Human Physiology Quizzes

Arrange the steps in the correct order for the detection of sound.

Sound waves enter external auditory canal. Sound waves vibrate tympanic membrane. Vibrations are amplified through the auditory ossicles. Vibrations enter oval window and generate pressure waves in perilymph of scala vestibule and tympani. Pressure waves transferred into endolymph of cochlear duct. Basilar membrane vibrates. Stereocilia of hair cells bend as the cells are pushed against tectorial membrane. Receptor potentials are created as K+ rushes intracellularly. Action potentials travel along vestibulocochlear nerves. Signals reach primary auditory cortex.

Why does it make sense (pun intended) that olfactory and gustatory signals go to different primary functional areas, but the same functional area for interpretation? a) Because smell and taste are so interconnected (80% of taste is smell). b) Because the same cranial nerves transmit the signals into the brain. c) Because smell and taste are equally important in survival. d) Smell and taste actually go to different functional areas all the way through.

a) Because smell and taste are so interconnected (80% of taste is smell).

Little Becky jumps from the pool to the hot tub, and from the hot tub to the pool. She feels that her body takes longer to get used to the water in the pool than the hot tub. What is the best reasoning for this? a) Cold receptors adapt slower than warm receptors. b) Cold receptors adapt faster than warm receptors. c) Cold receptors detect stimuli slower than warm receptors. d) Cold receptors detect stimuli faster than warm receptors.

a) Cold receptors adapt slower than warm receptors.

The central nervous system (CNS) consists of the: a) brain and spinal cord only b) brain and nerves of the body only c) spinal cord and nerves of the body only d) brain, spinal cord, and nerves of the body

a) brain and spinal cord only

What is the relationship between stimulus intensity and # of action potentials produced? a) increasing stimulus intensity = increased frequency of action potentials b) increasing stimulus intensity = decreased frequency of action potentials d) increasing stimulus intensity = no effect on the number of action potentials

a) increasing stimulus intensity = increased frequency of action potentials

Neurotransmitters released by post-ganglionic neurons at effector organs. acetylcholine - norepinephrine -

acetylcholine - parasympathetic nervous system norepinephrine - sympathetic nervous system

Neurotransmitters released by pre-ganglionic neurons at autonomic ganglia. acetylcholine at ganglia far away from effector organs - acetylcholine at ganglia near effector organs - acetylcholine at ganglia far away from spinal cord - acetylcholine at ganglia near spinal cord -

acetylcholine at ganglia far away from effector organs - sympathetic nervous system acetylcholine at ganglia near effector organs - parasympathetic nervous system acetylcholine at ganglia far away from spinal cord - parasympathetic nervous system acetylcholine at ganglia near spinal cord - sympathetic nervous system

Neurotransmitters and the receptors they bind to. acetylcholine binds to nicotinic cholinergic receptors - acetylcholine binds to muscarinic cholinergic receptors - norepinephrine binds to alpha and beta adrenergic receptors - acetylcholine binds nicotinic cholinergic receptors -

acetylcholine binds to nicotinic cholinergic receptors - at all autonomic ganglia acetylcholine binds to muscarinic cholinergic receptors - at effector organs of parasympathetic nervous system norepinephrine binds to alpha and beta adrenergic receptors - at effector organs of sympathetic nervous system acetylcholine binds nicotinic cholinergic receptors - at chromaffin cells of the adrenal cortex

A person who can see at 20 feet, what a normal person can see at 50 feet, has a distance visual acuity value of what, according to the Snellen eye chart? a) 50:20 b) 20:50 c) 50:50 d) 20:20 e) 20:20:50:50 f) 50:50:20:20

b) 20:50

How many lobes does each side of our brain have? a) 2 b) 4 c) 6 d) 8 e) 10 f) 12

b) 4

To test the strength or velocity of the patellar reflex. Why attach electrodes to the top of the quadriceps muscle? a) Because it is a muscle that is not very active during the patellar reflex. Acts as a control. b) Because it is the main muscle behind the patellar reflex. c) Because it is the largest muscle in the leg. d) More than one is a reason why the electrodes are placed on the quadriceps muscle.

b) Because it is the main muscle behind the patellar reflex.

Compared to the other 4 basic tastes, bitter has the lowest threshold and is strongly disliked by most young children. Why is this an adaptation? a) Bitterness is an indication that something is quite acidic, potentially harmful, and therefore should be avoided. b) Most toxins are bitter, so by being able to taste as little as possible prevents ingestion of potentially dangerous substances. c) The ability to taste bitterness is an adaptation because bitterness is often associated with a potentially high energy food. d) Being able to detect bitterness at such a low threshold isn't so much an adaptation, so much as a result of a higher density of bitter taste receptors.

b) Most toxins are bitter, so by being able to taste as little as possible prevents ingestion of potentially dangerous substances.

Severing the dorsal root of a spinal nerve would cause: a) Prevent the person from responding to a stimulus. b) Prevent the person from detecting a stimulus. c) Prevent the person from detecting and responding to a stimulus. d) None of the above

b) Prevent the person from detecting a stimulus.

What is phenomenon is illustrated by the data in the table below? Frequency (Hz) Max-Min Amplitude (mV) Eyes Open Eyes Closed Eyes Open Eyes Closed Alpha 8 9 30 40 Beta 16 30 4 4 a) beta block because when beta waves should decrease, they don't; alpha waves overpower them b) alpha block because when alpha waves should increase in frequency, they don't; beta waves overpower them c) beta block because when beta waves should increase in amplitude, they don't; alpha waves increase though d) alpha block because alpha waves decrease in amplitude eyes open to close, but not in frequency e) none of the above

b) alpha block because when alpha waves should increase in frequency, they don't; beta waves overpower them

When you are trying to rest with eyes closed, but you keep thinking hard about a problem. What can occur? a) beta blocking... higher alpha waves despite being trying to rest with eyes closed b) alpha blocking... higher beta waves despite trying to rest with eyes closed c) desensitization to your surroundings d) none of the above

b) alpha blocking... higher beta waves despite trying to rest with eyes closed

Why is it important that a test subject does not smile, laugh, or move during an EEG? a) because these behaviors make it difficult for the person to focus on the tasks at hand b) because any voluntary muscle contractions will interfere with accurate EEG readings c) because these behaviors alter the control variables of the EEG d) it's not important with EEGs with advances in modern medicine

b) because any voluntary muscle contractions will interfere with accurate EEG readings

Which brain waves are most prevalent when reading this question and thinking about the answers? a) alpha b) beta c) delta d) theta e) gamma

b) beta

In the retina, ______ are responsible for sensing light and dark, while ________ are responsible for perception of color and detail. a) cones; rods b) rods; cones c) cones; bipolar cells d) rods; ganglion cells

b) rods; cones

Place the different tastes in the correct order regarding the threshold needed to be reached for detection. lowest-highest

bitter sour umami salty sweet

What is correct regarding the comparison of when you hear a loud sound vs a soft sound? a) Size, frequency, and velocity of loud sound action potentials are greater than those of soft sounds. b) Receptor potentials are the same size, but soft sounds have a lower frequency of action potentials. c) Loud sounds initiate larger receptor potentials and a higher frequency of action potentials. d) Loud sounds initiate more receptor potentials and larger action potentials.

c) Loud sounds initiate larger receptor potentials and a higher frequency of action potentials.

If the route of a reflex arc is the same every time, and action potentials are always the same strength, would you expect the reflex conduction time to change with stimulus strength? a) Yes because a larger stimulus causes more action potentials. b) Yes because a larger stimulus causes a greater amplitude action potential. c) No because if the the length of the arc is the same and the action potential strength is the same, then the conduction time will not change. d) More than one answer is correct.

c) No because if the the length of the arc is the same and the action potential strength is the same, then the conduction time will not change.

Severing the spinal nerve would... a) Prevent the person from detecting a stimulus. b) Prevent the person from responding to a stimulus. c) Prevent the person from detecting and responding to a stimulus. d) None of the above

c) Prevent the person from detecting and responding to a stimulus.

You get hit hard in the head with a hockey puck, and you hear ringing even though there isn't any sound. What is the best explanation for this? a) The hockey puck damaged the receptors, thus causing them to be dislodged from the membranes. b) The cerebral cortex is unable to distinguish between actual ringing sounds and a sudden flash of pain. c) The activation of the auditory labeled line, regardless of the stimulus, always leads to an auditory perception. d) More information is needed.

c) The activation of the auditory labeled line, regardless of the stimulus, always leads to an auditory perception.

You are interested in touch sensitivity and find that the two-point threshold for your test subject is 40 mm for the upper arm and 60 mm for the calf. Which body part is more sensitive and what do these measurements mean regarding the number of sensory receptors in these parts? a) The upper arm is less sensitive, with fewer sensory receptors. b) The upper arm is less sensitive, but has more sensory receptors. c) The upper arm is more sensitive, with more densely packed sensory receptors. d) The upper arm is more sensitive, with each sensory receptor having a receptive field of 40 mm. e) The upper arm is less sensitive, with each sensory receptor having a receptive field of 40 mm. f) This measurement doesn't describe sensitivity, but describes that the upper arm has more sensory receptors

c) The upper arm is more sensitive, with more densely packed sensory receptors.

What is the importance of pain signals to ascend to the brain? a) To create a rapid response to the painful stimulus. b) To activate the sympathetic nervous system (increase heart rate, awareness, etc.). c) To have conscious awareness and learning of the experience. d) All but one is an important reason.

c) To have conscious awareness and learning of the experience.

How would you describe the difference between alpha and beta waves when looking at an electroencephalograph? a) alpha = high frequency, high amplitude; beta = low frequency, low amplitude b) alpha = low frequency, low amplitude; beta = high frequency, high amplitude c) alpha = low frequency, high amplitude; beta = high frequency, low amplitude d) alpha = high frequency, low amplitude; beta = low frequency, high amplitude

c) alpha = low frequency, high amplitude; beta = high frequency, low amplitude

Lens accommodation is important for: a) ensuring the right amount of light enters and strikes the photoreceptors. b) adaptation to bright and dark conditions. c) focusing light onto the fovea. d) more than one is correct.

c) focusing light onto the fovea.

What specific region of the brain is the focus of an electroencephalogram? a) midbrain b) white matter of the cerebrum c) gray matter of the cerebrum d) none are accurate

c) gray matter of the cerebrum

Sharon drank a 30 oz soda, and now has a very full bladder. Which type of sensory receptor senses the stretch of her full bladder, and what part of sensation processes the information so that she can realize that she needs to go to the bathroom? a. chemoreceptor; transduction b. mechanoreceptor; transduction c. mechanoreceptor; integration d. mechanoreceptor; generation of an action potential

c. mechanoreceptor; integration

What happens when parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems are activated. cardiac output increases - heart rate decreases - breathing rate and depth increases - breathing rate and depth decreases - pupils dilate - pupils constrict - blood vessels dilate leading to skin - increased blood flow to skeletal muscles - increased blood flow to digestive organs - decreased blood flow to digestive organs - increased blood flow to kidneys - decreased blood flow to kidneys - stress hormones (glucocorticoids) released - glucose increasing stored as glycogen - enhanced gluconeogenesis - fatty acids increasing stored as triglycerides - triglycerides broken down into fatty acids to be used -

cardiac output increases - sympathetic heart rate decreases - parasympathetic breathing rate and depth increases - sympathetic breathing rate and depth decreases - parasympathetic pupils dilate - sympathetic pupils constrict - parasympathetic blood vessels dilate leading to skin - sympathetic increased blood flow to skeletal muscles - sympathetic increased blood flow to digestive organs - parasympathetic decreased blood flow to digestive organs - sympathetic increased blood flow to kidneys - parasympathetic decreased blood flow to kidneys - sympathetic stress hormones (glucocorticoids) released - sympathetic glucose increasing stored as glycogen - parasympathetic enhanced gluconeogenesis - sympathetic fatty acids increasing stored as triglycerides - parasympathetic triglycerides broken down into fatty acids to be used - sympathetic

To measure the conduction velocity of a nerve, you need to measure: a) Stimulus strength & distance traveled by the action potential. b) Stimulus strength & reflex response time. c) Frequency of stimulus & distance traveled by action potential. d) Reflex response time & distance traveled by action potential.

d) Reflex response time & distance traveled by action potential.

What is the importance of a reflex? a) Reflexes allow for the most interpretation of a stimulus. b) Reflexes allow for different responses to a stimulus, all dependent on context. c) Reflexes allow for a steady, slow response to a stimulus. d) Reflexes allow for the fastest response to a potentially harmful stimulus.

d) Reflexes allow for the fastest response to a potentially harmful stimulus.

To observe objects closer than 6 m (20 ft), the lens needs to _________ and become more ________. a) acclimate; convex b) annunciate; concave c) accommodate; concave d) accommodate; convex e) shrink in size; concave f) none of the above

d) accommodate; convex

What is the best explanation for why it is difficult to distinguish colors, shape, and identity of an object in the dark. a) rods only have one type of pigment b) rods have low acuity c) cones are not significantly active d) all of the above

d) all of the above

If our warm receptors sense temperatures 30-50°C (86-122°F) and our cold receptors sense temperatures 8-35°C (46-95°F), how is it that we sense temperatures of -5°C (23°F) or 55°C (131°F)? a) cold receptors and warm receptors are stimulated at these temperatures b) maximal amounts of thermoreceptors are stimulated at the temperatures c) hypothermic and hyperthermic receptors are stimulated at these temperatures d) nociceptors for thermal pain are stimulated with these temperatures e) we can't detect temperatures in these ranges

d) nociceptors for thermal pain are stimulated with these temperatures

What sense is most important for taste? a) texture b) taste c) temperature d) smell

d) smell

Which statement about "somatic" and "autonomic" is incorrect? a) somatic involves responses of skeletal muscle only b) autonomic involves responses of glands, smooth muscle, and cardiac muscle only c) autonomic reflexes are most often polysynaptic d) somatic reflexes are can be monosynaptic or polysynaptic e) all are actually correct statements

e) all are actually correct statements

Which is not a type of receptor that is important for taste? a) gustatory receptors b) olfactory receptors c) mechanoreceptors d) thermoreceptors e) all of the above play important roles in taste

e) all of the above play important roles in taste

Which brain waves are present during NREM sleep? a) alpha and beta b) alpha and delta c) alpha and theta d) beta and delta e) beta and theta f) delta and theta

f) delta and theta

What would an EEG of a brain dead person look like? a) alpha waves only b) beta waves only c) delta waves only d) theta waves only e) gamma waves only f) no waves present

f) no waves present

Match the characteristic with the correct reflex type. involves a sensory neuron and motor neuron only (leading to skeletal muscle) - involves a sensory neuron, interneuron, and motor neuron (leading to skeletal muscle) - involves a sensory neuron, interneuron, and motor neuron (leading to a gland) - involves a sensory neuron, interneuron, and motor neuron (leading to smooth muscle) -

involves a sensory neuron and motor neuron only (leading to skeletal muscle) - somatic stretch reflex involves a sensory neuron, interneuron, and motor neuron (leading to skeletal muscle) - somatic withdrawal reflex involves a sensory neuron, interneuron, and motor neuron (leading to a gland) - autonomic polysynaptic reflex involves a sensory neuron, interneuron, and motor neuron (leading to smooth muscle) - autonomic polysynaptic reflex

Organs innervated. only digestive organs of the GI tract - heart, blood vessels, digestive organs, adrenal glands, sweat glands, skin, bronchioles, iris of eyes - heart, digestive organs, bronchioles, iris of eyes - skeletal muscles -

only digestive organs of the GI tract - enteric nervous system heart, blood vessels, digestive organs, adrenal glands, sweat glands, skin, bronchioles, iris of eyes - sympathetic nervous system heart, digestive organs, bronchioles, iris of eyes - parasympathetic nervous system skeletal muscles - somatic nervous system

Scenarios when parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems are activated. resting on your lawn and day dreaming - going for a run around your neighborhood - going out for dinner with your best friend - going out for dinner on a blind date (meeting someone you've never met before) - watching a relaxing, funny movie - watching a thrilling murder mystery movie - smelling food cooking, making you salivate - smelling smoke upon coming home -

resting on your lawn and day dreaming - parasympathetic going for a run around your neighborhood - sympathetic going out for dinner with your best friend - parasympathetic going out for dinner on a blind date (meeting someone you've never met before) - sympathetic watching a relaxing, funny movie - parasympathetic watching a thrilling murder mystery movie - sympathetic smelling food cooking, making you salivate - parasympathetic smelling smoke upon coming home - sympathetic

Which is not a special sense? vision temperature touch hearing smell taste pain equilibrium

temperature touch pain

Somatic senses include which of the following? touch pain vision smell taste itch hearing temperature

touch pain itch temperature