Test Bank for Brain and Behavior: An Introduction to Behavioral Neuroscience, 5th Edition
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Instructor Resource
Garrett, Brain & Behavior 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2018
Chapter 2: Communication within the Nervous System
Test Bank
Multiple Choice
1. ______ are one of the cell types composing the nervous system.
a. Soma
b. Neurons
c. Mitochondria
d. Myelin
Ans: B
Learning Objective: 2-1: Identify the cells of the nervous system
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: The Cells That Make Us Who We Are
Difficulty Level: Easy
2. William, a philosophy major, asked Ian the psychology major what type of cell
contributes the most to Ianโs โbeingโ who he is. Without hesitation, Ian replied ______.
a. somatic cells
b. blood cells
c. neurons
d. axons
Ans: C
Learning Objective: 2-1: Identify the cells of the nervous system
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: The Cells That Make Us Who We Are
Difficulty Level: Medium
3. Cells that convey environmental information, carry out the functions underlying
thought, emotion, and movements, and transmit commands out to the bodyโs organs
and muscles are called ______.
a. neurons
b. dendrites
c. phagocytes
d. glia
Ans: A
Learning Objective: 2-1: Identify the cells of the nervous system
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: The Cells That Make Us Who We Are
Difficulty Level: Easy
4. ______ neurons control movements and actions of organs.
a. Phasic
Instructor Resource
Garrett, Brain & Behavior 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2018
b. Interc. Sensory
d. Motor
Ans: D
Learning Objective: 2-3: Compare the functions of sensory, motor, and interneurons
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Basic Structure: The Motor Neuron
Difficulty Level: Easy
5. The largest part of a neuron is the ______.
a. soma
b. axon
c. terminal
d. dendritic process
Ans: A
Learning Objective: 2-2: Name the structures of neurons
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Basic Structure: The Motor Neuron
Difficulty Level: Easy
6. The part of a neuron that contains the nucleus is called the ______.
a. axon
b. soma
c. dendrite
d. mitochondria
Ans: B
Learning Objective: 2-2: Name the structures of neurons
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Basic Structure: The Motor Neuron
Difficulty Level: Easy
7. The soma of a neuron contains the ______.
a. glial material
b. neural receptors
c. axons
d. nucleus
Ans: D
Learning Objective: 2-2: Name the structures of neurons
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Basic Structure: The Motor Neuron
Difficulty Level: Easy
8. The part of a neuron that transmits information over long distances is the ______.
a. soma
b. axon
c. dendrite
Instructor Resource
Garrett, Brain & Behavior 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2018
d. synapse
Ans: B
Learning Objective: 2-2: Name the structures of neurons
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Basic Structure: The Motor Neuron
Difficulty Level: Easy
9. The dendrites of a neuron ______.
a. transmit information to the cell body
b. provide the life processes of the cell
c. transmit neural impulses to the terminal buttons
d. release neurotransmitters
Ans: A
Learning Objective: 2-2: Name the structures of neurons
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Basic Structure: The Motor Neuron
Difficulty Level: Easy
10. Which of the following is true of the axons of neurons?
a. They end in swellings known as terminals.
b. They control the life processes of the cell.
c. They insulate the brainโs electrical signals.
d. They contain the cellโs nucleus.
Ans: A
Learning Objective: Knowledge
Cognitive Domain: 2-2: Name the structures of neurons
Answer Location: Basic Structure: The Motor Neuron
Difficulty Level: Easy
11. ______ are released from axon terminals and are detected by protein receptors on
an adjacent neuron.
a. Hormones
b. Neurotoxins
c. Neurotransmitters
d. Pheromones
Ans: C
Learning Objective: 2-2: Name the structures of neurons
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Basic Structure: The Motor Neuron
Difficulty Level: Easy
12. Which of the following is true of axon terminals of neurons?
a. They supply the cell with nutrients and oxygen.
b. They provide insulation.
c. They send electrical impulses.
d. They release neurotransmitters from vesicles.
Instructor Resource
Garrett, Brain & Behavior 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2018
Ans: D
Learning Objective: 2-2: Name the structures of neurons
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Basic Structure: The Motor Neuron
Difficulty Level: Easy
13. ______ can be long enough to provide a direct connection between the spinal cord
and the toes of a giraffe.
a. Interneurons
b. Projection neurons
c. Axons
d. Dendrites
Ans: C
Learning Objective: 2-2: Name the structures of neurons
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Basic Structure: The Motor Neuron
Difficulty Level: Easy
14. Which of the following is true of sensory neurons?
a. Sensory neurons control muscles and produce movement.
b. Sensory neurons gather information from the environment and convey it into the
central nervous system.
c. Sensory neurons have cell bodies covered with myelin.
d. Sensory neurons send messages away from the brain toward the periphery.
Ans: B
Learning Objective: 2-3: Compare the functions of sensory, motor, and interneurons
Other Types of Neurons
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Other Types of Neurons
Difficulty Level: Easy
15. Which of the following is a true statement about neuron type?
a. Sensory neurons are typically mutlipolar.
b. Sensory neurons are typically unipolar or bipolar.
c. Motor neurons are typically uniploar.
d. Motor neurons are typically bipolar.
Ans: B
Learning Objective: 2-3: Compare the functions of sensory, motor, and interneurons
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Other Types of Neurons
Difficulty Level: Easy
16. A(n) ______ would be found bridging between a sensory neuron and a motor
neuron in the spinal cord.
a. glial cell
b. projection neuron
Instructor Resource
Garrett, Brain & Behavior 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2018
c. interneuron
d. multipolar
Ans: C
Learning Objective: 2-3: Compare the functions of sensory, motor, and interneurons
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Other Types of Neurons
Difficulty Level: Easy
17. Many business deals involve a โmiddle manโ who communicates between buyer and
seller. The โmiddle manโ between a sensory neuron and a motor neuron is a(n) ______.
a. interneuron
b. synapse
c. projection neuron
d. glial cell
Ans: A
Learning Objective: 2-3: Compare the functions of sensory, motor, and interneurons
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Other Types of Neurons
Difficulty Level: Medium
18. The most common type of neuron in the brain is the ______.
a. motor neuron
b. unipolar neuron
c. sensory neuron
d. interneuron
Ans: D
Learning Objective: 2-3: Compare the functions of sensory, motor, and interneurons
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Other Types of Neurons
Difficulty Level: Easy
19. The cell membrane of a neuron is a double layer made up of ______.
a. protein and connective tissue
b. protein and lipid (fat)
c. lipid (fat) and connective tissue
d. intracellular material and extracellular material
Ans: B
Learning Objective: 2-4: Explain the roles of ions and the cell membrane in nervous
system communication
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: The Neural Membrane and Its Potentials
Difficulty Level: Easy
20. Which of the statements about cell membranes is correct?
a. Many millennia ago, they were free-living single-celled organisms.
b. They extend between multiple neurons.
Instructor Resource
Garrett, Brain & Behavior 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2018
c. They contain specialized protein channels.
d. They are primarily made up of calcium.
Ans: C
Learning Objective: 2-4: Explain the roles of ions and the cell membrane in nervous
system communication
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: The Neural Membrane and Its Potentials
Difficulty Level: Easy
21. Which of the following is true about the lipids that compose the cell membrane?
a. The โheadsโ are in contact with extracellular and intracellular fluid and the โtailsโ are
oriented away from these fluids.
b. The โtailsโ are in contact with extracellular and intracellular fluid and the โheadsโ are
oriented away from these fluids.
c. Half of all โheadsโ and โtailsโ are in contact with extracellular fluid.
d. Both โheadsโ and โtailsโ are in contact with intracellular fluid.
Ans: A
Learning Objective: 2-4: Explain the roles of ions and the cell membrane in nervous
system communication
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: The Neural Membrane and Its Potentials
Difficulty Level: Easy
22. The seawater-like solution inside neurons and bathing their outside are known
respectively as ______.
a. extracellular and intracellular fluid
b. intracellular and extracellular fluid
c. cellular and extracellular fluid
d. intramembrane and extramembrane fluid
Ans: B
Learning Objective: 2-4: Explain the roles of ions and the cell membrane in nervous
system communication
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: The Neural Membrane and Its Potentials
Difficulty Level: Easy
23. The fact that the cell membrane is highly permeable to some substances and much
less so to other substances is one factor that contributes to the cell being ______.
a. potentialized
b. polarized
c. hyperpolarized
d. motor
Ans: B
Learning Objective: 2-4: Explain the roles of ions and the cell membrane in nervous
system communication
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Instructor Resource
Garrett, Brain & Behavior 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2018
Answer Location: The Neural Membrane and Its Potentials
Difficulty Level: Easy
24. When it is said that the cell membrane has a difference in electrical charge between
its inside and the outside, this means the membrane is ______.
a. potentialized
b. polarized
c. hyperpolarized
d. viable
Ans: B
Learning Objective: 2-4: Explain the roles of ions and the cell membrane in nervous
system communication
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: The Neural Membrane and Its Potentials
Difficulty Level: Easy
25. One function of the specialized protein channels in a cell membrane is to ______.
a. form an impermeable barrier to all substances foreign to the cell
b. package neurotransmitters
c. provide oxygen and nutrients for the cell
d. selectively allow substances to enter or leave the cell
Ans: D
Learning Objective: 2-4: Explain the roles of ions and the cell membrane in nervous
system communication
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: The Neural Membrane and Its Potentials
Difficulty Level: Easy
26. Which of the following is true of a neuron at rest?
a. The inside of the neuron is negatively charged with respect to the outside.
b. The inside of the neuron is positively charged with respect to the outside.
c. The inside of the neuron is not charged.
d. The inside of the neuron converts potential energy into chemical energy.
Ans: A
Learning Objective: 2-4: Explain the roles of ions and the cell membrane in nervous
system communication
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: The Resting Potential
Difficulty Level: Easy
27. The ______ is the difference in electrical potential between the inside and outside of
an inactive neuron.
a. action potential
b. resting potential
c. threshold of excitation
d. reaction potential
Instructor Resource
Garrett, Brain & Behavior 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2018
Ans: B
Learning Objective: 2-4: Explain the roles of ions and the cell membrane in nervous
system communication
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: The Resting Potential
Difficulty Level: Easy
28. Which of the following is true of the resting membrane potential?
a. It is a function of positively charged ions concentrated inside the cell.
b. It is positive inside with respect to outside.
c. It is the result of a freely permeable membrane.
d. It is the difference in electrical charge inside and outside the inactive neuron.
Ans: D
Learning Objective: 2-4: Explain the roles of ions and the cell membrane in nervous
system communication
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: The Resting Potential
Difficulty Level: Easy
29. ______ are charged atoms that have gained or lost one or more electrons.
a. Ions
b. Polarizations
c. Electrolytes
d. Positrons
Ans: A
Learning Objective: 2-4: Explain the roles of ions and the cell membrane in nervous
system communication
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: The Resting Potential
Difficulty Level: Easy
30. Sodium ions are most concentrated in the ______ fluid.
a. intracellular
b. extracellular
c. intracellular and extracellular
d. polarized
Ans: B
Learning Objective: 2-4: Explain the roles of ions and the cell membrane in nervous
system communication
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: The Resting Potential
Difficulty Level: Easy
31. Potassium ions are most concentrated in the ______ fluid.
a. intracellular
b. extracellular
Instructor Resource
Garrett, Brain & Behavior 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2018
c. intracellular and extracellular
d. nonpolarized
Ans: A
Learning Objective: 2-4: Explain the roles of ions and the cell membrane in nervous
system communication
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: The Resting Potential
Difficulty Level: Easy
32. Which of the following is true of both chloride ions and anions?
a. They are both concentrated in the extracellular fluid.
b. They are both concentrated in the intracellular fluid.
c. They both carry a positive charge.
d. They both carry a negative charge.
Ans: D
Learning Objective: 2-4: Explain the roles of ions and the cell membrane in nervous
system communication
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: The Resting Potential
Difficulty Level: Easy
33. The condition in which ions of a similar charge repel each other and thus spread
evenly through a solution is called ______.
a. repulsion
b. the resting potential
c. electrostatic pressure
d. force of diffusion
Ans: C
Learning Objective: 2-4: Explain the roles of ions and the cell membrane in nervous
system communication
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: The Resting Potential
Difficulty Level: Easy
34. The force by which high concentrations of ions disperse away from each other and
thus spread evenly through a solution is called ______.
a. force of diffusion
b. repulsion
c. electrostatic pressure
d. the resting potential
Ans: A
Learning Objective: 2-4: Explain the roles of ions and the cell membrane in nervous
system communication
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: The Resting Potential
Difficulty Level: Easy
Instructor Resource
Garrett, Brain & Behavior 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2018
35. ______ are concentrated primarily outside of the neuron, in the extracellular fluid,
which contributes to the negative resting membrane potential of neurons.
a. Chloride ions
b. Sodium ions
c. Potassium ions
d. Anions
Ans: B
Learning Objective: 2-4: Explain the roles of ions and the cell membrane in nervous
system communication
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: The Resting Potential
Difficulty Level: Medium
36. ______ tend to exit a neuron based on weaker electrostatic pressure than their
force of diffusion.
a. Protein anions
b. Potassium ions
c. Sodium ions
d. Chloride ions
Ans: B
Learning Objective: 2-4: Explain the roles of ions and the cell membrane in nervous
system communication
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: The Resting Potential
Difficulty Level: Easy
37. ______ would tend to move into the neuron based on both their electrostatic
pressure and force of diffusion.
a. Protein anions
b. Potassium ions
c. Sodium ions
d. Chloride ions
Ans: C
Learning Objective: 2-4: Explain the roles of ions and the cell membrane in nervous
system communication
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: The Resting Potential
Difficulty Level: Easy
38. When making dinner, you add salt to a pot of boiling water. At first, the salt remains
in one spot, but eventually spreads throughout the water due to the ______.
a. electrostatic pressure
b. different polarizations of the water
c. force of diffusion
d. cell membrane
Instructor Resource
Garrett, Brain & Behavior 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2018
Ans: C
Learning Objective: 2-4: Explain the roles of ions and the cell membrane in nervous
system communication
Cognitive Domain: Application
Answer Location: The Resting Potential
Difficulty Level: Hard
39. During a neuronโs resting state, channels for potassium and sodium ions are
______.
a. closed
b. open
c. selectively open
d. not gated
Ans: A
Learning Objective: 2-4: Explain the roles of ions and the cell membrane in nervous
system communication
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: The Resting Potential
Difficulty Level: Easy
40. The sodium-potassium pump forces sodium ions ______ and potassium ions into
the cell.
a. out of the cell
b. into the cell
c. into the membrane
d. into the nucleus
Ans: A
Learning Objective: 2-4: Explain the roles of ions and the cell membrane in nervous
system communication
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: The Resting Potential
Difficulty Level: Easy
41. In a resting neuron, which force pushes potassium ions into the cell?
a. diffusion
b. saltatory conduction
c. the sodium-potassium pump
d. the action potential
Ans: C
Learning Objective: 2-4: Explain the roles of ions and the cell membrane in nervous
system communication
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: The Resting Potential
Difficulty Level: Easy
Instructor Resource
Garrett, Brain & Behavior 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2018
42. The sodium-potassium pump accounts for ______ of the neuronโs energy
expenditure.
a. 75%
b. 60%
c. 40%
d. 25%
Ans: C
Learning Objective: 2-4: Explain the roles of ions and the cell membrane in nervous
system communication
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: The Resting Potential
Difficulty Level: Easy
43. Which of the following can prompt an electrically gated ion channel in the cell
membrane to open?
a. activity of the sodium-potassium pump
b. one additional ion entering the cell
c. one ion leaving the cell
d. a change in the electrical potential of the membrane
Ans: D
Learning Objective: 2-4: Explain the roles of ions and the cell membrane in nervous
system communication
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Ion Channels and Local Potentials
Difficulty Level: Easy
44. ______ gated ion channels open and close based on the presence of
neurotransmitters or hormones.
a. Electrically
b. Chemically
c. Specially
d. Diffusion
Ans: B
Learning Objective: 2-4: Explain the roles of ions and the cell membrane in nervous
system communication
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Ion Channels and Local Potentials
Difficulty Level: Easy
45. Which of the following is true of local potential but not action potential?
a. It is decremental.
b. It results from a depolarization of the cell membrane.
c. It results from a hyperpolarization of the cell membrane.
d. It is the result of electrically gated ion channels in the axon.
Ans: A
Instructor Resource
Garrett, Brain & Behavior 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2018
Learning Objective: 2-4: Explain the roles of ions and the cell membrane in nervous
system communication
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Ion Channels and Local Potentials
Difficulty Level: Medium
46. The ______ is the neuronโs means of transmitting information over long distances.
a. depolarizing potential
b. local potential
c. graded potential
d. action potential
Ans: D
Learning Objective: 2-4: Explain the roles of ions and the cell membrane in nervous
system communication
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Action Potentials
Difficulty Level: Easy
47. Which of the following is true of depolarization?
a. It is a change in the resting neuronโs polarity away from zero.
b. It is a change in the resting neuronโs polarity toward zero.
c. It is the conduction of a graded potential.
d. It changes in conduction capability in myelinated axons.
Ans: B
Learning Objective: 2-4: Explain the roles of ions and the cell membrane in nervous
system communication
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Action Potentials
Difficulty Level: Easy
48. The depolarization arriving at an axon from a dendrite is called a graded potential
because it can ______.
a. vary in magnitude
b. transmit over long distances
c. vary in speed
d. transmit information
Ans: A
Learning Objective: 2-4: Explain the roles of ions and the cell membrane in nervous
system communication
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Action Potentials
Difficulty Level: Easy
49. If the partial depolarization arriving at an axon is sufficiently large, typically ______,
it can cause normally closed sodium ion channels to open.
a. 5 mV or more
Instructor Resource
Garrett, Brain & Behavior 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2018
b. 10 mV or more
c. 30 mV or more
d. 40 mV or more
Ans: B
Learning Objective: 2-4: Explain the roles of ions and the cell membrane in nervous
system communication
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Action Potentials
Difficulty Level: Easy
50. When depolarization of the cell membrane reaches threshold, which of the following
occurs?
a. Chloride ion channels open.
b. Potassium ion channels open.
c. Sodium ion channels open.
d. The electrical potential of the membrane becomes more negative.
Ans: C
Learning Objective: 2-4: Explain the roles of ions and the cell membrane in nervous
system communication
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Action Potentials
Difficulty Level: Easy
51. Which of the following is a brief, rapid reversal of the neuronโs potential from โ70
mV to +30 or +40 mV and back?
a. sustained membrane reversal
b. a hyperpolarization
c. a refractory period
d. an action potential
Ans: D
Learning Objective: 2-4: Explain the roles of ions and the cell membrane in nervous
system communication
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Action Potentials
Difficulty Level: Easy
52. The change in electrical charge from โ70 mV to the peak of the action potential is
due to ______.
a. inflow of chloride ions
b. inflow of potassium ions
c. inflow of sodium ions
d. outflow of sodium ions
Ans: C
Learning Objective: 2-4: Explain the roles of ions and the cell membrane in nervous
system communication
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Instructor Resource
Garrett, Brain & Behavior 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2018
Answer Location: Action Potentials
Difficulty Level: Easy
53. The change in electrical charge from the peak of +30 or +40 mV back to โ70 mV is
due to ______.
a. outflow of sodium ions
b. outflow of potassium ions
c. inflow of potassium ions
d. inflow of chloride ions
Ans: B
Learning Objective: 2-4: Explain the roles of ions and the cell membrane in nervous
system communication
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Action Potentials
Difficulty Level: Easy
54. What ionic movement is responsible for pulling the membrane potential back to a
negative voltage during an action potential?
a. Sodium ions move into the cell.
b. Potassium ions move into the cell.
c. Protein anions move out of the cell.
d. Potassium ions move out of the cell.
Ans: D
Learning Objective: 2-4: Explain the roles of ions and the cell membrane in nervous
system communication
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Action Potentials
Difficulty Level: Easy
55. An action potential from beginning to end lasts about ______.
a. 1 millisecond
b. 1 second
c. 10 milliseconds
d. 10 seconds
Ans: A
Learning Objective: 2-4: Explain the roles of ions and the cell membrane in nervous
system communication
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Action Potentials
Difficulty Level: Easy
56. The action potential spreads through an axon by ______.
a. a decremental of graded potential
b. a nondecremental of graded potential
c. inflow of potassium ions and outflow of sodium ions
d. depolarizing adjacent membrane to threshold, triggering another action potential
Instructor Resource
Garrett, Brain & Behavior 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2018
Ans: D
Learning Objective: 2-4: Explain the roles of ions and the cell membrane in nervous
system communication
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Action Potentials
Difficulty Level: Easy
57. Which of the following is a true statement about what occurs when an axon
transmits an action potential?
a. Electricity flows from one end of the axon to the other.
b. Nothing physically moves down the axon.
c. Neurochemicals flow from one end of the axon to the other.
d. The sodium-potassium pump pushes ions down the axon.
Ans: B
Learning Objective: 2-4: Explain the roles of ions and the cell membrane in nervous
system communication
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Action Potentials
Difficulty Level: Medium
58. Sarah threw rocks of different sizes into a pond. Just as ripple size was a function of
size of rock, graded potentials ______ as a function of stimulus intensity.
a. vary in inverse magnitude
b. vary along an exponential continuum
c. vary in magnitude
d. are a graded percentage
Ans: C
Learning Objective: 2-4: Explain the roles of ions and the cell membrane in nervous
system communication
Cognitive Domain: Application
Answer Location: Action Potentials
Difficulty Level: Hard
59. Electricity flowing in power lines drops in voltage over distance, requiring your power
company to use transformers to boost the voltage back to the original amplitude. This
loss over distance is similar to the behavior of ______ potentials.
a. hyperpolarizing
b. nondecremental
c. action
d. graded
Ans: D
Learning Objective: 2-4: Explain the roles of ions and the cell membrane in nervous
system communication
Cognitive Domain: Application
Answer Location: Action Potentials
Difficulty Level: Hard
Instructor Resource
Garrett, Brain & Behavior 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2018
60. An action potential occurs at a specific amplitude for that neuron, regardless of the
stimulus intensity or how much higher than threshold the stimulus is; this is known as
the ______.
a. all-or-none law
b. principle of mass action
c. rate law
d. law of equipotentiality
Ans: A
Learning Objective: 2-4: Explain the roles of ions and the cell membrane in nervous
system communication
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Action Potentials
Difficulty Level: Easy
61. Which of the following concepts does the all-or-none law describe?
a. All dendrites must be hyperpolarized before a neuron fires.
b. All neurons in a nerve fire or none of them fires.
c. The size of an action potential does not depend on the amplitude of the stimulus that
started it.
d. The frequency at which a neuron fires is independent of the intensity of the stimulus.
Ans: C
Learning Objective: 2-4: Explain the roles of ions and the cell membrane in nervous
system communication
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Action Potentials
Difficulty Level: Easy
62. A neuronโs cell membrane could become positive through either an inflow of positive
ions or an outflow of negative ions. Why is the inflow of positive ions the most logical
method for this depolarization?
a. There are already too many protein anions outside of the cell.
b. There are already too many chloride ions outside of the cell.
c. There are too few potassium ions inside of the cell.
d. The potassium ions are kept out of the cell by the sodium-potassium pump.
Ans: B
Learning Objective: 2-4: Explain the roles of ions and the cell membrane in nervous
system communication
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Action Potentials
Difficulty Level: Medium
63. Which of the following is true of action potentials in axons?
a. Only one action potential is generated to produce a depolarization along an entire
axon.
Instructor Resource
Garrett, Brain & Behavior 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2018
b. Only two action potentials are generated to produce depolarization along an entire
axon.
c. Many action potentials are generated next to each other along the length of an axon.
d. Action potentials are generated at the beginning, middle, and end of an axon only.
Ans: C
Learning Objective: 2-4: Explain the roles of ions and the cell membrane in nervous
system communication
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Action Potentials
Difficulty Level: Medium
64. Following an action potential, the _____ returns the ions to their resting state
concentrations.
a. diffusion gradient
b. sodium-potassium pump
c. action potential
d. resting membrane potential
Ans: B
Learning Objective: 2-4: Explain the roles of ions and the cell membrane in nervous
system communication
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Action Potentials
Difficulty Level: Easy
65. Which of the following would be a consequence of the sodium-potassium pump
being inactivated?
a. Too many potassium ions would accumulate inside the cell.
b. Too many sodium ions would accumulate outside of the cell.
c. Too many chloride ions would accumulate inside the cell.
d. Action potentials would not be able to be generated.
Ans: D
Learning Objective: 2-4: Explain the roles of ions and the cell membrane in nervous
system communication
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Action Potentials
Difficulty Level: Easy
66. Which property of action potentials results in their ability to transmit information over
long distances?
a. Action potentials are decremental.
b. Action potentials do not become smaller as they occur down the length of an axon.
c. Action potentials are graded.
d. Action potentials only occur if a threshold level of depolarization is reached.
Ans: B
Learning Objective: 2-4: Explain the roles of ions and the cell membrane in nervous
system communication
Instructor Resource
Garrett, Brain & Behavior 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2018
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Action Potentials
Difficulty Level: Medium
67. Intensity of a stimulus, such as the intensity of noise that a person experiences, can
be communicated through ______.
a. the size of an action potential
b. the length of the axon an action potential travels along
c. the number of neurons that fire action potentials
d. the speed at which the action potential occurs
Ans: C
Learning Objective: 2-4: Explain the roles of ions and the cell membrane in nervous
system communication
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Action Potentials
Difficulty Level: Medium
68. Most local anesthetics result in numbness because they block sodium channels in
cell membranes. What impact does this blocking have on the activity of nerve cells?
a. There is no impact.
b. Action potentials cannot occur because the membrane cannot fully depolarize.
c. Action potentials cannot occur because the membrane remains hyperpolarized.
d. The nerve cell dies.
Ans: B
Learning Objective: 2-4: Explain the roles of ions and the cell membrane in nervous
system communication
Cognitive Domain: Application
Answer Location: Action Potentials
Difficulty Level: Hard
69. Which statement characterizes the absolute refractory period?
a. The neuron cannot fire again because the potassium channels are unable to open.
b. The neuron cannot fire again because the sodium channels are unable to open.
c. The neuron can fire again but only to a stronger-than-threshold stimulus.
d. The neuron can fire again but only at a much slower rate.
Ans: B
Learning Objective: 2-4: Explain the roles of ions and the cell membrane in nervous
system communication
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Refractory Periods
Difficulty Level: Easy
70. Which statement characterizes the relative refractory period?
a. The neuron cannot fire again because the potassium channels are unable to open.
b. The neuron cannot fire again because the sodium channels are unable to open.
c. The neuron can fire again but only to a stronger-than-threshold stimulus.
Instructor Resource
Garrett, Brain & Behavior 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2018
d. The neuron can fire again but only at a much slower rate.
Ans: C.
Learning Objective: 2-4: Explain the roles of ions and the cell membrane in nervous
system communication
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Refractory Periods
Difficulty Level: Easy
71. Which of the following is an implication of the absolute refractory period?
a. This limits how often action potentials can occur.
b. This limits the intensity of a stimulus that can be processed by a neuron.
c. This limits the speed at which hyperpolarization can occur during an action potential.
d. This limits the amount of sodium that can leave a neuron.
Ans: A
Learning Objective: 2-4: Explain the roles of ions and the cell membrane in nervous
system communication
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Refractory Periods
Difficulty Level: Easy
72. Many people are concerned about eating too much salt, yet table salt (sodium
chloride) plays which important role in your nervous system?
a. It holds nerve cells together.
b. It prevents neuron decay.
c. It stimulates the neurons for taste, but not in other areas of the nervous system.
d. It breaks down into ions that are needed for neuron signaling.
Ans: D
Learning Objective: 2-4: Explain the roles of ions and the cell membrane in nervous
system communication
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Action Potentials
Difficulty Level: Medium
73. One property of action potentials is that they move in one direction down the axons
of neurons. This occurs due to the ______.
a. electrostatic pressure
b. rate of diffusion
c. relative refractory period
d. absolute refractory period
Ans: D
Learning Objective: 2-4: Explain the roles of ions and the cell membrane in nervous
system communication
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Refractory Periods
Difficulty Level: Medium
Instructor Resource
Garrett, Brain & Behavior 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2018
74. Which of the following explains a neuronโs means of encoding various intensities of
stimuli?
a. passive conduction
b. rate law
c. all-or-none law
d. electrostatic pressure
Ans: B
Learning Objective: 2-4: Explain the roles of ions and the cell membrane in nervous
system communication
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Refractory Periods
Difficulty Level: Easy
75. After Debbieโs car accident, as the doctor asked her if it hurt here or if it hurt when
he pressed this hard, Debbie understood why she could tell the differences in amount of
pressure the doctor used; her sensory neurons coded the different pressures via
______.
a. different magnitude action potentials
b. differences in thresholds for different neurons
c. different neurotransmitters
d. different rates of firing in neurons
Ans: D
Learning Objective: 2-4: Explain the roles of ions and the cell membrane in nervous
system communication
Cognitive Domain: Application
Answer Location: Refractory Periods
Difficulty Level: Hard
76. When you call your sleeping dog, his eyelids flutter; you call louder and his ears
perk up; you call even louder and he wakes up. Why?
a. Different types of stimuli produce responses in different neurons.
b. Greater stimulus intensities activate glial cells as well as neurons.
c. Greater stimulus intensities produce higher rates of action potentials.
d. Different stimulus intensities activate different neurons.
Ans: C
Learning Objective: 2-4: Explain the roles of ions and the cell membrane in nervous
system communication
Cognitive Domain: Application
Answer Location: Refractory Periods
Difficulty Level: Hard
77. What reduces the chances of an action potential being fired during the relative
refractory period?
a. The neuronโs membrane is slightly more negative than at rest.
b. The neuronโs membrane is slightly closer to zero than at rest.
c. The sodium channels remain open.
Instructor Resource
Garrett, Brain & Behavior 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2018
d. There is not sufficient potassium outside of the neuron.
Ans: A
Learning Objective: 2-4: Explain the roles of ions and the cell membrane in nervous
system communication
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Refractory Periods
Difficulty Level: Easy
78. You awake to your phone ringing. What will need to be true of the next stimulus in
your environment if it is going to be detectable to you?
a. The next stimulus must be weaker than your phone ringing.
b. The next stimulus must occur through a different sense (such as sight).
c. The next stimulus must be strong enough to overcome a slightly hyperpolarized
membrane if it occurs immediately following the ringing phone.
d. The next stimulus must occur at least five minutes after the phone ringing.
Ans: C
Learning Objective: 2-4: Explain the roles of ions and the cell membrane in nervous
system communication
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Refractory Periods
Difficulty Level: Medium
79. Which nervous system cells got their name for one of their previously believed roles,
to hold neurons together?
a. anions
b. glia
c. soma
d. mitochondria
Ans: B
Learning Objective: 2-1: Identify the cells of the nervous system
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Glial Cells
Difficulty Level: Easy
80. Just as many people want to mistakenly compare the brain’s โinformation
processingโ capability and speed to that of a computer, the speed of neural impulses is
often erroneously compared to the ______.
a. speed of light
b. speed of sound
c. speed of electrical current
d. average reaction time for an average adult human
Ans: C
Learning Objective: 2-1: Identify the cells of the nervous system
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Myelination and Conduction Speed
Difficulty Level: Medium
Instructor Resource
Garrett, Brain & Behavior 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2018
81. The conduction speed of neurons is largely a function of ______.
a. axon length and axon diameter
b. axon diameter and number of ion channels
c. axon length and myelination
d. axon diameter and myelination
Ans: D
Learning Objective: 2-1: Identify the cells of the nervous system
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Myelination and Conduction Speed
Difficulty Level: Easy
82. With a bigger fire, a larger-diameter water hose will be needed to put out more water
per second. Likewise, ______ axons have evolved to provide less resistance to the
conduction of neural potentials.
a. shorter
b. thicker
c. thinner
d. denser
Ans: B
Learning Objective: 2-1: Identify the cells of the nervous system
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Myelination and Conduction Speed
Difficulty Level: Medium
83. You have been given the task of designing an animal that needs to have an efficient
nervous system, and the animal can be no larger than a human. What feature can you
include in the animalโs nervous system to ensure that it can respond quickly to its
environment?
a. very short axons
b. very long axons
c. very wide axons
d. myelinated axons
Ans: D
Learning Objective: 2-1: Identify the cells of the nervous system
Cognitive Domain: Application
Answer Location: Myelination and Conduction Speed
Difficulty Level: Hard
84. The cells that produce myelin in the brain and spinal cord are called ______.
a. Ranvier cells
b. astrocytes
c. oligodendrocytes
d. Schwann cells
Ans: C
Learning Objective: 2-1: Identify the cells of the nervous system
Instructor Resource
Garrett, Brain & Behavior 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2018
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Myelination and Conduction Speed
Difficulty Level: Easy
85. The cells that produce myelin in the parts of the nervous system outside of the brain
and spinal cord are called ______.
a. Ranvier cells
b. astrocytes
c. oligodendrocytes
d. Schwann cells
Ans: D
Learning Objective: 2-1: Identify the cells of the nervous system
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Myelination and Conduction Speed
Difficulty Level: Easy
86. The gaps in the myelin sheaths on axons are known as ______.
a. synapses of myelin
b. nodes of Schwann
c. oligodendrocytes
d. nodes of Ranvier
Ans: D
Learning Objective: 2-1: Identify the cells of the nervous system
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Myelination and Conduction Speed
Difficulty Level: Easy
87. Which of the following statements about neuronal conduction in myelinated neurons
is correct?
a. Myelinated axons use saltatory conduction.
b. Myelination is a less efficient way to increase conduction speed than increasing the
width of axons.
c. Myelin is only found on neurons in the brain.
d. Thicker myelination on axons results in a slower conduction of action potentials.
Ans: A
Learning Objective: 2-1: Identify the cells of the nervous system
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Myelination and Conduction Speed
Difficulty Level: Easy
88. Which of the following is true about the action potential in a myelinated neuron?
a. The action potential jumps from synapse to synapse.
b. The action potential travels faster than in an unmyelinated neuron.
c. The action potential travels more slowly than in an unmyelinated neuron.
d. The action potential is conducted down to the uninsulated parts of the dendrites.
Ans: B
Instructor Resource
Garrett, Brain & Behavior 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2018
Learning Objective: 2-1: Identify the cells of the nervous system
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Myelination and Conduction Speed
Difficulty Level: Easy
89. Which of the following is true about oligodendrocytes?
a. These are the least common glial cells in the brain.
b. These are the most common glial cells in the brain.
c. These are found exclusively in the nervous system outside of the brain.
d. These perform the function of removing waste from the nervous system.
Ans: B
Learning Objective: 2-1: Identify the cells of the nervous system
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Myelination and Conduction Speed
Difficulty Level: Easy
90. The effect of myelination on an axonโs conduction speed is the equivalent of
increasing an axonโs diameter by ______ times.
a. 25
b. 50
c. 100
d. 1000
Ans: C
Learning Objective: 2-1: Identify the cells of the nervous system
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Myelination and Conduction Speed
Difficulty Level: Easy
91. Saltatory conduction occurs only in ______.
a. myelinated axons
b. myelinated dendrites
c. unmyelinated axons
d. unmyelinated dendrites
Ans: A
Learning Objective: 2-1: Identify the cells of the nervous system
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Myelination and Conduction Speed
Difficulty Level: Easy
92. Where can sodium ions enter a myelinated axon?
a. at the soma
b. through the myelin sheath
c. at the point at which the axon divides and branches
d. at the nodes of Ranvier
Ans: D
Learning Objective: 2-1: Identify the cells of the nervous system
Instructor Resource
Garrett, Brain & Behavior 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2018
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Myelination and Conduction Speed
Difficulty Level: Easy
93. The fact that action potentials occur only at the nodes of Ranvier is the basis for
______.
a. increased energy consumption in myelinated neurons
b. saltatory conduction
c. slower conduction speed in myelinated neurons
d. faster conduction speeds in unmyelinated neurons
Ans: B
Learning Objective: 2-1: Identify the cells of the nervous system
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Myelination and Conduction Speed
Difficulty Level: Easy
94. Which part of the neuron works less due to myelination reducing the places where
sodium can enter a neuron?
a. the cell membrane
b. the axon
c. the sodium-potassium pump
d. the dendrites
Ans: C
Learning Objective: 2-1: Identify the cells of the nervous system
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Myelination and Conduction Speed
Difficulty Level: Easy
95. As Francine slowly lost motor function and suffered increasing sensory deficits, she
could almost picture her ______ being destroyed by the multiple sclerosis.
a. glial cells
b. axons
c. dendrites
d. myelin
Ans: D
Learning Objective: 2-1: Identify the cells of the nervous system
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Myelination and Conduction Speed
Difficulty Level: Easy
96. The disorder multiple sclerosis results in destruction of myelin. Why do people with
this disorder experience motor and sensory disturbances?
a. Their nerve cells die off.
b. Their axons are too thin.
c. Their neurons lose the ability to send signals.
d. Their nodes of Ranvier become enlarged.
Instructor Resource
Garrett, Brain & Behavior 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2018
Ans: C
Learning Objective: 2-1: Identify the cells of the nervous system
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Myelination and Conduction Speed
Difficulty Level: Medium
97. Myelinated axons consume less energy than unmyelinated axons because ______.
a. action potentials occur faster
b. the sodium-potassium pumps have less work to do
c. graded potentials do not consume energy
d. the sodium-potassium pumps are more efficient on these neurons
Ans: B
Learning Objective: 2-1: Identify the cells of the nervous system
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Other Glial Functions
Difficulty Level: Medium
98. A disease that destroys myelin is ______.
a. Alzheimerโs disease
b. Parkinsonโs disease
c. multiple sclerosis
d. neuropathy
Ans: C
Learning Objective: 2-1: Identify the cells of the nervous system
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Myelination and Conduction Speed
Difficulty Level: Easy
99. Which of the following is true of glial cells?
a. They guide new neurons in fetal development.
b. They can function like motor neurons.
c. There are fewer glia than neurons in the brain.
d. They only exist outside of the brain.
Ans: A
Learning Objective: 2-1: Identify the cells of the nervous system
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Other Glial Functions
Difficulty Level: Easy
100. Which of the following is a type of glia that helps new neurons reach their final
destination in the brain?
a. Schwann cells
b. astrocytes
c. microglia
d. radial glia
Ans: D
Instructor Resource
Garrett, Brain & Behavior 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2018
Learning Objective: 2-1: Identify the cells of the nervous system
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Other Glial Functions
Difficulty Level: Easy
101. The gap between two adjacent neurons was first observed by ______.
a. Golgi
b. Ranvier
c. Cajal
d. Loewi
Ans: C
Learning Objective: 2-5: Demonstrate how neurotransmitters are involved in
communication between nervous system cells
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: How Neurons Communicate With Each Other
Difficulty Level: Easy
102. The connection point between two neurons is called the ______.
a. terminal
b. axon
c. soma
d. synapse
Ans: D
Learning Objective: 2-5: Demonstrate how neurotransmitters are involved in
communication between nervous system cells
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: How Neurons Communicate With Each Other
Difficulty Level: Easy
103. If you could surgically remove a single neuron from the brain and place it on a
slide, what structure(s) would you have to destroy?
a. soma
b. axon
c. synapses
d. dendrites
Ans: C
Learning Objective: 2-5: Demonstrate how neurotransmitters are involved in
communication between nervous system cells
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: How Neurons Communicate With Each Other
Difficulty Level: Medium
104. Signals are sent from ______ neurons.
a. postsynaptic
b. presynaptic
c. motor
Instructor Resource
Garrett, Brain & Behavior 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2018
d. unmyelinated
Ans: B
Learning Objective: 2-5: Demonstrate how neurotransmitters are involved in
communication between nervous system cells
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: How Neurons Communicate With Each Other
Difficulty Level: Easy
105. Who first observed that neurons communicate at the synapse via chemicals?
a. Golgi
b. Loewi
c. Cajal
d. Broca
Ans: B
Learning Objective: 2-5: Demonstrate how neurotransmitters are involved in
communication between nervous system cells
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Chemical Transmission at the Synapse
Difficulty Level: Easy
106. If you have ever awoken from sleep to scribble down a brilliant idea, you can
probably relate to Loewi, whose own sleep was interrupted with notes with an insight
about ______.
a. synaptic structures
b. action potential speed
c. chemical transmission at the synapse
d. function of the sodium-potassium pump
Ans: C
Learning Objective: 2-5: Demonstrate how neurotransmitters are involved in
communication between nervous system cells
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Chemical Transmission at the Synapse
Difficulty Level: Easy
107. What experiment did Loewi perform to show that most synapses are chemical?
a. He dissected the brains of patients who had suffered strokes.
b. He altered the heart rate in frogs by bathing one heart in the chemical solution he
collected from another heart.
c. He applied electricity to frogsโ legs to animate them.
d. He measured the speed at which neurons sent electrical signals and compared that
to the speed of electrical current in a wire.
Ans: B
Learning Objective: 2-5: Demonstrate how neurotransmitters are involved in
communication between nervous system cells
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Chemical Transmission at the Synapse
Instructor Resource
Garrett, Brain & Behavior 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2018
Difficulty Level: Easy
108. Where are vesicles stored?
a. the axon terminals
b. the soma
c. the synapse
d. the synaptic cleft
Ans: A
Learning Objective: 2-5: Demonstrate how neurotransmitters are involved in
communication between nervous system cells
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Chemical Transmission at the Synapse
Difficulty Level: Easy
109. Which of the following is the order of events that prompts release of
neurotransmitters into the synapse?
a. An action potential reaches the axon terminals, vesicles fuse with cell membrane,
calcium ions enter the terminals, vesicles fuse with cell membrane, neurotransmitter is
released.
b. Calcium ions enter the terminals, an action potential reaches the axon terminals,
vesicles fuse with cell membrane, neurotransmitter is released.
c. Vesicles fuse with cell membrane, an action potential reaches the axon terminals,
calcium ions enter the terminals, neurotransmitter is released.
d. An action potential reaches the axon terminals, calcium ions enter the terminals,
vesicles fuse with cell membrane, neurotransmitter is released.
Ans: D
Learning Objective: 2-5: Demonstrate how neurotransmitters are involved in
communication between nervous system cells
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Chemical Transmission at the Synapse
Difficulty Level: Medium
110. After a few too many cups of coffee and having to find a restroom, Sal ironically
remembered the meaning of the term vesicle, as in ______.
a. โneed to urinateโ
b. โfull bladderโ
c. โlittle bladderโ
d. โneed to releaseโ
Ans: C
Learning Objective: 2-5: Demonstrate how neurotransmitters are involved in
communication between nervous system cells
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Chemical Transmission at the Synapse
Difficulty Level: Easy
111. Which of the following is true of the axon terminals of neurons?
Instructor Resource
Garrett, Brain & Behavior 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2018
a. They supply the cell with nutrients and oxygen.
b. They release neurotransmitters from vesicles.
c. The provide insulation to the cell.
d. They send electrical impulses.
Ans: B
Learning Objective: 2-5: Demonstrate how neurotransmitters are involved in
communication between nervous system cells
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Chemical Transmission at the Synapse
Difficulty Level: Easy
112. The release of neurotransmitter from axon terminals into the synaptic cleft depends
on ______.
a. the entry of calcium ions into the axon terminal
b. reversal of the sodium-potassium pump
c. the inflow of chloride ions
d. the opening of nodes of Ranvier
Ans: A
Learning Objective: 2-5: Demonstrate how neurotransmitters are involved in
communication between nervous system cells
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Chemical Transmission at the Synapse
Difficulty Level: Easy
113. ______ are released from axon terminals and are detected by protein receptors on
an adjacent neuron.
a. Hormones
b. Neurotoxins
c. Pheromones
d. Neurotransmitters
Ans: D
Learning Objective: 2-5: Demonstrate how neurotransmitters are involved in
communication between nervous system cells
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Chemical Transmission at the Synapse
Difficulty Level: Easy
114. The neurotransmitter fits into a very precisely shaped location on the postsynaptic
neuron called a ______.
a. ion channel
b. receptor
c. neurotransmitter cleft
d. synaptic cleft
Ans: B
Learning Objective: 2-5: Demonstrate how neurotransmitters are involved in
communication between nervous system cells
Instructor Resource
Garrett, Brain & Behavior 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2018
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Chemical Transmission at the Synapse
Difficulty Level: Easy
115. The relationship between a neurotransmitter and its receptor is akin to a ______.
a. key fitting into a lock
b. hammer hitting a wall
c. bubble bursting
d. pebble traveling down a stream
Ans: A
Learning Objective: 2-5: Demonstrate how neurotransmitters are involved in
communication between nervous system cells
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Chemical Transmission at the Synapse
Difficulty Level: Medium
116. Which of the following is prompted by a neurotransmitter docking with a receptor
site?
a. Ionic exchanges are induced between neurons.
b. An action potential is initiated.
c. Ion channels open, directly or indirectly.
d. Ion channels fuse with the cell membrane.
Ans: C
Learning Objective: 2-5: Demonstrate how neurotransmitters are involved in
communication between nervous system cells
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Chemical Transmission at the Synapse
Difficulty Level: Easy
117. Neurotransmitters that open ion channels do so by docking on ______.
a. a chemical receptor
b. an electrical receptor
c. an ion channel
d. a vesicle
Ans: A
Learning Objective: 2-5: Demonstrate how neurotransmitters are involved in
communication between nervous system cells
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Chemical Transmission at the Synapse
Difficulty Level: Easy
118. The change in a neuronโs potential caused by the arrival of neurotransmitter is
called ______.
a. the presynaptic reversal potential
b. the postsynaptic potential
c. axonic integration
Instructor Resource
Garrett, Brain & Behavior 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2018
d. neural potentiation
Ans: B
Learning Objective: 2-5: Demonstrate how neurotransmitters are involved in
communication between nervous system cells
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Excitation and Inhibition
Difficulty Level: Easy
119. ______ indirectly result in ion channels opening following binding of
neurotransmitter.
a. Ionotropic receptors
b. Metabotropic receptors
c. Calcium ions
d. Chloride channels
Ans: B
Learning Objective: 2-5: Demonstrate how neurotransmitters are involved in
communication between nervous system cells
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Chemical Transmission at the Synapse
Difficulty Level: Easy
120. Immediate reactions are prompted by neurotransmitter binding at a(n) ______.
a. ionotropic receptor
b. metabotropic receptor
c. calcium ion
d. chloride channel
Ans: A
Learning Objective: 2-5: Demonstrate how neurotransmitters are involved in
communication between nervous system cells
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Chemical Transmission at the Synapse
Difficulty Level: Easy
121. You are about to cross the road when suddenly you see a truck speeding toward
you. This type of information should be processed by ______ in order to ensure that you
respond quickly.
a. inhibitory signals
b. action potentials
c. metabotropic receptors
d. ionotropic receptors
Ans: D
Learning Objective: 2-5: Demonstrate how neurotransmitters are involved in
communication between nervous system cells
Cognitive Domain: Application
Answer Location: Chemical Transmission at the Synapse
Difficulty Level: Hard
Instructor Resource
Garrett, Brain & Behavior 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2018
122. Brian is studying for the licensing exam to become a social worker. He needs to
retain the information from that exam for many years to be effective at his job. In order
for that to occur, this information should be processed by ______.
a. inhibitory signals
b. action potentials
c. metabotropic receptors
d. ionotropic receptors
Ans: C
Learning Objective: 2-5: Demonstrate how neurotransmitters are involved in
communication between nervous system cells
Cognitive Domain: Application
Answer Location: Chemical Transmission at the Synapse
Difficulty Level: Hard
123. While action potentials provide simple all-or-none responses, synapses have
responses that are ______.
a. faster
b. less variable
c. constant
d. more complex
Ans: D
Learning Objective: 2-5: Demonstrate how neurotransmitters are involved in
communication between nervous system cells
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Chemical Transmission at the Synapse
Difficulty Level: Easy
124. Excitatory postsynaptic signals result in partial depolarization, while inhibitory
postsynaptic signals result in ______.
a. hyperpolarization
b. hypopolarization
c. an increased chance of an action potential occurring
d. a cellโs membrane becoming closer to zero in charge
Ans: A
Learning Objective: 2-7: Illustrate the ways that excitation and inhibition are important to
the functioning of the nervous system
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Excitation and Inhibition
Difficulty Level: Medium
125. The type of postsynaptic potential produced by a neurotransmitter depends on
which neurotransmitter is released and ______.
a. whether the receptor is chemical or electrical
b. the number of receptors that are activated
c. the type of receptor that it binds to
Instructor Resource
Garrett, Brain & Behavior 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2018
d. the amount of neurotransmitter present in the synapse
Ans: C
Learning Objective: 2-7: Illustrate the ways that excitation and inhibition are important to
the functioning of the nervous system
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Excitation and Inhibition
Difficulty Level: Easy
126. If the resting potential of a membrane changed from โ70 mV to โ75 mV, this would
be ______.
a. hypopolarization
b. hyperpolarization
c. an action potential
d. part of an EPSP
Ans: B
Learning Objective: 2-7: Illustrate the ways that excitation and inhibition are important to
the functioning of the nervous system
Cognitive Domain: Application
Answer Location: Excitation and Inhibition
Difficulty Level: Hard
127. If the resting potential of a membrane were to change from โ70 mV to โ65 mV, this
would be ______.
a. hyperpolarization
b. an action potential
c. part of an EPSP
d. part of an IPSP
Ans: C
Learning Objective: 2-7: Illustrate the ways that excitation and inhibition are important to
the functioning of the nervous system
Cognitive Domain: Application
Answer Location: Excitation and Inhibition
Difficulty Level: Hard
128. Which of the following occurs during an EPSP?
a. Chloride ions leave the cell.
b. Sodium ions leave the cell.
c. Sodium ions enter the cell.
d. Potassium ions enter the cell.
Ans: C
Learning Objective: 2-7: Illustrate the ways that excitation and inhibition are important to
the functioning of the nervous system
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Excitation and Inhibition
Difficulty Level: Easy
Instructor Resource
Garrett, Brain & Behavior 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2018
129. Which of the following occurs during an IPSP?
a. Chloride ions leave the cell.
b. Sodium ions leave the cell.
c. Sodium ions enter the cell.
d. Potassium ions leave the cell.
Ans: D
Learning Objective: 2-7: Illustrate the ways that excitation and inhibition are important to
the functioning of the nervous system
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Excitation and Inhibition
Difficulty Level: Easy
130. Most neurons fire spontaneously. IPSPs ______ the rate of firing.
a. increase
b. decrease
c. have no impact on
d. speed up
Ans: B
Learning Objective: 2-7: Illustrate the ways that excitation and inhibition are important to
the functioning of the nervous system
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Excitation and Inhibition
Difficulty Level: Medium
131. What is one function of hyperpolarization in the nervous system?
a. This serves to stimulate action potentials.
b. This serves to excite neurons.
c. This serves to keep excitatory signals in check.
d. This serves to provide continued firing of neurons, regardless of the stimuli.
Ans: C
Learning Objective: 2-7: Illustrate the ways that excitation and inhibition are important to
the functioning of the nervous system
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Excitation and Inhibition
Difficulty Level: Medium
132. Which of the following is one reason why chemical signals sent through the
synapse lead to greater complexity than the signals of action potentials?
a. Chemical signals at the synapse are all-or-none events.
b. Chemical signals sent through the synapse can be either excitatory or inhibitory.
c. Chemical signals always result in hypopolarization.
d. Chemical signals always result in hyperpolarization.
Ans: B
Learning Objective: 2-7: Illustrate the ways that excitation and inhibition are important to
the functioning of the nervous system
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Instructor Resource
Garrett, Brain & Behavior 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2018
Answer Location: Excitation and Inhibition
Difficulty Level: Medium
133. Where do graded potentials get converted into action potentials on the neuron?
a. dendritic spines
b. synaptic cleft
c. soma
d. axon hillock
Ans: D
Learning Objective: 2-7: Illustrate the ways that excitation and inhibition are important to
the functioning of the nervous system
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Excitation and Inhibition
Difficulty Level: Easy
134. When your Aunt Desirae skeptically asks you how a stimulant can slow down and
calm a hyperactive child, you answer that stimulants ______.
a. act to stimulate underactive frontal areas of the brain
b. exert placebo effects
c. have no such effect
d. act as depressants on hyperactive children
Ans: A
Learning Objective: 2-7: Illustrate the ways that excitation and inhibition are important to
the functioning of the nervous system
Cognitive Domain: Application
Answer Location: Excitation and Inhibition
Difficulty Level: Hard
135. Which of the following influences the rate at which a neuron fires?
a. the number of terminals of nearby interneurons
b. the number of postsynaptic receptors on this neuron
c. the number of autoreceptors on this neuron
d. the relative strength of excitatory and inhibitory inputs it receives
Ans: D
Learning Objective: 2-7: Illustrate the ways that excitation and inhibition are important to
the functioning of the nervous system
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Excitation and Inhibition
Difficulty Level: Medium
136. An excitatory synapse will produce hypopolarization potentials of as little as
______.
a. 0.01โ0.02 mV
b. 0.2โ0.4 mV
c. 1โ2 mV
d. 10โ12 mV
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Ans: B
Learning Objective: 2-6: Discuss how neurons work together to generate your
experiences of the world
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Postsynaptic Integration
Difficulty Level: Easy
137. A typical neuron in the brain receives input from how many other neurons?
a. 1,000
b. 10,000
c. 100,000
d. 1,000,000
Ans: A
Learning Objective: 2-6: Discuss how neurons work together to generate your
experiences of the world
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Postsynaptic Integration
Difficulty Level: Easy
138. If different postsynaptic potentials occur at the same time but from different inputs,
______ will occur.
a. simultaneous summation
b. temporal summation
c. an IPSP
d. spatial summation
Ans: D
Learning Objective: 2-6: Discuss how neurons work together to generate your
experiences of the world
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Postsynaptic Integration
Difficulty Level: Easy
139. At the last home football game, Joel started a taunting chant that slowly spread to
more and more fans. Eventually, all those in the stadium picked up the chant and made
a roar so deafening that the opposition had to call a timeout. What Joel and fellow fans
performed is analogous to the process of ______ at axon hillocks.
a. temporal summation
b. spatial summation
c. spatial integration
d. all-or-none law
Ans: B
Learning Objective: 2-6: Discuss how neurons work together to generate your
experiences of the world
Cognitive Domain: Application
Answer Location: Postsynaptic Integration
Difficulty Level: Hard
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140. If postsynaptic potentials arrive from the same input and a short time apart, ______
will occur.
a. synaptic summation
b. spatial summation
c. temporal summation
d. IPSP
Ans: C
Learning Objective: 2-6: Discuss how neurons work together to generate your
experiences of the world
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Postsynaptic Integration
Difficulty Level: Easy
141. Kerry wanted her son Alex to clean up his room for several days. Frustrated from
the lack of response from Alex, she started asking him to clean his room every 3
minutes. Finally, he cleaned up his room because he didnโt want to hear his motherโs
repeated requests anymore. His response is analogous to the process of ______ at
axon hillocks.
a. temporal summation
b. spatial summation
c. neural propagation
d. all-or-none law
Ans: A
Learning Objective: 2-6: Discuss how neurons work together to generate your
experiences of the world
Cognitive Domain: Application
Answer Location: Postsynaptic Integration
Difficulty Level: Hard
142. Since neurons algebraically summate IPSPs and EPSPs to โdecideโ whether to
fire, neurons have been referred to as ______.
a. summators
b. data analysis cells
c. responders
d. integrators
Ans: D
Learning Objective: 2-7: Illustrate the ways that excitation and inhibition are important to
the functioning of the nervous system
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Excitation and Inhibition
Difficulty Level: Easy
143. Which of the following mechanisms of terminating transmitter action involves the
reabsorption of a neurotransmitter by the axon terminals?
a. deactivation
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b. diffusion
c. reuptake
d. active recycling by glial cells
Ans: C
Learning Objective: 2-5: Demonstrate how neurotransmitters are involved in
communication between nervous system cells
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Terminating Synaptic Activity
Difficulty Level: Easy
144. While listening to drug users describe the subjective effects of cocaine, BJ took a
few notes to himself to remember that cocaine’s effects are due to blocking the ______.
a. effects of serotonin
b. reuptake of norepinephrine and dopamine
c. degradation of dopamine
d. reuptake of dopamine
Ans: D
Learning Objective: 2-5: Demonstrate how neurotransmitters are involved in
communication between nervous system cells
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Terminating Synaptic Activity
Difficulty Level: Easy
145. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are used to treat depression and have
which effect on the nervous system?
a. They increase the availability of serotonin at the synapse.
b. They decrease the amount of serotonin in a synapse.
c. They increase reuptake of serotonin.
d. They synthesize more serotonin.
Ans: A
Learning Objective: 2-5: Demonstrate how neurotransmitters are involved in
communication between nervous system cells
Cognitive Domain: Application
Answer Location: Terminating Synaptic Activity
Difficulty Level: Hard
146. The muscle disorder myasthenia gravis can be treated by ______.
a. reducing acetylcholine function in the brain
b. reducing the activity of acetylcholinesterase
c. removing acetylcholine receptors on muscles
d. growing additional acetylcholine receptors on muscles
Ans: B
Learning Objective: 2-5: Demonstrate how neurotransmitters are involved in
communication between nervous system cells
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Terminating Synaptic Activity
Instructor Resource
Garrett, Brain & Behavior 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2018
Difficulty Level: Medium
147. Which of the following is true of antidepressant MAO inhibitors?
a. MAO inhibitors reduce the activity of depressants.
b. MAO inhibitors increase the amount of monoamine oxidase in the synapse.
c. MAO inhibitors increase the amount of degrading enzymes in the synapse.
d. MAO inhibitors increase the amount of serotonin, norepinephrine, epinephrine, and
dopamine in the synapse.
Ans: D
Learning Objective: 2-5: Demonstrate how neurotransmitters are involved in
communication between nervous system cells
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Terminating Synaptic Activity
Difficulty Level: Medium
148. The primary function of an axoaxonic synapse is to ______.
a. block the opening of sodium ion channels during an EPSP
b. modulate the amount of transmitter released from the axon terminals
c. block the opening of potassium ion channels during an IPSP
d. modify the synthesis of presynaptic neurotransmitters
Ans: B
Learning Objective: 2-6: Discuss how neurons work together to generate your
experiences of the world
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Regulating Synaptic Activity
Difficulty Level: Easy
149. Axodendritic synapses result in hypopolarization or hyperpolarization of a neuron,
while ______ synapses increase or decrease the release of neurotransmitter into the
synapse.
a. axoaxonic
b. presynaptic
c. axosomatic
d. postsynaptic
Ans: A
Learning Objective: 2-6: Discuss how neurons work together to generate your
experiences of the world
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Regulating Synaptic Activity
Difficulty Level: Medium
150. Which of the following is true of autoreceptors?
a. Autoreceptors are located on postsynaptic membranes.
b. Autoreceptors typically produce EPSPs.
c. Autoreceptors detect the amount of neurotransmitter in the synaptic cleft.
d. Autoreceptors are cell receptors that facilitate enzymes.
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Ans: C
Learning Objective: 2-6: Discuss how neurons work together to generate your
experiences of the world
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Regulating Synaptic Activity
Difficulty Level: Easy
151. An autoreceptor alters the output of ______.
a. the postsynaptic neuron
b. the presynaptic neuron
c. the sodium-potassium pump
d. the sodium channels
Ans: B
Learning Objective: 2-6: Discuss how neurons work together to generate your
experiences of the world
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Regulating Synaptic Activity
Difficulty Level: Easy
152. What function of glial cells shows why they should be considered โactive partners
in neural transmissionโ?
a. Glial cells repair damaged neurons.
b. Glial cells myelinate axons in the central nervous system.
c. Glial cells myelinate axons in the peripheral nervous system.
d. Glial cells release gliotransmitters into the synapse.
Ans: D
Learning Objective: 2-6: Discuss how neurons work together to generate your
experiences of the world
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Regulating Synaptic Activity
Difficulty Level: Medium
153. Nicotinic and muscarinic receptors are two types of ______ receptors.
a. dopamine
b. acetylcholine
c. serotonin
d. tobacco
Ans: B
Learning Objective: 2-5: Demonstrate how neurotransmitters are involved in
communication between nervous system cells
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Neurotransmitters
Difficulty Level: Easy
154. Muscles contain ______ receptors.
a. excitatory nicotinic
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b. excitatory muscarinic
c. inhibitory nicotinic
d. inhibitory muscarinic
Ans: A
Learning Objective: 2-5: Demonstrate how neurotransmitters are involved in
communication between nervous system cells
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Neurotransmitters
Difficulty Level: Easy
155. Which of the following is true about neurotransmitters?
a. Neurotransmitters are either universally excitatory or universally inhibitory.
b. Each neurotransmitter has one receptor type at which it binds.
c. Every neurotransmitter can be both inhibitory and excitatory.
d. Neurotransmitters can have different effects on postsynaptic neurons depending on
which receptor they bind to.
Ans: D
Learning Objective: 2-5: Demonstrate how neurotransmitters are involved in
communication between nervous system cells
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Neurotransmitters
Difficulty Level: Medium
156. Dale’s principle, a recently discounted theory about synaptic function, stated that a
neuron ______.
a. never responded to its own autoreceptors
b. released multiple neurotransmitters
c. only released a single neurotransmitter
d. could be either electrical or chemical at its synapses
Ans: C
Learning Objective: 2-5: Demonstrate how neurotransmitters are involved in
communication between nervous system cells
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Neurotransmitters
Difficulty Level: Easy
157. Presynaptic neurons can release multiple neurotransmitters at different times
through the process of ______, in which vesicles containing different neurotransmitters
have different levels of sensitivity to calcium.
a. corelease
b. reuptake
c. cotransmission
d. autoreceptors
Ans: C
Learning Objective: 2-5: Demonstrate how neurotransmitters are involved in
communication between nervous system cells
Instructor Resource
Garrett, Brain & Behavior 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2018
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Neurotransmitters
Difficulty Level: Easy
158. Contrary to Daleโs principle, presynaptic neurons show a great deal of flexibility in
releasing different neurotransmitters from different ______.
a. coreleases
b. axon terminals
c. dendritic spines
d. somas
Ans: B
Learning Objective: 2-5: Demonstrate how neurotransmitters are involved in
communication between nervous system cells
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Neurotransmitters
Difficulty Level: Easy
159. A drug that mimics the effects of a neurotransmitter is called a(n) ______.
a. agonist
b. antagonist
c. receptor blocker
d. cotransmitter
Ans: A
Learning Objective: 2-5: Demonstrate how neurotransmitters are involved in
communication between nervous system cells
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Neurotransmitters
Difficulty Level: Easy
160. Harry came home to find his brother unconscious from an overdose of
hydrocodone. When the paramedics arrived, they administered naloxone, because this
drug is an opiate ______.
a. agonist
b. antagonist
c. synthetic
d. enzyme
Ans: B
Learning Objective: 2-5: Demonstrate how neurotransmitters are involved in
communication between nervous system cells
Cognitive Domain: Application
Answer Location: Neurotransmitters
Difficulty Level: Hard
161. Smoking cigarettes can impact a personโs mood and behavior because an active
ingredient in cigarettes acts as a(n) ______ at a receptor for acetylcholine.
a. enzyme
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b. gliotransmitter
c. antagonist
d. agonist
Ans: D
Learning Objective: 2-5: Demonstrate how neurotransmitters are involved in
communication between nervous system cells
Cognitive Domain: Application
Answer Location: Neurotransmitters
Difficulty Level: Hard
162. The effect of acetylcholine on muscles can be prevented by the antagonist ______.
a. tetanus
b. curare
c. nicotine
d. muscarine
Ans: B
Learning Objective: 2-5: Demonstrate how neurotransmitters are involved in
communication between nervous system cells
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Neurotransmitters
Difficulty Level: Easy
163. By stimulating taste pathways in the brains of rats who were not exposed to
sucrose but using firing patterns of neurons that were recorded from rats who were
drinking a sucrose solution, researchers determined that ______.
a. neural firing patterns are random
b. neural firing patterns can encode visual but not taste stimuli
c. neural firing patterns can encode taste stimuli
d. neurons do not synchronize their firing rates
Ans: C
Learning Objective: 2-6: Discuss how neurons work together to generate your
experiences of the world
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Coding of Neural Messages
Difficulty Level: Medium
164. Which of the following is true of the firing patterns of neurons?
a. Neurons can fire action potentials with varying intervals between spikes.
b. The firing patterns of neurons contain no information.
c. The firing patterns of neurons account for all of the complexity that is seen in brain
communication.
d. Neurons do not fire action potentials in patterns.
Ans: A
Learning Objective: 2-6: Discuss how neurons work together to generate your
experiences of the world
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Instructor Resource
Garrett, Brain & Behavior 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2018
Answer Location: Coding of Neural Messages
Difficulty Level: Easy
165. Which of the following is an accurate statement about neural networks?
a. Neural networks have not been found to exist in the brain.
b. Neural networks are made up of only sensory neurons.
c. Neural networks are responsible for a lot of the processing that is done in the brain.
d. Neural networks must be made of neurons that are distributed throughout many brain
regions.
Ans: C
Learning Objective: 2-6: Discuss how neurons work together to generate your
experiences of the world
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Neural Networks
Difficulty Level: Easy
True/False
1. The most numerous type of neuron in the central nervous system is the interneuron.
Ans: T
Learning Objective: 2-1: Identify the cells of the nervous system
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Other Types of Neurons
Difficulty Level: Easy
2. Neurons gather information, process it, and control muscle movements.
Ans: T
Learning Objective: 2-1: Identify the cells of the nervous system
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Neurons
Difficulty Level: Easy
3. The resting potential of a neuron is +70 mV.
Ans: F
Learning Objective: 2-4: Explain the roles of ions and the cell membrane in nervous
system communication
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: The Resting Potential
Difficulty Level: Easy
4. The sodium-potassium pumps of a neuron are major consumers of energy.
Ans: T
Learning Objective: 2-4: Explain the roles of ions and the cell membrane in nervous
system communication
Instructor Resource
Garrett, Brain & Behavior 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2018
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: The Resting Potential
Difficulty Level: Easy
5. Local potentials decay as they spread.
Ans: T
Learning Objective: 2-4: Explain the roles of ions and the cell membrane in nervous
system communication
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Ion Channels and Local Potentials
Difficulty Level: Easy
6. The relative refractory period precedes the absolute refractory period.
Ans: F
Learning Objective: 2-4: Explain the roles of ions and the cell membrane in nervous
system communication
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Refractory Periods
Difficulty Level: Easy
7. The myelin sheath is formed by either oligodendrocytes or Schwann cells.
Ans: T
Learning Objective: 2-1: Identify the cells of the nervous system
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Myelination and Conduction Speed
Difficulty Level: Easy
8. Myelinated axons require more energy to transmit action potentials than
unmyelinated axons.
Ans: F
Learning Objective: 2-1: Identify the cells of the nervous system
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Myelination and Conduction Speed
Difficulty Level: Easy
9. All synapses use chemical neurotransmitters.
Ans: F
Learning Objective: 2-5: Demonstrate how neurotransmitters are involved in
communication between nervous system cells
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Chemical Transmission at the Synapse
Difficulty Level: Easy
10. All neurotransmitters have an excitatory effect on postsynaptic neurons.
Ans: F
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Garrett, Brain & Behavior 5e
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Learning Objective: 2-7: Illustrate the ways that excitation and inhibition are important to
the functioning of the nervous system
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Excitation and Inhibition
Difficulty Level: Medium
11. An inhibitory message received by a neuron decreases the likelihood that it will send
a message down its axon.
Ans: T
Learning Objective: 2-7: Illustrate the ways that excitation and inhibition are important to
the functioning of the nervous system
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Excitation and Inhibition
Difficulty Level: Medium
12. Spatial summation, by definition, can only occur on a multipolar neuron.
Ans: T
Learning Objective: 2-6: Discuss how neurons work together to generate your
experiences of the world
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Postsynaptic Integration
Difficulty Level: Medium
13. Reuptake and inactivation are two mechanisms that prolong synaptic responses.
Ans: F
Learning Objective: 2-5: Demonstrate how neurotransmitters are involved in
communication between nervous system cells
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Terminating Synaptic Activity
Difficulty Level: Medium
14. The signal sent to neurons via the synapse can only be influenced by the amount
and type of neurotransmitter that is released by the presynaptic neuron.
Ans: F
Learning Objective: 2-6: Discuss how neurons work together to generate your
experiences of the world
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Regulating Synaptic Activity
Difficulty Level: Medium
15. Daleโs principle has been disproven through scientific investigations of the nervous
system.
Ans: T
Learning Objective: 2-5: Demonstrate how neurotransmitters are involved in
communication between nervous system cells
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Instructor Resource
Garrett, Brain & Behavior 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2018
Answer Location: Neurotransmitters
Difficulty Level: Easy
Essay
1. Identify the principal structures of a neuron and describe the functions of each.
Ans: Neurons contain a cell body or soma, which contains much of the machinery of the
cell. The nucleus is within the cell body and contains the chromosomes of the cell. The
dendrites of a neuron receive signals from presynaptic neurons. The axon of a neuron
extends from the cell body and is responsible for carrying signals to the end of the
neuron. At the end of the neuron are the axon terminals, which contain vesicles in which
neurotransmitter is packaged. Signals are sent from the axon terminal to postsynaptic
neurons via the synapse, which is the space between neurons.
Learning Objective: 2-2: Name the structures of neurons
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Basic Structure: The Motor Neuron
Difficulty Level: Easy
2. Explain the two forces that produce the resting membrane potential.
Ans: Force of diffusion results in ions moving across the cell membrane to areas of low
concentration, while electrostatic pressure results in ions being attracted to the side of
the cell membrane that carries an opposite charge. At rest, there is a negative charge
across the cell membrane because many negatively charged protein anions are trapped
inside the cell. Positively charged sodium ions exist in larger concentrations outside the
cell membrane but are not able to enter the neuron because the sodium channels are
closed, even though both electrostatic pressure and force of diffusion would prompt
these ions to enter the neuron. Negatively charged chloride ions exist in greater
concentrations outside of the cell membrane and would be repelled from the cell by
electrostatic pressure. Positively charged potassium ions exist in greater concentration
inside the neuron but do not leave the neuron in large quantities during the resting state
because the potassium channels are closed. The sodium-potassium pump also works
to maintain the cellโs resting membrane potential by returning sodium to the extracellular
space and potassium to the intracellular space.
Learning Objective: 2-4: Explain the roles of ions and the cell membrane in nervous
system communication
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: The Resting Potential
Difficulty Level: Medium
3. Describe the electrical and chemical events that underlie an action potential.
Ans: Action potentials are generated when the summed signal entering a neuron is
excitatory enough to hypopolarize/depolarize the cell membrane approximately 10 mV
compared to the resting membrane potential. That excitatory signal comes from
neurotransmitters that bind to specific receptors on a neuron. Following that initial
graded potential, voltage-gated sodium channels open, and sodium ions enter the
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neuron. Since sodium ions carry a positive charge, this prompts the next segment of the
axon to become depolarized, and the action potential is propagated down the axon in
this manner. The depolarization also opens voltage-gated potassium channels, allowing
potassium ions to leave the neuron. Since potassium ions carry a positive charge, this
results in hyperpolarization of the cell membrane as the neuronโs electrical charge
becomes slightly more negative than at rest. Movement of sodium ions into the neuron
and potassium ions out of the neuron results in the rapid depolarization and then
hyperpolarization of the cellโs membrane during the action potential.
Learning Objective: 2-4: Explain the roles of ions and the cell membrane in nervous
system communication
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Action Potential
Difficulty Level: Medium
4. Explain the all-or-none law in the generation of an action potential.
Ans: The all-or-none law means that action potentials either occur or fail to occur, and
action potentials occur with the same strength each time they are generated. Action
potentials do not differ in strength, even if a signal coming into a neuron differs in
strength. Once the threshold potential for the cell membrane is reached, an action
potential will always be generated.
Learning Objective: 2-4: Explain the roles of ions and the cell membrane in nervous
system communication
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Action Potentials
Difficulty Level: Medium
5. Name and describe the functions of three different types of glial cells.
Ans: Oligodendrocytes are glial cells that produce myelin on the axons of neurons in the
brain and spinal cord, while Schwann cells are glial cells that produce myelin on axons
of neurons in the rest of the nervous system. Myelin serves the function of speeding
conduction of signals within neurons and making neurons function more efficiently.
Radial glia assist newly generated neurons in reaching the final destination in the brain.
Microglia respond to injury and disease in the nervous system by removing waste, and
these glial cells also provide energy for to neurons. Astrocytes support synaptic
connections between neurons and release gliotransmitters, which can impact
neurotransmitter functioning.
Learning Objective: 2-1: Identify the cells of the nervous system
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Glial Cells
Difficulty Level: Easy
6. Compare and contrast EPSPs and IPSPs. How do they contribute to triggering an
action potential?
Ans: EPSPs (excitatory postsynaptic potentials) are signals that hypopolarize
postsynaptic neurons, making the neuron less negative (moving closer to a membrane
potential of zero), and making an action potential more likely to occur. IPSPs (inhibitory
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postsynaptic potentials) are signals that hyperpolarize postsynaptic neurons, making
those neurons more negative in charge (moving farther from a membrane potential of
zero), and making action potentials less likely to occur. EPSPs and IPSPs can be
summed through temporal and spatial summation to have more complex effects on
action potentials being triggered.
Learning Objective: 2-7: Illustrate the ways that excitation and inhibition are important to
the functioning of the nervous system
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Excitation and Inhibition
Difficulty Level: Medium
7. Describe three different ways that chemical transmission at the synapse results in
more complexity than action potentials along an axon.
Ans: Neurotransmitters are not all-or-none events. Instead, neurotransmitters can have
effects that vary in intensity and duration, which contributes to complexity in the nervous
system. For example, once released into the synapse, the action of a neurotransmitter
can be limited through removal of the neurotransmitter from the synapse, which can
occur through enzymes that break down the neurotransmitter, reuptake of the
neurotransmitter, or absorption by glial cells. The amount of neurotransmitter that is
released into a synapse can be modified through axoaxonic synapses, so that inhibitory
or excitatory signals from other neurons can impact the amount of calcium that comes
into the axon terminal, and thus the amount of neurotransmitter that is released once an
action potential reaches the axon terminal. Autoreceptors on a presynaptic neuron can
also detect the amount of neurotransmitter in a synapse and adjust release based on
this. Glial cells can release gliotransmitters, which can alter release of neurotransmitter
by the presynaptic neuron or responses by the postsynaptic neuron. Not all
neurotransmitters have the same effects on postsynaptic neurons; some are inhibitory,
reducing the chances of an action potential occurring, and others are excitatory,
increasing the chances of an action potential occurring. Even the same neurotransmitter
can have different effects at different receptors. Through spatial and temporal
summation, where the inputs from even thousands of different neurons over a period of
time can be added together, any one neuronโs activity can be impacted by stimulation or
inhibition coming from multiple different sensory inputs. In addition, ionotropic receptors
respond quickly to neurotransmitters with direct opening of ion channels, while
metabotropic receptors respond more slowly and have less direct impact on ion
channels.
Learning Objective: 2-5: Demonstrate how neurotransmitters are involved in
communication between nervous system cells
Cognitive Domain: Application
Answer Location: Chemical Transmission at the Synapse
Difficulty Level: Hard
8. Describe two properties of the nervous system that disprove Daleโs principle.
Ans: Many neurons have been shown to release multiple different neurotransmitters,
such as GABA, glutamate, and dopamine. Multiple different neurotransmitters can be
released at different times through corelease (in which the neurotransmitters are
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Garrett, Brain & Behavior 5e
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packaged in the same vesicles, but molecules of different size are released at different
times) or cotransmission (in which transmitters are packed in separate vesicles and
vesicles differ in their sensitivities to calcium). Different neurotransmitters can also be
released from different axon terminals of the same neuron.
Learning Objective: 2-5: Demonstrate how neurotransmitters are involved in
communication between nervous system cells
Cognitive Domain: Application
Answer Location: Neurotransmitters
Difficulty Level: Hard
9. Contrast the terms agonist and antagonist using acetylcholine as an example.
Ans: An agonist is a chemical that mimics or enhances the function of a
neurotransmitter at its receptors, while an antagonist is a chemical that reduces the
effects of a neurotransmitter at its receptors. For example, nicotine and muscarine act
like acetylcholine at the nicotinic and muscarinic acetylcholine receptors, respectively.
The plant toxin curare acts as an antagonist at nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, which
is why this toxin produces paralysis.
Learning Objective: 2-5: Demonstrate how neurotransmitters are involved in
communication between nervous system cells
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Neurotransmitters
Difficulty Level: Medium
10. Explain how greater brain complexity can arise from groups of neurons working
together than can occur if neurons only communicated in chains in which each neuron
only communicated with one presynaptic and one postsynaptic neuron.
Ans: Groups of neurons working together as networks generate greater complexity
because they can create patterns of activity such as bursts in which neurons are
extremely active, and those bursts can occur for varying lengths of time. In addition,
there can be varying time intervals between high-amplitude activity. These patterns do
contain information, as demonstrated in the study of taste perception in rats that was
conducted by Patricia Di Lorenzo and Gerald Hecht.
Learning Objective: 2-6: Discuss how neurons work together to generate your
experiences of the world
Cognitive Domain: Application
Answer Location: Neural Networks
Difficulty Level: Hard
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