Question 1

The correct sequence of sensory processing is

Accepted Answer

Stimulus reception is the first step in sensory processing, where sensory organs receive information from the external environment. The information is then transduced into neural signals by sensory receptors in the process of sensory transduction. The resulting neural signals are then sent to the brain, where they are perceived as sensory information in the process of sensory perception. Sensory adaptation, which reduces the sensitivity of sensory receptors to a constant stimulus over time, occurs throughout this process but is not a defined step in the sequence. Therefore, the correct sequence of sensory processing is stimulus reception → sensory transduction → sensory perception, making choice B the best answer.

Question 2

Forming new long-term memories is strikingly disrupted after damage to the

Accepted Answer

The hippocampus is a key region in forming new long-term memories. Damage to this region, such as through injury or illness, can significantly disrupt the ability to form new memories.

Question 3

Choose the correct sequence of the following events leading to the sensory processing of a stimulus.
1)adaptation
2)perception
3)transduction
4)transmission

Accepted Answer

The correct sequence for sensory processing of a stimulus is: transduction (where the stimulus is converted into an electrical signal), transmission (the electrical signal is sent to the brain), perception (the brain interprets the signal), and finally adaptation (the sensory receptors become less responsive to constant stimuli).

Question 4

Artificial electrical stimulation of a human's menthol-sensitive neurons would likely produce the sensation of

Accepted Answer

Menthol is commonly associated with producing a sensation of coldness when applied to the skin or mucous membranes. Therefore, artificial electrical stimulation of menthol-sensitive neurons would trigger the same response and produce the sensation of cold temperature.

Question 5

When Phineas Gage had a metal rod driven into his frontal lobe,he experienced

Accepted Answer

Phineas Gage experienced greatly altered emotional responses after the metal rod was driven into his frontal lobe. He became impulsive, unpredictable, and struggled to control his emotions. However, he did not experience a total loss of reasoning, memory, or balance.

Question 6

A researcher is interested in determining whether mice can remember the location of a piece of cheese in a maze.Which of the following results best supports the hypothesis that mice can remember the location of the cheese?

Accepted Answer

The hippocampus is a brain region known to be involved in spatial learning and memory, including the memory of the location of objects in a maze. An increase in the number of synapses between neurons in the hippocampus would suggest that the mice were forming new memories, which would support the hypothesis that they could remember the location of the cheese. The other choices do not specifically relate to memory or spatial learning and therefore do not support the hypothesis as strongly.

Question 7

Statocysts contain cells that are

Accepted Answer

Statocysts are sensory organs found in invertebrates that help them orient themselves with respect to gravity. They contain specialized cells called statocytes that are mechanoreceptors and sensitive to changes in gravitational fields. Therefore, option A is the correct answer. The other options are not associated with the function of statocysts.

Question 8

Stimuli alter the activity of excitable sensory cells via

Accepted Answer

Transduction refers to the conversion of a physical stimulus into an electrical signal by a sensory receptor cell. This electrical signal can then be transmitted to other cells in the nervous system for further processing and integration. Therefore, transduction is the correct choice for the given statement.

Question 9

A football player suffered a hard hit to the back of his head,and he "saw stars." What region of his brain was affected?

Accepted Answer

The occipital lobe is responsible for visual processing, and when an individual "sees stars," it is typically due to a disturbance in this region of the brain.

Question 10

A ligand for the umami receptor in the sense of taste is

Accepted Answer

A ligand for the umami receptor in taste is monosodium glutamate, which is commonly used as a flavor enhancer in foods. Glucose, sodium ions, potassium ions, and hydrogen ions do not activate the umami receptor.

Question 11

A given photon of light may trigger an action potential with thousands of times more energy because the signal strength is magnified by

Accepted Answer

The answer of A given photon of light may trigger...

Question 12

Proteins coded by a very large family of related genes are active in the sensory transduction of

Accepted Answer

Proteins coded by a large family of related genes, known as odorant receptors, are active in the detection and transduction of olfactory stimuli.

Question 13

Eating habanero peppers (which are very spicy!)would activate what type of channel?

Accepted Answer

Eating habanero peppers, which are very spicy, would activate calcium channels sensitive to hot temperature. These channels, specifically TRPV1 receptors, respond to heat and the spicy compound capsaicin found in peppers.

Question 14

Umami perception would be stimulated by

Accepted Answer

Umami is the taste associated with savory and rich flavors, which are typically found in foods such as meat, cheese, and soy sauce. Therefore, the best choice for stimulating umami perception would be a savory and rich cheese (Choice C).

Question 15

Immediately after putting on a shirt,your skin might feel itchy.However,this perception soon fades due to

Accepted Answer

Sensory adaptation is the process where the receptors become less responsive to constant stimuli over time. Therefore, as the skin gets used to the sensation of the shirt, the itch perception fades.

Question 16

Tastes and smells are distinct kinds of environmental information in that

Accepted Answer

Tastes and smells differ in the way that they are detected. Tastes are detected by chemical molecules in fluids, whereas smells are detected by airborne chemical molecules.

Question 17

The generation of action potentials in olfactory neurons initiated by odors drawn into the nasal cavity is an example of

Accepted Answer

The generation of action potentials in olfactory neurons initiated by odors drawn into the nasal cavity is an example of sensory transduction, which is the conversion of a stimulus into an electrical signal by a sensory receptor.

Question 18

A lobster without a statocyst would not be able to

Accepted Answer

The statocyst is a small organ in the lobster's head that helps it sense gravity and determine which way is up and which is down. Without a statocyst, the lobster would not have this orientation ability.

Question 19

After earning an A in your biology course,your instructor gives you a firm handshake.You can feel the deep pressure of the handshake,and it is so strong it even starts to hurt a little.What type(s)of receptor was (were)activated by the handshake?

Accepted Answer

Mechanoreceptors are responsible for sensing pressure, touch, and vibration, which would be activated by the firm handshake. Nociceptors are responsible for sensing pain, which would be activated if the handshake starts to hurt a little. Thermoreceptors are responsible for sensing temperature, but there is no indication that they would be activated by the handshake. Therefore, the best choice is E, as both mechanoreceptors and nociceptors would be activated.

Question 20

The olfactory bulbs are located

Accepted Answer

The olfactory bulbs are located close to the front of the brain, specifically in the nasal cavity and just above the nasal bones. They are part of the olfactory system, which is responsible for our sense of smell.

Quiz 38: Nervous and Sensory Systems