Question 1

Which of the following characterizes the eyes of nocturnal mammals?

Accepted Answer

A)  A higher percentage of rod cells than cones cells in the retina 
B)  Accommodation by moving the lens closer to or farther from the retina 
C)  Two foveae in each eye 
D)  Small pupils at low light levels 
E)  Lack of an iridescent reflective layer behind the retina 
A)  A higher percentage of rod cells than cones cells in the retina 
B)  Accommodation by moving the lens closer to or farther from the retina 
C)  Two foveae in each eye 
D)  Small pupils at low light levels 
E)  Lack of an iridescent reflective layer behind the retina

Question 2

The three tiny bones of the middle ear transmit vibrations from the _______ to the oval window.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The three tiny bones of the middle...

Question 3

Rod cells

Accepted Answer

A)  function at high light levels. 
B)  are highly light-sensitive. 
C)  are responsible for high-acuity color vision. 
D)  are less numerous than cone cells in the human retina. 
E)  occur in the same density across the retina. 
A)  function at high light levels. 
B)  are highly light-sensitive. 
C)  are responsible for high-acuity color vision. 
D)  are less numerous than cone cells in the human retina. 
E)  occur in the same density across the retina.

Question 4

Which receptors are located deep in the skin and are adapted specifically for sensing pressure?

Accepted Answer

A)  Meissner's corpuscles 
B)  Pacinian corpuscles 
C)  Merkel's discs 
D)  Neuron-wrapped hair follicles 
E)  Free nerve endings 
A)  Meissner's corpuscles 
B)  Pacinian corpuscles 
C)  Merkel's discs 
D)  Neuron-wrapped hair follicles 
E)  Free nerve endings

Question 5

A hot spoon placed on your tongue will cause some cells to fire action potentials more frequently; other cells increase their firing rates when a cold spoon is placed on your tongue.This is because

Accepted Answer

A)  thermoreceptors detect the heat and increase the rate of firing. 
B)  a pressure-sensitive channel increases its firing rate, due to the weight of the spoon. 
C)  sensory cells in your tongue identify the spoon as painful and slow down their firing rate. 
D)  different types of receptor cells have different responses to temperature changes. 
E)  the receptors that the spoon actually touches slow down their firing rate, while those the spoon does not touch increase their firing rate. 
A)  thermoreceptors detect the heat and increase the rate of firing. 
B)  a pressure-sensitive channel increases its firing rate, due to the weight of the spoon. 
C)  sensory cells in your tongue identify the spoon as painful and slow down their firing rate. 
D)  different types of receptor cells have different responses to temperature changes. 
E)  the receptors that the spoon actually touches slow down their firing rate, while those the spoon does not touch increase their firing rate.

Question 6

Which statement about the basilar membrane is false?

Accepted Answer

A)  Low-frequency pressure waves result in maximal flexion of the apical end of the basilar membrane. 
B)  Pressure waves that differ in frequency flex the basilar membrane at different locations and activate different sets of hair cells. 
C)  The basilar membrane varies in width and stiffness along its length. 
D)  High-frequency pressure waves result in maximal flexion of the basal end of the basilar membrane. 
E)  Flexion of the basilar membrane bends stereocilia in the overlying vestibular membrane. 
A)  Low-frequency pressure waves result in maximal flexion of the apical end of the basilar membrane. 
B)  Pressure waves that differ in frequency flex the basilar membrane at different locations and activate different sets of hair cells. 
C)  The basilar membrane varies in width and stiffness along its length. 
D)  High-frequency pressure waves result in maximal flexion of the basal end of the basilar membrane. 
E)  Flexion of the basilar membrane bends stereocilia in the overlying vestibular membrane.

Question 7

In a crayfish, the receptor potential of a stretch receptor's cell body

Accepted Answer

A)  is the result of an action potential from the same cell. 
B)  ends when ion channels in the cell's dendrites are opened. 
C)  starts at the axon hillock. 
D)  increases when the muscle is stretched. 
E)  is created by the opening of ion channels in the axon. 
A)  is the result of an action potential from the same cell. 
B)  ends when ion channels in the cell's dendrites are opened. 
C)  starts at the axon hillock. 
D)  increases when the muscle is stretched. 
E)  is created by the opening of ion channels in the axon.

Question 8

Action potentials can result in different sensations (e.g., heat, sound, light, or taste) because

Accepted Answer

A)  they vary in magnitude according to type of sensory receptor cell. 
B)  messages from different types of sensory receptor cells arrive at different places in the central nervous system. 
C)  they vary in type of neurotransmitter released, which depends on type of sensory receptor cell. 
D)  messages from different types of sensory receptor cells arrive at the same place in the central nervous system, but at different times. 
E)  they vary in frequency according to type of sensory receptor cell. 
A)  they vary in magnitude according to type of sensory receptor cell. 
B)  messages from different types of sensory receptor cells arrive at different places in the central nervous system. 
C)  they vary in type of neurotransmitter released, which depends on type of sensory receptor cell. 
D)  messages from different types of sensory receptor cells arrive at the same place in the central nervous system, but at different times. 
E)  they vary in frequency according to type of sensory receptor cell.

Question 9

In the mammalian auditory system, ear ossicles transmit signals from the _______ to the _______.

Accepted Answer

A)  oval window; round window 
B)  round window; tympanic membrane 
C)  oval window; basilar membrane 
D)  cochlea; auditory nerve 
E)  tympanic membrane; oval window 
A)  oval window; round window 
B)  round window; tympanic membrane 
C)  oval window; basilar membrane 
D)  cochlea; auditory nerve 
E)  tympanic membrane; oval window

Question 10

Some female mice produce a chemical signal in their urine, called _______, which suppresses reproductive development in conspecific females.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Some female mice produce a chemical signal...

Question 11

If you brush against a doorway as you enter a room, you will trigger

Accepted Answer

A)  an electric current that opens a calcium channel. 
B)  the opening of a pressure-sensitive cation channel. 
C)  a G protein. 
D)  a second messenger system. 
E)  a signal transduction cascade. 
A)  an electric current that opens a calcium channel. 
B)  the opening of a pressure-sensitive cation channel. 
C)  a G protein. 
D)  a second messenger system. 
E)  a signal transduction cascade.

Question 12

In humans, which of the following is a possible result of damage to the basal end of the basilar membrane?

Accepted Answer

A)  Temporal deafness 
B)  Conduction deafness 
C)  Failure of the tympanic window to conduct sound waves 
D)  Inability to detect high-frequency sounds 
E)  Inability to detect low-frequency sounds 
A)  Temporal deafness 
B)  Conduction deafness 
C)  Failure of the tympanic window to conduct sound waves 
D)  Inability to detect high-frequency sounds 
E)  Inability to detect low-frequency sounds

Question 13

To bring distant objects into focus, mammals and birds

Accepted Answer

A)  contract ciliary muscles to make the lens more round. 
B)  relax suspensory ligaments attached to the lens. 
C)  alter lens shape by relaxing ciliary muscles. 
D)  alter lens shape by moving the lens closer to the retina. 
E)  alter lens shape by moving the lens farther from the retina. 
A)  contract ciliary muscles to make the lens more round. 
B)  relax suspensory ligaments attached to the lens. 
C)  alter lens shape by relaxing ciliary muscles. 
D)  alter lens shape by moving the lens closer to the retina. 
E)  alter lens shape by moving the lens farther from the retina.

Question 14

When activated by light, rhodopsin

Accepted Answer

A)  separates from the plasma membrane of the photoreceptor cell. 
B)  binds with the plasma membrane of the photoreceptor cell. 
C)  becomes inactive in the dark. 
D)  inactivates transducin. 
E)  alters the membrane potential in a photoreceptor cell. 
A)  separates from the plasma membrane of the photoreceptor cell. 
B)  binds with the plasma membrane of the photoreceptor cell. 
C)  becomes inactive in the dark. 
D)  inactivates transducin. 
E)  alters the membrane potential in a photoreceptor cell.

Question 15

A mammal can detect changes in the position of its head based on movement of fluid past the cupulae in its _______.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A mammal can detect changes in the...

Question 16

_______ are chemical signals used by individuals to communicate with other individuals of their species.

Accepted Answer

The answer of _______ are chemical signals used by individuals...

Question 17

Stereocilia of hair cells within the ear's semicircular ducts

Accepted Answer

A)  bend under the weight of otoliths. 
B)  are moved individually by fluid moving past them. 
C)  are continuous with those in the saccule and utricle. 
D)  are damaged in nerve deafness. 
E)  respond to changes in the position of the head. 
A)  bend under the weight of otoliths. 
B)  are moved individually by fluid moving past them. 
C)  are continuous with those in the saccule and utricle. 
D)  are damaged in nerve deafness. 
E)  respond to changes in the position of the head.

Question 18

All of the following might use pheromones to communicate with one another except

Accepted Answer

A)  a mother rat and her offspring. 
B)  a bat preying on a moth. 
C)  a female mouse and male mouse. 
D)  members of a termite colony. 
E)  members of a naked mole-rat colony. 
A)  a mother rat and her offspring. 
B)  a bat preying on a moth. 
C)  a female mouse and male mouse. 
D)  members of a termite colony. 
E)  members of a naked mole-rat colony.

Question 19

What is the correct order of the structures that convert pressure waves in the air to the sensation of sound, beginning with the arrival of sound waves in the auditory canal?

Accepted Answer

A)  Oval window, ossicles, tympanic membrane, organ of Corti, basilar membrane 
B)  Round window, tympanic membrane, basilar membrane, eustachian tube, organ of Corti 
C)  Tympanic membrane, round window, organ of Corti, ossicles, basilar membrane 
D)  Ossicles, tympanic membrane, oval window, basilar membrane, organ of Corti 
E)  Tympanic membrane, ossicles, oval window, basilar membrane, organ of Corti 
A)  Oval window, ossicles, tympanic membrane, organ of Corti, basilar membrane 
B)  Round window, tympanic membrane, basilar membrane, eustachian tube, organ of Corti 
C)  Tympanic membrane, round window, organ of Corti, ossicles, basilar membrane 
D)  Ossicles, tympanic membrane, oval window, basilar membrane, organ of Corti 
E)  Tympanic membrane, ossicles, oval window, basilar membrane, organ of Corti

Question 20

Which of the following does not characterize receptor cells of the human olfactory system?

Accepted Answer

A)  Receptors are embedded in epithelial tissue. 
B)  Olfactory cilia project to the nasal epithelium, where they are covered by a protective layer of mucus. 
C)  Dendrites project as olfactory cilia onto the surface of the nasal epithelium. 
D)  Receptors are found in the lowermost region of the nasal cavity, near the nostrils. 
E)  Axons extend into the olfactory bulb of the brain. 
A)  Receptors are embedded in epithelial tissue. 
B)  Olfactory cilia project to the nasal epithelium, where they are covered by a protective layer of mucus. 
C)  Dendrites project as olfactory cilia onto the surface of the nasal epithelium. 
D)  Receptors are found in the lowermost region of the nasal cavity, near the nostrils. 
E)  Axons extend into the olfactory bulb of the brain.

Exam 45: Sensory Systems

Which of the following characterizes the eyes of nocturnal mammals?

The three tiny bones of the middle ear transmit vibrations from the _______ to the oval window.

Rod cells

Which receptors are located deep in the skin and are adapted specifically for sensing pressure?

A hot spoon placed on your tongue will cause some cells to fire action potentials more frequently; other cells increase their firing rates when a cold spoon is placed on your tongue.This is because

Which statement about the basilar membrane is false?

In a crayfish, the receptor potential of a stretch receptor's cell body

Action potentials can result in different sensations (e.g., heat, sound, light, or taste) because

In the mammalian auditory system, ear ossicles transmit signals from the _______ to the _______.

Some female mice produce a chemical signal in their urine, called _______, which suppresses reproductive development in conspecific females.

If you brush against a doorway as you enter a room, you will trigger

In humans, which of the following is a possible result of damage to the basal end of the basilar membrane?

To bring distant objects into focus, mammals and birds

When activated by light, rhodopsin

A mammal can detect changes in the position of its head based on movement of fluid past the cupulae in its _______.

_______ are chemical signals used by individuals to communicate with other individuals of their species.

Stereocilia of hair cells within the ear's semicircular ducts

All of the following might use pheromones to communicate with one another except

What is the correct order of the structures that convert pressure waves in the air to the sensation of sound, beginning with the arrival of sound waves in the auditory canal?

Which of the following does not characterize receptor cells of the human olfactory system?

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