous system is responsible for controlling these muscles. The autonomic nervous system, on the other hand, controls involuntary muscles such as those involved in heart rate, digestion, and breathing.

Question 10

The subdivision of the peripheral nervous system that consists of nerves that control all of the involuntary muscles, organs, and glands is called the __________ nervous system.

Accepted Answer

The autonomic nervous system controls involuntary bodily functions such as heart rate, breathing, and digestion. The somatic nervous system controls voluntary movements of muscles and the sensory information that goes along with them. The sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems are two separate branches of the autonomic nervous system that work together to maintain a balance between rest and activity, often referred to as the "fight or flight" response (sympathetic) and the "rest and digest" response (parasympathetic). However, only the autonomic nervous system controls involuntary bodily functions, so B is the correct answer.

Question 11

The part of the autonomic nervous system that is responsible for reacting to stressful events and bodily arousal is called the __________ nervous system.

Accepted Answer

The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for the "fight or flight" response, which is triggered during stressful events and causes bodily arousal such as increased heart rate and respiration. The other options, such as central and somatic, are not specifically related to the stress response. The parasympathetic nervous system, on the other hand, is responsible for the "rest and digest" response and promotes relaxation and digestion, which is the opposite of the stress response.

Question 12

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

Accepted Answer

The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for mobilizing the body in times of stress, through the "fight or flight" response. This involves increasing heart rate and blood pressure, dilating pupils, and slowing digestion, among other physiological changes that prepare the body to respond to a perceived threat.

Question 13

The branch of the autonomic nervous system that restores the body to normal functioning after arousal and is responsible for day-to-day functioning of the organs and glands is called the __________.

Accepted Answer

The parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for restoring the body to normal functioning after arousal and is responsible for day-to-day functioning of the organs and glands. The spinal cord is part of the central nervous system, while the somatic nervous system is responsible for voluntary movement. The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for the body's fight or flight response.

Question 14

Every deliberate action you make, such as pedaling a bike, walking, or raising your hand in class, involves neurons in the __________ nervous system.

Accepted Answer

The somatic nervous system controls voluntary movements, including those involved in activities like pedaling a bike, walking, or raising your hand in class. The sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, which are part of the autonomic nervous system, control involuntary actions like heart rate and digestion.

Question 15

The peripheral nervous system consists of the __________ and __________ nervous systems.

Accepted Answer

The peripheral nervous system is divided into two main systems, the autonomic and somatic nervous systems. The autonomic nervous system controls involuntary functions such as heart rate and digestion, while the somatic nervous system controls voluntary movements such as walking and talking. Therefore, the correct answer is A - autonomic and somatic nervous systems.

Question 16

The peripheral nervous system consists of __________.

Accepted Answer

The peripheral nervous system includes all of the nerve cells that are not in the brain and spinal cord, including sensory neurons, motor neurons, and autonomic neurons.

Question 17

The autonomic nervous system has two divisions: the __________ and the __________.

Accepted Answer

The two divisions of the autonomic nervous system are the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions. These two divisions have opposite effects on many of the body's organs and functions. The sympathetic division is responsible for the "fight or flight" response, while the parasympathetic division is responsible for the "rest and digest" response.

Question 18

Hormones are chemicals that are secreted and go directly into __________.

Accepted Answer

Hormones are secreted by glands and travel through the bloodstream to specific target organs or tissues to exert their effects.

Question 19

Deion is typing on his laptop keyboard. The motion of his fingers on the keys is probably being controlled by the __________.

Accepted Answer

The motion of Deion's fingers on the keys is a voluntary action, therefore it is controlled by the motor pathway neurons. The autonomic nervous system controls involuntary actions like heart rate or breathing, while sensory pathway neurons transmit information from sensory receptors to the brain. Autonomic neurons control involuntary actions of smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, and glands.

Question 20

Eli is studying alone in his room late at night when he hears a loud noise downstairs. His heartbeat increases significantly and his breathing becomes shallow. He wonders if a burglar has entered the house and decides to investigate. When he gets downstairs, he discovers his cat has knocked over a plant stand. His body begins to relax and return to normal. Which part of his nervous system was responsible for putting Eli's body on "high alert" when he did not know the source of the sound?

Accepted Answer

The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for the body's "fight or flight" response, which is triggered by perceived danger, such as hearing a loud noise when alone at night. This response causes an increase in heart rate and shallow breathing, preparing the body to respond to the danger.

Quiz 2: The Biological Perspective