Question 1

A deer waits motionlessly, hidden in the thicket as a band of hunters approaches. As the hunters get closer, their dogs bark, picking up the scent of their prey. In a futile effort to escape, the deer bolts. Which of the following most accurately describes the nervous system of the hunted deer at this point?

Accepted Answer

The hunted deer is experiencing a fight-or-flight response and is attempting to escape the danger posed by the approaching hunters. This response is controlled by the sympathetic nervous system, which activates in response to stress and triggers physiological changes that prepare the body for either fighting or running away. The parasympathetic nervous system, on the other hand, is responsible for rest and digestion and would not be active in this situation. Therefore, Option A is the correct choice.

Question 2

It's midnight, and you are alone in your room studying. You hear a loud crash outside your room, and your whole body reacts instantly and furiously. The system that produces these reactions is the __________ system.

Accepted Answer

The reaction of the body, which is described as "instantly and furiously" in response to a loud crash, indicates an activation of the sympathetic nervous system. This system prepares the body for a fight-or-flight response in such situations.

Question 3

The pea-sized gland that is stimulated by light and helps regulate activity levels over the course of a day is the __________ gland.

Accepted Answer

The pineal gland is located in the brain and is responsible for producing melatonin, a hormone that helps regulate sleep-wake cycles in response to the amount of light in the environment. The other glands listed (adrenal, pituitary, and thyroid) are all important in regulating various bodily functions, but they do not play a direct role in regulating circadian rhythms.

Question 4

The venom of a black widow spider acts as a(n) __________ by mimicking the effects of acetylcholine.

Accepted Answer

The venom of a black widow spider acts as an agonist by mimicking the effects of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter involved in muscle contraction. An agonist is a chemical that binds to a receptor and activates it to produce a biological response similar to that of the natural ligand. In this case, the venom mimics the action of acetylcholine by binding to its receptors and causing muscle spasms, paralysis, and other symptoms.

Question 5

Cooper is 13 years old, and he has recently noticed some remarkable changes in himself. Over the past few months his voice has started to change, growing deeper. He has begun to grow pubic hair, as well as the beginnings of a facial beard. He is also filling out, with his muscles developing rapidly. These changes in Cooper are probably due to the action of the __________.

Accepted Answer

The changes in Cooper are due to the action of his gonads, which are producing increased levels of testosterone. This hormone is responsible for the development of secondary sex characteristics in males, such as deeper voices, pubic hair, and muscle growth. The thyroid gland, pineal gland, and adrenal gland are important parts of the endocrine system, but they do not play the same role as the gonads in puberty.

Question 6

Rocco has been overweight since childhood. He diets frequently and can lose weight, but always seems to gain it back because he is unable to control his eating. Rocco may have a problem with his __________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Rocco has been overweight since childhood. He...

Question 7

The glands that secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream are called __________ glands.

Accepted Answer

Endocrine glands secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream, which then travel to target organs and tissues throughout the body. Lymph glands produce and store lymphocytes that work to fight infections, exocrine glands secrete substances through ducts onto the surface of a specific organ or tissue, and hippocampal glands do not exist.

Question 8

The pituitary gland is controlled by the __________.

Accepted Answer

The hypothalamus is the structure responsible for controlling the pituitary gland. It releases hormones that regulate the release of hormones by the pituitary gland. Therefore, option B is correct. Options A, C, and D are incorrect as they do not have a direct role in regulating the pituitary gland.

Question 9

Endocrine glands are glands that secrete __________.

Accepted Answer

Endocrine glands are specialized glands that produce and secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream, which then travel to target organs throughout the body to produce a specific response. They do not secrete neurotransmitters or enzymes.

Question 10

The __________ gland produces the hormone that regulates the body's rate of metabolism.

Accepted Answer

The thyroid gland produces thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), which regulate the body's rate of metabolism.

Question 11

When a neuron's resting potential is occurring, the neuron is __________ charged on the inside.

Accepted Answer

The resting potential of a neuron is typically around -70 millivolts, which means that the inside of the neuron is negatively charged relative to the outside. This is due to the distribution of ions across the cell membrane, with more positively charged ions (such as potassium) on the inside and more negatively charged ions (such as chloride) on the outside.

Question 12

Chemical substances released by the endocrine glands to help regulate bodily functions are __________.

Accepted Answer

Endocrine glands release hormones to regulate bodily functions. Enzymes are not released by endocrine glands, but instead are involved in chemical reactions. Neurotransmitters are released by neurons to transmit signals to other neurons or cells, not by endocrine glands. Antigens are molecules that trigger an immune response, unrelated to the functions of endocrine glands.

Question 13

The __________ system is made up of glands that release hormones into the bloodstream.

Accepted Answer

The endocrine system is composed of glands that produce and release hormones into the bloodstream. These hormones regulate various physiological processes in the body, including growth and development, metabolism, and reproductive functions. The motor system is responsible for controlling voluntary movements, the limbic system is involved in emotions and memory, and the autonomic system regulates involuntary processes such as heart rate and digestion.

Question 14

Which part of the neuron carries messages to other cells?

Accepted Answer

The axon is the part of the neuron that carries messages or impulses away from the cell body and towards other neurons or cells.

Question 15

Which of the following techniques involves passing a mild current through the brain to activate certain structures without damaging them?

Accepted Answer

Electrical stimulation of the brain (ESB) involves passing a mild current through the brain to activate certain structures without damaging them. Electroconvulsive tomography (ECT) involves passing an electrical current through the brain to induce a seizure, and is typically used to treat severe depression. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and deep brain lesioning do not involve passing an electrical current through the brain.

Question 16

Which of the following is associated with pain relief?

Accepted Answer

Endorphins are natural painkillers produced by the body, which bind to opiate receptors in the brain to reduce the perception of pain.

Question 17

Neurotransmitters must pass from an axon terminal to the next dendrite by crossing a fluid-filled space called the __________.

Accepted Answer

The synapse is a fluid-filled space between the axon terminal of one neuron and the dendrite of the next neuron, where neurotransmitters are released and cross the gap to transmit the signal from one neuron to the next. Option B is incorrect as neurons are the cells that make up the nervous system, not the space between them. Option C refers to a substance that can block the reuptake of neurotransmitters, thereby increasing their concentration in the synapse, but it is not the name of the space itself. Option D are supporting cells of the nervous system and do not participate in the transmission of impulses between neurons.

Question 18

One evening Rory was walking to the dorm from the gym when she was stopped by two men who demanded her money. Since she was a good athlete, Rory decided to make a run for it. Pretending to open her purse, she suddenly turned and dashed off. Although pursued, Rory outran her assailants. During this incident, which part of Rory's nervous system was most directly responsible for her successful escape?

Accepted Answer

The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for the body's "fight or flight" response in times of stress or danger. In this situation, when Rory was being threatened by the two men, her sympathetic nervous system would have kicked in, increasing her heart rate, dilating her pupils, and directing blood flow to her muscles, allowing her to make a quick getaway.

Question 19

Which one of the following is NOT a function of glial cells?

Accepted Answer

Glial cells are support cells in the nervous system and do not generate action potentials. Other functions of glial cells include getting nutrients to the neurons, cleaning up the remains of dead neurons, and generating myelin.

Question 20

The thyroid and pituitary glands are parts of the __________ system.

Accepted Answer

The thyroid and pituitary glands are part of the endocrine system, which is responsible for producing and secreting hormones that regulate various bodily functions. The gonads are part of the reproductive system, the steroid system refers to the group of hormones that include cholesterol-derived hormones, and the lymphatic system is responsible for immune function.

Quiz 2: The Biological Perspective