Question 1

Which taste modality does not involve activation of a G-protein coupled receptor?

Accepted Answer

A) bitter 
B) sweet 
C) umami 
D) sour 
A) bitter 
B) sweet 
C) umami 
D) sour

Question 2

Which is NOT an example of a stimulus sensed by an interoceptor?

Accepted Answer

A) temperature 
B) vibration 
C) pain 
D) magnetism 
A) temperature 
B) vibration 
C) pain 
D) magnetism

Question 3

Which of the following statements about hair cells is NOT true?

Accepted Answer

A) They are found in the mammalian ear. 
B) They are found in the fish lateral line system. 
C) They can be repaired if they rupture. 
D) Bending of the cells triggers ion flow across the cell membrane. 
A) They are found in the mammalian ear. 
B) They are found in the fish lateral line system. 
C) They can be repaired if they rupture. 
D) Bending of the cells triggers ion flow across the cell membrane.

Question 4

A research strain of mice has a mutation that causes voltage-gated sodium channels to take longer to return to the active state after a spike.What is the likely consequence for transduction of sensory stimuli?

Accepted Answer

A) There will be no effect on sensory perception, because sensory information relies on stimulus-gated ion channels and not voltage-gated ion channels. 
B) Sensory information will be incorrectly perceived as high intensity stimuli, due to the increased frequency of action potentials. 
C) The mutation will interfere with the ability of stimuli to create receptor potentials, and thus the neuron will fire with slow, broad action potentials, giving the animal enhanced sensory perception. 
D) Due to a longer refractory period, the neuron will be unable to conduct high frequency action potentials, and thus will not effectively transmit information about strong stimuli. 
A) There will be no effect on sensory perception, because sensory information relies on stimulus-gated ion channels and not voltage-gated ion channels. 
B) Sensory information will be incorrectly perceived as high intensity stimuli, due to the increased frequency of action potentials. 
C) The mutation will interfere with the ability of stimuli to create receptor potentials, and thus the neuron will fire with slow, broad action potentials, giving the animal enhanced sensory perception. 
D) Due to a longer refractory period, the neuron will be unable to conduct high frequency action potentials, and thus will not effectively transmit information about strong stimuli.

Question 5

Which of type of information is NOT communicated by proprioceptors?

Accepted Answer

A) muscle temperature 
B) limb movement 
C) muscle position 
D) muscle contraction 
A) muscle temperature 
B) limb movement 
C) muscle position 
D) muscle contraction

Question 6

Since the optic nerve must pass through the retinal layer, we all have a blind spot devoid of light receptors.This normally goes unnoticed, since the brain attempts to compensate for missing sensory information by filling it in based on surrounding patterns.Which step of the sensory pathway is represented by perceptual filling-in of the physiological blind spot?

Accepted Answer

A) interpretation 
B) stimulus 
C) transduction into receptor potential 
D) action potential transmission 
A) interpretation 
B) stimulus 
C) transduction into receptor potential 
D) action potential transmission

Question 7

The bitter receptor hTAS2R38 is activated by glucosinolates found in plants such as turnips and broccoli.Glucosinolates can block synthesis and transport of iodine.Before the advent of iodized salt, this was a particular problem in areas of the world that are naturally low in iodine.Why might the human population include different variants of the hTAS2R38 gene?

Accepted Answer

A) Areas of high iodine are generally coastal, and turnips and broccoli are not easily grown there. 
B) Iodine created mutations in the hTAS2R38 gene. 
C) Where iodine was low, eating plants rich in glucosinolates helped people metabolize iodine, but where iodine was high they avoided such foods. 
D) Where iodine was low, it was important to avoid foods with glucosinolates, but where iodine was plentiful, palatability of a wider range of plants was beneficial. 
A) Areas of high iodine are generally coastal, and turnips and broccoli are not easily grown there. 
B) Iodine created mutations in the hTAS2R38 gene. 
C) Where iodine was low, eating plants rich in glucosinolates helped people metabolize iodine, but where iodine was high they avoided such foods. 
D) Where iodine was low, it was important to avoid foods with glucosinolates, but where iodine was plentiful, palatability of a wider range of plants was beneficial.

Question 8

What are the short retinal photoreceptors responsible for color vision called?

Accepted Answer

A) rods 
B) cones 
C) bipolar cells 
D) glial cells 
A) rods 
B) cones 
C) bipolar cells 
D) glial cells

Question 9

If genetically engineered bees could express a receptor for TNT in their olfactory neurons, what type of receptor would the TNT receptor be?

Accepted Answer

A) chemoreceptor 
B) mechanoreceptor 
C) electromagnetic receptor 
D) it is a novel type of receptor 
A) chemoreceptor 
B) mechanoreceptor 
C) electromagnetic receptor 
D) it is a novel type of receptor

Question 10

In the vertebrate eye, what structure controls the amount of light that reaches the retina?

Accepted Answer

A) fovea 
B) cornea 
C) iris 
D) lens 
A) fovea 
B) cornea 
C) iris 
D) lens

Question 11

Pit vipers are the only known vertebrates with an ability to detect a certain type of stimulus.What can these snakes sense?

Accepted Answer

A) infrared radiation 
B) ultraviolet radiation 
C) microwave radiation 
D) visible light radiation 
A) infrared radiation 
B) ultraviolet radiation 
C) microwave radiation 
D) visible light radiation

Question 12

Which animal became numerous and widespread by using sonar to enable a high level of activity in the dark?

Accepted Answer

A) bats 
B) whales 
C) owls 
D) dolphins 
A) bats 
B) whales 
C) owls 
D) dolphins

Question 13

True or false: Humans are unique among animals due to our highly-evolved repertoire of sensory receptors.Although humans have large and highly-developed brains, our sensory receptors are typical of many vertebrates.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 14

The bitter receptor hTAS2R38 is activated by glucosinolates found in plants such as turnips and broccoli.The gene variant a person has determines how sensitive their neurons are to these compounds.What would you predict for people who have the high-sensitivity variant of hTAS2R38?

Accepted Answer

A) They will not easily digest turnips and broccoli. 
B) They will have to eat more turnips and broccoli to get the same flavor. 
C) They will dislike turnips and broccoli. 
D) They will become allergic to turnips and broccoli. 
A) They will not easily digest turnips and broccoli. 
B) They will have to eat more turnips and broccoli to get the same flavor. 
C) They will dislike turnips and broccoli. 
D) They will become allergic to turnips and broccoli.

Question 15

The discovery that ATP is a pain-signaling factor immediately suggested what possible therapeutic approach to alleviate chronic pain?

Accepted Answer

A) create large intracellular aggregates of ATP 
B) treat with an ATP receptor antagonist 
C) block the synthesis of ATP inside cells 
D) use electric stimulation on pain centers of the brain 
A) create large intracellular aggregates of ATP 
B) treat with an ATP receptor antagonist 
C) block the synthesis of ATP inside cells 
D) use electric stimulation on pain centers of the brain

Question 16

Mutations in the DFNA20/26 locus, which codes for the actin gamma 1 protein, are associated with congenital deafness.An irate senator complains that government money is being wasted on studies of this mutant gene -- in yeast! "I am no biologist," says the senator, "but I am pretty sure yeast don't have ears." How do you respond?

Accepted Answer

A) "You are right, Senator -- yeast do not have ears.We should revoke the funding immediately." 
B) "We can learn valuable information about the structure of the mutant protein by expressing it in yeast.It is difficult to collect large amounts of actin from tiny hair cells, and unethical to collect it from human patients." 
C) "We can learn valuable information about the transcription of the mutant gene in yeast.It is much more difficult to study transcription in human cells." 
D) "We can learn valuable information about sound transmission through the mutant yeast.By placing a speaker against a yeast vial and recording sound from the other side, we can infer how the mutant actin affects sound waves." 
A) "You are right, Senator -- yeast do not have ears.We should revoke the funding immediately." 
B) "We can learn valuable information about the structure of the mutant protein by expressing it in yeast.It is difficult to collect large amounts of actin from tiny hair cells, and unethical to collect it from human patients." 
C) "We can learn valuable information about the transcription of the mutant gene in yeast.It is much more difficult to study transcription in human cells." 
D) "We can learn valuable information about sound transmission through the mutant yeast.By placing a speaker against a yeast vial and recording sound from the other side, we can infer how the mutant actin affects sound waves."

Question 17

The statoliths of a lobster are replaced with iron filings, and a strong magnetic field is produced at the top of its tank.How will the lobster respond?

Accepted Answer

A) Its dorsal surface will stick to the top of the tank and it will be unable to move. 
B) It will turn upside down and grip the underside of the tank lid. 
C) It will turn upside down and remain at the bottom of the tank. 
D) It will not respond in any way. 
A) Its dorsal surface will stick to the top of the tank and it will be unable to move. 
B) It will turn upside down and grip the underside of the tank lid. 
C) It will turn upside down and remain at the bottom of the tank. 
D) It will not respond in any way.

Question 18

Peripheral shadows or flashes of light can be a sign that the retina is peeling away from the layer below.Why is detachment of the retina a medical emergency?

Accepted Answer

A) It contains the photoreceptor cells that respond to light. 
B) It is crucial for focusing the image. 
C) It secretes tears that bathe and protect the eyeball. 
D) It is a sphincter muscle that controls light transmission. 
A) It contains the photoreceptor cells that respond to light. 
B) It is crucial for focusing the image. 
C) It secretes tears that bathe and protect the eyeball. 
D) It is a sphincter muscle that controls light transmission.

Question 19

Honeybees can detect a variety of odorants through olfactory receptors on their antennae.You genetically engineer a receptor to be gated by the explosive chemical TNT, and use a transgene to express the receptor in honeybee olfactory neurons.What would this provide to the bee?

Accepted Answer

A) the ability to taste TNT 
B) it would have no effect 
C) the ability to smell TNT 
D) the ability to collect TNT molecules 
A) the ability to taste TNT 
B) it would have no effect 
C) the ability to smell TNT 
D) the ability to collect TNT molecules

Question 20

At night, faint objects are best seen when not looked at directly.What is the basis of this phenomenon?

Accepted Answer

A) Rhodopsin is transported away from the fovea at night. 
B) Cis-retinal builds up in the fovea at night, and is degraded during the day. 
C) Cone photoreceptors are most sensitive in dim light, and few cones are present in the fovea. 
D) Rod photoreceptors are most sensitive in dim light, and few rods are present in the fovea. 
A) Rhodopsin is transported away from the fovea at night. 
B) Cis-retinal builds up in the fovea at night, and is degraded during the day. 
C) Cone photoreceptors are most sensitive in dim light, and few cones are present in the fovea. 
D) Rod photoreceptors are most sensitive in dim light, and few rods are present in the fovea.

Exam 44: Sensory Systems

Which taste modality does not involve activation of a G-protein coupled receptor?

Which is NOT an example of a stimulus sensed by an interoceptor?

Which of the following statements about hair cells is NOT true?

A research strain of mice has a mutation that causes voltage-gated sodium channels to take longer to return to the active state after a spike.What is the likely consequence for transduction of sensory stimuli?

Which of type of information is NOT communicated by proprioceptors?

What are the short retinal photoreceptors responsible for color vision called?

If genetically engineered bees could express a receptor for TNT in their olfactory neurons, what type of receptor would the TNT receptor be?

In the vertebrate eye, what structure controls the amount of light that reaches the retina?

Pit vipers are the only known vertebrates with an ability to detect a certain type of stimulus.What can these snakes sense?

Which animal became numerous and widespread by using sonar to enable a high level of activity in the dark?

True or false: Humans are unique among animals due to our highly-evolved repertoire of sensory receptors.Although humans have large and highly-developed brains, our sensory receptors are typical of many vertebrates.

The bitter receptor hTAS2R38 is activated by glucosinolates found in plants such as turnips and broccoli.The gene variant a person has determines how sensitive their neurons are to these compounds.What would you predict for people who have the high-sensitivity variant of hTAS2R38?

The discovery that ATP is a pain-signaling factor immediately suggested what possible therapeutic approach to alleviate chronic pain?

The statoliths of a lobster are replaced with iron filings, and a strong magnetic field is produced at the top of its tank.How will the lobster respond?

Peripheral shadows or flashes of light can be a sign that the retina is peeling away from the layer below.Why is detachment of the retina a medical emergency?

Honeybees can detect a variety of odorants through olfactory receptors on their antennae.You genetically engineer a receptor to be gated by the explosive chemical TNT, and use a transgene to express the receptor in honeybee olfactory neurons.What would this provide to the bee?

At night, faint objects are best seen when not looked at directly.What is the basis of this phenomenon?

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