Question 1

Chemical messengers released by neurons are called:

Accepted Answer

Chemical messengers released by neurons are called 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.

Accepted Answer

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:

Accepted Answer

The symptoms of rapid heartbeat and excessive perspiration are both controlled by the sympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for the "fight or flight" response in the body. It is likely that the medication is stimulating this system to produce these side effects.

Question 4

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

Accepted Answer

A living thing with a nucleus, Golgi apparatus, and other organelles is described by the characteristics of a eukaryotic cell. Tissues and glands are composed of groups of cells, but do not necessarily exhibit all of the described organelles. Prokaryotic cells lack a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

The brainstem is the oldest part of the brain, followed by the limbic system, and the cerebral cortex is the newest in terms of evolutionary development.

Question 6

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

Accepted Answer

The correct sequence is dendrite $\rightarrow$ cell body $\rightarrow$ axon $\rightarrow$ synapse, where the impulse is received by dendrites, processed in the cell body, travels down the axon, and is transmitted across the synapse.

Question 7

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

Accepted Answer

The cell is the basic unit of structure and function in living things. All living things are composed of one or more cells, and each cell carries out all the necessary functions required for life. Tissues, nuclei, and organelles are all composed of cells and are not the basic unit of structure and function on their own.

Question 8

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

Accepted Answer

The brainstem is the part of the human brain that is most like that of a fish brain. It controls basic life functions such as breathing, heart rate, and body temperature regulation. This is a primitive and essential part of the brain, which is shared by all vertebrates.

Question 9

The communicating connection between two neurons is called a:

Accepted Answer

The communicating connection between two neurons is called a synapse. The neurotransmitter is the chemical substance released at the synapse. The axon terminal is the end of the axon where neurotransmitters are stored and released. There is no such thing as an axon sac.

Question 10

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

Accepted Answer

The answer of Explain how DNA and other epigenetic processes...

Question 11

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

Accepted Answer

Activation of the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system is responsible for the fight-or-flight response, which includes increased heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure, and the release of adrenaline to prepare the body for physical activity to either defend against a threat or escape from it.

Question 12

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

Accepted Answer

The answer of With specific examples, differentiate the processes of...

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.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Select a physical or nonphysical trait that...

Question 14

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

Accepted Answer

A group of tissues working together to perform a specific function is known as an organ. Glands and cartilage are specific types of tissues, and systems are groups of organs working together to perform a larger function.

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.

Accepted Answer

The pupillary reflex is controlled by the autonomic nervous system, which regulates involuntary bodily functions, including pupil dilation and constriction.

Question 16

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

Accepted Answer

The answer of Identify the major anatomical components of the...

Question 17

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

Accepted Answer

Messages from the spinal cord to the heart are transmitted via the autonomic nervous system, which controls involuntary bodily functions such as heart rate and breathing. The limbic system is involved in emotions and motivation, while the somatic nervous system controls voluntary movements of the body. The central nervous system includes both the brain and spinal cord, but does not refer specifically to the transmission of messages from the spinal cord to the heart.

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.

Accepted Answer

Prokaryotic cells make up bacteria and other single-celled organisms, while eukaryotic cells are found in all other living things, including plants, animals, fungi, and protists.

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:

Accepted Answer

The answer of The oldest part of the brain, and...

Question 20

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

Accepted Answer

A group of similar cells that perform the same function is called a tissue. Glands, ligaments, and tendons are all made up of different types of tissues working together.

Quiz 3: Biological Foundations of Health and Illness