Exam 1 Questions

Question 1

Which of the following is the most common location where action potentials originate?

A. dendrites

B. cell body

C. axon hillock

D. synaptic cleft

E. snaptic button

Answer 1

C. axon hillock

Question 2

The resting membrane potential results from

A. uneven distribution of ions across the cell membrane only.

B. differences in membrane permeability to Na+ and K+ only

C. activity of the sodium/potassium pump only

D. uneven distribution of ions across the cell membrane and differences in membrane permeability to Na+ and K+.

E. None of the answers are correct.

Answer 2

D. uneven distribution of ions across the cell membrane and differences in membrane permeability to Na+ and K+.

Question 3

The giant axons found in squid are not wrapped in myelin. What accounts for their high action potential conduction speed?

A. increased diameter of axons

B. increased internal resistance of the axons

C. decreased length of the axons

D. the decreased diameter of the axons

Answer 3

A. increased diameter of axons

Question 4

Which of the following parts of the brain is associated with emotions and behavior?

A. Corpus callosum

B. Limbic system

C. Derebellum

D. Hypothalamus

E. Medulla oblongata

Answer 4

B. Limbic system

Question 5

Which of the following statements about conformers and regulators is correct?

A. In a conformer, internal conditions mimic external changes

B. In a regulator, internal conditions regulate external changes

C. An organism could be a thermo-conformer and an ion-regulator.

D. both A and C

E. Both B and C

Answer 5

D. both A and C

Question 6

The first multicellular animals to develop neurons were

A. jellyfish and sea anemones

B. flatworms and sea urchins

C. segmented worms and sea horses

D. molluscs and sea stars

E. fish and sea monkeys

Answer 6

A. jellyfish and sea anemones

Question 7

Which one of the following types of neurotransmitter functions as an inhibitory agent, typically supressing the sensation of pain?

A. endorphins

B. acetylcholine

C. epinephrine

D. serotonin

E. dopamine

Answer 7

A. endorphins

Question 8

A postsynaptic neuron has three presynaptic inputs - from neurons X, Y, and Z. When X and Y are stimulated simultaneously and repeatedly, the postsynaptic neuron reaches threshold and undergoes an action potential. When X and Z are stimulated simultaneously, however, there is no change in the membrane potential of the postsynaptic neuron. What can you tell about presynaptic neurons Y and Z?

A. They are both probably excitatory

B. They are probably both inhibitory

C. Y is probably excitatory and Z is probably inhibitory

D. Z is probably excitatory and Y is probably inhibitory

Answer 8

C. Y is probably excitatory and Z is probably inhibitory

Question 9

What are two extracellular fluid compartments in the human body?

A. intracellular and plasma

B. plasma and interstitial

C. interstitial and intracellular

D. plasma and the fluid portion of the blood

E. None of the answers are correct

Answer 9

B. plasma and interstitial

Question 10

The most important polar molecule is _______ because it is a universal solvent.
A. water

B. bicarbonate

C. sodium chloride

D. magnesium sulfate

E. nucleic acid

Answer 10

A. water

Question 11

Identify the tissue type.

A. stratified squamous

B. epithelium

C. connective

D. cardiac muscle

E. osteoblast

Answer 11

C. connective

Question 12

12. If all other conditions remain the same and the concentration of a nonpenetrating solute increases inside a cell,

A. water will tend to leave the cell because the interior has an increased osmolarity

B. water will tend to enter the cell because the interior has an increased osmolarity

C. water will tend to enter the cell because the interior has a decreased osmolarity

D. water will tend to leave the cell because the interior has a decreased osmolarity

E. the nonpenetrating solute will diffuse across the membrane until its concentration is equal on both sides of the membrane

Answer 12

B. water will tend to enter the cell because the interior has an increased osmolarity

Question 13

Identify the tissue type (hint: the tissue is from the trachea)

A. simple squamous epithelium

B. pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium

C. simple cuboidal

D. simple ciliated columnar epithelium

E. transitional epithelium

Answer 13

B. pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium

Question 14

The distinguishing characteristic of connective tissue is

A. that it is arranged in sheets of tissue that lie on body surfaces

B. always dividing, constantly being replaced throughout the body

C. always vascular

D. the presence of extensive extracellular matrix containing widely scattered cells

E. All of these characteristics help make connective tissue unique.

Answer 14

D. the presence of extensive extracellular matrix containing widely scattered cells

Question 15

Which phylum are humans in?

A. Mammalia

B. Primates

C. Arthropoda

D. Chordata

E. Annelida

Answer 15

D. Chordata

Keep Pots Clean or Family Gets Sick

Anyone Can Make Pretty Healthy Hot Stew

Question 16

Saturation occurs when

A. molecules are moved by the use of vesicles

B. the energy required to move molecules results from a high-energy bond

C. a group of carrier proteins is operating at its maximum rate

D. a preference of a carrier protein for a substance is demonstrated based on the differing affinities of the carrier for the substrates

E. a carrier molecule has the ability to transport only one molecule or a group of closelyr related molecules

Answer 16

C. a group of carrier proteins is operating at its maximum rate

Question 17

Interneurons are found

A. only in the brain

B. only in the spinal cord

C. only in the CNS

D. throughout the nervous system

E. only in spinal nerves

Answer 17

C. only in the CNS

Question 18

The inhibitory neurotransmitters of the CNS, like GABA, act by opening ______ channels.

A. only Na+

B. only Cl-

C. only K+

D. only Ca++

E. Na+ and K+

Answer 18

B. only Cl-

Question 19

Each of the following is an example of homeostasis (negative feedback) except one. Identify the exception.

A. increased pressure in the aorta triggers mechanisms to lower blood pressure.

B. A rise in blood calcium levels triggers the release of a hormone that lowers blood calcium levels.

C. A rise in estrogen during the menstrual cycle increases the number of progesterone receptors in the uterus.

D. Increased blood sugar stimulates the release of a hormone from the pancreas that stimulates the liver to store blood sugar.

E. A decrease in body temperature triggers a neural response that initiates physiological changes to increase body temperature.

Answer 19

C. A rise in estrogen during the menstrual cycle increases the number of progesterone receptors in the uterus.

Question 20

The ion necessary to initiate the release of acetylcholine into the synaptic cleft is

A. sodium

B. potassium

C. calcium

D. chloride

E. zinc

Answer 20

C. calcium

Question 21

In terms of embryonic origin, neurons are most closely related to _____ cells.

A. skeletal tissue

B. epithelial tissue

C. connective tissue

D. cardiac muscle

E. all of the above

Answer 21

B. epithelial tissue

Question 22

Close examination of an organ reveals a lining of several layers of cells. The layers do not contain any blood vessels, and one surface of the cells faces the internal cavity of the organ. This tissue is probably:

A. epithelium

B. muscle tissue

C. connective tissue

D. neural tissue

E. fat tissue

Answer 22

A. epithelium

Question 23

If the sodium potassium pumps in the cell membrane of a neuron fail to function, over time

A. the extracellular concentration of potassium will increase

B. the intracellular concentration of sodium ion will increase

C. the membrane resting potention will become more positive than normal.

D. All of the answers are correct.

E. Only A and B are correct.

Answer 23

D. All of the answers are correct.

Question 24

There are several toxins that interfere with synaptic transmission. Botulism toxin, for example, interferes with the fusion of acetylcholine-containing vesicles with the membrane of the axon bulb. This would result in which one of the following?

A. blockage of Ca2+ diffusion into the axon

B. slow diffusion of the neurotransmitter across the synaptic cleft

C. inability of the neurotransmitter to bind the receptor on the postsynaptic cleft

D. blocking of neurotransmitter release by the presynaptic membrane

E. hyperpolarization of the postsynaptic membrane

Answer 24

D. blocking of neurotransmitter release by the presynaptic membrane

Question 25

The collection of axons that carries information between the central nervous system and the peripheral effectors is called the

A. axon hillock

B. varicosity

C. neuron

D. dendrite

E. nerve

Answer 25

E. nerve

Question 26

Oxytocin is a hormone that is released in response to cervical dilation. It in turn causes more uterine contractions that will further dilate the cervix. What type of feedback loop does oxytocin trigger?

A. negative feedback

B. positive feedback

C. local control

D. nociceptive feedback

E. allostasis feedback

Answer 26

B. positive feedback

Question 27

You are looking at a slide of an unknown organ that has an empty lumen with stratified squamous epithelium contacting the lumen. Deep to the epithelium is a basement membrane and then two layers of smooth muscle. Which of the following organs would this most likely belong to?

A) The intestines because they need to move food along and absorb digested products.
B) The liver because it secretes enzymes and bile and needs to move them to the gallbladder.
C) The esophagus because it is a passageway that needs to move but not absorb food products.
D) The urinary bladder because it needs to stretch and constrict to store and eliminate urine.

E) All of the above are possible.

Answer 27

C) The esophagus because it is a passageway that needs to move but not absorb food products.

Question 28

Which of the following statements is false:

A. Unlike other animals, sponges lack true tissues

B. Unlike other animals, sponges lack the structural protein collagen

C. Unlike other animals, sponges lack neurons

D. Like other animals, sponges are multicellular eukaryotic heterotrophs.

E. All of the above statements are true, so none are false.

Answer 28

B. Unlike other animals, sponges lack the structural protein collagen

Question 29

Which of the following molecules can move across the phospholipid bilayer by simple diffusion?

A. lipids

B. Oxygen

C. water

D. lipids and water

E. all of the answers are correct

Answer 29

E. all of the answers are correct

Question 30

Which of the following statements about unmyelinated axons is true?

A. Action potentials occur everywhere along the length of the axon, and propogation is faster than in myelinated axons.

B. Action potentials occur everywhere along the length of the axon, and propogation is slower than in myelinated axons.

C. Action potentials occur only at some points along the axon, and propogation is faster than in myelinated axons.

D. Action potentials occur only at some points along the axon, and propogation is slower than in myelinated axons.

E. Unmyelinated axons do not exhibit action potentials.

Answer 30

B. Action potentials occur everywhere along the length of the axon, and propogation is slower than in myelinated axons.

Question 31

The literal meaning of the term phyiology is knowledge of

A. organs

B. nature

C. science

D. chemistry

E. math

Answer 31

B. nature

Question 32

Which one of the following provides the central nervous system with information about the outside environment?

A. motor division

B. sympathetic division

C. parasympathetic division

D. sensory division

E. autonomic division

Answer 32

D. sensory division

Question 33

Graded potentials may

A. initiate an action potential

B. depolarize the membrane to the threshold voltage

C. hyperpolarize the membrane

D. be called EPSPs or IPSPs

E. all of the above statements are true

Answer 33

E. all of the above statements are true

Question 34

All of the following are types of mediated transport (requires assistance from a protein) except one. Identify the exception.

A. facilitated diffusion

B. primary active transport

C. simple diffusion

D. secondary active transport

E. vesicle transport (exocytosis)

Answer 34

C. simple diffusion

Question 35

Cephalization is generally associated with all of the following except:

A. bilateral symmetry

B. concentration of sensory structures at the anterior end

C. a brain

D. a longitudinal nerve cord

E. a sessile existance

Answer 35

E. a sessile existance

Question 36

What type of epithelium would one expect to compose the alveoli (air sacs) in the lungs? Defend your answer. Make sure to include concepts lke form connecting to function, what you know about diffusion, and proper terminology for full credit.

Answer 36

Simple squamous.

Since gases must diffuse across the alveoli and associated capillaries you would expect to find exchange epithelia, composed of very thin cells.

Thicker types of epithelial cells would slow the process of gas diffusion to and from the blood.