Biological Bases of Behavior: Nervous and Endocrine Systems (7A) - MCAT Psychological and Social Foundations
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What is the primary function of the autonomic nervous system (ANS)?
What is the primary function of the autonomic nervous system (ANS)?
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Involuntary regulation of glands, smooth and cardiac muscle. ANS operates without conscious control for internal organ function.
Involuntary regulation of glands, smooth and cardiac muscle. ANS operates without conscious control for internal organ function.
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Identify the neurotransmitter released by most sympathetic postganglionic neurons.
Identify the neurotransmitter released by most sympathetic postganglionic neurons.
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Norepinephrine. NE binds adrenergic receptors for sympathetic effects.
Norepinephrine. NE binds adrenergic receptors for sympathetic effects.
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Which ion efflux primarily causes repolarization during a neuronal action potential?
Which ion efflux primarily causes repolarization during a neuronal action potential?
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Potassium ($K^+$) efflux. Opens after $Na^+$ channels to restore negative potential.
Potassium ($K^+$) efflux. Opens after $Na^+$ channels to restore negative potential.
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What is the term for the myelin-producing cell type in the PNS?
What is the term for the myelin-producing cell type in the PNS?
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Schwann cell. Forms myelin sheaths around PNS axons for faster conduction.
Schwann cell. Forms myelin sheaths around PNS axons for faster conduction.
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What is the term for the myelin-producing cell type in the CNS?
What is the term for the myelin-producing cell type in the CNS?
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Oligodendrocyte. Forms myelin sheaths around CNS axons for faster conduction.
Oligodendrocyte. Forms myelin sheaths around CNS axons for faster conduction.
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Which hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis hormone directly stimulates cortisol release?
Which hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis hormone directly stimulates cortisol release?
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ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone). Released by anterior pituitary to stimulate adrenal cortex.
ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone). Released by anterior pituitary to stimulate adrenal cortex.
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Which ANS division mediates “rest-and-digest” functions?
Which ANS division mediates “rest-and-digest” functions?
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Parasympathetic nervous system. Promotes energy conservation and digestion when relaxed.
Parasympathetic nervous system. Promotes energy conservation and digestion when relaxed.
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Which ANS division mediates the “fight-or-flight” response?
Which ANS division mediates the “fight-or-flight” response?
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Sympathetic nervous system. Activates during stress to prepare body for action.
Sympathetic nervous system. Activates during stress to prepare body for action.
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What are the three major parts of a neuron?
What are the three major parts of a neuron?
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Dendrites, soma (cell body), axon. These structures process, integrate, and transmit neural signals.
Dendrites, soma (cell body), axon. These structures process, integrate, and transmit neural signals.
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What is the role of the myelin sheath in neural signaling?
What is the role of the myelin sheath in neural signaling?
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Increases conduction velocity by insulating the axon. Prevents ion leakage and speeds signal propagation.
Increases conduction velocity by insulating the axon. Prevents ion leakage and speeds signal propagation.
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What is an excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP)?
What is an excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP)?
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Postsynaptic depolarization that increases firing likelihood. Makes membrane potential less negative, closer to threshold.
Postsynaptic depolarization that increases firing likelihood. Makes membrane potential less negative, closer to threshold.
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What type of feedback loop most commonly regulates endocrine hormone levels?
What type of feedback loop most commonly regulates endocrine hormone levels?
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Negative feedback. High hormone levels inhibit further release for homeostasis.
Negative feedback. High hormone levels inhibit further release for homeostasis.
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Which glial cells form myelin in the peripheral nervous system?
Which glial cells form myelin in the peripheral nervous system?
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Schwann cells. Each wraps one PNS axon segment with myelin.
Schwann cells. Each wraps one PNS axon segment with myelin.
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What is the all-or-none principle of action potentials?
What is the all-or-none principle of action potentials?
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If threshold is reached, firing occurs at full amplitude. No partial action potentials exist - it's binary.
If threshold is reached, firing occurs at full amplitude. No partial action potentials exist - it's binary.
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What is the primary function of the somatic nervous system (SNS)?
What is the primary function of the somatic nervous system (SNS)?
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Voluntary control of skeletal muscles; sensory to CNS. SNS controls conscious movements and relays sensory information.
Voluntary control of skeletal muscles; sensory to CNS. SNS controls conscious movements and relays sensory information.
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Which ANS division is classically described as “rest-and-digest”?
Which ANS division is classically described as “rest-and-digest”?
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Parasympathetic nervous system. Promotes energy conservation and digestion when relaxed.
Parasympathetic nervous system. Promotes energy conservation and digestion when relaxed.
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Which ion’s influx primarily causes the depolarization phase of an action potential?
Which ion’s influx primarily causes the depolarization phase of an action potential?
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Na$^+$ influx. Voltage-gated Na$^+$ channels open, making membrane potential positive.
Na$^+$ influx. Voltage-gated Na$^+$ channels open, making membrane potential positive.
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What is the primary function of a neuron's axon?
What is the primary function of a neuron's axon?
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Conduct action potentials away from the soma to terminals. Axons are output structures carrying signals to other neurons.
Conduct action potentials away from the soma to terminals. Axons are output structures carrying signals to other neurons.
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What is the primary function of a neuron's dendrites?
What is the primary function of a neuron's dendrites?
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Receive synaptic input and conduct signals toward the soma. Dendrites are the input structures that transmit signals inward.
Receive synaptic input and conduct signals toward the soma. Dendrites are the input structures that transmit signals inward.
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Identify the endocrine gland that secretes insulin and glucagon to regulate blood glucose.
Identify the endocrine gland that secretes insulin and glucagon to regulate blood glucose.
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Pancreas (islets of Langerhans). Beta cells release insulin; alpha cells release glucagon.
Pancreas (islets of Langerhans). Beta cells release insulin; alpha cells release glucagon.
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Which adrenal hormone is the main long-term stress hormone that increases blood glucose?
Which adrenal hormone is the main long-term stress hormone that increases blood glucose?
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Cortisol (from adrenal cortex). Glucocorticoid that mobilizes glucose during chronic stress.
Cortisol (from adrenal cortex). Glucocorticoid that mobilizes glucose during chronic stress.
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Which hormone from the posterior pituitary primarily increases water reabsorption in the kidneys?
Which hormone from the posterior pituitary primarily increases water reabsorption in the kidneys?
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Antidiuretic hormone (ADH, vasopressin). ADH acts on collecting ducts to concentrate urine.
Antidiuretic hormone (ADH, vasopressin). ADH acts on collecting ducts to concentrate urine.
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Which brain structure is the major relay station for sensory information to the cortex?
Which brain structure is the major relay station for sensory information to the cortex?
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Thalamus. All senses except smell pass through thalamus first.
Thalamus. All senses except smell pass through thalamus first.
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What is the primary role of the parasympathetic nervous system?
What is the primary role of the parasympathetic nervous system?
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Rest-and-digest: conserves energy and promotes maintenance functions. Uses acetylcholine to slow heart rate and promote digestion.
Rest-and-digest: conserves energy and promotes maintenance functions. Uses acetylcholine to slow heart rate and promote digestion.
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What is the primary role of the sympathetic nervous system?
What is the primary role of the sympathetic nervous system?
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Fight-or-flight: mobilizes energy and increases arousal. Releases norepinephrine/epinephrine for stress response.
Fight-or-flight: mobilizes energy and increases arousal. Releases norepinephrine/epinephrine for stress response.
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Which neurotransmitter is classically decreased in Parkinson disease?
Which neurotransmitter is classically decreased in Parkinson disease?
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Dopamine. Loss of dopaminergic neurons in substantia nigra causes symptoms.
Dopamine. Loss of dopaminergic neurons in substantia nigra causes symptoms.
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What is the correct order of information flow in a basic reflex arc?
What is the correct order of information flow in a basic reflex arc?
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Receptor → sensory neuron → interneuron → motor neuron → effector. Shows the complete pathway from stimulus to response.
Receptor → sensory neuron → interneuron → motor neuron → effector. Shows the complete pathway from stimulus to response.
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Which ANS division is classically described as “fight-or-flight”?
Which ANS division is classically described as “fight-or-flight”?
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Sympathetic nervous system. Activates during stress for rapid energy mobilization.
Sympathetic nervous system. Activates during stress for rapid energy mobilization.
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What is the immediate effect of parasympathetic activation on gastrointestinal motility?
What is the immediate effect of parasympathetic activation on gastrointestinal motility?
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Increases gastrointestinal motility and secretion. Enhances digestion when body is at rest.
Increases gastrointestinal motility and secretion. Enhances digestion when body is at rest.
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What is the immediate effect of sympathetic activation on heart rate?
What is the immediate effect of sympathetic activation on heart rate?
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Increases heart rate. Prepares body for action by increasing cardiac output.
Increases heart rate. Prepares body for action by increasing cardiac output.
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