Biopsychology Final

From which part of the nervous system do cells that innervate neuromuscular junctions originate? a. Central nervous system (CNS) b. Peripheral nervous system (PNS) c. Somatic motor division of PNS d. Visceral motor division of PNS e. Autonomic nervous system

a. Central nervous system (CNS)

Which of the following is not an established role for glial cells? a. Integrating information to assist neural computation b. Maintaining the ionic milieu surrounding nerve cells c. Hastening the propagation of neural impulses d. Assisting synaptic transmission via neurotransmitter uptake e. Providing scaffolds that assist neural development

a. Integrating information to assist neural computation

Which experimental model did Hodgkin and Katz use in their studies of the resting membrane potential? a. Living squid neuron b. Neurons of Aplysia species c. Mammalian neurons d. Mammalian brain slices e. Neurospheres

a. Living squid neuron

Refer to the figure. Which cell type forms the structure labeled C? a. Oligodendrocytes in the central nervous system b. Schwann cells in the central nervous system c. Astrocytes in the peripheral nervous system d. Microglia in the peripheral nervous system e. Oligodendrocytes in the peripheral nervous system

a. Oligodendrocytes in the central nervous system

Which state of the plasma membrane does not occur during an action potential? a. Resting phase b. Rising phase c. Overshoot phase d. Falling phase e. undershoot phase

a. Resting phase

A transgenic mouse animal model is created that expresses both the Cre recombinase gene, under control of a promoter for a gene expressed only in muscle fibers, and an androgen receptor with loxP sites around exon 2. How will expression of the androgen receptor protein be altered in the transgenic mouse? a. The mouse will not express androgen receptor in muscle fibers. b. The mouse will not express androgen receptor anywhere in the body. c. The mouse will express increased levels of androgen receptor in muscle fibers. d. The mouse will express increased levels of androgen receptor everywhere in the body. e. The mouse will not express androgen receptor in the nervous system.

a. The mouse will not express androgen receptor in muscle fibers.

Which statement about astrocytes is true? a. They play a role in the formation of the blood-brain barrier. b. They form myelin in the peripheral nervous system. c. They produce collagen in the central nervous system. d. They produce antibodies. e. They regulate the chemical environment of the peripheral nervous system.

a. They play a role in the formation of the blood-brain barrier.

Which function is a characteristic primarily of neurons only, and not glia? a. Transmits action potentials b. Supports electrical signals c. Repairs the nervous system d. Prevents regeneration of the nervous system e. Produces myelin

a. Transmits action potentials

Under which circumstances is the Goldman equation equivalent to the Nernst equation? a. When a membrane is permeable to only one ion b. When a membrane is permeable to multiple ions c. When the membrane is permeable to positively charged ions only d. When the membrane is permeable to negatively charged ions only e. When permeability of the membrane is different for different ions

a. When a membrane is permeable to only one ion

In a two-compartment model of a cell with a K+- and Ca2+-permeable membrane and a 10-fold excess of K+ in the inside compartment, how would the membrane potential change if all K+ ions were replaced by Ca2+ ions? a. It would double. b. It would be reduced by half. c. It would not change. d. It would become positive. e. No potential would be generated

b. It would be reduced by half.

During which phase of an action potential does membrane permeability to Na+ exceed membrane permeability to K+? a. Rising phase only b. Rising and overshoot phases c. Overshoot phase only d. Overshoot and falling phases e. All of the phases of the action potential

b. Rising and overshoot phases

Which statement about ionic distributions in nerve cells is true? a. Potassium is higher outside cells than inside cells. b. Sodium is higher outside cells than inside cells. c. Chloride is higher inside cells than outside cells. d. Calcium is higher inside cells than outside cells. e. The concentrations of all ionic species are the same for all nerve cells in all animals.

b. Sodium is higher outside cells than inside cells.

A dull probe stimulates a Pacinian corpuscle. An electrode is placed midway down the axon, and action potentials are recorded. After one second, the probe is pushed with greater force. What change will occur in the recording? a. The height of action potentials will increase. b. The frequency of action potentials will increase. c. The frequency of action potentials will decrease. d. The resting membrane potential will increase. e. The threshold potential level will increase.

b. The frequency of action potentials will increase.

In a two-compartment model of a cell with a K+-permeable membrane and a 10-fold excess K+ in the inside compartment, the membrane potential is experimentally made more negative than the K+ equilibrium potential. How would K+ ions flow across the membrane? a. They would flow from the inside compartment to the outside compartment. b. They would flow from the outside compartment to the inside compartment. c. There would be no flow of K+ ions. d. They would flow in both directions at the same time in equal molar quantities. e. They would flow in both directions, but the flow would be negligible.

b. They would flow from the outside compartment to the inside compartment.

Neuroethology is the field devoted to studying complex behavior a. through specifically designed behavioral tasks. b. in the native environment. c. in a laboratory. d. during a limited number of trials. e. using invasive methods

b. in the native environment.

The technique that first revealed the tremendous diversity of neuronal cell types, by revealing different cell bodies along with their processes, is a. the Nissl stain. b. the Golgi technique (stain). c. cresyl violet staining. d. fluorescence staining. e. electron microscopy

b. the Golgi technique (stain).

the squid giant axon is useful in neuronal studies because: a. its axon is easy to penetrate with recording electrodes because it is so long. b. the cytoplasm in the axon can be extruded, thus allowing studies of its composition. c. multiple synapses between the nerve cells make them easy to study. d. its giant ion channels allow insertion of recording electrodes into the channels. e. the axon has fewer ion channels, which simplifies the analysis of observations.

b. the cytoplasm in the axon can be extruded, thus allowing studies of its composition.

The in situ hybridization method is based on a. labeling specific neuronal components with antibodies. b. using nucleic acid probes to detect mRNAs that encode specific genes. c. using nucleic acid probes to detect specific proteins. d. injecting a fluorescent dye into a neuron. e. formation of an insoluble colored product within cell bodies.

b. using nucleic acid probes to detect mRNAs that encode specific genes.

Which of Camillo Golgi's contributions enabled Santiago Ramón y Cajal to make observations that suggested that nerve cells are discrete entities? a. Articulation of the neuron doctrine b. Identifying the organelle later called the Golgi apparatus c. Development of a staining method based on impregnation with silver salts d. Improving the understanding of the pathophysiology of malaria e. Articulation of the reticular theory of nerve cell communication

c. Development of a staining method based on impregnation with silver salts

Which statement best describes the electrical properties of nerve cells? a. They are exceptionally good conductors of electricity (much better than copper wires). b. They are similar in their electrical conduction properties to copper wires. c. In comparison to copper wires, they are relatively poor conductors of electricity. d. They are unable to conduct electricity under any circumstances. e. They are electron sinks; they absorb many electrons, but no electricity comes out of them.

c. In comparison to copper wires, they are relatively poor conductors of electricity.

Which statement about the ionic permeability of cell membranes is true? a. In resting nerve cells, the membrane is permeable to all ions. b. The permeability of ions is constant over time. c. In resting nerve cells, the membrane is quite permeable to potassium. d. In resting nerve cells, the membrane is quite permeable to sodium. e. In resting nerve cells, the membrane is quite permeable to calcium

c. In resting nerve cells, the membrane is quite permeable to potassium.

Which statement accurately describes the expression of genes in the nervous system? a. Every gene in the human genome is expressed in the CNS. b. Splice variants add diversity to brain function via beneficial mutations. c. Most of the genes in the human genome are expressed in the CNS. The genes that are expressed in the CNS are expressed equally in all neurons. A small subset of the total human genome is expressed in the CNS.

c. Most of the genes in the human genome are expressed in the CNS.

Which cell produces myelin in the nerves of the peripheral nervous system? a. Astrocyte b. Neuron c. Schwann cell d. Microglia e. Neural progenitor cell

c. Schwann cell

Refer to the figure. What would happen if the membrane became permeable to the Y+ ions? a. The Y+ ions would move into the bottom chamber, down their concentration gradient. b. The Y+ ions would move into the bottom chamber, down their electrical gradient. c. The Y+ ions would move into the top chamber, down their concentration gradient. d. The Y+ ions would move into the top chamber, down their electrical gradient. e. The Y+ ions would not move.

c. The Y+ ions would move into the top chamber, down their concentration gradient.

Which statement best describes most neurons? a. They receive information via axons. b. They transmit information to other cells via dendrites. c. They are polarized. d. They conduct signals bidirectionally. e. They transmit electrical signals via cytoplasmic continuity.

c. They are polarized.

An action potential occurs if current injected into a neuron _______ the neuron to reach _______ potential. a. depolarizes; synaptic b. hyperpolarizes; synaptic c. depolarizes; threshold d. hyperpolarizes; threshold e. hyperpolarizes; resting

c. depolarizes; threshold

In a two-compartment model of a cell with a K+-permeable membrane, at K+ equilibrium potential, there is _______ flux of K+ ions. a. a large inward b. a large outward c. no net d. a small inward e. a small outward

c. no net

Which statement best describes the action potential? a. An action potential is specialized to transmit signals over only very short distances. b. An action potential is a brief change in membrane potential from positive to negative. c. An action potential is elicited by hyperpolarization. d. An action potential occurs when the cell's membrane potential reaches threshold. e. The level of depolarization is graded in proportion to the magnitude of the stimulus.

d. An action potential occurs when the cell's membrane potential reaches threshold.

Which technique first produced unequivocal support for the neuron doctrine of the nervous system (as opposed to the reticular theory)? a. Extracellular electrical recordings b. EEG (electroencephalogram) c. Calcium imaging d. Electron microscopy of nervous tissue e. Acetylcholinesterase staining

d. Electron microscopy of nervous tissue

Which stimulus is most likely to evoke an action potential? a. Small hyperpolarizing current pulse b. Large hyperpolarizing current pulse c. Small depolarizing current pulse d. Large depolarizing current pulse e. Microelectrode insertion

d. Large depolarizing current pulse

How does membrane permeability to K+ (PK) and Na+ (PNa) change during an action potential? a. PNa always exceeds PK; permeability does not change for either ion. b. PK always exceeds PNa; permeability does not change for either ion. c. PNa exceeds PK at rest; PK temporarily increases during the action potential. d. PK exceeds PNa at rest; PNa temporarily increases during the action potential. e. PK exceeds PNa at rest; PNa increases during the action potential and remains higher than PK until the next action potential, then it quickly drops.

d. PK exceeds PNa at rest; PNa temporarily increases during the action potential.

Refer to the figure. Which of the following is the key event at the membrane potential of 65 mV? a. The late outward current increases in magnitude b. The late outward current decreases in magnitude c. The early current reverses its polarity d. The early and late currents flow outward e. The early current is at its maximum

d. The early and late currents flow outward

Cognitive neuroscience is concerned with a. perception. b. emotions. c. language. d. memory. e. All of the above

e. All of the above

Which statement about a center-surround receptive field is false? a. It can be mapped by electrophysiological recording techniques. b. It is characterized by a circular center and a doughnut-shaped surround. c. It can involve an excitatory response (e.g., to touch). d. It can involve an inhibitory response (e.g., to touch). e. It is found only in primary sensory cortex.

e. It is found only in primary sensory cortex.

Which type(s) of electrical signals occur(s) within the neural circuit for a spinal reflex? a. Receptor potential only b. Action potential only c. Synaptic potential only d. Receptor potential and action potential only e. Receptor potential, synaptic potential, and action potential

e. Receptor potential, synaptic potential, and action potential

A doctor taps the right knee in an individual who was in a car accident and has sustained damage to the right dorsal root of the lower spinal cord. Which motor response would you expect? a. Right leg extends b. Left leg extends c. Right leg flexes d. Left leg flexes e. Right leg remains motionless

e. Right leg remains motionless

Which statement regarding refractory periods is true? a. They allow neurons to fire an unlimited number of action potentials per unit of time. b. During the refractory period the cell requires a less intense stimulus to reach threshold. c. The refractory period arises in part due to the increase in sodium conductance across the membrane. d. The refractory period arises in part due to the decrease in potassium conductance across the membrane. e. The refractory period ends when the sodium channels are no longer inactivated.

e. The refractory period ends when the sodium channels are no longer inactivated.

Which statement about active ion transporters is true? a. They are selectively permeable to certain ions. b. They are functionally similar to ion channels. c. They allow ion movement down the concentration gradient. d. They move all ions against the concentration gradient. e. They move certain ions against the concentration gradient.

e. They move certain ions against the concentration gradient.

Why is the white matter lighter than the gray matter? a. These are just historic terms not representative of real colors. b. White matter is less dense than gray matter. c. White matter is more translucent than gray matter. d. White matter contains more Schwann cells, which are light in appearance. e. White matter is richer in myelin, which reflects more light than gray matter.

e. White matter is richer in myelin, which reflects more light than gray matter.

The amplitude of the action potential of a given neuron is a. larger in response to depolarizing currents of greater magnitude. b. dependent on the magnitude of the sensory stimulus. c. related to the number of synapses on the neuron. d. smaller if the resting potential of the neuron is lower. e. always the same

e. always the same

In the mature central nervous system, glial stem cells with the properties of astrocytes can give rise to a. astrocytes. b. neurons. c. oligodendrocytes. d. astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. e. astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and neurons

e. astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and neurons

The part of a synapse to which the contents of synaptic vesicles bind is called the a. presynaptic terminal. b. synaptic ending. c. axon terminal. d. terminal bouton. e. receptor.

e. receptor