Question 1

The sleep-wake cycle is a/an __________ rhythm,normally occurring every 24 hours.

Accepted Answer

The sleep-wake cycle is a circadian rhythm, meaning it occurs every 24 hours. Annual rhythms occur once a year, monthly rhythms occur once a month, and nocturnal rhythms refer specifically to nighttime behaviors, not a full 24-hour cycle.

Question 2

Which of the following are responsible for acting as a facilitator of communication between neurons?

Accepted Answer

Interneurons are responsible for connecting sensory neurons to motor neurons, enabling communication between them. Motor neurons (A) cause muscle contractions and movements, sensory neurons (C) create signals in response to stimuli, and efferent neurons (D) are a type of motor neuron that specifically carry signals from the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body.

Question 3

In which stage of sleep is a person who is very difficult to awaken?

Accepted Answer

Stage Four is the deepest stage of sleep, also known as slow-wave sleep, where it is most difficult to awaken a person.

Question 4

Which sense does NOT send signals to the cortex via the thalamus?

Accepted Answer

Smell is the only sense that does not send signals to the cortex via the thalamus. Instead, olfactory information goes directly to the olfactory cortex and amygdala.

Question 5

The suprachiasmatic nucleus instructs the __________ gland to release ____________.

Accepted Answer

The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) is located in the hypothalamus of the brain and is responsible for regulating circadian rhythms. It communicates with the pineal gland to instruct the release of melatonin, a hormone that helps to induce sleep. Therefore, the correct choice is A – pineal; melatonin.

Question 6

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of REM sleep?

Accepted Answer

During REM sleep, breathing becomes more irregular and rapid, not slower and deeper.

Question 7

Three-year-old Sara watches her dad and his buddies throw a miniature football around as they get set to watch the Grey Cup.Once the game starts,Sara picks up the football and starts tossing it around the house.What might we expect to find with respect to Sara's sleep pattern that night?

Accepted Answer

Sara's new activity of tossing the football is a novel experience, which can lead to more REM sleep as her brain processes and consolidates the new motor skills and experiences.

Question 8

The point at which the sensory nerves from the left side of the body cross over into the right side of the brain,and vice versa,is the:

Accepted Answer

The point at which the sensory nerves from the left side of the body cross over into the right side of the brain,and vice versa, is known as the medulla, which is located at the base of the brainstem.

Question 9

What is the relationship between long winter nights,melatonin,and serotonin?

Accepted Answer

Melatonin is a hormone that is released by the pineal gland in response to darkness and helps regulate the sleep-wake cycle. During long winter nights with decreased sunlight exposure, more melatonin is produced. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that is involved in regulating mood and behavior. Sunlight exposure triggers the release of serotonin, so during long winter nights with decreased sunlight exposure, less serotonin is produced. Therefore, long winter nights increase melatonin and decrease serotonin.

Question 10

Which theory of why we sleep explains why we sleep when we do?

Accepted Answer

The adaptive theory explains that we sleep when it is adaptive, or when it is most advantageous for us to do so. This is based on the idea that sleep evolved as a way to conserve energy and avoid dangers during times when it was most difficult to search for food or navigate environments. Therefore, we sleep at night to conserve energy and reduce risk of danger.

Question 11

Which of the following does NOT have a role in determining when we sleep?

Accepted Answer

While digestion can affect the quality of our sleep, it is not directly involved in determining when we sleep. Light and dark information, body temperature, and serotonin levels are all factors that have a role in regulating our sleep-wake cycle.

Question 12

Which of the following is the section of the brain located at the rear and bottom of each cerebral hemisphere and contains the visual centres of the brain?

Accepted Answer

The occipital lobe is located at the rear and bottom of each cerebral hemisphere and contains the visual centres of the brain.

Question 13

Which of the following are tiny sacs in a synaptic knob that release chemicals into the synapse?

Accepted Answer

Synaptic vesicles are tiny sacs in a synaptic knob that store and release neurotransmitters into the synapse. Synaptic nodes are not a correct answer as they do not exist. Terminal buttons are also not the correct answer, although they are located at the end of axons and contain synaptic vesicles. Synaptic gaps are also not a correct answer as they refer to the physical space between the presynaptic and postsynaptic neurons where neurotransmitters diffuse.

Question 14

Which endocrine gland controls all the other endocrine glands?

Accepted Answer

The pituitary gland is known as the "master gland" because it secretes hormones that control the functions of many other endocrine glands in the body. It regulates growth, metabolism, blood pressure, and reproduction. It secretes hormones to stimulate or inhibit the release of hormones from other endocrine glands, such as the thyroid gland, adrenal gland, and gonads.

Question 15

The area of the frontal lobe that is devoted to the production of fluent speech is ______ area.

Accepted Answer

Broca's area, located in the frontal lobe, is responsible for speech production and is specifically involved in the planning and execution of movements required for speech. The somatosensory cortex is involved in processing sensory information such as touch and temperature. Wernicke's area, located in the temporal lobe, is involved in language comprehension. The right hemisphere is involved in spatial awareness and some aspects of language processing, but it is not specifically dedicated to speech production like Broca's area.

Question 16

Which of the following is the upper part of the brain consisting of two cerebral hemispheres and the structures that connect them?

Accepted Answer

The cerebrum is the upper part of the brain consisting of two cerebral hemispheres and the structures that connect them, which include the corpus callosum. The occipital lobe and cerebellum are specific structures within the brain, but do not refer to the entire upper part of the brain.

Question 17

When our mental activity undergoes a change in quality or pattern,this is called a/an:

Accepted Answer

An altered state of consciousness refers to a change in the quality or pattern of our mental activity that deviates from the typical waking state. This can include experiences such as daydreaming, meditation, or drug-induced states.

Question 18

The branchlike structures that RECEIVE messages from other neurons are called:

Accepted Answer

Dendrites are the branchlike structures that receive messages from other neurons.

Question 19

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

Accepted Answer

The somatic nervous system is responsible for voluntary actions such as pedalling a bike, walking, scratching, or smelling a flower. The other options, sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system, are part of the autonomic nervous system which is responsible for involuntary actions such as heartbeat, digestion, and breathing.

Question 20

What is the main identifying feature of sexsomnia?

Accepted Answer

Sexsomnia is characterized by engaging in sexual acts while in a state of deep sleep, often involving an abrupt transition from deep sleep.

Quiz 4: Consciousness: Sleep, Dreams, Hypnosis, and Drugs