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AP Psychology › Biology

Questions 1 - 10
1

What is the role of the myelin sheath?

The myelin sheath insulates neurons and speeds their transmission of signals.

The myelin sheath protects neurons from radiation damage.

The myelin sheath protects neurons from attack by pathogens.

The myelin sheath secures neurons in place.

The myelin sheath nourishes the neurons.

Explanation

Myelin is a fatty substance produced by glial cells which encases some neurons and serves to insulate them, allowing electrical signals to transmit more quickly along them. Myelin cannot protect the neurons from radiation damage, or from attack by pathogens. Glial cells in the brain form myelin, and contribute to the nourishment and support of nerve cells; however, myelin itself does not serve this function. When myelin deteriorates, nerve transmission can be impaired, as in the case of multiple sclerosis.

2

What is the role of the myelin sheath?

The myelin sheath insulates neurons and speeds their transmission of signals.

The myelin sheath protects neurons from radiation damage.

The myelin sheath protects neurons from attack by pathogens.

The myelin sheath secures neurons in place.

The myelin sheath nourishes the neurons.

Explanation

Myelin is a fatty substance produced by glial cells which encases some neurons and serves to insulate them, allowing electrical signals to transmit more quickly along them. Myelin cannot protect the neurons from radiation damage, or from attack by pathogens. Glial cells in the brain form myelin, and contribute to the nourishment and support of nerve cells; however, myelin itself does not serve this function. When myelin deteriorates, nerve transmission can be impaired, as in the case of multiple sclerosis.

3

Which of these areas of the brain is not located in the limbic system?

Medulla oblangata

Amygdala

All of these are part of the limbic system

Hypothalamus

Hippocampus

Explanation

The limbic system is primarily located in the forebrain. Key structures of the limbic system include the hypothalamus (which moderates biological needs, such as hunger), hippocampus (which stores long-term memory), and the amygdala (which plays a role in emotional associations). The primary purposes of the limbic system are to store memories, moderate survival behaviors, and generate emotional responses. It plays a key role in biological motivations by determining such responses as hunger, sex drive, and fear.

The medulla oblongata is located in the hindbrain and brain stem. Its key purpose is to facilitate functions of the autonomic nervous system, initiating such things as respiration, heart beat, and blood pressure. It is not considered part of the limbic system.

4

The parasympathetic nervous system is part of which branch of the nervous system?

Autonomic nervous system

Somatic nervous system

Central nervous system

Sympathetic nervous sytem

Explanation

The parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for slowing down the body after a stress response, is part of the autonomic nervous system. The autonomic system helps regulate involuntary functions of our body such as heart rate, internal organ activity, gland secretions, etc. The sympathetic nervous system is also part of the autonomic system. Alternatively, the somatic nervous system controls our voluntary muscle movements and our central nervous system only refers to the brain and spinal cord.

03.1.nervsystemflowchart

5

The parasympathetic nervous system is part of which branch of the nervous system?

Autonomic nervous system

Somatic nervous system

Central nervous system

Sympathetic nervous sytem

Explanation

The parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for slowing down the body after a stress response, is part of the autonomic nervous system. The autonomic system helps regulate involuntary functions of our body such as heart rate, internal organ activity, gland secretions, etc. The sympathetic nervous system is also part of the autonomic system. Alternatively, the somatic nervous system controls our voluntary muscle movements and our central nervous system only refers to the brain and spinal cord.

03.1.nervsystemflowchart

6

Which of these areas of the brain is not located in the limbic system?

Medulla oblangata

Amygdala

All of these are part of the limbic system

Hypothalamus

Hippocampus

Explanation

The limbic system is primarily located in the forebrain. Key structures of the limbic system include the hypothalamus (which moderates biological needs, such as hunger), hippocampus (which stores long-term memory), and the amygdala (which plays a role in emotional associations). The primary purposes of the limbic system are to store memories, moderate survival behaviors, and generate emotional responses. It plays a key role in biological motivations by determining such responses as hunger, sex drive, and fear.

The medulla oblongata is located in the hindbrain and brain stem. Its key purpose is to facilitate functions of the autonomic nervous system, initiating such things as respiration, heart beat, and blood pressure. It is not considered part of the limbic system.

7

The function of the parasympathetic nervous system is to __________.

activate a "rest and digest" response

initiate a "fight or flight" response

voluntarily contract skeletal muscle

activate digestion

None of these

Explanation

The parasympathetic nervous system (PSNS) is responsible for activating "rest and digest" and returning the body to equilibrium after a fight or flight response. This is opposed to the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) that is involved in the "fight or flight" response. They are both branches of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) which involuntarily regulates function of internal organs.

8

The function of the parasympathetic nervous system is to __________.

activate a "rest and digest" response

initiate a "fight or flight" response

voluntarily contract skeletal muscle

activate digestion

None of these

Explanation

The parasympathetic nervous system (PSNS) is responsible for activating "rest and digest" and returning the body to equilibrium after a fight or flight response. This is opposed to the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) that is involved in the "fight or flight" response. They are both branches of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) which involuntarily regulates function of internal organs.

9

Damage to the temporal lobe would most likely affect a person's ability to __________.

hear

see

balance

smell

Explanation

The temporal lobe is one of the four major lobes of the brain, located on the sides of the brain behind the temples and ears. This lobe of the cerebrum houses the auditory cortex, which processes sound.

Vision is processed in the occipital lobe, located in the back of the brain. Balance is maintained by a variety of sensorimotor systems in the vestibular system, located in the inner ear. Smell is processed in the olfactory bulb, which is located in the frontal cortex of the brain.

10

The brain has many different lobes, each with its own cells to carry out different tasks. The occipital lobe is located at the back of your brain. This lobe is responsible for which of the following functions?

The occipital lobe is responsible for vision

The occipital lobe is responsible for higher-order thought processes such as memory and thought

The occipital lobe is responsible for recognizing and understanding auditory information

The occipital lobe is responsible for coordination of motor movements and regulatory functions

The occipital lobe is responsible for habitual, automatic behaviors

Explanation

The occipital lobe is responsible for vision. The rest of the answers are functions that belong to different parts of the brain. For instance, auditory information processing belongs to the temporal lobe, while higher-order cognitive processes tend to be done by the frontal lobe. The medulla is responsible for habitual, automatic behaviors, and the cerebellum is responsible for coordination of motor movements and regulatory functions.

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