Chapter 2 and 6

Question 1

The function of dendrites is to

Answer 1

receive incoming signals from other neurons

Question 2

The minimum amount of stimulation a person needs to detect a stimulus 50 percent of the time is called the

Answer 2

absolute threshold

Question 3

A biological psychologist would be most interested in conducting research on the relationship between

Answer 3

neurotransmitters and depression

Question 4

Some people are better than others at detecting slight variations in the tastes of various blends of coffee. This best illustrates the importance of

Answer 4

difference thresholds

Question 5

Neurons are surrounded by _____, which guide neural connections and mop up ions and neurotransmitters

Answer 5

glial cells

Question 6

Detection is to interpretation as sensation is to

Answer 6

perception

Question 7

Subliminal priming effects best illustrate

Answer 7

that information can be processed outside of concious awareness

Question 8

During a hearing test, many sounds were presented at such a low level of intensity that Mr. Antall could hardly detect them. These were below Mr. Antall’s

Answer 8

absolute threshold

Question 9

A slap on the back is more painful than a pat on the back because a slap triggers

Answer 9

more neurons to fire, and to fire more often

Question 10

Sir Charles Sherrington observed that impulses took an unexpectedly long time to travel a neural pathway. His observation provided evidence for the existance of

Answer 10

synaptic gaps

Question 11

Sensation is the

Answer 11

detection and encoding of stimulus energies by sensory receptors and the nervous system

Question 12

A synapse is a(n)

Answer 12

junction between a sending neuron and a recieving neuron

Question 13

The speed at which a neural impulse travels is increased when the axon is encased by a(n)

Answer 13

myelin sheath

Question 14

Degeneration of the myelin sheath results in

Answer 14

multiple sclerosis

Question 15

An axon is

Answer 15

the extension of a neuron that carries messages way from the cell body

Question 16

Damage to an area on the underside of our brain’s right hemisphere essential to recognizing faces results in a condition known as

Answer 16

prosopagnosia

Question 17

Stimuli below the absolute threshold are said to be

Answer 17

subliminal

Question 18

Which brain cells play a role in learning and memory by communicating with neurons?

Answer 18

glial cells

Question 19

A brief electrical charge that travels down the axon of a neuron is called the

Answer 19

action potential

Question 20

The axon of a sending neuron is separated from the dendrite of a receiving neuron by a

Answer 20

synaptic gap

Question 21

A myelin sheath is a

Answer 21

layer of fatty tissue encasing the axons of some nerve cells

Question 22

Gerald has experienced increasing difficulties with muscle weakness, motor coordination, and body balance, which physicians have attributed to multiple sclerosis. These symptoms are most likely to be directly linked with the degeneration of

Answer 22

the myelin sheath

Question 23

Dendrites are branching extensions of

Answer 23

neurons

Question 24

The difference threshold is the minimum difference a person can detect between any two stimuli

Answer 24

50 percent of the time

Question 25

Gay men were more accurate in guessing the angle of a geometric figure if it had been in the same location where a nude ____ briefly appeared a moment earlier. Straight women were more accurate if the geometric figure had been in same location where a nude ____ briefly appeared a moment earlier.

Answer 25

man; man

Question 26

A forest ranger may notice the faintest scent of a forest fire, whereas much stronger but less important odors fail to catch her attention. This fact would be of greatest relevance to

Answer 26

signal detection theory

Question 27

Lonely, anxious people at speed-dating events respond with a _____ threshold, and thus tend to be _____ in reaching out to potential dates.

Answer 27

low; unselective

Question 28

Which theory predicts when we will first notice a faint stimulus presented amid competing background stimulation?

Answer 28

signal detection theory

Question 29

Which of the following represents the first of three steps basic to all sensory systems?

Answer 29

receiving sensory stimulation

Question 30

Three steps that are basic to all sensory systems include the ____ of information to the brain

Answer 30

receiving, transforming, and delivering

Question 31

Recognizing an odor as the familiar smell of apple blossoms is an example of

Answer 31

perception

Question 32

Perception is the process by which

Answer 32

sensory input is organized and interpreted

Question 33

Endorphins are

Answer 33

neurotransmitters

Question 34

The depolarization of a neural membrane creates a(n)

Answer 34

action potential

Question 35

One function of glial cells is to

Answer 35

provide nutrients to neurons

Question 36

Dendrite is to _____ as axon is to ______.

Answer 36

signal reception; signal transmission

Question 37

Neurons are best described as

Answer 37

nerve cells that function as the building blocks of the nervous system