Unit 1/Part 1- The Brain

Identify where the neuron will be less likely to fire an action potential.

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After a stressful day at work, Mia finds herself feeling tense and anxious. Her brain releases neurotransmitters to help her relax, but instead of them remaining in the synaptic gap long enough to reach their next neuron, they are quickly reabsorbed back into the neuron that released them. This process prevents Mia from fully benefiting from the calming effect of these neurotransmitters, which could help her feel more relaxed if they were able to bind to the receptors on the receiving neuron. What is this process called?

• Depolarization

• Synaptic Transmission

• Reuptake

• Action Potential

During a neuroscience lab, Emma observes a neuron in action. She notes that, after a certain threshold is reached, an electrical signal rapidly travels down the axon toward the axon terminals. This surge of electrical activity allows the neuron to communicate information to other neurons. Emma realizes this rapid firing is crucial for transmitting sensory information from the brain to other parts of the body, allowing for immediate responses to stimuli. What is this process known as?

• Synaptic Transmission

• Action Potential

• Neurotransmitter Release

• Resting Potential

Samantha is studying how neurons communicate in her psychology class. During a demonstration, her professor shows how a neuron receives incoming signals from other neurons. These signals are picked up by tiny, branch-like structures extending from the neuron, which absorb the messages before they are processed by the cell body. Samantha realizes that these structures play a critical role in receiving information and ensuring that the neuron can respond effectively to the messages from neighboring cells. What are these structures called?

• Dendrites

• Axon

• Myelin Sheath

• Synaptic Vesicles

After running her first half-marathon, Caroline feels an unexpected sense of euphoria despite her initial exhaustion. She notices that, even though her muscles are sore, she experiences less pain than anticipated and feels a "runner's high." Curious about this phenomenon, Caroline does some research and learns that her brain releases a certain neurotransmitter that helps alleviate pain and promote positive feelings during intense physical activity. This response helps her push through the discomfort and finish her race on a high note. What neurotransmitter is likely responsible for Caroline’s experience?

• Dopamine

• Endorphins

• Serotonin

• GABA

Sofia has been working to maintain a balanced diet and exercise routine. However, she notices that despite eating the same portions, she feels fuller more quickly and doesn’t experience as many cravings as she used to. Intrigued by this change, she learns that her body's natural regulation of appetite may be influenced by a hormone that signals satiety to her brain, helping her reduce food intake without consciously trying. This hormone is typically involved in regulating body fat and energy balance. Which hormone is likely influencing Sofia’s appetite and fullness?

• Ghrelin

• Leptin

• Cortisol

• Insulin

Ben recently started working night shifts at his job, causing his sleep schedule to become erratic. He finds it increasingly difficult to fall asleep in the morning after work, even though he feels physically tired. To better understand his difficulty in adjusting to the new sleep pattern, he looks into the role of a hormone that regulates his sleep–wake cycle. This hormone is typically released in response to darkness, signaling the body that it's time to prepare for sleep, but his altered schedule might be affecting its production. Which hormone is likely influencing Ben’s sleep difficulties?

• Melatonin

• Serotonin

• Cortisol

• Dopamine

After the birth of their first child, Riley noticed she felt unusually strong feelings of attachment and bonding with her baby, especially during breastfeeding. She was also more inclined to feel connected to her partner and often felt happier when spending time with close friends and family. Curious about the biological factors behind these feelings, Riley researched hormones associated with social bonding, particularly one that is released during close physical contact and plays a role in fostering trust and attachment. Which hormone is most likely influencing Riley’s feelings of bonding and attachment?

• Dopamine

• Melatonin

• Cortisol

• Oxytocin

During a public speaking class, Marcus is asked to deliver a presentation in front of a large audience for the first time. As he steps onto the stage, he feels his heart rate increase, his palms become sweaty, and his breathing quicken. Despite feeling nervous, he notices that his heightened state of alertness helps him remember his points more clearly. Later, he wonders about the physiological response that prepared his body to handle the stressful situation by boosting his energy and focus. Which hormone is most likely responsible for Marcus's physical response to the stress of public speaking?

• Insulin

• Serotonin

• Adrenaline

• Melatonin

After suffering a stroke that damaged the left hemisphere's language area, a right-handed patient initially loses the ability to speak. During six months of rehabilitation, brain imaging shows that regions in the right hemisphere gradually become active during speech tasks, and the patient slowly regains significant language ability. The therapist explains that this recovery occurs because undamaged brain areas can take over functions from damaged regions through the formation of new neural connections. This capacity for the brain to reorganize and form new neural pathways demonstrates:

• Hemispheric dominance

• Brain plasticity

• Neural pruning

• Lateralization