Question 1

Depolarization of a neuron refers to __________.

Accepted Answer

A)  the type of neuron activated (e.g., low vs. high threshold neurons) 
B)  the loss of electrical charge that normally exists across the membrane 
C)  the period in which a neuron cannot fire immediately after an action potential 
D)  the movement of sodium out of the cell 
A)  the type of neuron activated (e.g., low vs. high threshold neurons) 
B)  the loss of electrical charge that normally exists across the membrane 
C)  the period in which a neuron cannot fire immediately after an action potential 
D)  the movement of sodium out of the cell

Question 2

Detailed pictures of moment-to-moment brain activity can be obtained without exposure to radioactivity by using __________.

Accepted Answer

A)  CT scans 
B)  fMRIs 
C)  PET scans 
D)  MRIs 
A)  CT scans 
B)  fMRIs 
C)  PET scans 
D)  MRIs

Question 3

What's wrong with the accompanying diagram?

Accepted Answer

A)  It fails to show the corpus callosum. 
B)  It shows Broca's area in the right hemisphere. 
C)  The labels for the frontal and occipital lobes should be reversed. 
D)  The auditory area is shown in the wrong lobe of the brain. 
A)  It fails to show the corpus callosum. 
B)  It shows Broca's area in the right hemisphere. 
C)  The labels for the frontal and occipital lobes should be reversed. 
D)  The auditory area is shown in the wrong lobe of the brain.

Question 4

An antagonist __________.

Accepted Answer

A)  enhances the actions of a neurotransmitter 
B)  impedes the actions of a neurotransmitter 
C)  has no effect on the action of a neurotransmitter 
D)  replaces the neurotransmitter 
A)  enhances the actions of a neurotransmitter 
B)  impedes the actions of a neurotransmitter 
C)  has no effect on the action of a neurotransmitter 
D)  replaces the neurotransmitter

Question 5

The postsynaptic neuron is __________.

Accepted Answer

A)  before the synapse 
B)  after the synapse 
C)  inside the synapse 
D)  outside the synapse 
A)  before the synapse 
B)  after the synapse 
C)  inside the synapse 
D)  outside the synapse

Question 6

The region of the brain closest to Broca's area is the __________.

Accepted Answer

A)  motor representation for the hand 
B)  somatosensory representation for the hand 
C)  motor representation for the tongue 
D)  somatosensory representation for the tongue 
A)  motor representation for the hand 
B)  somatosensory representation for the hand 
C)  motor representation for the tongue 
D)  somatosensory representation for the tongue

Question 7

In which lobe would you expect neurons to be most reliably activated by the stimulation of a nerve receiving sensory information from the skin of the knee?

Accepted Answer

A)  frontal 
B)  parietal 
C)  occipital 
D)  temporal 
E)  center 
A)  frontal 
B)  parietal 
C)  occipital 
D)  temporal 
E)  center

Question 8

The resting potential of a neuron __________.

Accepted Answer

A)  is an electrical phenomenon unique to the squid giant neuron 
B)  refers to the electrical current spread associated with the action potential 
C)  is such that the inside of the neuron is negatively charged relative to the outside 
D)  refers to the electrical difference induced by the introduction of a microelectrode into the cell 
A)  is an electrical phenomenon unique to the squid giant neuron 
B)  refers to the electrical current spread associated with the action potential 
C)  is such that the inside of the neuron is negatively charged relative to the outside 
D)  refers to the electrical difference induced by the introduction of a microelectrode into the cell

Question 9

The word reflex has its origin in __________.

Accepted Answer

A)  Sherrington's work on synapses 
B)  Sherrington's studies of scratching in dogs 
C)  Descartes' belief that energy from the outside is reflected back by the nervous system to an animal's muscles 
D)  Descartes' belief that animals act as automatons, whereas people are rational and have souls 
A)  Sherrington's work on synapses 
B)  Sherrington's studies of scratching in dogs 
C)  Descartes' belief that energy from the outside is reflected back by the nervous system to an animal's muscles 
D)  Descartes' belief that animals act as automatons, whereas people are rational and have souls

Question 10

Tom is not paralyzed, but he has great trouble organizing the steps that must be taken to cook an egg. A CAT scan is most likely to reveal damage to his __________.

Accepted Answer

A)  frontal association area 
B)  cerebellum 
C)  motor projection cortex 
D)  temporal association areas 
A)  frontal association area 
B)  cerebellum 
C)  motor projection cortex 
D)  temporal association areas

Question 11

If you wanted to prevent a synapse from working, you might __________.

Accepted Answer

A)  activate the axon leading to its synaptic knobs 
B)  block the release of the synaptic vesicles into the synapse 
C)  prevent the synaptic knobs from contacting the receptor surface of the dendrite 
D)  all of the above 
A)  activate the axon leading to its synaptic knobs 
B)  block the release of the synaptic vesicles into the synapse 
C)  prevent the synaptic knobs from contacting the receptor surface of the dendrite 
D)  all of the above

Question 12

A neurosurgeon has cut the corpus callosum of her patient. It is most likely that this patient suffered from __________.

Accepted Answer

A)  extreme obesity 
B)  multiple sclerosis 
C)  intractable epilepsy 
D)  chronic alcoholism 
E)  mental retardation 
A)  extreme obesity 
B)  multiple sclerosis 
C)  intractable epilepsy 
D)  chronic alcoholism 
E)  mental retardation

Question 13

Serge has difficulty controlling his social impulses, uses vulgar language at inappropriate times, and generally shows poor social cognition. These symptoms, on top of his poor planning abilities, are suggestive of damage to the __________.

Accepted Answer

A)  corpus callosum 
B)  primary motor cortex 
C)  sensory projection areas 
D)  prefrontal cortex 
A)  corpus callosum 
B)  primary motor cortex 
C)  sensory projection areas 
D)  prefrontal cortex

Question 14

An above-threshold depolarizing current is applied to the cell, but it is slightly above the required threshold for the action potential. As a result, __________.

Accepted Answer

A)  the action potential occurs more slowly 
B)  the action potential will be the same size and propagated at the same speed as if the depolarizing current was applied at threshold levels 
C)  the action potential occurs more quickly and is larger 
D)  the action potential will be smaller and propagated slightly slower than if the depolarizing current was applied at threshold levels 
A)  the action potential occurs more slowly 
B)  the action potential will be the same size and propagated at the same speed as if the depolarizing current was applied at threshold levels 
C)  the action potential occurs more quickly and is larger 
D)  the action potential will be smaller and propagated slightly slower than if the depolarizing current was applied at threshold levels

Question 15

Assume a physiologist has inserted a microelectrode at the arrow tip in the preceding diagram. When the neuron is at rest, the voltage recorded at the arrow tip will be __________.

Accepted Answer

A)  zero millivolts (mV) 
B)  -70 mV 
C)  +50 mV 
D)  negative, neutral, or positive depending on what kind of neuron it is 
A)  zero millivolts (mV) 
B)  -70 mV 
C)  +50 mV 
D)  negative, neutral, or positive depending on what kind of neuron it is

Question 16

Which of the following brain functions would be most likely the first to be lost as we age?

Accepted Answer

A)  those abilities and skills that are the last to form 
B)  those abilities and skills that form earliest 
C)  those abilities that are learned but not those that are innate 
D)  those skills and abilities that require language, but not those that require motor function 
A)  those abilities and skills that are the last to form 
B)  those abilities and skills that form earliest 
C)  those abilities that are learned but not those that are innate 
D)  those skills and abilities that require language, but not those that require motor function

Question 17

In observing fluent and nonfluent aphasics one finds that __________.

Accepted Answer

A)  neither nonfluent nor fluent aphasics can produce speech 
B)  neither nonfluent nor fluent aphasics can comprehend speech 
C)  nonfluent aphasics can comprehend but not produce speech 
D)  fluent aphasics can comprehend but not produce speech 
A)  neither nonfluent nor fluent aphasics can produce speech 
B)  neither nonfluent nor fluent aphasics can comprehend speech 
C)  nonfluent aphasics can comprehend but not produce speech 
D)  fluent aphasics can comprehend but not produce speech

Question 18

The term plastic when applied to the brain means that the brain __________.

Accepted Answer

A)  takes a certain shape, as if molded 
B)  is molded and thus cannot change 
C)  is subject to alteration or change 
D)  works like electronic, or plastic, machines 
A)  takes a certain shape, as if molded 
B)  is molded and thus cannot change 
C)  is subject to alteration or change 
D)  works like electronic, or plastic, machines

Question 19

A CT scan shows __________.

Accepted Answer

A)  which areas of the brain are abnormally active or inactive 
B)  a computer-generated picture of the brain's structure 
C)  the electrical activity of various brain regions 
D)  the reaction of parts of neurons to the introduction of magnetic fields 
A)  which areas of the brain are abnormally active or inactive 
B)  a computer-generated picture of the brain's structure 
C)  the electrical activity of various brain regions 
D)  the reaction of parts of neurons to the introduction of magnetic fields

Question 20

Which of the following investigative techniques provide static images of the brain, showing its anatomy but not its neural activity?

Accepted Answer

A)  CT scans and PET scans 
B)  PET and MRI 
C)  CT scans and MRI 
D)  none of the above 
A)  CT scans and PET scans 
B)  PET and MRI 
C)  CT scans and MRI 
D)  none of the above

Depolarization of a neuron refers to __________.

Detailed pictures of moment-to-moment brain activity can be obtained without exposure to radioactivity by using __________.

What's wrong with the accompanying diagram?

An antagonist __________.

The postsynaptic neuron is __________.

The region of the brain closest to Broca's area is the __________.

In which lobe would you expect neurons to be most reliably activated by the stimulation of a nerve receiving sensory information from the skin of the knee?

The resting potential of a neuron __________.

The word reflex has its origin in __________.

Tom is not paralyzed, but he has great trouble organizing the steps that must be taken to cook an egg. A CAT scan is most likely to reveal damage to his __________.

If you wanted to prevent a synapse from working, you might __________.

A neurosurgeon has cut the corpus callosum of her patient. It is most likely that this patient suffered from __________.

Serge has difficulty controlling his social impulses, uses vulgar language at inappropriate times, and generally shows poor social cognition. These symptoms, on top of his poor planning abilities, are suggestive of damage to the __________.

An above-threshold depolarizing current is applied to the cell, but it is slightly above the required threshold for the action potential. As a result, __________.

Assume a physiologist has inserted a microelectrode at the arrow tip in the preceding diagram. When the neuron is at rest, the voltage recorded at the arrow tip will be __________.

Which of the following brain functions would be most likely the first to be lost as we age?

In observing fluent and nonfluent aphasics one finds that __________.

The term plastic when applied to the brain means that the brain __________.

A CT scan shows __________.

Which of the following investigative techniques provide static images of the brain, showing its anatomy but not its neural activity?

Research Methods

Evolutionary and Genetic Influences on Behavior

Sensation

Perception

Consciousness

Learning

Memory

Thinking

Language

Intelligence

Motivation and Emotion

Social Psychology

Development

Personality

Psychopathology

Treatment of Mental Disorders

Filters

Exam 3: The Brain and the Nervous System

Depolarization of a neuron refers to __________.

Detailed pictures of moment-to-moment brain activity can be obtained without exposure to radioactivity by using __________.

What's wrong with the accompanying diagram?

An antagonist __________.

The postsynaptic neuron is __________.

The region of the brain closest to Broca's area is the __________.

In which lobe would you expect neurons to be most reliably activated by the stimulation of a nerve receiving sensory information from the skin of the knee?

The resting potential of a neuron __________.

The word reflex has its origin in __________.

Tom is not paralyzed, but he has great trouble organizing the steps that must be taken to cook an egg. A CAT scan is most likely to reveal damage to his __________.

If you wanted to prevent a synapse from working, you might __________.

A neurosurgeon has cut the corpus callosum of her patient. It is most likely that this patient suffered from __________.

Serge has difficulty controlling his social impulses, uses vulgar language at inappropriate times, and generally shows poor social cognition. These symptoms, on top of his poor planning abilities, are suggestive of damage to the __________.

An above-threshold depolarizing current is applied to the cell, but it is slightly above the required threshold for the action potential. As a result, __________.

Assume a physiologist has inserted a microelectrode at the arrow tip in the preceding diagram. When the neuron is at rest, the voltage recorded at the arrow tip will be __________.

Which of the following brain functions would be most likely the first to be lost as we age?

In observing fluent and nonfluent aphasics one finds that __________.

The term plastic when applied to the brain means that the brain __________.

A CT scan shows __________.

Which of the following investigative techniques provide static images of the brain, showing its anatomy but not its neural activity?

Research Methods

Evolutionary and Genetic Influences on Behavior

Sensation

Perception

Consciousness

Learning

Memory

Thinking

Language

Intelligence

Motivation and Emotion

Social Psychology

Development

Personality

Psychopathology

Treatment of Mental Disorders

Filters