1 PYC1501 – Basic Psychology
PYC1501 (RPY1501) EXAM PREPARATION – Assignments and Exams
This document is an easy to read compilation of past UNISA Assignment and Exam Questions and
Answers
Answers are motivated by a combination of:
• Page references to the prescribed textbook
• Short summaries and/or content regarding the relevant topic(s) in question. (Incorrect
options are also marked where applicable, in order to identify and disregard red-herring
alternatives)
Assignments covered are:
• Assignment 01 for Semester 1
Assignment 02 for Semester 1
• Assignment 01 for Semester 2
• Assignment 02 for Semester 2
• Assignment 01 for Semester 1
• Assignment 02 for Semester 1
• Assignment 01 for Semester 2
• Assignment 02 for Semester 2
• Assignment 01 for Semester 1
• Assignment 02 for Semester 1
• Assignment 01 for Semester 2
• Assignment 02 for Semester 2
• Assignment 92 (Self-test)
Exams covered are:
• May-June
• October-November
• May-June
• October-November
• May-June
• October-November
• May-June
• October-November
• May-June
• October-November
• May-June
• October-November
• May-June
• October-November
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,2 PYC1501 – Basic Psychology
Semester 1 - 2015: Assignment 01 (Unique number 595183)
Question 1
The tutor for the first-year psychology group is dealing with the topic of impulse conduction in the
human nervous system. After the group discussion, the tutor asks the students the following
questions to test their knowledge of the study material.
The part of the neuron that is responsible for receiving information signals from other neurons is
called ___.
1. Myelin sheath
2. boutons
3. dendrites
4. soma
Answer: The correct answer is 3
Refer: A-Z of Psy, pg. 88
Reasoning: The soma receives messages from other neurons through its dendrites.
Question 2
The part of the neuron that facilitates synaptic transmission of a signal to another neuron is called
___.
1. dendrites
2. boutons
3. axon
4. myelin sheath
Answer: The correct answer is 2
Refer: A-Z of Psy, pg. 90
Reasoning: The bouton vesicles of the telondendron release the neurotransmitters into the
synaptic cleft.
Question 3
The electrical charge resulting from the difference between the positive and negative ions outside
and inside the cell membrane is called ___.
1. the action potential
2. a threshold
3. the resting membrane potential
4. the refractory period
Answer: The correct answer is 3
Refer: A-Z of Psy, pg. 67
Reasoning: The resting membrane potential is an electrical charge brought about by the
difference between the positive and negative ions inside and outside the neuron.
This is also called a condition of readiness.
Question 4
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,3 PYC1501 – Basic Psychology
Which of the following statement(s) about the neuron, based on the diagram is (are) correct?
1. In accordance with all-or-nothing-law, neurons A, B, C and D will conduct an impulse at
exactly the same speed, or not at all
2. In comparison with neurons A, C and D, neuron B can conduct impulses at the highest speed
and amplitude
3. In comparison with neurons A, B and C, neuron D will conduct impulses at the highest
frequency
4. 1 and 3
Answer: The correct answer is 2
Refer: A-Z of Psy, pg. 70
Reasoning: Although the strength and speed of an impulse is constant in a particular neuron, it
can vary with nerve fibres of different thickness. The larger the nerve fibre (the
greater the diameter or width), the stronger the impulse and the faster it is
conducted.
Question 5
In the myelinated neuron, the myelin sheaths are separated by a small gap called (an) ___ that
facilitates the neural impulse to jump from one point to another.
1. threshold
2. axon
3. synaptic cleft
4. nodes of Ranvier
Answer: The correct answer is 4
Refer: A-Z of Psy, pg. 89
Reasoning: The gaps (approximately 1 micrometer wide) formed between myelin sheath cells
along the axons are called Nodes of Ranvier. Since fat serves as a good insulator, the
myelin sheaths speed the rate of transmission of an electrical impulse along the
axon.
Question 6
Low serotonin levels are associated with ___ just as dopamine deficiency is associated with
Parkinson’s disease.
1. seasonal depression
2. muscle spasm
3. suppression of pain
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, 4 PYC1501 – Basic Psychology
4. mania
Answer: The correct answer is 1
Refer: A-Z of Psy, pg. 75
Reasoning: Insufficiency of dopamine in the brain contributes to Parkinson’s disease; Low
serotonin levels is associated with seasonal depression.
Question 7
Some students in your group are still confused and request the tutor to provide a different kind of
presentation of the nervous system that would make matters clearer. You think that the information
can best be represented in ___.
A. a flow chart, showing how the different structures are related
B. a flow chart, illustrating the process of how the brain works
C. an expandable tree structure, indicating the hierarchical nature of the nervous system
D. an expandable tree structure, because different branches can be expanded when more
detail is required
E. a flow chart, because detailed information can be presented at the outset
F. an expandable tree structure, because complex information cannot be represented in a
flow chart
1. A, B and C
2. C, D and F
3. A and E
4. C and D
Answer: The correct answer is 4
Refer: A-Z of Psy, pg. 118
Reasoning: Note that option 1 is incorrect by default – as A and B refers to a flow chart while C
refers to an expandable tree structure.
A flowchart is used when the aim is to represent or model complicated situations,
especially when one wants to represent more than one view of a situation.
Therefore, statement F is factually false and eliminated, thus eliminating option 2.
Option 3 is eliminated; while a flow chart can present detailed information – this is
not presented at the outset.
Question 8
Which of the following illustrates the correct sequence of events in the process of synaptic
transmission?
1. Nerve impulse stimulates boutons, neurotransmitter diffuses across synaptic cleft, vesicles
attach to presynaptic membrane
2. Nerve impulse stimulates boutons, transmitter deactivated by boutons, electrical changes in
receiving cell
3. Nerve impulse stimulates boutons, vesicles attach to membrane, neurotransmitters released
and attach to receptors on postsynaptic membrane
4. Nerve impulse stimulates boutons, neurotransmitters attach to receptors, neurotransmitters
cross synaptic cleft
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PYC1501 (RPY1501) EXAM PREPARATION – Assignments and Exams
This document is an easy to read compilation of past UNISA Assignment and Exam Questions and
Answers
Answers are motivated by a combination of:
• Page references to the prescribed textbook
• Short summaries and/or content regarding the relevant topic(s) in question. (Incorrect
options are also marked where applicable, in order to identify and disregard red-herring
alternatives)
Assignments covered are:
• Assignment 01 for Semester 1
Assignment 02 for Semester 1
• Assignment 01 for Semester 2
• Assignment 02 for Semester 2
• Assignment 01 for Semester 1
• Assignment 02 for Semester 1
• Assignment 01 for Semester 2
• Assignment 02 for Semester 2
• Assignment 01 for Semester 1
• Assignment 02 for Semester 1
• Assignment 01 for Semester 2
• Assignment 02 for Semester 2
• Assignment 92 (Self-test)
Exams covered are:
• May-June
• October-November
• May-June
• October-November
• May-June
• October-November
• May-June
• October-November
• May-June
• October-November
• May-June
• October-November
• May-June
• October-November
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,2 PYC1501 – Basic Psychology
Semester 1 - 2015: Assignment 01 (Unique number 595183)
Question 1
The tutor for the first-year psychology group is dealing with the topic of impulse conduction in the
human nervous system. After the group discussion, the tutor asks the students the following
questions to test their knowledge of the study material.
The part of the neuron that is responsible for receiving information signals from other neurons is
called ___.
1. Myelin sheath
2. boutons
3. dendrites
4. soma
Answer: The correct answer is 3
Refer: A-Z of Psy, pg. 88
Reasoning: The soma receives messages from other neurons through its dendrites.
Question 2
The part of the neuron that facilitates synaptic transmission of a signal to another neuron is called
___.
1. dendrites
2. boutons
3. axon
4. myelin sheath
Answer: The correct answer is 2
Refer: A-Z of Psy, pg. 90
Reasoning: The bouton vesicles of the telondendron release the neurotransmitters into the
synaptic cleft.
Question 3
The electrical charge resulting from the difference between the positive and negative ions outside
and inside the cell membrane is called ___.
1. the action potential
2. a threshold
3. the resting membrane potential
4. the refractory period
Answer: The correct answer is 3
Refer: A-Z of Psy, pg. 67
Reasoning: The resting membrane potential is an electrical charge brought about by the
difference between the positive and negative ions inside and outside the neuron.
This is also called a condition of readiness.
Question 4
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,3 PYC1501 – Basic Psychology
Which of the following statement(s) about the neuron, based on the diagram is (are) correct?
1. In accordance with all-or-nothing-law, neurons A, B, C and D will conduct an impulse at
exactly the same speed, or not at all
2. In comparison with neurons A, C and D, neuron B can conduct impulses at the highest speed
and amplitude
3. In comparison with neurons A, B and C, neuron D will conduct impulses at the highest
frequency
4. 1 and 3
Answer: The correct answer is 2
Refer: A-Z of Psy, pg. 70
Reasoning: Although the strength and speed of an impulse is constant in a particular neuron, it
can vary with nerve fibres of different thickness. The larger the nerve fibre (the
greater the diameter or width), the stronger the impulse and the faster it is
conducted.
Question 5
In the myelinated neuron, the myelin sheaths are separated by a small gap called (an) ___ that
facilitates the neural impulse to jump from one point to another.
1. threshold
2. axon
3. synaptic cleft
4. nodes of Ranvier
Answer: The correct answer is 4
Refer: A-Z of Psy, pg. 89
Reasoning: The gaps (approximately 1 micrometer wide) formed between myelin sheath cells
along the axons are called Nodes of Ranvier. Since fat serves as a good insulator, the
myelin sheaths speed the rate of transmission of an electrical impulse along the
axon.
Question 6
Low serotonin levels are associated with ___ just as dopamine deficiency is associated with
Parkinson’s disease.
1. seasonal depression
2. muscle spasm
3. suppression of pain
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, 4 PYC1501 – Basic Psychology
4. mania
Answer: The correct answer is 1
Refer: A-Z of Psy, pg. 75
Reasoning: Insufficiency of dopamine in the brain contributes to Parkinson’s disease; Low
serotonin levels is associated with seasonal depression.
Question 7
Some students in your group are still confused and request the tutor to provide a different kind of
presentation of the nervous system that would make matters clearer. You think that the information
can best be represented in ___.
A. a flow chart, showing how the different structures are related
B. a flow chart, illustrating the process of how the brain works
C. an expandable tree structure, indicating the hierarchical nature of the nervous system
D. an expandable tree structure, because different branches can be expanded when more
detail is required
E. a flow chart, because detailed information can be presented at the outset
F. an expandable tree structure, because complex information cannot be represented in a
flow chart
1. A, B and C
2. C, D and F
3. A and E
4. C and D
Answer: The correct answer is 4
Refer: A-Z of Psy, pg. 118
Reasoning: Note that option 1 is incorrect by default – as A and B refers to a flow chart while C
refers to an expandable tree structure.
A flowchart is used when the aim is to represent or model complicated situations,
especially when one wants to represent more than one view of a situation.
Therefore, statement F is factually false and eliminated, thus eliminating option 2.
Option 3 is eliminated; while a flow chart can present detailed information – this is
not presented at the outset.
Question 8
Which of the following illustrates the correct sequence of events in the process of synaptic
transmission?
1. Nerve impulse stimulates boutons, neurotransmitter diffuses across synaptic cleft, vesicles
attach to presynaptic membrane
2. Nerve impulse stimulates boutons, transmitter deactivated by boutons, electrical changes in
receiving cell
3. Nerve impulse stimulates boutons, vesicles attach to membrane, neurotransmitters released
and attach to receptors on postsynaptic membrane
4. Nerve impulse stimulates boutons, neurotransmitters attach to receptors, neurotransmitters
cross synaptic cleft
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