Deck 3: Biological Foundations of Health and Illness

Question 1

Chemical messengers released by neurons are called:

A) chromosomes.
B) neurotransmitters.
C) hormones.
D) enzymes.

Answer 1

neurotransmitters.

Question 2

Discuss how specific structures within the nervous and endocrine systems are explicitly involved in the physiological response when a person experiences a near-hit accident while driving.

Answer 2

not answered

Question 3

A friend has been taking a particular prescription drug and is experiencing a number of unpleasant side effects, including unusually rapid heartbeat and excessive perspiration. It is likely that the medication is stimulating increased activity in your friend's:

A) reticular formation.
B) sympathetic nervous system.
C) parasympathetic nervous system.
D) amygdala.

Answer 3

sympathetic nervous system.

Question 4

A living thing with a nucleus, Golgi apparatus, and other organelles is a(n):

A) tissue
B) gland
C) prokaryotic cell
D) eukaryotic cell

Question 5

The sequence of brain regions from the evolutionarily oldest to newest is:

A) limbic system $\rightarrow$ brainstem $\rightarrow$ cerebral cortex.
B) brainstem $\rightarrow$ cerebral cortex $\rightarrow$ limbic system.
C) limbic system $\rightarrow$ cerebral cortex $\rightarrow$ brainstem
D) brainstem $\rightarrow$ limbic system $\rightarrow$ cerebral cortex.

Question 6

Which is the correct sequence in the transmission of a neural impulse?

A) axon $\rightarrow$ dendrite $\rightarrow$ cell body $\rightarrow$ synapse
B) dendrite $\rightarrow$ axon $\rightarrow$ cell body $\rightarrow$ synapse
C) synapse $\rightarrow$ axon $\rightarrow$ dendrite $\rightarrow$ cell body
D) dendrite $\rightarrow$ cell body $\rightarrow$ axon $\rightarrow$ synapse

Question 7

The basic unit of structure and function in living things is:

A) tissue.
B) the cell.
C) the nucleus.
D) the organelle.

Question 8

The part of the human brain that is most like that of a fish brain is the:

A) cortex.
B) right hemisphere.
C) limbic system.
D) brainstem.

Question 9

The communicating connection between two neurons is called a:

A) neurotransmitter.
B) synapse.
C) axon terminal.
D) axon sac.

Question 10

Explain how DNA and other epigenetic processes mediate the biological effects of environmental factors.

Question 11

Activation of the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system produces a reaction often described as the:

A) alarm stage.
B) relaxation response.
C) fight-or-flight response.
D) reaction formation.

Question 12

With specific examples, differentiate the processes of specific immunity and nonspecific immunity as mentioned in the chapter.

Question 13

Select a physical or nonphysical trait that you believe to be strongly influenced by heredity and another physical or nonphysical trait that you believe to be less significantly influenced by heredity. Provide empirical evidence to solidly support your answer, and explain in detail why genes may play a larger role in the physical or behavioral manifestation of some traits as compared to others.

Question 14

A group of tissues that work together to perform a specific function is a(n):

A) gland.
B) cartilage.
C) organ.
D) system.

Question 15

After Salah's near-fatal accident, her physician noticed that the pupillary reflex of her eyes was abnormal, possibly indicating that Salah's ______ was damaged in the accident.

A) cerebellum
B) cortex
C) temporal lobe
D) autonomic nervous system

Question 16

Identify the major anatomical components of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems and explain their functions.

Question 17

Messages are transmitted from your spinal cord to your heart by the:

A) limbic system.
B) somatic nervous system.
C) central nervous system.
D) autonomic nervous system.

Question 18

The two basic types of cells are ______, which make up bacteria and other single-celled organisms, and ______, which are found in all other living things.

A) eukaryotic cells; prokaryotic cells
B) prokaryotic cells; eukaryotic cells
C) organelles; prokaryotic cells
D) epithelial cells; organelles

Question 19

The oldest part of the brain, and the point at which most of the nerves passing between the spinal cord and the brain cross over, is the:

A) cerebellum.
B) medulla.
C) brainstem.
D) hippocampus.

Question 20

A group of similar cells that perform the same function is called a:

A) tissue.
B) gland.
C) ligament.
D) tendon.

Question 21

Areas of the cerebral cortex not directly involved in sensory or motor functions are referred to as:

A) frontal matter.
B) white matter.
C) gray matter.
D) the association cortex.

Question 22

The gland referred to as the master gland of the endocrine system is the:

A) hypothalamus.
B) pineal gland.
C) adrenal gland.
D) pituitary gland.

Question 23

White blood cells, called ______, are part of the body's ______ system.

A) erythrocytes; immune
B) leukocytes; immune
C) platelets; endocrine
D) capillaries; endocrine

Question 24

Because raccoons have much greater control of their paws than dogs, you would expect them to have more cortical tissue dedicated to paw control in the motor cortex, which is located at the back of the ______ lobes of their brains.

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

Question 25

Arteries carry blood ______, and veins carry blood ______.

A) from the capillaries to the heart; from the heart to other organs
B) from the heart to other organs; from the capillaries to the heart
C) from the lungs to the heart; from the heart to the lungs
D) from arterioles to capillaries; from capillaries to arterioles

Question 26

To demonstrate that brain stimulation can transform a violently aggressive animal into a docile one, a neuroscientist should lesion the animal's:

A) reticular formation.
B) cerebellum.
C) amygdala.
D) medulla.

Question 27

Red blood cells, called ______, contain ______, which gives blood its red color.

A) erythrocytes; hemoglobin
B) leukocytes; hemoglobin
C) erythrocytes; platelets
D) leukocytes; platelets

Question 28

Which blood vessels carry oxygen-depleted blood back to the heart from the capillaries?

A) arteries
B) tissues
C) veins
D) venules

Question 29

Which is the correct sequence in the passage of oxygen-depleted blood from the body through the heart and to the lungs?

A) right atrium $\rightarrow$ right ventricle $\rightarrow$ pulmonary artery $\rightarrow$ lungs
B) right ventricle $\rightarrow$ right atrium $\rightarrow$ pulmonary vein $\rightarrow$ lungs
C) left atrium $\rightarrow$ left ventricle $\rightarrow$ pulmonary artery $\rightarrow$ lungs
D) left ventricle $\rightarrow$ left atrium $\rightarrow$ pulmonary vein $\rightarrow$ lungs

Question 30

A bodybuilder friend you haven't seen in a year seems to have grown several inches in height. You suspect that your friend's sudden growth spurt may be caused by drugs that affect the:

A) thalamus.
B) adrenal glands.
C) medulla.
D) pituitary gland.

Question 31

After Darren's serious motorcycle accident, doctors detected damage to his cerebellum. Darren is most likely to have difficulty:

A) playing his guitar.
B) reading printed words.
C) understanding what others are saying.
D) regulating his body weight.

Question 32

For an adult, a blood pressure of 180/110 would be considered:

A) normal.
B) below normal.
C) borderline.
D) hypertension.

Question 33

Epinephrine and norepinephrine are ______ that are released by the ______ gland.

A) neurotransmitters; pituitary
B) hormones; pituitary
C) lymphocytes; thyroid
D) hormones; adrenal

Question 34

Insulin ______ and glucagon ______.

A) takes glucose into cells; stimulates the release of glucose into cells
B) stimulates the pancreas; stimulates the stomach
C) decreases hunger; increases hunger
D) decreases blood sugar levels; increases blood sugar levels

Question 35

Damaging a person's reticular formation may cause the person to:

A) become violently aggressive.
B) cower in fear.
C) experience convulsive seizures.
D) lapse into a coma.

Question 36

The visual cortex is located in the:

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

Question 37

The circulation of blood enables:

A) the removal of carbon dioxide from body cells.
B) the transportation of oxygen to body cells.
C) both the removal of carbon dioxide and the transportation of oxygen.
D) neither the removal of carbon dioxide nor the transportation of oxygen.

Question 38

The thyroid gland:

A) produces the hormone glucagon.
B) helps regulate the body's metabolism.
C) secretes hormones that play a crucial role in the body's response to stress.
D) secretes hormones that act on the hypothalamus.

Question 39

The region of the brain that influences hunger, thirst, and body temperature and contains the so-called reward centers of the brain is the:

A) cerebrum.
B) hypothalamus.
C) frontal lobe.
D) motor cortex.

Question 40

The stress hormones epinephrine and norepinephrine are released by the ______ gland in response to stimulation by the ______ branch of the nervous system.

A) adrenal; parasympathetic
B) pituitary; parasympathetic
C) adrenal; sympathetic
D) pituitary; sympathetic

Question 41

The disease- and infection-fighting cells of the immune system are:

A) T lymphocytes.
B) B lymphocytes.
C) both T and B lymphocytes.
D) antigens.

Question 42

A type of white blood cell that attacks foreign substances by engulfing and digesting them is the:

A) macrophage.
B) phagocyte.
C) T cell.
D) B cell.

Question 43

The stomach enzyme that breaks down protein and, in some people, contributes to ulcers, is:

A) bilirubin.
B) pepsin.
C) E. coli.
D) GABA.

Question 44

When you ingest food, the correct sequence of structures through which the food would pass from the mouth through the body would be:

A) esophagus $\rightarrow$ stomach $\rightarrow$ intestines $\rightarrow$ rectum.
B) stomach $\rightarrow$ esophagus $\rightarrow$ intestines $\rightarrow$ anus.
C) intestines $\rightarrow$ stomach $\rightarrow$ esophagus $\rightarrow$ rectum.
D) esophagus $\rightarrow$ intestines $\rightarrow$ stomach $\rightarrow$ anus.

Question 45

Some lymphocytes release proteins that produce systemic effects. This means that they produce effects:

A) that are very short in duration.
B) that are long lasting.
C) throughout the entire body.
D) in one specific location.

Question 46

Compared to carnivores that may eat only once every few days, mammals that eat more frequently have:

A) smaller stomachs.
B) larger stomachs.
C) more rapid digestion.
D) slower digestion.

Question 47

Which type of immune response involves an immunological memory?

A) specific immunity
B) nonspecific immunity
C) lymph response
D) inflammatory response

Question 48

The immune system's specific defense system is based on the activity of:

A) B and T cells.
B) natural killer cells.
C) phagocytes.
D) macrophages.

Question 49

Which is the correct sequence in the passage of air from the nose and mouth into the lungs?

A) larynx $\rightarrow$ pharynx $\rightarrow$ trachea $\rightarrow$ bronchi
B) pharynx $\rightarrow$ larynx $\rightarrow$ bronchi $\rightarrow$ trachea
C) trachea $\rightarrow$ pharynx $\rightarrow$ larynx $\rightarrow$ bronchi
D) trachea $\rightarrow$ larynx $\rightarrow$ bronchi $\rightarrow$ pharynx

Question 50

It is estimated that by 2020, over 70 percent of the global burden of disease will be caused by:

A) asthma.
B) cardiovascular disease.
C) endocrine disorders.
D) noncommunicable diseases.

Question 51

The function of immunoglobulins is to allow a:

A) cleansing and filtering of the blood and lymph.
B) nonspecific defense against an antigen.
C) specific defense or attack against an antigen.
D) quick, nonspecific attack on an antigen.

Question 52

Inflammation-causing chemicals released by the body in response to antigens are:

A) bronchi.
B) histamines.
C) thrombi.
D) bronchioles.

Question 53

The antimicrobial protein released by NK cells to inhibit the spread of viral infections to healthy cells is:

A) lymphokine.
B) interferon.
C) IgG.
D) anti-HIV 2.

Question 54

An antigen is a:

A) foreign substance that triggers an immune response.
B) genetic marker for a specific disease.
C) risk factor for an autoimmune disease.
D) white blood cell.

Question 55

One hour after stepping on a piece of glass, Luke feels sick and feverish and his foot becomes red and swollen. These are all signs of:

A) specific immunity.
B) immunological memory.
C) antigens.
D) the inflammatory response.

Question 56

Air passages in the nose, mouth, and trachea are lined with tiny germ-trapping hairs called:

A) bronchi.
B) antigens.
C) cilia.
D) cytokines.

Question 57

Immune system cells that pursue and destroy diseased body cells are called:

A) NK cells.
B) phagocytes.
C) macrophages.
D) antigens.

Question 58

In immunization, a weakened form of a virus or bacteria is:

A) modified so that it becomes harmless.
B) introduced to the body to stimulate the production of antibodies.
C) destroyed by a phagocyte.
D) injected with a lethal toxin.

Question 59

The immune system is located:

A) in the central nervous system.
B) as a special division of the circulatory system.
C) throughout the body in the form of the lymphatic system.
D) in the spleen and thymus.

Question 60

The white blood cells that are involved in the immune response are called:

A) antigens.
B) interferons.
C) lymphocytes.
D) immunoglobulins.

Question 61

Most human traits are:

A) determined by a single gene.
B) unpredictable.
C) learned.
D) influenced by many genes acting together.

Question 62

A person who inherits a gene that is not expressed in his or her observable characteristics is said to be ______ for that gene.

A) dominant
B) recessive
C) a carrier
D) polygenic

Question 63

Nutrition, medical care, and other environmental influences affect the expression of genes through the process called:

A) neurogenesis.
B) synaptogenesis.
C) DNA methylation.
D) the acute phase response.

Question 64

A living cell with the potential to develop into any other type of specialized cell is a(n)

A) stem cell
B) genome
C) leukocyte
D) erythrocyte

Question 65

When a sperm and an ovum merge, a one-celled ______ is formed.

A) zygote
B) embryo
C) fetus
D) blastocyst

Question 66

To say that a trait is polygenic means that:

A) many genes make it more likely that the individual will inherit the trait.
B) several genes must be present in order for the individual to inherit the trait.
C) the trait is multifactorial.
D) most people carry genes for the trait.

Question 67

When an infection occurs in some part of your body, your brain is notified by communication molecules called:

A) macrophages.
B) cytokines.
C) antigens.
D) vagus nervus.

Question 68

Which of these would prevent the sickness response from occurring?

A) lesioning the amygdala
B) stimulating the hypothalamus
C) cutting the vagus nerve
D) increasing the production of cytokines

Question 69

Chromosomes are composed of small segments of ______ called ______.

A) DNA; genes
B) DNA; neurotransmitters
C) genes; DNA
D) DNA; proteins

Question 70

Which immune cells are equipped with receptors that match one specific antigen?

A) cytotoxic T cells (killer cells)
B) helper T cells
C) suppressor T cells
D) macrophages

Question 71

The epigenome refers to the:

A) process by which ribonucleic acid alters the expression of genes.
B) set of environmental influences that affect a person's genetic makeup.
C) period of human development immediately before and after birth.
D) layer of proteins that package a person's hereditary information and point cells to specific instructions.

Question 72

Each cell of the human body has a total of:

A) 23 chromosomes.
B) 23 genes.
C) 46 chromosomes.
D) 46 genes.

Question 73

Helper T cells and suppressor T cells regulate the overall immune response by secreting chemical messengers called:

A) hormones.
B) lymphokines.
C) immunoglobulins.
D) interferons.

Question 74

Genotype is to phenotype as ______ is(are) to ______.

A) nonphysical traits; physical traits
B) physical traits; nonphysical traits
C) all of a person's genes; a person's observable traits
D) a person's observable traits; all of a person's genes

Question 75

A fertilized egg will develop into a boy if, at conception:

A) the sperm contributes an X chromosome.
B) the sperm contributes a Y chromosome.
C) the egg contributes an X chromosome.
D) the egg contributes a Y chromosome.

Question 76

Fever, inflammation, and increased sensitivity to pain are called:

A) the acute phase response.
B) specific immunity.
C) immunological memory.
D) systemic effects.