Question 1

Animals that can detect ultraviolet (UV) light differ from humans by having ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  larger eyes that can collect more UV light 
B)  UV-specific opsins that extend their visible light spectrum 
C)  thicker retinas that can capture UV light more efficiently 
D)  additional visual sensors to allow detection of different light types 
A)  larger eyes that can collect more UV light 
B)  UV-specific opsins that extend their visible light spectrum 
C)  thicker retinas that can capture UV light more efficiently 
D)  additional visual sensors to allow detection of different light types

Question 2

Which of the following would explain why a person was able to hear only high-frequency sounds?

Accepted Answer

A)  The tympanum is damaged because of chronic ear infections. 
B)  The basilar membrane is stiffened along its entire length. 
C)  The ear ossicles are abnormally thickened. 
D)  All of these problems could result in inability to detect low-frequency sound. 
A)  The tympanum is damaged because of chronic ear infections. 
B)  The basilar membrane is stiffened along its entire length. 
C)  The ear ossicles are abnormally thickened. 
D)  All of these problems could result in inability to detect low-frequency sound.

Question 3

Hair cells in the vertebrate ear are responsible for transducing sound pressure waves. Ion channels in the hair cell membrane open when ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  a chemical ligand binds to the ion channel 
B)  light is absorbed by a molecule in the membrane 
C)  the cell membrane reaches a threshold voltage 
D)  the membrane is distorted mechanically 
A)  a chemical ligand binds to the ion channel 
B)  light is absorbed by a molecule in the membrane 
C)  the cell membrane reaches a threshold voltage 
D)  the membrane is distorted mechanically

Question 4

The cochlea ________.
I. amplifies sound vibrations
II. collects sound pressure waves
III. detects the frequency of sounds

Accepted Answer

A)  only I 
B)  only II 
C)  only III 
D)  only II and III 
E)  I, II, and III 
A)  only I 
B)  only II 
C)  only III 
D)  only II and III 
E)  I, II, and III

Question 5

The umami receptor in the sense of taste detects ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  glucose 
B)  sodium ions 
C)  potassium ions 
D)  hydrogen ions 
E)  the amino acid glutamate 
A)  glucose 
B)  sodium ions 
C)  potassium ions 
D)  hydrogen ions 
E)  the amino acid glutamate

Question 6

Bat echolocation (sonar) is most closely related to which human sensory system?

Accepted Answer

A)  hearing 
B)  smell 
C)  taste 
D)  touch 
E)  vision 
A)  hearing 
B)  smell 
C)  taste 
D)  touch 
E)  vision

Question 7

Partial or complete loss of hearing (deafness) can be caused by damage to the ________.
I. axons of the neurons associated with each hair cell that carry information to the brain
II. hair cells (the sensory receptors) in the cochlea
III. tympanic membrane, or eardrum

Accepted Answer

A)  only II 
B)  only III 
C)  only I and II 
D)  only II and III 
E)  I, II, and III 
A)  only II 
B)  only III 
C)  only I and II 
D)  only II and III 
E)  I, II, and III

Question 8

What would happen if an enzyme inhibitor for the enzyme phosphodiesterase (PDE) was applied to a vertebrate eye?

Accepted Answer

A)  The opsins found in cones would not be differentiated into the red, blue, and green proteins, causing the animals to be color blind. 
B)  The cGMP-gated sodium channels would remain open, glutamate would be continuously discharged at the synapses, and the brain would not detect light absorbed by the rod cells. 
C)  The lens could not be appropriately adjusted to focus light on the retina, resulting in either nearsightedness or farsightedness. 
D)  All of the listed responses are correct. 
A)  The opsins found in cones would not be differentiated into the red, blue, and green proteins, causing the animals to be color blind. 
B)  The cGMP-gated sodium channels would remain open, glutamate would be continuously discharged at the synapses, and the brain would not detect light absorbed by the rod cells. 
C)  The lens could not be appropriately adjusted to focus light on the retina, resulting in either nearsightedness or farsightedness. 
D)  All of the listed responses are correct.

Question 9

Refer to this diagram of the ear to answer the question(s) below.  
-Hair cells are found in structures represented by which numbers?

Accepted Answer

A)  1 and 2 
B)  3 and 4 
C)  5 and 7 
D)  6 and 8 
E)  9 and 10 
A)  1 and 2 
B)  3 and 4 
C)  5 and 7 
D)  6 and 8 
E)  9 and 10

Question 10

Two students studying physiology taste a known "bitter" substance. Student A reports sensing both a bitter taste and a salty taste, but student B reports only a salty taste. What is the most logical explanation?

Accepted Answer

A)  Student A had an allergic reaction to the food, causing him to perceive the food as being bitter. 
B)  Student A has normal "bitter" taste buds; student B has defective "bitter" taste buds that result in lower sensitivity to bitterness. 
C)  Student A has a protein receptor capable of detecting a bitter molecule found in that substance, whereas student B lacks that particular protein receptor. 
D)  Student A has normal saliva, whereas student B's saliva is more alkaline than normal. 
A)  Student A had an allergic reaction to the food, causing him to perceive the food as being bitter. 
B)  Student A has normal "bitter" taste buds; student B has defective "bitter" taste buds that result in lower sensitivity to bitterness. 
C)  Student A has a protein receptor capable of detecting a bitter molecule found in that substance, whereas student B lacks that particular protein receptor. 
D)  Student A has normal saliva, whereas student B's saliva is more alkaline than normal.

Question 11

Deafness caused by loud sounds often results from damage to which receptor cells?

Accepted Answer

A)  thermoreceptors 
B)  mechanoreceptors 
C)  chemoreceptors 
D)  electroreceptors 
E)  nociceptors 
A)  thermoreceptors 
B)  mechanoreceptors 
C)  chemoreceptors 
D)  electroreceptors 
E)  nociceptors

Question 12

Refer to the accompanying diagram of the ear to answer the question(s) below.  
-The structure involved in equalizing the pressure between the ear and the atmosphere is represented by which number?

Accepted Answer

A)  7 
B)  1 
C)  8 
D)  9 
E)  10 
A)  7 
B)  1 
C)  8 
D)  9 
E)  10

Question 13

It can be very difficult to select an angle for sneaking up to a grasshopper to catch it because grasshoppers have ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  excellent hearing for detecting predators 
B)  compound eyes with multiple ommatidia 
C)  eyes with multiple fovea 
D)  a camera-like eye with multiple fovea 
E)  binocular vision 
A)  excellent hearing for detecting predators 
B)  compound eyes with multiple ommatidia 
C)  eyes with multiple fovea 
D)  a camera-like eye with multiple fovea 
E)  binocular vision

Question 14

Most mammals have 1000 or more genes that encode receptor proteins on the surface of odor-receptor neurons, so why do some mammals have a better sense of smell than others?

Accepted Answer

A)  Some of the genes actively transcribing receptor proteins in some species are completely absent in other species. 
B)  Some of the genes that code for receptor proteins may have been mutated and rendered inactive in some species but not in others. 
C)  Some species, particularly humans, rely much less on odor detection for survival; thus, the genes have mutated to encode proteins that aid in other senses, such as sight. 
D)  Some species of mammals have a larger set of "basic odors" than other species. 
A)  Some of the genes actively transcribing receptor proteins in some species are completely absent in other species. 
B)  Some of the genes that code for receptor proteins may have been mutated and rendered inactive in some species but not in others. 
C)  Some species, particularly humans, rely much less on odor detection for survival; thus, the genes have mutated to encode proteins that aid in other senses, such as sight. 
D)  Some species of mammals have a larger set of "basic odors" than other species.

Question 15

What structures would neurobiologists look for if they are interested in determining if an animal can see in color?

Accepted Answer

A)  opsins 
B)  electroreceptors 
C)  pupil 
D)  lens 
A)  opsins 
B)  electroreceptors 
C)  pupil 
D)  lens

Question 16

External chemical signals that coordinate potential reproductive partners are called ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  hormones 
B)  pheromones 
C)  paracrine signals 
D)  cytokines 
E)  gametes 
A)  hormones 
B)  pheromones 
C)  paracrine signals 
D)  cytokines 
E)  gametes

Question 17

How would an abnormally large oval window in a mouse affect that animal's hearing?

Accepted Answer

A)  The mouse could detect noise at much lower volumes. 
B)  The mouse could detect noise in a much broader range of frequencies. 
C)  Hearing ability would be reduced in comparison with normal mice. 
D)  Hearing is not affected by the size of the oval window. 
A)  The mouse could detect noise at much lower volumes. 
B)  The mouse could detect noise in a much broader range of frequencies. 
C)  Hearing ability would be reduced in comparison with normal mice. 
D)  Hearing is not affected by the size of the oval window.

Question 18

The middle ear converts ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  air pressure waves to fluid pressure waves 
B)  fluid pressure waves to air pressure waves 
C)  air pressure waves to nerve impulses 
D)  fluid pressure waves to nerve impulses 
E)  air pressure waves to hair cell movements 
A)  air pressure waves to fluid pressure waves 
B)  fluid pressure waves to air pressure waves 
C)  air pressure waves to nerve impulses 
D)  fluid pressure waves to nerve impulses 
E)  air pressure waves to hair cell movements

Question 19

The transduction of sound waves into action potentials by the human ear takes place ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  within the tectorial membrane as it is stimulated by the hair cells 
B)  when hair cells are bent against the tectorial membrane, causing them to depolarize and release neurotransmitter that stimulates sensory neurons 
C)  as the basilar membrane becomes more permeable to sodium ions and depolarizes, initiating an action potential in a sensory neuron 
D)  as the basilar membrane vibrates at different frequencies in response to the varying volume of sounds 
E)  within the middle ear as the vibrations are amplified by the malleus, incus, and stapes 
A)  within the tectorial membrane as it is stimulated by the hair cells 
B)  when hair cells are bent against the tectorial membrane, causing them to depolarize and release neurotransmitter that stimulates sensory neurons 
C)  as the basilar membrane becomes more permeable to sodium ions and depolarizes, initiating an action potential in a sensory neuron 
D)  as the basilar membrane vibrates at different frequencies in response to the varying volume of sounds 
E)  within the middle ear as the vibrations are amplified by the malleus, incus, and stapes

Question 20

The ampullae of Lorenzini in sharks are used for ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  mechanoreception 
B)  thermoreception 
C)  electroreception 
D)  magnetoreception 
E)  photoreception 
A)  mechanoreception 
B)  thermoreception 
C)  electroreception 
D)  magnetoreception 
E)  photoreception

Exam 44: Animal Sensory Systems

Animals that can detect ultraviolet (UV) light differ from humans by having ________.

Which of the following would explain why a person was able to hear only high-frequency sounds?

Hair cells in the vertebrate ear are responsible for transducing sound pressure waves. Ion channels in the hair cell membrane open when ________.

The cochlea ________. I. amplifies sound vibrations II. collects sound pressure waves III. detects the frequency of sounds

The umami receptor in the sense of taste detects ________.

Bat echolocation (sonar) is most closely related to which human sensory system?

Partial or complete loss of hearing (deafness) can be caused by damage to the ________. I. axons of the neurons associated with each hair cell that carry information to the brain II. hair cells (the sensory receptors) in the cochlea III. tympanic membrane, or eardrum

What would happen if an enzyme inhibitor for the enzyme phosphodiesterase (PDE) was applied to a vertebrate eye?

Refer to this diagram of the ear to answer the question(s) below. -Hair cells are found in structures represented by which numbers?

Two students studying physiology taste a known "bitter" substance. Student A reports sensing both a bitter taste and a salty taste, but student B reports only a salty taste. What is the most logical explanation?

Deafness caused by loud sounds often results from damage to which receptor cells?

Refer to the accompanying diagram of the ear to answer the question(s) below. -The structure involved in equalizing the pressure between the ear and the atmosphere is represented by which number?

It can be very difficult to select an angle for sneaking up to a grasshopper to catch it because grasshoppers have ________.

Most mammals have 1000 or more genes that encode receptor proteins on the surface of odor-receptor neurons, so why do some mammals have a better sense of smell than others?

What structures would neurobiologists look for if they are interested in determining if an animal can see in color?

External chemical signals that coordinate potential reproductive partners are called ________.

How would an abnormally large oval window in a mouse affect that animal's hearing?

The middle ear converts ________.

The transduction of sound waves into action potentials by the human ear takes place ________.

The ampullae of Lorenzini in sharks are used for ________.

Biology and the Tree of Life

Water and Carbon: the Chemical Basis of Life

Protein Structure and Function

Nucleic Acids and the Rna World

An Introduction to Carbohydrates

Ecosystems and Global Ecology

Lipids, Membranes, and the First Cells

Inside the Cell

Energy and Enzymes: an Introduction to Metabolism

Cellular Respiration and Fermentation

Photosynthesis

Cellcell Interactions

The Cell Cycle

Meiosis

Mendel and the Gene

Dna and the Gene: Synthesis and Repair

How Genes Work

Transcription, Rna Processing, and Translation

Control of Gene Expression in Bacteria

Control of Gene Expression in Eukaryotes

The Molecular Revolution: Biotechnology and Beyond

Genes, Development, and Evolution

Evolution by Natural Selection

Evolutionary Processes

Speciation

Phylogenies and the History of Life

Bacteria and Archaea

Protists

Green Algae and Land Plants

Fungi

An Introduction to Animals

Protostome Animals

Deuterostome Animals

Viruses

Plant Form and Function

Water and Sugar Transport in Plants

Plant Nutrition

Plant Sensory Systems, Signals, and Responses

Plant Reproduction and Development

Animal Form and Function

Water and Electrolyte Balance in Animals

Animal Nutrition

Gas Exchange and Circulation

Animal Nervous Systems

Animal Movement

Chemical Signals in Animals

Animal Reproduction and Development

The Immune System in Animals

An Introduction to Ecology

Behavioral Ecology

Population Ecology

Community Ecology

Biodiversity and Conservation Biology

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