Practice test for The Biological Perspective.
Note: These questions are part of a larger data base of questions & are selected
to represent the type of question you should expect on exams. Exam questions,
however, may deal with topics not covered in the practice tests or in lectures but are discussed in
your textbook. You are responsible for the content of your text book plus the content of
lectures, interactive activities, & material on the web site.
Use these sample questions to test yourself & to practice for the test.
1. In the structure of the neuron, the __________ receives messages from other cells.
axon
dendrite
soma
myelin
2. Oligodendroceytes and Schwann cells generate a fatty substance known as
glial.
soma.
myelin
neurilemma.
3. Which of the following insulates and protects a neuron's axon as well as helps to speed
along electrical impulses?
synaptic knobs
receptor sites
myelin sheath
neuromuodulators
4. The chemical that moves from the axon of one neuron across a gap to the dendrite of another is a(n)
gray matter.
theshold stimulant.
sodium.
neurotransmitter.
5. Which neurotransmitter stimulates muscle cells to contract but slows contractions
of the heart?
acetylcholine
GABA
serotonin
endorphin
6. If a neuron lacked dendrites, theoretically it could _______, but not _________ .
send messages; receive messages
process messages; send messages
grow new extensions; have myelin sheaths
open sodium channels; produce negative charged ions
7. Heroin mimics the actions of endorphins, inhibiting pain signals and creating a "high" feeling.
Heroin is an example of a(an)
protagonist.
antagonist.
agonist.
glial cell.
8. Linda is writing a paper on the function of the myelin sheath. Which of the following is the best title
for her paper?
"Myelin Sheath: Receiving Signals"
"Myelin Sheath: Insulating the Axon"
"Myelin Sheath: Storing Neurotransmitters"
"Myelin Sheath: Releasing Neurotransmitters into the Synapse"
9. Involuntary muscles are controlled by the __________ nervous system.
somatic
autonomic
sympathetic
parasympathetic
10. As you take notes, your heart beats at a normal rate. Your breathing is normal and your stomach slowly
digests your earlier meal. What division of the nervous system is currently in action?
sympathetic
parasympathetic
somatic
autonomic
11. Robert has had difficulty sleeping for the past 6 months and his body seemingly no longer differentiates
between night and day. His doctor believes the problem lies with Robert's endocrine system. What gland will
Robert's physician focus on?
pituitary
adrenal
thyroid
pineal
12. Which gland(s) is/are known to influence all the other glands within the endocrine system?
pineal gland
pituitary gland
thyroid gland
adrenal gland
13. The effect of a neurotransmitter on an adjacent neuron, muscle, or organ is:
excitatory
inhibitory
either excitatory or inhibitory
determined by the all-or-none law
14. Endorphins are secreted when we are
under great stress.
falling asleep.
depressed.
studying.
15. Neurons that carry information from the senses to the spinal cord are called __________ neurons.
spinal
motor
afferent
efferent
16. Sympathetic is to arouse as parasympathetic is to ______.
calm
fight
flight
homeostasis
17. Which one of the following is not included in the peripheral nervous system?
central nervous system
somatic nervous system
autonomic nervous system
sympathetic nervous system
18. Baily is in a study on memory and problem solving. The researcher is applying magnetic
pulses to her brain through copper wire coils positioned directly above her scalp. Bailey's study
would best be described as a(an)
invasive stimulation technique.
noninvasive stimulation technique.
EEG technique.
PET technique.
19. Which technique of studying the brain involves injecting radioactive glucose.
EEG
CT
MRI
PET
20. Maria often sleeps soundly and rarely awakens to any outside noise. However,
the cries of Maria's baby can awaken her immediately. What part of the brain is responsible
for this reaction?
medulla
pons
reticular formation
cerebellum
21. Youre looking at a book entitled Your Autonomic Nervous System. One of the
chapter titles is really confusing based upon your knowledge of the autonomic nervous system.
Which chapter seems to not fit your knowledge?
The Sympathetic Division: Activating in Times of Stress
The Autonomic Nervous System: Part of The Peripheral Nervous System
The Autonomic Nervous System: You CAN Control It All!
Relaxing with the Parasympathetic Division
22. Alexis and Theresa are synchronized swimmers for their college swim team. They
often work long hours to ensure the movements in their routines are perfectly timed. What part
of their brains must Alexis and Theresa rely on?
medulla
pons
reticular formation
cerebellum
23. MRI scan is to PET scan as ________ is to ________.
radio frequencies; function
function; structure
structure; function
CNS; PNS
24. The somatic nervous system
is in a constant state of homeostasis.
controls the fight or flight response.
regulates heart rate, breathing, blood pressure, & digestion.
consists of nerves connected to either sensory receptors or to muscles.
25. Your psychology professor refers to this as the great relay station of the brain.
What part is she referring to?
thalamus
hypothalamus
hippocampus
amygdala
26. Which part of the brain is involved in the creation of memories and is often linked
with Alzheimer's disease?
hippocampus
thalamus
hypothalamus
amygdala
27. Jessica has suffered a severe blow to the back of her head when she was thrown from
her horse. Subsequently, her occipital lobe has been injured. Which of her senses has the
highest chance of being affected?
hearing
touch
taste and smell
vision
28. During the game show "Jeopardy," the host says the answer,
the temporal lobe. Which of the following is the best question?
Which lobe is critical to vision?
Which lobe is critical to hearing & speech?
"What is the lobe that does not have an association cortex?
What is the name of the lobe that sends motor messages to the body?
29. Jaime's grandfather recently suffered a stroke and has had difficulty with
language production ever since. Most likely, he has experienced damage to the
____________ area of his brain.
right rear
left frontal
left rear
right frontal
30. The strip of the cortex in the frontal lobe that is involved in the initiation of
all voluntary movements is called
the somatosensory cortex.
the sensory homunculus.
the motor cortex.
Broca's area
31. Felicia is recovering from a brain injury. She is able to speak fluently but often
uses incorrect words in a sentence. In one instance at a friend's birthday party, she said
"I would like something to drink. Can iI have some battery?" Felicia's problem is known as
spatial neglect.
visual agnosia.
Broca's aphasia.
Wernicke's aphasia.
32. Although the brain works largely as a whole, which of the following is not a
correct pairing of hemisphere and function?
left; control of right-handed motor functions
right; control of right-handed motor functions
right; recognition of faces
left; reading
33. What part of the brain can sometimes be referred to as the "rind" or outer covering?
thalamus
medulla
corpus callosum
cortex
34. The ability to detect changes in temperature, pressure, and body position is due in
part to the functions of the ________ lobe.
frontal
parietal
temporal
corpus
35. Yvonne's ability to reach for and pick up her book is largely due to the __________ pathway
of the _________ nervous system.
sensory; somatic
motor; somatic
autonomic; peripheral
parasympathetic; autonomic
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Robert C. Gates