Psychology 40027-Physiological

Spring 2001- Exam 1

Name________________________________

Multiple Choice [worth 2 points]

1. In certain species of songbirds, development of the song requires the opportunity to hear the appropriate song during a sensitive period in life as well as the genes to prepare them to learn the song. This is a/an ______ explanation of birdsong.

1. physiological
2. ontogenetic
3. evolutionary
4. functional

1. The fact that three sisters in the same family have different appearances, personalities, and abilities from each other and from their parents is due primarily to which of the following?

1. recombination of genes
2. mutation of genes
3. one parent contributing more than one copy of each chromosome
4. sex-limited recessive genes.

1. Where do the metabolic activities occur that provide energy for all of the other activities of the cell?

1. ribosomes
2. lysosomes
3. Golgi complexes
4. mitochondria

1. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a dendrite?

1. It tapers as it gets further from the cell body.
2. It is in contact with the dendrites of other neurons.
3. Its surface may be lined with synaptic receptors.
4. It receives information from other neurons or the environment.

1. Dendrites often contain additional short outgrowths. These are believed to:

1. increase the surface area available for synapses.
2. increase the speed of transmission
3. eliminate cell waste products.
4. help the cell maintain its shape.

1. With respect to the hippocampus, a neuron that conveys information away from the hippocampus is considered to be which of the following?

1. afferent
2. efferent
3. intrinsic
4. presynaptic

1. How does glucose enter the brain?

1. It passes freely through the blood-brain barrier because it is fat-soluble.
2. It is pumped in by an active transport system.
3. It attaches to charged molecules in order to cross the blood brain barrier.
4. It passes freely through the blood-brain barrier because it is water-soluble.

1. How do ionotropic effects compare to metabotropic effects?

1. They are slower in onset; and briefer.
2. They are slower in onset; and more long lasting.
3. They are faster in onset; and briefer.
4. They are faster in onset; and more long lasting.

1. What would be the effect of a drug that inhibits the action of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase?

1. It would prolong the action of acetylcholine at its synapses.
2. It would decrease the duration of action of acetylchonline at its synapses.
3. It would decrease the synthesis of acetylcholine by the presynaptic cell.
4. It would increase the synthesis of acetylcholine by the presynaptic cell.

1. Catabolic steriods tend to:

1. affect females more than males.
2. affect males more than females.
3. build up muscles.
4. break down muscles.

Fill-in-the-blank(s) with the appropriate word(s) [worth 3 points each]

When an action potential reaches the presynaptic terminal, _________-dependent ion channels, especially to the ion _________, are opened, causing the synaptic _____________ ("spheres") to release neurotransmitters into the synaptic gap. After the neurotransmitters migrate across the space, they bind to _______________. If channels to the ion _____________ are activated, the effect produces depolarization, leading to an ___PSP. If channels to the ion ____________ are activated, the effect produces hyperpolarization, leading to an __PSP. Whether or not an action potential occurs depends on neural ________________, which is the sum of all IPSP and EPSP at any given instant. The AP jumps from node to node on the axon because of _______________ conduction.

Bonus: When triggered by Acetylcholine, these ionotropic receptors open Na+ channels in muscles. What type of receptor is this?________________________________

Short Answer [worth 5 points each] Answer only 3 of the following.

1. Explain the importance of myelinated axons in vertebrates. (Bonus: Name a disease that results from deterioration of myelin sheaths.______________________________________)
2. What is the all-or-none law? Does it apply to dendrites, somas, axons, or all three?
3. How does the evolution of robots relate to a philosophy of the mind (Dualism vs. Monism)?
4. Describe the research you learned about concerning neurogenesis (birth of new neurons).

Bonus: Explain what is meant by the "tropane war".

Essay

Answer only 1 of the following. You should write a detailed answer of at least 8-12 sentences. [worth 15 points]

1. A study of identical twins growing up in inner cities revealed that the heritability for drug addiction was .75. Explain what this means. What are some of facts about heritability that you should consider when explaining this finding to others, especially those who participated in the study.

2. Using a diagram and text, explain all the forces operating on all the important ions inside and outside the axon when the axon is at rest. Then explain what happens to the ions during an action potential.

3. Describe addiction, using the following outline: effects of drugs at the synapse, ESB, location of the pleasure center, and the neurotransmitters involved in addiction and pleasure.

Figure 3.8 [Worth 8 points]

Explain what must happen at the first step.

_____________________________

_____________________________

_____________________________

Explain what is happening at steps 6 & 7.

_____________________________

_____________________________

_____________________________

Figure 2.11 [Worth 12 points]

Name the unidentified glial cells and describe their primary functions

a)____________________________________________________________________________

b)____________________________________________________________________________

c)____________________________________________________________________________

d)____________________________________________________________________________

Bonus: Name a 4^th glial cell not shown and describe its function________________________________________________________________