Question 1

Endorphins act primarily by:
A) causing action potentials in neurons.
B) functioning as neurotransmitters.
C) altering the effects of neurotransmitters.
D) blocking synaptic activity.

Accepted Answer

Endorphins alter the effects of neurotransmitters by binding to opioid receptors and inhibiting the release of neurotransmitters.

Question 2

Irene purchases St. John's wort in order to relieve her:
A) bouts with severe depression.
B) abnormally high level of dopamine.
C) constant desire for sweets.
D) symptoms of Parkinson's disease.

Accepted Answer

St. John's wort is commonly used as a natural remedy for mild to moderate depression.

Question 3

Endorphins have effects similar to those of natural opiates, that is, they:
A) heighten pain and reduce pleasure.
B) reduce pain and promote pleasure.
C) reduce pain but also reduce pleasure.
D) flatten mood and emotional expression.

Accepted Answer

Endorphins are neurotransmitters that are released during exercise, excitement, pain, and orgasm. They act on the same receptors in the brain as natural opiates such as morphine and heroin. Endorphins help to reduce pain and promote pleasure, leading to a feeling of euphoria or a "runner's high" after intense exercise. Therefore, option B is the correct choice as endorphins help in reducing pain and promote pleasure in the body.

Question 4

Endorphins play a role in all of the following EXCEPT:
A) learning.
B) blood pressure.
C) REM sleep.
D) mood.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Endorphins play a role in all of...

Question 5

Marika is making a chart to serve as a study aid for her upcoming psychology quiz. She makes a list of different types of nervous system chemicals and their functions. She writes that the function of endorphins is to:
A) enable neurons to excite or inhibit each other.
B) affect the functioning of target organs and tissue.
C) promote digestion and regulate metabolism.
D) modulate the effects of neurotransmitters.

Accepted Answer

Endorphins are a type of neurotransmitter that modulate the effects of other neurotransmitters, such as reducing the perception of pain by inhibiting the release of substance P. They do not enable neurons to excite or inhibit each other, affect the functioning of target organs and tissue, or promote digestion and regulate metabolism.

Question 6

Julia sells St. John's wort in her health food store. Her customers purchase this item in order to relieve:
A) high blood pressure.
B) convulsive disorders.
C) eating disorders.
D) depression.

Accepted Answer

St. John's wort is commonly used to relieve symptoms of mild to moderate depression.

Question 7

Chemical substances secreted by glands, which affect the functioning of bodily organs, are called:
A) endorphins.
B) hormones.
C) opioid peptides.
D) neurotransmitters.

Accepted Answer

Hormones are specifically produced and secreted by glands to regulate and control the functions of various organs and systems within the body. Endorphins and opioid peptides are types of neurotransmitters that also influence bodily functions, but are not secreted by glands in the same way as hormones.

Question 8

Hormones are produced primarily by:
A) the exocrine glands.
B) neurons in the hypothalamus.
C) the endocrine glands.
D) the pituitary gland.

Accepted Answer

Hormones are produced primarily by the endocrine glands, which include the thyroid gland, adrenal gland, pancreas, ovaries, and testes. These glands secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream to regulate various bodily functions.

Question 9

Chemical substances in the nervous system that are similar in structure and in action to opiates are:
A) hormones.
B) gamma-aminobutyric acids.
C) endorphins.
D) neurotransmitters.

Accepted Answer

Endorphins are chemical substances in the nervous system that are similar in structure and in action to opiates. They are neurotransmitters that can produce pain relief and feelings of pleasure and well-being. The other choices (A) hormones, (B) gamma-aminobutyric acids, and (D) neurotransmitters are broad categories that do not specifically refer to substances similar to opiates.

Question 10

Endorphins have effects similar to:
A) Aspirin and Tylenol.
B) dopamine.
C) natural opiates.
D) amphetamines.

Accepted Answer

Endorphins are known as the body's natural opiates because they bind to the same receptors in the brain as opioids like morphine and heroin, producing similar pain-relieving effects. They are also involved in regulating mood, reducing stress, and promoting pleasure, among other effects. Aspirin and Tylenol work differently, by blocking certain enzymes that cause pain and inflammation. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that plays a role in motivation, reward, and movement. Amphetamines are a class of stimulants that increase the release of neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine, producing effects like alertness, euphoria, and increased energy.

Question 11

Which of the following nervous system chemicals is considered a neurotransmitter?
A) progesterone
B) testosterone
C) estrogen
D) serotonin

Accepted Answer

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that functions in the central nervous system to regulate mood, appetite, and sleep, among other things. Progesterone, testosterone, and estrogen are hormones that are produced by the endocrine system, not the nervous system.

Question 12

Melatonin is secreted by the:
A) adrenal gland.
B) corpus callosum.
C) pineal gland.
D) endocrine gland.

Accepted Answer

Melatonin is primarily secreted by the pineal gland, a small endocrine gland in the brain that regulates the body's sleep-wake cycle. The adrenal gland secretes other hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline, while the corpus callosum is a bundle of nerve fibers that connects the left and right hemispheres of the brain, and does not secrete any hormones.

Question 13

According to our textbook, endorphins play a role in the:
A) appetite, sexual activity, and blood pressure of individuals.
B) experience of phantom limb pain.
C) destruction of glial cells that normally make myelin.
D) loss of brain cells responsible for the production of acetylcholine.

Accepted Answer

Endorphins are peptides released by the pituitary gland and hypothalamus in response to stress, pain, and physical exercise. They are considered natural painkillers and can also contribute to feelings of pleasure and euphoria. Endorphins can affect appetite, sexual activity, and blood pressure through their influence on the hypothalamus and reward pathways in the brain.

Question 14

Many recreational drugs produce their effects by:
A) causing glial cells to produce excess myelin.
B) causing GABA neurons to die.
C) blocking or enhancing the actions of neurotransmitters.
D) blocking glial cells from producing myelin.

Accepted Answer

Many recreational drugs, such as cocaine or marijuana, work by either blocking or enhancing the actions of neurotransmitters in the brain. For example, cocaine blocks the reuptake of dopamine, leading to an accumulation of dopamine in the synapse and producing a euphoric effect. Marijuana enhances the action of the neurotransmitter anandamide, leading to feelings of relaxation and altered perception.

Question 15

Caryn is making a chart to serve as a study aid for her upcoming psychology quiz. She makes a list of different types of nervous system chemicals and their functions. She writes that the function of hormones is to:
A) reduce pain and promote pleasure.
B) affect the functioning of target organs and tissue.
C) enable neurons to excite or inhibit each other.
D) modulate the effects of neurotransmitters.

Accepted Answer

Hormones are chemical messengers that are released into the bloodstream and affect the functioning of target organs and tissues throughout the body. They are not directly involved in reducing pain or promoting pleasure, enabling neurons to excite or inhibit each other, or modulating the effects of neurotransmitters.

Question 16

Marcia buys St. John's wort at her local health food store. She may be unaware that:
A) convulsive disorders are associated with this drug.
B) this drug prevents the cells that release serotonin from reabsorbing excess molecules that have remained in the synaptic gap.
C) high blood pressure results from overuse of this drug.
D) eating disorders are associated with this drug.

Accepted Answer

St. John's wort is known to act as a natural antidepressant by inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin, which means it prevents the cells that release serotonin from reabsorbing excess molecules that have remained in the synaptic gap.

Question 17

Which of the following is NOT a hormone?
A) serotonin
B) norepinephrine
C) melatonin
D) epinephrine

Accepted Answer

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter, not a hormone. Hormones are secreted by glands and act on distant organs or tissues. Serotonin, on the other hand, is synthesized in the central nervous system and acts as a neurotransmitter, transmitting signals between neurons.

Question 18

Which of the following statements is FALSE?
A) Endorphins are not linked to human attachment.
B) Some endorphins function as neurotransmitters.
C) Endorphins are also known as endogenous opioid peptides.
D) Endorphins reduce pain and promote pleasure.

Accepted Answer

Endorphins are actually linked to human attachment. They are released during social bonding activities such as hugging, kissing, and sex, and can help to promote feelings of closeness and security.

Question 19

Jeff is writing a term paper on the role of melatonin. He decides to emphasize the important role that this hormone plays in regard to:
A) the response to drugs, such as caffeine and nicotine.
B) the masculinizing effects on the testes.
C) daily biological rhythms and sleep.
D) physical changes in girls at puberty.

Accepted Answer

Melatonin is a hormone that plays a crucial role in regulating our internal biological clock, which is responsible for our daily sleep-wake cycles. When the levels of melatonin in the body rise in the evening, it signals to the brain that it's time to sleep. Conversely, when melatonin levels drop in the morning, it signals that it's time to be awake. Therefore, melatonin is primarily associated with daily biological rhythms and sleep. While it can also be affected by drug use and puberty, these are not the primary functions of melatonin.

Question 20

Endorphins give a species an evolutionary advantage because they:
A) eliminate pain when the painful stimulation is prolonged.
B) make pain bearable and so the pain doesn't interfere with action.
C) regulate a "biological clock" in the brain.
D) increase the crying of infants, which brings parents closer.

Accepted Answer

Endorphins make pain bearable, which allows individuals to continue their actions despite the presence of pain. This can give a species an evolutionary advantage by allowing them to survive and thrive in their environment. Eliminating pain entirely (A) may not be necessary for this advantage, and regulating a biological clock (C) and increasing crying in infants (D) are not directly related to pain management and therefore do not provide as clear of an evolutionary advantage.

Quiz 4: The Brain: Source of Mind and Self

Endorphins act primarily by:

Irene purchases St. John's wort in order to relieve her:

Endorphins have effects similar to those of natural opiates, that is, they:

Endorphins play a role in all of the following EXCEPT:

Marika is making a chart to serve as a study aid for her upcoming psychology quiz. She makes a list of different types of nervous system chemicals and their functions. She writes that the function of endorphins is to:

Julia sells St. John's wort in her health food store. Her customers purchase this item in order to relieve:

Chemical substances secreted by glands, which affect the functioning of bodily organs, are called:

Hormones are produced primarily by:

Chemical substances in the nervous system that are similar in structure and in action to opiates are:

Endorphins have effects similar to:

Which of the following nervous system chemicals is considered a neurotransmitter?

Melatonin is secreted by the:

According to our textbook, endorphins play a role in the:

Many recreational drugs produce their effects by:

Caryn is making a chart to serve as a study aid for her upcoming psychology quiz. She makes a list of different types of nervous system chemicals and their functions. She writes that the function of hormones is to:

Marcia buys St. John's wort at her local health food store. She may be unaware that:

Which of the following is NOT a hormone?

Which of the following statements is FALSE?

Jeff is writing a term paper on the role of melatonin. He decides to emphasize the important role that this hormone plays in regard to:

Endorphins give a species an evolutionary advantage because they: