Question 1

Which part of the neuron is primarily responsible for receiving messages from other neurons?

Accepted Answer

Dendrite

Question 2

During an action potential, what happens to the electrical charge inside the axon?

Accepted Answer

It reverses, becoming positive relative to the outside.

Question 3

Which of the following best describes the 'all-or-none' principle of neural firing?

Accepted Answer

A neuron either fires completely or does not fire at all.

Question 4

Which neurotransmitter is primarily involved in the control of movement and sensations of pleasure?

Accepted Answer

Dopamine

Question 5

A drug that blocks the reuptake of dopamine would most likely:

Accepted Answer

Increase dopamine activity in the synapse

Question 6

Which structure connects the right and left cerebral hemispheres?

Accepted Answer

Corpus callosum

Question 7

Damage to Broca’s area in the left frontal lobe would most likely result in:

Accepted Answer

Difficulty producing fluent speech

Question 8

Which division of the autonomic nervous system is responsible for returning the body to normal after arousal?

Accepted Answer

Parasympathetic division

Question 9

The adrenal glands are most directly involved in which of the following responses?

Accepted Answer

Responding to stress by releasing hormones

Question 10

Which neuroimaging technique uses radioactive sugar to measure brain activity?

Accepted Answer

Positron emission tomography (PET)

Question 11

A person who cannot recognize objects in their left visual field likely has damage to which area?

Accepted Answer

Right hemisphere association areas

Question 12

Which lobe of the brain contains the primary visual cortex?

Accepted Answer

Occipital lobe

Question 13

Which of the following is a function of the hypothalamus?

Accepted Answer

Regulating hunger, thirst, and sexual behavior

Question 14

Which of the following best describes neuroplasticity?

Accepted Answer

The ability of the brain to change its structure and function in response to experience or trauma

Question 15

Which hormone is secreted by the pineal gland and is involved in regulating sleep?

Accepted Answer

Melatonin

Question 16

A person with damage to Wernicke’s area would most likely:

Accepted Answer

Be unable to produce meaningful language

Question 17

Which neurotransmitter is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain, involved in sleep and inhibiting movement?

Accepted Answer

GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid)

Question 18

Which of the following is a potential cause of ADHD according to current research?

Accepted Answer

Low-level lead exposure, genetic influences, and familial factors

Question 19

Which brain structure is responsible for the formation of long-term memories?

Accepted Answer

Hippocampus

Question 20

Which stage of the General Adaptation Syndrome is characterized by the body’s resources being depleted, leading to fatigue?

Accepted Answer

Exhaustion

The Biological Perspective: Structure and Function of the Nervous System

Study Guide - Practice Questions