PSYC 101 GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY | PORTAGE LEARNING | ACADEMIC YEAR
2026/2027 | COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION – VERIFIED QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
1. Myelin Sheath - ANSWERS-lipid coating from glial cells (neruoglia) that surrounds
most axons and enable faster signal transport
2. Resting Potential - ANSWERS-charge when a neuron is not firing, the Na (outside) and
K (inside) ions are balanced
3. Depolarization - ANSWERS-influx of Na ions that makes the neuron more likely to fire
4. Hyperpolarization - ANSWERS-outflow of K ions making the neuron less likely to fire
5. Action Potential (nerve impulse) - ANSWERS-all or none triggering of nerve that
passes along already created information
6. Neurotransmitter - ANSWERS-chemical signal that travels through the synaptic cleft
(fits with a particular receptor)
7. Synaptic Cleft - ANSWERS-actual connection point between the axon and next
dendrite
8. Excitatory Signals - ANSWERS-increase action potential
9. Inhibitory Signal - ANSWERS-decrease action potential
10. Glutamate - ANSWERS-excites neurons; important in learning (neurotransmitter)
11. GABA - ANSWERS-inhibits neurons; important for anxiety regulation
(neurotransmitter)
12. Dopamine - ANSWERS-emotional arousal, pleasure, voluntary movement and
attention (neurotransmitter)
13. Serotonin - ANSWERS-inhibits neurons; mood, depression, emotional arousal
(neurotransmitter)
14. Acetylcholine - ANSWERS-learning and memory (neurotransmitter)
15. Endorphins - ANSWERS-pain relief and elevation of mood (neurotransmitter)
16. Endocrine System - ANSWERS-a collection of glands that secrete hormones into the
blood stream (able to simultaneously stimulate numerous cells)
17. Pituitary Gland - ANSWERS-master gland; releases hormones that stimulate other
glands
, 18. Thyroid Gland - ANSWERS-growth and metabolic hormones
19. Adrenal Glands - ANSWERS-release adrenalin; fight or flight response
20. Gonads - ANSWERS-release hormones for sexual development and behavior
21. Central Nervous System (CNS) - ANSWERS-Brain and spinal cord
22. Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) - ANSWERS-made of neurons in the rest of the body
that transmit signals to and from the CNS (nervous system)
23. Somatic Nervous System - ANSWERS-regulates automatic behaviors; transmits
signals to and from the PNS and CNS (nervous system)
24. Autonomic Nervous System - ANSWERS-serves internal body structures connected
with basic life processes (automatic) (nervous system)
25. Sympathetic Nervous System - ANSWERS-Fight or flight; responds to threats
(increases heart rate, stops digestion etc.) (division of the nervous system)
26. Parasympathetic Nervous System - ANSWERS-brings the body back to normal;
regulates routine duties (nervous system)
27. Electroencephalogram - ANSWERS-measures electrical activity on the surface of the
brain
28. Neuroimaging Techniques - ANSWERS-PET scans show active parts of brain; fmri
shows the brain as an individual solves tasks
29. Spinal Cord - ANSWERS-transmits info from the brain to motor neurons and from
sensory neurons to the brain; capable of reflexes
30. Hindbrain - ANSWERS-Medulla Oblongata, Cerebellum, Parts of the reticular
formation, Pons
31. Medulla Oblongata - ANSWERS-essential to life (heartbeat, circulation, and
respiration); nerve bundles cross to opposite sides here (extension of spinal cord into
brain)
32. Reticular Formation - ANSWERS-sends signals to the CNS (maintains
consciousness, regulates arousal and modulates activity of neurons in the CNS)
33. Cerebellum - ANSWERS-involved with motor learning, movement, balance and
posture (affected by alcohol)
2026/2027 | COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION – VERIFIED QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
1. Myelin Sheath - ANSWERS-lipid coating from glial cells (neruoglia) that surrounds
most axons and enable faster signal transport
2. Resting Potential - ANSWERS-charge when a neuron is not firing, the Na (outside) and
K (inside) ions are balanced
3. Depolarization - ANSWERS-influx of Na ions that makes the neuron more likely to fire
4. Hyperpolarization - ANSWERS-outflow of K ions making the neuron less likely to fire
5. Action Potential (nerve impulse) - ANSWERS-all or none triggering of nerve that
passes along already created information
6. Neurotransmitter - ANSWERS-chemical signal that travels through the synaptic cleft
(fits with a particular receptor)
7. Synaptic Cleft - ANSWERS-actual connection point between the axon and next
dendrite
8. Excitatory Signals - ANSWERS-increase action potential
9. Inhibitory Signal - ANSWERS-decrease action potential
10. Glutamate - ANSWERS-excites neurons; important in learning (neurotransmitter)
11. GABA - ANSWERS-inhibits neurons; important for anxiety regulation
(neurotransmitter)
12. Dopamine - ANSWERS-emotional arousal, pleasure, voluntary movement and
attention (neurotransmitter)
13. Serotonin - ANSWERS-inhibits neurons; mood, depression, emotional arousal
(neurotransmitter)
14. Acetylcholine - ANSWERS-learning and memory (neurotransmitter)
15. Endorphins - ANSWERS-pain relief and elevation of mood (neurotransmitter)
16. Endocrine System - ANSWERS-a collection of glands that secrete hormones into the
blood stream (able to simultaneously stimulate numerous cells)
17. Pituitary Gland - ANSWERS-master gland; releases hormones that stimulate other
glands
, 18. Thyroid Gland - ANSWERS-growth and metabolic hormones
19. Adrenal Glands - ANSWERS-release adrenalin; fight or flight response
20. Gonads - ANSWERS-release hormones for sexual development and behavior
21. Central Nervous System (CNS) - ANSWERS-Brain and spinal cord
22. Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) - ANSWERS-made of neurons in the rest of the body
that transmit signals to and from the CNS (nervous system)
23. Somatic Nervous System - ANSWERS-regulates automatic behaviors; transmits
signals to and from the PNS and CNS (nervous system)
24. Autonomic Nervous System - ANSWERS-serves internal body structures connected
with basic life processes (automatic) (nervous system)
25. Sympathetic Nervous System - ANSWERS-Fight or flight; responds to threats
(increases heart rate, stops digestion etc.) (division of the nervous system)
26. Parasympathetic Nervous System - ANSWERS-brings the body back to normal;
regulates routine duties (nervous system)
27. Electroencephalogram - ANSWERS-measures electrical activity on the surface of the
brain
28. Neuroimaging Techniques - ANSWERS-PET scans show active parts of brain; fmri
shows the brain as an individual solves tasks
29. Spinal Cord - ANSWERS-transmits info from the brain to motor neurons and from
sensory neurons to the brain; capable of reflexes
30. Hindbrain - ANSWERS-Medulla Oblongata, Cerebellum, Parts of the reticular
formation, Pons
31. Medulla Oblongata - ANSWERS-essential to life (heartbeat, circulation, and
respiration); nerve bundles cross to opposite sides here (extension of spinal cord into
brain)
32. Reticular Formation - ANSWERS-sends signals to the CNS (maintains
consciousness, regulates arousal and modulates activity of neurons in the CNS)
33. Cerebellum - ANSWERS-involved with motor learning, movement, balance and
posture (affected by alcohol)
