Deck 2: The Biology of Behavior

Question 1

The selective permeability of a neural membrane enables the development of a

A) myelin sheath.
B) resting potential.
C) neural network.
D) synaptic gap.

Answer 1

resting potential.

Question 2

Nerve cells receive life-supporting nutrients and insulating myelin from

A) glial cells.
B) neurotransmitters.
C) endorphins.
D) hormones.

Answer 2

glial cells.

Question 3

The cells that serve as the basic building blocks of the body's information system are called

A) neurons.
B) neurotransmitters.
C) agonists.
D) genes.

Answer 3

neurons.

Question 4

The slowdown of neural communication in multiple sclerosis results from the degeneration of the

A) amygdala.
B) endorphins.
C) myelin sheath.
D) pituitary gland.

Question 5

An action potential refers to a

A) neural impulse.
B) synaptic gap.
C) neurotransmitter.
D) reflex.

Question 6

The depolarization of an axon is most likely to occur when

A) positively charged sodium ions rush into the axon.
B) negatively charged potassium ions rush into the axon.
C) positively charged sodium ions rush out of the axon.
D) negatively charged potassium ions rush out of the axon.

Question 7

The branching extensions of nerve cells that receive incoming signals from sensory receptors or from other neurons are called the

A) axons.
B) synapses.
C) dendrites.
D) neurotransmitters.

Question 8

An electrically charged atom is called a(n)

A) antagonist.
B) ion.
C) action potential.
D) radioactive tracer.

Question 9

The fluid outside a resting axon's membrane has mostly positively charged ________ ions.

A) serotonin
B) sodium
C) dopamine
D) protein

Question 10

A postmortem analysis of Einstein's brain revealed a much greater concentration of ________ than found in the average adult brain.

A) glutamate
B) opiate receptors
C) glial cells
D) ACh-producing neurons

Question 11

The resting potential of a neuron refers to

A) a brief electrical charge that travels down the axon.
B) the storage of neurotransmitter molecules within synaptic vesicles.
C) the electrical polarization of the inside and outside of the neural membrane.
D) a capacity to reabsorb neurotransmitter molecules released into the synaptic gap.

Question 12

The part of a neuron that transmits neural messages to other neurons or to muscles or glands is called the

A) dendrite.
B) synapse.
C) axon.
D) cell body.

Question 13

A resting axon's fluid interior contains both large,________ charged protein ions and smaller,________ charged potassium ions.

A) positively;positively
B) negatively;negatively
C) positively;negatively
D) negatively;positively

Question 14

Which part of a neuron is often encased by a fatty myelin sheath?

A) axon
B) synaptic gap
C) cell body
D) dendrite

Question 15

Professor Seif conducts research on the relationship between autonomic nervous system functioning and sexual motivation.Her research focus best represents the specialty area known as

A) biological psychology.
B) psychoanalysis.
C) cognitive psychology.
D) endocrinology

Question 16

Signal reception is to ________ as signal transmission is to ________.

A) interneuron;neural network
B) dendrite;axon
C) neurotransmitter;hormone
D) sympathetic nervous system;parasympathetic nervous system

Question 17

The myelin sheath helps to increase the ________ of neural impulses.

A) frequency
B) intensity
C) threshold
D) speed

Question 18

A car controlled by a computerized navigational guidance system is likely to respond more rapidly to sudden obstructions in its path than a car controlled by a human driver.This is primarily due to the fact that

A) a neuron's reaction is an all-or-none response.
B) an axon branches into junctions with many other neurons.
C) the fatty tissue layer that insulates axons slows the transmission of neural impulses.
D) the speed of neural impulses is much slower than the speed of electricity through a wire.

Question 19

Ruth has experienced progressively increasing difficulty moving,speaking,and swallowing due to the deterioration of the myelin sheaths within her nervous system.Ruth most clearly suffers from

A) epileptic seizures.
B) Alzheimer's disease.
C) multiple sclerosis.
D) depression.

Question 20

Biological psychology is best described as the scientific study of the links between

A) physiological activity and psychological events.
B) genes and neurotransmitters.
C) sensory and motor neurons.
D) the CNS and the PNS.

Question 21

Neurotransmitters are molecules that travel across the

A) cell body.
B) synaptic gap.
C) myelin sheath.
D) threshold.

Question 22

Synaptic gaps separate neurotransmitter receptor sites from

A) glial cells.
B) axon terminals.
C) a myelin sheath.
D) dendrite fibers.

Question 23

The reuptake of a neurotransmitter such as serotonin would involve the reabsorption of serotonin into a(n)

A) axon terminal.
B) dendrite.
C) myelin sheath.
D) glial cell.

Question 24

In the process of beginning an action potential,the threshold refers to

A) neuron extensions that conduct messages toward the cell body.
B) a minimum intensity of excitatory minus inhibitory stimulation.
C) neuron extensions that send messages to other neurons.
D) the junction between a sending and receiving neuron.

Question 25

A brief resting pause that occurs after a neuron has fired is called

A) a synaptic gap.
B) an action potential.
C) a refractory period.
D) reuptake.

Question 26

The junctions between the axon tips of sending neurons and the dendrites or cell bodies of receiving neurons are called

A) interneurons.
B) synapses.
C) neural networks.
D) thresholds.

Question 27

Neurotransmitters bind to receptor sites and influence the flow of ________ into receiving neurons.

A) ions
B) glial cells
C) myelin
D) hormones

Question 28

The temporary inflow of positive ions through an axon membrane is the

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

Question 29

Transferring messages from a motor neuron to a leg muscle requires the neurotransmitter known as

A) dopamine.
B) epinephrine.
C) acetylcholine.
D) insulin.

Question 30

A neural impulse is generated only when excitatory minus inhibitory signals exceed a certain

A) action potential.
B) synaptic gap.
C) level of reuptake.
D) threshold.

Question 31

When the transmission of ACh is blocked,the result is

A) depression.
B) aggression.
C) muscular paralysis.
D) schizophrenia.

Question 32

A strong stimulus is experienced as more intense than a weak stimulus because a strong stimulus triggers

A) a speedier action potential.
B) a higher-voltage action potential.
C) more neurons to fire,and to fire more often.
D) the release of epinephrine.

Question 33

Neurons with the greatest number of dendrites and axon terminals would also be most likely to share the greatest number of ________ with other neurons.

A) glial cells
B) endorphins
C) refractory periods
D) synapses

Question 34

Neurotransmitter receptor sites are primarily located on the

A) dendrites.
B) myelin sheath.
C) glial cells.
D) axon terminals.

Question 35

The reabsorption of excess neurotransmitter molecules by a sending neuron is called

A) an action potential.
B) the all-or-none response.
C) a refractory period.
D) reuptake.

Question 36

The neural impulses sent from your eyes to the visual processing centers of your brain will be no stronger or faster if you glance at a large campfire than if you glance at a burning candle.This best illustrates a characteristic of neural functioning known as

A) reuptake.
B) depolarization.
C) selective permeability.
D) an all-or-none response.

Question 37

After ingesting a poisonous substance,Alex experienced a temporary muscular paralysis.The poison most likely interfered with the normal functioning of the neurotransmitter

A) serotonin.
B) dopamine.
C) acetylcholine.
D) norepinephrine.

Question 38

Neurotransmitters are best described as

A) electrically charged atoms.
B) sodium/potassium pumps.
C) chemical messengers.
D) action potentials.

Question 39

An all-or-none response pattern is characteristic of the

A) activation of either the sympathetic or the parasympathetic system.
B) release of endorphins into the central nervous system.
C) release of hormones into the bloodstream.
D) initiation of neural impulses.

Question 40

An action potential registers an electrical charge of

A) -70 millivolts.
B) -55 millivolts.
C) +40 millivolts.
D) +70 millivolts.

Question 41

Any drug molecule that binds to a neurotransmitter receptor site and mimics the neurotransmitter's excitatory or inhibitory effects is a(n)

A) glutamate.
B) steroid.
C) agonist.
D) action potential.

Question 42

Agonists are chemical molecules that increase the activity of

A) motor neurons.
B) genes.
C) synapses.
D) neurotransmitters.

Question 43

Mr.Averro's symptoms of confusion and memory loss have led his physicians to conclude that he suffers from Alzheimer's disease.His symptoms are most likely to be linked with a deterioration of brain cells that produce the neurotransmitter

A) dopamine.
B) acetylcholine.
C) epinephrine.
D) endorphins.

Question 44

Endorphins are most directly involved in the control of

A) body temperature.
B) physical pain.
C) muscle contraction.
D) attention.

Question 45

Curare is a paralyzing poison that functions as a(n)

A) ACh agonist.
B) GABA agonist.
C) ACh antagonist.
D) GABA antagonist.

Question 46

The pain of childbirth is most likely to be reduced by the release of

A) acetylcholine.
B) endorphins.
C) dopamine.
D) glutamate.

Question 47

The brain's own natural production of endorphins is likely to be suppressed by

A) physical pain.
B) physical exercise.
C) heroin usage.
D) antidepressant drugs.

Question 48

Janelle experiences difficulty sleeping and is seeking medical help for her lengthy episodes of depression and loss of energy.Effective prescription drugs for treating these symptoms would most likely be designed to increase the availability of the neurotransmitter

A) GABA.
B) ACh.
C) serotonin.
D) dopamine.

Question 49

The tremors of Parkinson's disease result from the death of nerve cells that produce the neurotransmitter

A) serotonin.
B) ACh.
C) GABA.
D) dopamine.

Question 50

An undersupply of GABA is most closely linked to

A) schizophrenia.
B) paralysis.
C) insomnia.
D) Alzheimer's disease.

Question 51

Endorphins are neurotransmitter molecules similar to

A) dopamine.
B) serotonin.
C) morphine.
D) acetylcholine.

Question 52

The brain and spinal cord form the

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

Question 53

When Dirk was stung by a bee,the pain message was transmitted to his spinal cord by the ________ nervous system.

A) sympathetic
B) parasympathetic
C) peripheral
D) central

Question 54

James is being treated for depression with a drug that blocks the reuptake of serotonin.This antidepressant drug functions as a(n)

A) steroid.
B) agonist.
C) opiate.
D) antagonist.

Question 55

The body's speedy electrochemical information network is called the

A) circulatory system.
B) cognitive system.
C) nervous system.
D) endocrine system.

Question 56

Morphine and heroin are

A) ACh agonists.
B) hormones.
C) dendrites.
D) opiates.

Question 57

Botulin blocks the release of ACh.Botulin is best described as a(n)

A) opiate.
B) glutamate.
C) antagonist.
D) neurotransmitter.

Question 58

A drug molecule that inhibits or blocks a neurotransmitter's action is called a(n)

A) opiate.
B) agonist.
C) antagonist.
D) glutamate.

Question 59

After three hours of playing a physically exhausting professional tennis match,Chitra began to experience feelings of exhilaration and pleasure.It is likely that her feelings were most directly linked to the release of

A) dopamine.
B) acetylcholine.
C) endorphins.
D) growth hormones.

Question 60

Seizures are likely to be associated with an

A) undersupply of GABA and an oversupply of glutamate.
B) oversupply of GABA and an undersupply of glutamate.
C) undersupply of GABA and an undersupply of glutamate.
D) oversupply of GABA and an oversupply of glutamate.

Question 61

The spinal cord is part of the ________ nervous system.

A) central
B) peripheral
C) autonomic
D) somatic

Question 62

The sympathetic nervous system

A) stimulates digestion and slows heartbeat.
B) inhibits digestion and accelerates heartbeat.
C) stimulates digestion and accelerates heartbeat.
D) inhibits digestion and slows heartbeat.

Question 63

When Jenny saw that a large barking dog was enclosed by a very high fence,her racing heartbeat began to slow.The slowing of her heartbeat was most directly regulated by her

A) hypothalamus.
B) parasympathetic nervous system.
C) somatic nervous system.
D) sympathetic nervous system.

Question 64

The parasympathetic nervous system is to the sympathetic nervous system as ________ is to ________.

A) pupil dilation;pupil contraction
B) raising blood pressure;lowering blood pressure
C) inhibition of digestion;stimulation of digestion
D) lowering of blood sugar;raising of blood sugar

Question 65

People can simultaneously process many aspects of sensory information such as color,shape,and size.This best illustrates the functioning of multiple

A) ACh agonists.
B) resting potentials.
C) neural networks.
D) serotonin antagonists.

Question 66

Information is carried from the body's tissues and sensory receptors to the central nervous system by

A) interneurons.
B) sensory neurons.
C) motor neurons.
D) endocrine glands.

Question 67

The part of the peripheral nervous system that controls the movement of your arms when you write is the

A) autonomic nervous system.
B) sympathetic nervous system.
C) somatic nervous system.
D) parasympathetic nervous system.

Question 68

Motor neurons are an important part of the

A) central nervous system.
B) circulatory system.
C) peripheral nervous system.
D) endocrine system.

Question 69

Neural signals from the spinal cord are transmitted to your stomach muscles by the

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

Question 70

For you to be able to run,________ must relay messages from your central nervous system to your leg muscles.

A) interneurons
B) motor neurons
C) afferent neurons
D) the autonomic nervous system

Question 71

The division of the peripheral nervous system controlling the body's skeletal muscles is the

A) motor nervous system.
B) sympathetic nervous system.
C) somatic nervous system.
D) parasympathetic nervous system.

Question 72

Sensory neurons transmit signals to

A) glands.
B) glial cells.
C) motor neurons.
D) interneurons.

Question 73

The brain's information-processing capacities are most clearly enhanced by

A) neural networks.
B) ACh agonists.
C) endorphins.
D) reflexes.

Question 74

The parasympathetic nervous system is a division of the ________ nervous system.

A) autonomic
B) somatic
C) central
D) sympathetic

Question 75

Nerves are neural cables formed from bundles of

A) endorphins.
B) interneurons.
C) axons.
D) lesions.

Question 76

When Mr.Valdez thought his 1-year-old daughter had fallen down the stairs,his heartbeat accelerated,his blood pressure rose,and he began to perspire heavily.Mr.Valdez's state of arousal was activated by his ________ nervous system.

A) parasympathetic
B) sympathetic
C) somatic
D) central

Question 77

The neurons of the central nervous system cluster into work groups known as

A) terminal branches.
B) dendrites.
C) motor neurons.
D) neural networks.

Question 78

Efferent is to afferent as ________ is to ________.

A) sympathetic nervous system;parasympathetic nervous system
B) sensory neuron;motor neuron
C) parasympathetic nervous system;sympathetic nervous system
D) motor neuron;sensory neuron

Question 79

The autonomic nervous system helps to maintain a relatively consistent body temperature despite environmental temperature changes.This best illustrates

A) reuptake.
B) a refractory period.
C) depolarization.
D) homeostasis.

Question 80

Information travels from the spinal cord to the brain through

A) interneurons.
B) somatic nervous system.
C) adrenal glands.
D) the sympathetic nervous system.