Question 1

Samantha works at a communications firm.Her job is to receive outside information that is pertinent to the firm and pass it along to executives at the firm.Samantha is the metaphorical _____ of the firm.
A)axon
B)cell body
C)dendrite
D)nucleus

Accepted Answer

The dendrites of a neuron receive incoming information from other neurons and pass it along to the cell body. Similarly, Samantha's job at the communications firm is to receive information from outside sources and pass it along to the executives at the firm. Therefore, Samantha can be metaphorically compared to the dendrite of a neuron.

Question 2

Debbie works as a floor representative at a cellular phone company.Her job is to receive information from potential customers about their needs and interests and enter it into a computer system that passes the information on to the appropriate specialized technician in order to meet customer needs.Debbie is the metaphorical _____ of the firm.
A)axon
B)cell body
C)dendrite
D)nucleus

Accepted Answer

Debbie is like a dendrite in a neuron, as a dendrite receives information from other neurons and sends it to the cell body for processing. Similarly, Debbie receives information from potential customers and sends it to the appropriate technician for processing. None of the other answer choices accurately reflect Debbie's role as a floor representative.

Question 3

Debbie works as a floor representative at a cellular phone company.Her job is to receive information from potential customers about their needs and interests and enter it into a computer system that passes the information on to the appropriate specialized technician in order to meet customer needs.The computer system is the metaphorical _____ of the firm.
A)axon
B)cell body
C)dendrite
D)nucleus

Accepted Answer

The computer system acts as the axon because, in a neuron, the axon is responsible for transmitting information from the cell body to other neurons, muscles, or glands, similar to how the system passes information to specialized technicians.

Question 4

_____ are cells in the nervous system that communicate with one another to perform information-processing tasks.
A)Glia
B)Oligodendrocytes
C)Mitochondria
D)Neurons

Accepted Answer

Neurons are the cells in the nervous system that are specialized in transmitting information through electrical and chemical signals. They form complex networks that allow the processing, integration, and storage of information, as well as the generation of behavior and cognition. Glia cells, oligodendrocytes, and mitochondria are also important components of the nervous system, but they do not communicate with one another to perform information-processing tasks.

Question 5

Which component of the neuron houses the chromosomes,the genetic blueprint of an individual?
A)dendrite
B)axon
C)ribosome
D)nucleus

Accepted Answer

The nucleus of a neuron contains chromosomes which carry the genetic blueprint of an individual.

Question 6

Which function is NOT one that pertains to glial cells?
A)digesting parts of dead neurons
B)providing nutritional support to neurons
C)forming myelin
D)transporting neurotransmitters across the synapse

Accepted Answer

Transporting neurotransmitters across the synapse is a function specific to neurons, not glial cells. Glial cells do not have the ability to pass neurotransmitters across the synapse as neurons do. The other options (A, B, C) are all functions of glial cells.

Question 7

What are the two specialized extensions of the neuron that allow it to communicate?
A)axons and synapses
B)dendrites and axons
C)dendrites and cell bodies
D)axons and myelin

Accepted Answer

Dendrites and axons are the two specialized extensions of the neuron that allow it to communicate. Dendrites receive incoming signals from other neurons, while axons transmit outgoing signals to other neurons or to muscles or glands.

Question 8

Its name derived from the Greek word for "tree," the _____ of a neuron is so called because of its appearance,with several branching processes.
A)synapse
B)axon
C)myelin
D)dendrite

Accepted Answer

The description given matches the dendrite of a neuron, which has several branching processes resembling that of a tree. The other options - synapse, axon, and myelin - do not have the same appearance as dendrites.

Question 9

Which function is NOT one that pertains to the cell body?
A)protein synthesis
B)neurotransmission
C)energy production
D)metabolism

Accepted Answer

Neurotransmission involves the release and reception of neurotransmitters, which occurs at the synaptic terminals of neurons rather than at the cell body. The other choices (protein synthesis, energy production, and metabolism) all occur within the cell body.

Question 10

_____ cells are support cells found in the nervous system.
A)Teratogenic
B)Mitochondrial
C)Glial
D)Neural

Accepted Answer

Glial cells are also known as neuroglia and provide support and protection for neurons in the nervous system. They include astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, microglia, and ependymal cells.

Question 11

Approximately how many cells are in the human brain?
A)10 million
B)50 million
C)1 billion
D)100 billion

Accepted Answer

The human brain is estimated to contain around 100 billion cells, also known as neurons.

Question 12

Kobe works at a communications firm.His job is to receive information from the executive office and then pass this information down the line to all other offices in the firm.Kobe is the metaphorical _____ of the firm.
A)axon
B)nucleus
C)terminal button
D)glial cell

Accepted Answer

Kobe functions like an axon in this scenario because axons transmit signals from the neuron's cell body (comparable to the executive office) to other neurons, muscles, or glands (analogous to the other offices in the firm).

Question 13

Axons and dendrites are involved in:
A)cell reproduction.
B)energy production.
C)communication.
D)metabolism

Accepted Answer

Axons and dendrites are involved in communication between neurons. Axons transmit information away from the cell body to other neurons, while dendrites receive information from other neurons and transmit it towards the cell body. This communication between neurons is essential for coordinating many bodily functions, including movement, sensation, and thought.

Question 14

There are more _____ than there are neurons in the brain.
A)glial cells
B)myelin sheaths
C)types of neurotransmitters
D)Purkinje cells

Accepted Answer

There are an estimated 10-50 times more glial cells (supporting cells in the nervous system) than neurons in the brain. While the exact ratio is debated, it is generally accepted that glial cells outnumber neurons.

Question 15

The executive office of a company engages in a variety of processes to ensure its survival in a competitive market.The executive office is the metaphorical _____ of the company.
A)axon
B)cell body
C)dendrite
D)terminal branch

Accepted Answer

The cell body is the part of a neuron that contains the nucleus and other essential organelles. In this metaphor, the executive office can be seen as the "brain" of the company where important decision-making processes occur.

Question 16

The _____ receive information;the _____ transmit information.
A)axons;cell bodies
B)axons;dendrites
C)dendrites;axons
D)dendrites;glia

Accepted Answer

Dendrites receive information and axons transmit information. This is the basic principle of neural communication. Therefore, option C is the best choice as it correctly identifies the roles of dendrites and axons.

Question 17

The largest component of the neuron,which coordinates the information-processing tasks and keeps the cell alive,is the:
A)cell body.
B)nucleus.
C)axon.
D)synapse.

Accepted Answer

The cell body, also known as the soma, is the largest component of the neuron and contains the nucleus, as well as other organelles that are essential for the survival and functioning of the cell. It is responsible for coordinating the information-processing tasks of the neuron and maintaining the overall health of the cell. While the nucleus plays an important role in the regulation of gene expression and the transmission of genetic information, it is not the largest component of the neuron and does not directly participate in information processing or integration. The axon and synapse are important components of the neuron as well, but they are not as central to the functioning of the cell as the cell body.

Question 18

Each neuron has only one:
A)axon.
B)dendrite.
C)terminal button.
D)synapse.

Accepted Answer

Each neuron typically has one long axon that carries electrical signals away from the cell body towards other neurons or muscles. The dendrites receive signals from other neurons and send them towards the cell body, but a single neuron can have many dendrites. Terminal buttons are at the end of axons and release chemicals called neurotransmitters to communicate with other neurons, but again, a single neuron can have multiple terminal buttons. Synapses are the junctions between neurons where neurotransmitters are released, but a neuron can have multiple synapses with other neurons.

Question 19

The myelin sheath is an insulating layer of fatty material composed of:
A)dendrites.
B)pyramidal cells.
C)axons.
D)glial cells.

Accepted Answer

The myelin sheath is composed of glial cells, specifically oligodendrocytes in the central nervous system and Schwann cells in the peripheral nervous system. These cells wrap around the axons of neurons, forming the myelin sheath, which helps to insulate and speed up the transmission of electrical signals along the axon. Dendrites and pyramidal cells are types of neuronal cell bodies, but they do not contribute to the formation of the myelin sheath.

Question 20

In the late 1880s,_____ developed a new way to stain neurons,revealing their structure.
A)Kandel
B)Lashley
C)Cajal
D)Broca

Accepted Answer

Santiago Ramón y Cajal, a Spanish neuroscientist, developed a new way to stain neurons using a silver chromate method, which allowed him to reveal the intricate structure of the nervous system. His discoveries, for which he received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1906, paved the way for a better understanding of the brain and the development of neuroscience as a field.

Quiz 3: Neuroscience and Behavior-Part A

Samantha works at a communications firm.Her job is to receive outside information that is pertinent to the firm and pass it along to executives at the firm.Samantha is the metaphorical _____ of the firm.

_____ are cells in the nervous system that communicate with one another to perform information-processing tasks.

Which component of the neuron houses the chromosomes,the genetic blueprint of an individual?

Which function is NOT one that pertains to glial cells?

What are the two specialized extensions of the neuron that allow it to communicate?

Its name derived from the Greek word for "tree," the _____ of a neuron is so called because of its appearance,with several branching processes.

Which function is NOT one that pertains to the cell body?

_____ cells are support cells found in the nervous system.

Approximately how many cells are in the human brain?

Kobe works at a communications firm.His job is to receive information from the executive office and then pass this information down the line to all other offices in the firm.Kobe is the metaphorical _____ of the firm.

Axons and dendrites are involved in:

There are more _____ than there are neurons in the brain.

The executive office of a company engages in a variety of processes to ensure its survival in a competitive market.The executive office is the metaphorical _____ of the company.

The _ receive information;the _ transmit information.

The largest component of the neuron,which coordinates the information-processing tasks and keeps the cell alive,is the:

Each neuron has only one:

The myelin sheath is an insulating layer of fatty material composed of:

In the late 1880s,_____ developed a new way to stain neurons,revealing their structure.