Question 1

Which of the following is true of spinal reflexes?

Accepted Answer

Spinal reflexes involve a direct pathway from sensory neurons to the spinal cord, where an immediate motor response is triggered without the need for conscious thought or brain involvement. This allows for rapid responses to stimuli, such as pulling away from something hot.

Question 2

In the peripheral nervous system, _______________ carry messages from special receptors in the skin, muscles, and other internal and external sense organs to the spinal cord, which sends them along to the brain.

Accepted Answer

Sensory nerves carry messages from receptors in the skin, muscles, and other sense organs to the spinal cord and then to the brain for interpretation and response. Hormones are chemical messengers produced by glands that are part of the endocrine system and travel through the bloodstream to target organs. Motor nerves carry signals from the brain and spinal cord to muscles for movement. Neuromodulators are substances that modify or regulate the activity of neurons.

Question 3

Affective neuroscientists explore:

Accepted Answer

Affective neuroscientists study the nervous system's involvement in emotion, motivation, and stress. Option A is the domain of cognitive neuroscience, Option B falls under social neuroscience, and Option C is the focus of behavioral neuroscience.

Question 4

A young woman returns from a day at the beach to find she has developed a severe sunburn. Which neurons are sending the messages from her burned skin to her central nervous system, informing her of the pain from the burn?

Accepted Answer

Sensory neurons are responsible for transmitting sensory information, such as pain signals, from the peripheral nervous system (including the skin) to the central nervous system. Therefore, in this scenario, the sensory neurons would be responsible for sending messages about the pain from the sunburn to the woman's central nervous system. Motor neurons are responsible for transmitting messages from the central nervous system to the muscles, while synaptic neurons are responsible for transmitting messages between neurons. Association neurons are also called interneurons and are responsible for relaying information between sensory and motor neurons in the central nervous system.

Question 5

Reflexes above the neck, such as sneezing and blinking, are controlled by the _______________.

Accepted Answer

Reflexes above the neck, such as sneezing and blinking, are controlled by the brain. The spinal cord controls reflexes below the neck. The sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems control automatic functions like heart rate and digestion.

Question 6

Cognitive neuroscientists focus on:

Accepted Answer

Cognitive neuroscience focuses on the biological foundations of cognitive processes such as perception, memory, language, and consciousness. It seeks to understand how neuronal activity in the brain gives rise to these cognitive functions.

Question 7

Cameron touches a hot iron and immediately pulls his hand away. His quick response occurs because:

Accepted Answer

The quick response of pulling his hand away from the hot iron is due to spinal reflexes, which are automatic and require no conscious effort. This reflex is designed to protect the body from harmful stimuli, and the signal does not need to travel all the way to the brain and back for a quick response.

Question 8

Shannon blinks as she steps off the school bus and walks into a gust of wind. This automatic reaction is regulated by the:

Accepted Answer

The blinking reflex in response to external stimuli, such as a gust of wind, is regulated by the lower part of the brain, specifically the brainstem, which controls basic life functions and automatic responses.

Question 9

A collection of neurons and supportive tissue running from the base of the brain down the center of the back, protected by a column of bones is called the:

Accepted Answer

The spinal cord is a long bundle of nerve fibers and supportive tissue that extends from the brainstem to the lower back. It is protected by a column of bones called the spinal column, and is an integral part of the nervous system, serving as a pathway for transmitting information between the brain and the rest of the body.

Question 10

Which of the following is a part of the peripheral nervous system?

Accepted Answer

The somatic nervous system is a part of the peripheral nervous system that controls voluntary movements and sensory information from the skin, muscles, and joints. The brain and spinal cord are part of the central nervous system, while the endocrine system is a separate system that uses hormones to regulate bodily functions.

Question 11

The input and output of the central nervous system is handled by the:

Accepted Answer

The peripheral nervous system (PNS) is responsible for carrying information between the central nervous system (CNS) and the rest of the body. The PNS includes all the nerves in the body outside of the brain and spinal cord. Therefore, it is the PNS that handles the input and output of the CNS. The other systems listed (lymphatic, endocrine, cardiovascular) do not directly handle this function.

Question 12

The nervous system is divided into two main parts:

Accepted Answer

The central nervous system (CNS) includes the brain and spinal cord, while the peripheral nervous system (PNS) includes all the other nerves in the body. Therefore, choice A is the correct answer. Choice B is partially correct, but doesn't include the peripheral nerves. Choice C is a division of the PNS, and choice D is not specific enough and doesn't include both parts of the nervous system.

Question 13

_______________ carry orders from the central nervous system to muscles, glands, and internal organs.

Accepted Answer

Motor nerves carry orders from the central nervous system to muscles, glands, and internal organs, while sensory nerves carry information from senses like touch, taste, and smell to the central nervous system. Dendrites are extensions of neurons that receive signals from other neurons, while glial cells provide support and protection for neurons.

Question 14

The central nervous system consists of the:

Accepted Answer

The central nervous system includes the brain and the spinal cord. The parasympathetic and sympathetic divisions are part of the peripheral nervous system, while muscles, glands, sense organs, and sensory neurons are also part of the peripheral nervous system but not the central nervous system.

Question 15

The subdivision of the peripheral nervous system that connects to sensory receptors and to skeletal muscles is called the:

Accepted Answer

The somatic nervous system is responsible for connecting the peripheral nervous system to sensory receptors (such as touch, pain, and temperature receptors) and to skeletal muscles, allowing for voluntary movement and sensation. The sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems are subdivisions of the autonomic nervous system, which regulates involuntary functions such as heart rate and digestion. The central nervous system consists of the brain and spinal cord, and is responsible for processing and coordinating information from the senses and controlling behavior and movement.

Question 16

The function of the _______________ is to gather and process information, produce responses to stimuli, and coordinate the workings of different cells.

Accepted Answer

The nervous system is responsible for gathering and processing information, producing responses to stimuli, and coordinating the workings of different cells. The cardiovascular system is responsible for transporting blood and nutrients throughout the body. The respiratory system is responsible for bringing oxygen into the body and removing carbon dioxide. The lymphatic system is responsible for fighting infections and maintaining fluid balance in the body.

Question 17

In the peripheral nervous system, _______________ enable us to move, and cause glands to contract and to secrete hormones.

Accepted Answer

Motor nerves are responsible for enabling movement and causing glands to contract and secrete hormones in the peripheral nervous system. Glial cells provide support and protection for neurons, dendrites receive input from other neurons, and sensory nerves convey sensory information from the periphery to the central nervous system.

Question 18

An important role of the spinal cord is the:

Accepted Answer

The spinal cord is responsible for controlling automatic reflexes below the neck, such as reflexes involved in walking, urination, and breathing. The processing and storing of sensory information occurs in the brain, and reflexes above the neck are controlled by higher brain centers. While the spinal cord does receive some information about the activity of internal organs, this is primarily monitored and controlled by the autonomic nervous system.

Question 19

Reflexes below the neck, such as pulling a hand away from a hot stove, are controlled by the _______________.

Accepted Answer

Reflexes below the neck, such as pulling a hand away from a hot stove, are controlled by the spinal cord, which is responsible for automatic and rapid responses to sensory input without involving the conscious brain. The sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems are involved in regulating various bodily functions, but not specifically reflexes.

Question 20

The _______________ receives, processes, interprets, and stores incoming information from the senses and also sends out messages destined for muscles, glands, and internal organs.

Accepted Answer

The central nervous system consists of the brain and spinal cord, which receive and process information from the senses and send messages to muscles and organs in response. The cardiovascular system is responsible for circulating blood throughout the body, the endocrine system produces hormones, and the lymphatic system helps maintain fluid balance and fight infections.

Quiz 4: The Brain and Nervous System