Question 1

The cerebral cortex of the human brain is much more highly and intricately folded than the same region in other animals. Why might this be the case?

Accepted Answer

A) The folds create more surface area for the production and release of the hormones that allow the human nervous system to interact with the endocrine system. 
B) The folds are the remnants of the compression of the brain that occurs during childbirth. 
C) The folds increase the surface area available for the complex thoughts and processing that occur in that region of the human brain. 
D) Evolution has caused the brain to increase in size faster than the skull has increased in size. Folding allows our larger brain to more easily fit into our skulls. 
A) The folds create more surface area for the production and release of the hormones that allow the human nervous system to interact with the endocrine system. 
B) The folds are the remnants of the compression of the brain that occurs during childbirth. 
C) The folds increase the surface area available for the complex thoughts and processing that occur in that region of the human brain. 
D) Evolution has caused the brain to increase in size faster than the skull has increased in size. Folding allows our larger brain to more easily fit into our skulls.

Question 2

The figure below illustrates the organ of Corti, a part of the cochlea in the human inner ear.  
What labeled region of this figure of the organ of Corti is directly stimulated to vibrate in response to the air movements caused by sound?

Accepted Answer

A) Region A 
B) Region B 
C) Region C 
D) Region D 
A) Region A 
B) Region B 
C) Region C 
D) Region D

Question 3

Where would you expect to see an absence of neurotransmitters?

Accepted Answer

A) in a synapse 
B) in a myelin sheath 
C) in a synaptic cleft 
D) in the terminus of an axon 
A) in a synapse 
B) in a myelin sheath 
C) in a synaptic cleft 
D) in the terminus of an axon

Question 4

Axons transmit information in the form of

Accepted Answer

A) resting potentials. 
B) sodium channels. 
C) action potentials. 
D) myelin sheaths. 
A) resting potentials. 
B) sodium channels. 
C) action potentials. 
D) myelin sheaths.

Question 5

A person who, as a result of a mutation, could not produce one of the pigment molecules found in cones

Accepted Answer

A) would have difficulty seeing some or all colors. 
B) could not see black and white. 
C) could see only at night and under low light conditions. 
D) would not able to detect light of any color. 
A) would have difficulty seeing some or all colors. 
B) could not see black and white. 
C) could see only at night and under low light conditions. 
D) would not able to detect light of any color.

Question 6

A resting neuron is negatively charged inside relative to the outside.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 7

As you complete this exam, which part of the brain is helping you decide which answer is correct?

Accepted Answer

A) cerebellum 
B) pons 
C) thalamus 
D) cerebral cortex 
A) cerebellum 
B) pons 
C) thalamus 
D) cerebral cortex

Question 8

The cerebrum has four major lobes. Which of the following is one of these?

Accepted Answer

A) parietal 
B) cerebellum 
C) thalamus 
D) medulla oblongata 
A) parietal 
B) cerebellum 
C) thalamus 
D) medulla oblongata

Question 9

Botulism is a type of paralysis (inability to move muscles)caused by a specific type of bacteria. The bacteria release a toxin that prevents the release of acetylcholine (a neurotransmitter)from the neurons that form synapses with muscle cells. Why might botulism toxin cause paralysis?

Accepted Answer

A) Without acetylcholine, action potentials never get to muscle cells because they cannot move from one node of Ranvier to the next. 
B) Since acetylcholine is responsible for establishing the concentration gradient of sodium ions, action potentials cannot form in the neurons of individuals with botulism. 
C) If acetylcholine is not released, action potentials that stimulate muscle contraction cannot be transmitted across the synaptic cleft to muscle cells. 
D) In the absence of acetylcholine, sensory neurons are unable to communicate with motor neurons so motor neurons never receive the signal to cause muscle contraction. 
A) Without acetylcholine, action potentials never get to muscle cells because they cannot move from one node of Ranvier to the next. 
B) Since acetylcholine is responsible for establishing the concentration gradient of sodium ions, action potentials cannot form in the neurons of individuals with botulism. 
C) If acetylcholine is not released, action potentials that stimulate muscle contraction cannot be transmitted across the synaptic cleft to muscle cells. 
D) In the absence of acetylcholine, sensory neurons are unable to communicate with motor neurons so motor neurons never receive the signal to cause muscle contraction.

Question 10

Sound intensity is measured in ____________________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Sound intensity is measured in ____________________....

Question 11

A myelin sheath

Accepted Answer

A) stores sodium ions. 
B) acts as an electrical conductor. 
C) acts as an insulator. 
D) contains action potentials. 
A) stores sodium ions. 
B) acts as an electrical conductor. 
C) acts as an insulator. 
D) contains action potentials.

Question 12

Researchers have suggested a fifth taste in humans known as umami and attribute the taste to the compound glutamate. Which of the following would support the belief that umami is a real "taste"?

Accepted Answer

A) Identifying a chemoreceptor in the nasal cavity that glutamate can bind to. 
B) The isolation of a sensory neuron that creates nerve impulses in response to pressure from glutamate. 
C) Finding chemoreceptors in a taste bud that create nerve impulses in response to an interaction with glutamate. 
D) Identification of glands in the oral cavity that release saliva in response to the presence of glutamate. 
A) Identifying a chemoreceptor in the nasal cavity that glutamate can bind to. 
B) The isolation of a sensory neuron that creates nerve impulses in response to pressure from glutamate. 
C) Finding chemoreceptors in a taste bud that create nerve impulses in response to an interaction with glutamate. 
D) Identification of glands in the oral cavity that release saliva in response to the presence of glutamate.

Question 13

Although many people worry about their sodium intake from salty foods, it would be unwise to eliminate sodium from one's diet completely. Which of the following problems would occur if there were no sodium in the body?

Accepted Answer

A) The myelin sheath of the neurons would begin to break down. 
B) Axons would be unable to create the action potential necessary for rapid signal movement. 
C) The synapses between neurons and their adjacent cells would collapse. 
D) The speed of the neuron's action potential would increase to a dangerously high level. 
A) The myelin sheath of the neurons would begin to break down. 
B) Axons would be unable to create the action potential necessary for rapid signal movement. 
C) The synapses between neurons and their adjacent cells would collapse. 
D) The speed of the neuron's action potential would increase to a dangerously high level.

Question 14

A person with vitamin B deficiency often exhibits a "slow" nervous system. For example, their knee-jerk reflex is much slower than normal. Which of the following might explain why this is the case?

Accepted Answer

A) The neurons of people with vitamin B deficiency have more sodium channels in the plasma membranes of their neurons than normal. 
B) People with a vitamin B deficiency produce less myelin than a normal person does. 
C) Axons are slightly longer in a person with vitamin B deficiency, so the distance between transmitting and receiving cells is shorter. 
D) People with vitamin B deficiencies produce weaker action potentials than normal people do. 
A) The neurons of people with vitamin B deficiency have more sodium channels in the plasma membranes of their neurons than normal. 
B) People with a vitamin B deficiency produce less myelin than a normal person does. 
C) Axons are slightly longer in a person with vitamin B deficiency, so the distance between transmitting and receiving cells is shorter. 
D) People with vitamin B deficiencies produce weaker action potentials than normal people do.

Question 15

Neurotransmitters are released into a synaptic cleft by the process of ____________________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Neurotransmitters are released into a synaptic cleft...

Question 16

Action potentials move faster in myelinated nerve fibers because

Accepted Answer

A) sodium ions can leap from node to node. 
B) dendrites do not need to connect directly to axons. 
C) sodium ions can pass through myelin faster than they do across the plasma membrane of a neuron. 
D) action potentials leap from node to node. 
A) sodium ions can leap from node to node. 
B) dendrites do not need to connect directly to axons. 
C) sodium ions can pass through myelin faster than they do across the plasma membrane of a neuron. 
D) action potentials leap from node to node.

Question 17

Which area of our brain acts as a "traffic manager"?

Accepted Answer

A) the thalamus 
B) the cerebral cortex 
C) the pons 
D) the cerebellum 
A) the thalamus 
B) the cerebral cortex 
C) the pons 
D) the cerebellum

Question 18

Which of the following is not one of the three major regions of the human brain?

Accepted Answer

A) medulla 
B) forebrain 
C) midbrain 
D) hindbrain 
A) medulla 
B) forebrain 
C) midbrain 
D) hindbrain

Question 19

The human skin has numerous sensory receptors that take in information about our environment, and these receptors are concentrated in areas where detailed information on touch is needed. Which of the following body areas is likely to have the smallest number of sensory receptors?

Accepted Answer

A) fingertips 
B) face 
C) buttocks 
D) feet 
A) fingertips 
B) face 
C) buttocks 
D) feet

Question 20

Which of the following would not be found in the retina of a horse?

Accepted Answer

A) rods 
B) lenses 
C) proprioceptors 
D) pigments 
A) rods 
B) lenses 
C) proprioceptors 
D) pigments

Exam 30: Nervous and Sensory Systems

The cerebral cortex of the human brain is much more highly and intricately folded than the same region in other animals. Why might this be the case?

The figure below illustrates the organ of Corti, a part of the cochlea in the human inner ear. What labeled region of this figure of the organ of Corti is directly stimulated to vibrate in response to the air movements caused by sound?

Where would you expect to see an absence of neurotransmitters?

Axons transmit information in the form of

A person who, as a result of a mutation, could not produce one of the pigment molecules found in cones

A resting neuron is negatively charged inside relative to the outside.

As you complete this exam, which part of the brain is helping you decide which answer is correct?

The cerebrum has four major lobes. Which of the following is one of these?

Botulism is a type of paralysis (inability to move muscles)caused by a specific type of bacteria. The bacteria release a toxin that prevents the release of acetylcholine (a neurotransmitter)from the neurons that form synapses with muscle cells. Why might botulism toxin cause paralysis?

Sound intensity is measured in ____________________.

A myelin sheath

Researchers have suggested a fifth taste in humans known as umami and attribute the taste to the compound glutamate. Which of the following would support the belief that umami is a real "taste"?

Although many people worry about their sodium intake from salty foods, it would be unwise to eliminate sodium from one's diet completely. Which of the following problems would occur if there were no sodium in the body?

A person with vitamin B deficiency often exhibits a "slow" nervous system. For example, their knee-jerk reflex is much slower than normal. Which of the following might explain why this is the case?

Neurotransmitters are released into a synaptic cleft by the process of ____________________.

Action potentials move faster in myelinated nerve fibers because

Which area of our brain acts as a "traffic manager"?

Which of the following is not one of the three major regions of the human brain?

The human skin has numerous sensory receptors that take in information about our environment, and these receptors are concentrated in areas where detailed information on touch is needed. Which of the following body areas is likely to have the smallest number of sensory receptors?

Which of the following would not be found in the retina of a horse?

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