Question 1

______ are also called neural impulses.
A)Enzymes
B)Refractory periods
C)Action potentials
D)Resting potentials
E)Neuromodulators

Accepted Answer

Action potentials are also known as neural impulses. They are the electrical signals that travel along the axon of a neuron, conveying information.

Question 2

Actor Michael J. Fox and boxing great Muhammad Ali have a disease that leads to progressive loss of their motor functioning. This condition results from a shortage of
A)epinephrine.
B)norepinephrine.
C)dopamine.
D)gamma-amniobutyric acid (GABA).
E)serotonin.

Accepted Answer

The condition that leads to progressive loss of motor functioning in individuals like Michael J. Fox and Muhammad Ali is Parkinson's disease, which is primarily caused by a shortage of dopamine in the brain. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that plays a key role in controlling movement and coordination.

Question 3

Which of the following is NOT true of action potentials?
A)They are generated according to an all-or-none principle.
B)They all travel at the same speed.
C)They are electrical charges that shoot down the axon.
D)They are initiated when the axon is depolarized sufficiently.
E)They are followed by a refractory period.

Accepted Answer

Action potentials do not all travel at the same speed. The speed can vary depending on factors such as the diameter of the axon and whether or not the axon is myelinated.

Question 4

What is the approximate resting potential of a neuron?
A)-50 mV
B)-70 mV
C)+50 mV
D)+70 mV
E)0 mV

Accepted Answer

The approximate resting potential of a neuron is -70 mV. This electrical potential difference across the neuronal membrane is crucial for the transmission of nerve impulses.

Question 5

Glial cells do all but which of the following?
A)form the myelin sheath
B)assist neurons in communicating with each other
C)remove waste products from neurons
D)nourish neurons
E)produce neurotransmitters

Accepted Answer

Glial cells support and protect neurons in the brain and other parts of the nervous system but do not produce neurotransmitters, which is a function of neurons themselves.

Question 6

Besides the neuron, the other main type of cell in the nervous system is the ________ cell.
A)glial
B)synaptic
C)nerve
D)somatic
E)myelin

Accepted Answer

Glial cells, also known as glia or neuroglia, are the other main type of cell found in the nervous system aside from neurons. They provide support, protection, and nutrition to neurons, among other functions.

Question 7

In neural communication, ______ is to key as ______ is to lock.
A)axon; dendrite
B)neuron; glial cell
C)neurotransmitter; receptor site
D)synapse; soma
E)action potential; resting potential

Accepted Answer

Neurotransmitter molecules fit into receptor sites on the receiving neuron in a manner similar to a key fitting into a lock, enabling neural communication.

Question 8

White matter refers to
A)clusters of glial cells.
B)myelinated axons.
C)clusters of synapses.
D)nodes of Ranvier.
E)unmyelinated axons.

Accepted Answer

White matter in the brain and spinal cord is made up of myelinated axons, which are nerve fibers covered with a protective layer of myelin that helps increase the speed at which electrical impulses are conducted.

Question 9

Psychologists believe that irregularities in ______ transmission may help explain symptoms of schizophrenia.
A)glutamate
B)dopamine
C)norepinephrine
D)epinephrine
E)gamma-amniobutyric acid

Accepted Answer

The answer of Psychologists believe that irregularities in ______ transmission...

Question 10

After a neuron fires, about how long is its refractory period?
A)one-thousandth of a second
B)one-hundredth of a second
C)one-tenth of a second
D)one second
E)one-thousandth of a minute

Accepted Answer

The refractory period of a neuron, during which it cannot fire again, is approximately one-thousandth of a second. This brief period ensures that each signal is a distinct impulse.

Question 11

Gaps in myelin that create non-insulated areas along an axon are called
A)nodes of Ranvier.
B)terminal buttons.
C)synapses.
D)receptors.
E)interneurons.

Accepted Answer

Nodes of Ranvier are the gaps in the myelin sheath along an axon where the axonal membrane is exposed to the extracellular space, allowing for the rapid transmission of nerve impulses via saltatory conduction.

Question 12

Which of the following does NOT occur during the refractory period?
A)Sodium gates close.
B)Positively charged ions are pumped out.
C)Electrochemical balance is restored.
D)Neurotransmitters are pumped in.
E)The neuron cannot fire.

Accepted Answer

During the refractory period, neurotransmitters are not pumped into neurons; instead, this period involves processes like the closing of sodium gates, pumping out positively charged ions to restore electrochemical balance, and preventing the neuron from firing again too soon.

Question 13

Glial cells function most like which of the following?
A)staples
B)tape
C)paper clips
D)fasteners
E)glue

Accepted Answer

Glial cells function most like glue as they provide support and hold neurons together in the nervous system.

Question 14

Prolonged neurotransmitter activity is prevented by all of the following functions EXCEPT
A)reuptake.
B)release of excitatory neurotransmitters.
C)breakdown of neurotransmitters by enzymes.
D)regulation of sensitivity to neurotransmitters.
E)release of neuromodulators.

Accepted Answer

Release of excitatory neurotransmitters actually prolongs or enhances neurotransmitter activity rather than preventing it.

Question 15

During his first three years of life, Jason has developed many motor skills like crawling, walking, and running that require his muscles to move efficiently and smoothly. In terms of brain function, Jason's motor development is the result of which process?
A)Stripping of the nodes of Ranvier
B)Development of the myelin sheath
C)Depolarization
D)Development of action potentials
E)Regulation of hormones

Accepted Answer

The development of the myelin sheath is crucial for efficient and smooth muscle movements. Myelination speeds up the transmission of neural signals, enabling better coordination and motor skills.

Question 16

Shalanda's daughter touches her hand. Sensory receptors in Shalanda's skin transmit information about this sensation to Shalanda's spinal cord and brain. Which type of neuron is responsible for this process?
A)Motor
B)Glial
C)Associative
D)Efferent
E)Afferent

Accepted Answer

Afferent neurons, also known as sensory neurons, are responsible for transmitting sensory information from the body's periphery towards the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). This includes sensations such as touch, which is described in the scenario with Shalanda's daughter.

Question 17

Depolarization occurs when the neuron becomes
A)less negative due to the influx of sodium ions.
B)more negative due to the influx of sodium ions.
C)more negative due to the influx of potassium.
D)less negative due to the outflow of sodium ions.
E)more negative due to the outflow of sodium ions.

Accepted Answer

Depolarization of a neuron occurs when the neuron's membrane potential becomes less negative, which is primarily due to the influx of sodium ions (Na+) into the neuron. This process reduces the electrical difference across the membrane, moving the potential closer to zero and beyond, which is necessary for the generation of an action potential.

Question 18

The resting potential of a neuron is a result of the
A)high concentration of sodium ions outside the cell.
B)high concentration of sodium ions inside the cell.
C)low concentration of potassium ions outside the cell.
D)high concentration of potassium ions inside the cell.
E)balanced concentration of sodium ions and potassium ions inside the cell.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The resting potential of a neuron is...

Question 19

Associative neuron is another name for
A)sensory neuron.
B)motor neuron.
C)interneuron.
D)efferent neuron.
E)somatic neuron.

Accepted Answer

Associative neurons, also known as interneurons, are neurons that connect sensory and motor neurons, facilitating communication within the central nervous system.

Question 20

The fatty layer of cells that is wrapped around many axons is called the
A)myelin sheath.
B)synaptic cover.
C)dendritic wrap.
D)terminal button.
E)nerve.

Accepted Answer

The myelin sheath is a fatty layer that surrounds the axons of many neurons, providing insulation and increasing the speed at which electrical impulses are transmitted along the nerve cells.

Quiz 2: Biological Foundations of Behavior

______ are also called neural impulses.

Actor Michael J. Fox and boxing great Muhammad Ali have a disease that leads to progressive loss of their motor functioning. This condition results from a shortage of

Which of the following is NOT true of action potentials?

What is the approximate resting potential of a neuron?

Glial cells do all but which of the following?

Besides the neuron, the other main type of cell in the nervous system is the ________ cell.

In neural communication, is to key as is to lock.

White matter refers to

Psychologists believe that irregularities in ______ transmission may help explain symptoms of schizophrenia.

After a neuron fires, about how long is its refractory period?

Gaps in myelin that create non-insulated areas along an axon are called

Which of the following does NOT occur during the refractory period?

Glial cells function most like which of the following?

Prolonged neurotransmitter activity is prevented by all of the following functions EXCEPT

During his first three years of life, Jason has developed many motor skills like crawling, walking, and running that require his muscles to move efficiently and smoothly. In terms of brain function, Jason's motor development is the result of which process?

Shalanda's daughter touches her hand. Sensory receptors in Shalanda's skin transmit information about this sensation to Shalanda's spinal cord and brain. Which type of neuron is responsible for this process?

Depolarization occurs when the neuron becomes

The resting potential of a neuron is a result of the

Associative neuron is another name for

The fatty layer of cells that is wrapped around many axons is called the