Deck 3: Biological Psychology

Question 1

The function of the __________ is to manufacture and renew neuronal cell components.

A) cell body
B) synapse
C) nervous system
D) endorphins

Answer 1

cell body

Question 2

The knob-like structures at the end of an axon are called

A) axon terminals.
B) synaptic vesicles.
C) synapses.
D) receptor sites.

Answer 2

axon terminals.

Question 3

There is a fluid-filled space between the axon terminal of one neuron and the dendrite of another neuron. What is the name for this space?

A) synapse.
B) receptor site.
C) myelin sheath.
D) knob.

Answer 3

synapse.

Question 4

All neurons contain

A) a cell body, myelin sheath, and axon.
B) dendrites, axon, and nodes of Ranvier.
C) dendrites, cell body, and axon.
D) dendrites, axon, and myelin sheath.

Question 5

Which of the following is the correct order of neuron parts, from the point that an impulse enters the neuron to the point where the neuron sends an impulse out?

A) dendrites, axon, cell body, axon terminal
B) terminal buttons, axon, cell body, dendrites
C) axon, cell body, dendrites, axon terminal
D) dendrites, cell body, axon, axon terminal

Question 6

Which part of the neuron is responsible for maintaining the life of the cell?

A) Axon
B) Dendrite
C) Cell body
D) Terminal button

Question 7

Approximately how many neurons do our brains contain?

A) 8 thousand
B) 5 million
C) 85 billion
D) 160 trillion

Question 8

The part of a neuron that contains the nucleus and keeps the entire cell alive and functioning is the

A) axon.
B) dendrite.
C) cell body.
D) terminal button.

Question 9

When one neuron releases neurotransmitters into the _________, those neurotransmitters can then be received by the __________ of another neuron.

A) axon; synapse
B) synapse; dendrite
C) cell body; dendrite
D) membrane; cell body

Question 10

Which of the following is contained within the cell body of a neuron?

A) soma
B) axon
C) nucleus
D) dendrites

Question 11

Which of the following statements reflects the relationship between the number of neurons in the human brain and the number of neural connections?

A) The number of neural connections is less than the number of neurons because some neurons operate in feedback loops.
B) Neurons connect in a one-to-one fashion with each other, so the number of neurons and neural connections is approximately equal.
C) Most neurons connect to many other neurons, so the number of neural connections is much higher than the number of neurons.
D) We have no way of estimating the number of connections, so we only know the approximate number of neurons.

Question 12

What term is used to describe a specialized cell that receives and sends messages within the nervous system?

A) Node of Ranvier
B) Neuron
C) Glial cell
D) Reuptake cell

Question 13

The __________ is the central region of the neuron that manufactures new cell components.

A) cell body
B) axon
C) neuronal membrane
D) dendrite

Question 14

Which portion of the neuron is specialized for sending messages to other neurons?

A) Soma
B) Axon
C) Dendrite
D) Synapse

Question 15

Which component of the neuron receives signals from other neurons?

A) neurons.
B) dendrites.
C) Glial cells.
D) terminal button.

Question 16

__________ receive messages from other neurons and __________ send messages to other neurons.

A) Axons; dendrites
B) Axons; somas
C) Somas; glial cells
D) Dendrites; axons

Question 17

What is the term used to describe the branches located at the end of the axon?

A) Axon terminals
B) Synaptic vesicles
C) Synapses
D) Receptor sites

Question 18

The branchlike structures that receive messages from other neurons are called

A) axons.
B) dendrites.
C) nerve bundles.
D) myelin.

Question 19

The brain communicates with other parts of the body through

A) nodes of Ranvier.
B) neurons.
C) glial cells.
D) reuptake.

Question 20

A specialized cell that makes up the nervous system that receives and sends messages within that system is called a

A) node of Ranvier.
B) neuron.
C) glial cell.
D) reuptake cell.

Question 21

Oligodendrocytes are to __________ as astrocytes are to __________.

A) neurotransmitters; dendrites
B) the myelin sheath; the blood-brain barrier
C) synaptic vesicles; the cell body
D) axons; glial cells

Question 22

Synaptic vesicles are analogous to

A) the gate in a fence.
B) a gel capsule filled with cold medication.
C) a vacuum cleaning up dirt.
D) the prongs on an electrical plug.

Question 23

When you take medication in a gel capsule, the medication releases into your system once the outer gel coating dissolves. Which of the following is similar to the gel coating?

A) synapses
B) synaptic vesicles
C) axon terminals
D) neurotransmitters

Question 24

What is the function of the neuron's axon?

A) Send messages to other cells.
B) Regulate the neuron's life processes.
C) Receive messages from neighbouring neurons.
D) Insulate against leakage of electrical impulses.

Question 25

The gap into which the neurotransmitters are released is the

A) receptor field.
B) dendritic branch.
C) axon terminal.
D) synaptic cleft.

Question 26

Which of the following are responsible for speeding up the transmission of neural impulses?

A) Synapse and axon terminal
B) Myelin sheath and nodes
C) Axon and action potentials
D) Dendrites and cell body

Question 27

A __________ is a gap between the axon of one neuron and the dendrite of another neuron.

A) neuronal membrane
B) synaptic vesicle
C) terminal button
D) synapse

Question 28

If the dendrites of a neuron were damaged, what problem would that cell have?

A) It would not be able to store neurotransmitters.
B) It would not be able to create neurotransmitters.
C) It would not be able to receive neurotransmitters.
D) It would not be able to send neurotransmitters.

Question 29

What is the term for a chemical that is released from one neuron and has an effect on the next neuron?

A) neurotransmitter
B) action potential
C) hormone
D) graded potential

Question 30

Which of the following are tiny sacs that release chemicals into the synapse?

A) Synaptic vesicles
B) Synaptic nodes
C) Axon terminals
D) Axon clefts

Question 31

Which of the following is the most common type of glial cell?

A) Myelin
B) Oligodendrocytes
C) Astrocytes
D) Neurocytes

Question 32

The term neurotransmitter refers to

A) a chemical found in the synaptic vesicles that is released into the synapse.
B) a chemical compound that increases the activity of the endocrine system.
C) any chemical substance found in the cell membrane.
D) the DNA contained in the nucleus of every neuron.

Question 33

The __________ is a fatty coating that insulates the axons of some neurons.

A) glial cell
B) myelin sheath
C) nodes of Ranvier
D) dendritic spine

Question 34

There are gaps in the myelin sheath that help conduct the neural impulse. What are these gaps called?

A) nodes
B) synaptic clefts
C) axonal clefts
D) synapses

Question 35

The __________ receive information from other neurons.

A) synaptic knobs
B) dendrites
C) axons
D) terminal buttons

Question 36

Which of the following is a type of cell that provides insulation and structure for neurons?

A) neural cell
B) glial cell
C) myelin cell
D) endocrine cell

Question 37

The blood-brain barrier, which keeps harmful molecules from entering the brain, is composed of __________ that form a fatty coating around tiny blood vessels.

A) synaptic cells
B) glial cells
C) the Nodes of Ranvier
D) neurotransmitters

Question 38

Which of the following provide a protective scaffolding for the neurons, control blood flow in the brain, promote new connections among nerve cells and release chemicals for healing?

A) Glial cells
B) Synaptic cells
C) Nodes of Ranvier
D) Axons

Question 39

Which of the following is a tiny sphere that contains neurochemicals?

A) axon terminal
B) synapse
C) synaptic vesicle
D) receptor site

Question 40

Where in the neuron would you find the neurotransmitters?

A) synaptic vesicles
B) cell body
C) myelin sheath
D) mitochondria

Question 41

Treatments for difficulties such as chronic pain, inflammation, depression, and schizophrenia may eventually focus on _________ in their capacity as "garbage disposals"?

A) neurotransmitters
B) inhibitory cells
C) synaptic cells
D) glial cells

Question 42

The voltage of -60 mV is known as the neuron's

A) postsynaptic potential.
B) graded potential.
C) action potential.
D) resting potential.

Question 43

What do we call the state of a neuron when it is not firing a neural impulse?

A) Action potential
B) Resting potential
C) Myelination signal
D) Transmission impulse

Question 44

The state when a neuron is not firing because it contains more negatively charged ions inside the cell than outside the cell is called the

A) action potential.
B) quiet potential.
C) synaptic potential.
D) resting potential.

Question 45

What is the function of the myelin sheath?

A) To serve as a structure for neurons.
B) To monitor neural activity.
C) To speed up the neural impulse.
D) To produce neurotransmitters.

Question 46

The action potential causes neurotransmitters to be released into the

A) myelin sheath.
B) axon.
C) synapse.
D) synaptic vesicle.

Question 47

What is the fatty substance that is wrapped around axons, and whose function is to insulate the neuron and make neurotransmission faster?

A) synaptic vesicle
B) dendrite
C) glial cell
D) myelin sheath

Question 48

During action potential, the electrical charge inside the neuron is __________ the electrical charge outside the neuron.

A) more positive than
B) larger than
C) more negative than
D) smaller than

Question 49

Which disorder is associated with the myelin sheaths surrounding neurons being "eaten away" which results in neural messages being scrambled or halted?

A) multiple sclerosis
B) cystic fibrosis
C) Parkinson's disease
D) Alzheimer's disease

Question 50

If you had NO blood-brain barrier, what would happen?

A) Your brain would fill with blood.
B) Your neurons would not be able to distinguish between neural signals and endocrine signals.
C) Your brain would be vulnerable to infection and other dangerous substances.
D) Your neurons would be overstimulated by incoming neurotransmitters.

Question 51

The __________ speeds up the passage of electrical messages by acting as an insulator of the neuronal signal.

A) terminal button
B) myelin sheath
C) blood-brain barrier
D) dendritic branch

Question 52

What term is used to describe the state of a neuron when is not being affected by any neurotransmitters?

A) stasis
B) equivocation
C) resting potential.
D) action potential.

Question 53

The electrical charge needed to trigger an action potential is called the threshold. What is the threshold for most neurons?

A) +55 mV
B) -55 mV
C) 0 mV
D) +220 mV

Question 54

During the refractory period, the electrical charge inside the cell is __________ the electrical charge when the cell is in a resting state.

A) more positive than
B) larger than
C) more negative than
D) smaller than

Question 55

The maximal firing rate, or the fastest rate at which a neuron can fire, is limited by the

A) number of glial cells surrounding the axon.
B) absolute refractory period.
C) number of graded potential inputs received by the cell.
D) postsynaptic potential of the neuron.

Question 56

One purpose of the __________ is to speed up the neural message travelling down the axon.

A) receptor site
B) axon terminal
C) myelin sheath
D) synaptic vesicle

Question 57

During which state is the electrical potential of the neuron at or near -60 millivolts?

A) action potential
B) depolarization
C) resting potential
D) threshold

Question 58

When neuroscientists use electrodes to measure brain activity, what exactly are they measuring?

A) The difference in potential between the inside and the outside of the neuron.
B) The amount of oxygen being used by the neuron.
C) The amount of glucose being burned by the neuron.
D) Structural changes in the membranes of the neuron.

Question 59

The potential of a neuron is at approximately +55 mV. Which of the following terms describes this state?

A) resting potential
B) hyperpolarization
C) action potential
D) polarization

Question 60

Which of the following statements about action potentials is FALSE?

A) Action potentials operate on an all-or-none principle whether a cell either "fires" or it does not.
B) Action potentials are regenerative and, once started, they continue the length of the axon.
C) Action potentials operate differently than graded potentials.
D) Action potentials are bidirectional and can flow either up or down an axon.

Question 61

What benefit does the reuptake process provide for neurons?

A) Increasing the likelihood of firing.
B) Repairing the cell body.
C) Preventing inhibition of important neurons.
D) Recycling unused neurotransmitters.

Question 62

A neuron has received neurotransmitters, and this causes equal numbers of both positive and negative ions to enter the neuron. What will happen to the neuron next?

A) an action potential
B) depolarization
C) long-term potentiation
D) no change in potential

Question 63

Reuptake is

A) a chemical that is released into the synaptic gap.
B) a protein molecule on the dendrite or cell body of a neuron that will interact only with specific neurotransmitters.
C) a process by which neurotransmitters are reabsorbed back into the synaptic vesicles.
D) a chemical that plays a role in learning and attention.

Question 64

When the electrical potential of most neurons moves from approximately -60mV to -55mV, you would say that the neuron has reached its _________

A) resting potential.
B) hyperpolarization.
C) threshold.
D) refractory period.

Question 65

If a neuron receives graded potentials that bring it close to threshold (but doesn't quite reach threshold) then which of the following will happen?

A) There will be a smaller, graded, action potential.
B) Only a subset of neurotransmitters will be released.
C) The cell will experience long-term potentiation.
D) The cell will not fire at all.

Question 66

__________ neurotransmitters make it more likely that a neuron will send its message to other neurons, whereas __________ neurotransmitters make it less likely that a neuron will send its message.

A) excitatory; inhibitory
B) inhibitory; excitatory
C) polarized; depolarized
D) depolarized; polarized

Question 67

__________ are holes in the surface of the dendrites that are shaped to fit only certain neurotransmitters.

A) Synapses
B) Axons
C) Synaptic vesicles
D) Receptor sites

Question 68

Neurotransmitters are reabsorbed into the synaptic vesicles and recycled through the process called

A) postsynaptic potentials.
B) reuptake.
C) binding.
D) restoration.

Question 69

A neuron is less likely to fire when it is

A) hyperpolarized.
B) polarized.
C) depolarized.
D) hypopolarized.

Question 70

Which of the following makes it easier for a neuron to fire action potentials.

A) Maximal firing rate
B) Absolute refractory period
C) Long-term potentiation
D) Inhibitory postsynaptic potential

Question 71

What is the term for the location that uniquely recognizes a particular neurotransmitter?

A) potentiated site
B) psychoactive
C) threshold
D) receptor site

Question 72

Graded potentials refer to

A) the strength of the action potential.
B) any excitation or inhibition of the neuron by incoming ions.
C) the number of times an action potential fires in a cell.
D) the state of a neuron when it is not affected by neurotransmitters.

Question 73

Communication within the neuron relies on __________ transmission, whereas communication between neurons relies on __________ transmission.

A) neurotransmitter; chemical
B) chemical; electrical
C) electrical; chemical
D) positive ion; negative ion

Question 74

Isabella is putting mustard on her hot dog. She realizes she has put on too much and sucks up some of it back into the squeeze bottle. This process is similar to

A) the action potential.
B) binding specificity.
C) reuptake.
D) receptor site bindings.

Question 75

"All or none" is the principle stating that

A) a neuron either fires or does not fire.
B) glial cells work either all together or not at all.
C) all the dendrites must be receiving messages telling the neuron to fire or it will not fire at all.
D) all somas must be receiving messages telling the neuron to fire or it will not fire at all.

Question 76

Which structure is like a locked door that only certain neurotransmitter keys can unlock?

A) Synapses
B) Receptor sites
C) Postsynaptic potentials
D) Axon terminals

Question 77

A neuron fired, and then reached a potential of -75 mV. What state is the neuron in?

A) graded potential
B) absolute refractory period.
C) depolarization
D) resting potential

Question 78

If a neurotransmitter stimulates a receptor that permits negatively charged ions to flow in, what does this cause?

A) action potential
B) resting potential
C) inhibitory postsynaptic potential
D) excitatory postsynaptic potential

Question 79

A neuron can become hyperpolarized if it receives

A) an excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP).
B) a long-term potentiation.
C) too few neurotransmitters binding to receptor sites.
D) an inhibitory postsynaptic potential (IPSP).

Question 80

If a neurotransmitter stimulates a receptor that permits positively charged ions to flow in, what is this guaranteed to cause?

A) action potential
B) resting potential
C) inhibitory postsynaptic potential
D) excitatory postsynaptic potential