PYC1501
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
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
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
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1 PYC1501 – Basic Psychology
Question 4
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
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
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
4. mania
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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
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
Question 9
The function of this lobe allows you to recognise elements of an object in the visual field and
integrate them into a meaningful whole.
1. Frontal lobe
2. Temporal lobe
3. Parietal lobe
4. Occipital lobe
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3 PYC1501 – Basic Psychology
Question 10
The tutor asks the students on the group site what determines whether a neurotransmitter will
have an inhibitory or excitatory effect on the synaptic process. One student answers that it
depends on the nature of the neurotransmitter. This statement ___.
1. does not provide the correct answer because it is too vague
2. is correct because the effect depends on the quantity of the neurotransmitter in relation to
the enzyme that destroys it.
3. is partially correct, because other factors also play a role
4. is incorrect because the effect depends on the ratio of inhibitory to excitatory
neurotransmitters in a specific synapse
Question 11
The main function of this structure is to distribute motor fibres to the muscles and to convey
somatosensory information to the brain. It can work independently of the brain as a result of
reflexive control circuits. This is a description of the ___.
1. spinal cord
2. thalamus
3. somatic nervous system
4. cerebellum
Question 12
James got hold of some drugs at school and decided to use them. After few minutes of taking drugs,
James entered a dreamlike state and started to experience distorted sensory experiences and
imaginary visions and realities. What type of drugs induce this kind of mental state?
1. Inhalants
2. Stimulants
3. Hallucinogens
4. Depressants
Question 13
John experienced a sudden collapse. He was awake when his friend, James called him but John could
not move. John is suffering from a sleep disorder called ___.
1. catalepsy
2. insomnia
3. sleep apnoea
4. narcolepsy
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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
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
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
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1 PYC1501 – Basic Psychology
Question 4
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
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
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
4. mania
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2
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
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
Question 9
The function of this lobe allows you to recognise elements of an object in the visual field and
integrate them into a meaningful whole.
1. Frontal lobe
2. Temporal lobe
3. Parietal lobe
4. Occipital lobe
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3 PYC1501 – Basic Psychology
Question 10
The tutor asks the students on the group site what determines whether a neurotransmitter will
have an inhibitory or excitatory effect on the synaptic process. One student answers that it
depends on the nature of the neurotransmitter. This statement ___.
1. does not provide the correct answer because it is too vague
2. is correct because the effect depends on the quantity of the neurotransmitter in relation to
the enzyme that destroys it.
3. is partially correct, because other factors also play a role
4. is incorrect because the effect depends on the ratio of inhibitory to excitatory
neurotransmitters in a specific synapse
Question 11
The main function of this structure is to distribute motor fibres to the muscles and to convey
somatosensory information to the brain. It can work independently of the brain as a result of
reflexive control circuits. This is a description of the ___.
1. spinal cord
2. thalamus
3. somatic nervous system
4. cerebellum
Question 12
James got hold of some drugs at school and decided to use them. After few minutes of taking drugs,
James entered a dreamlike state and started to experience distorted sensory experiences and
imaginary visions and realities. What type of drugs induce this kind of mental state?
1. Inhalants
2. Stimulants
3. Hallucinogens
4. Depressants
Question 13
John experienced a sudden collapse. He was awake when his friend, James called him but John could
not move. John is suffering from a sleep disorder called ___.
1. catalepsy
2. insomnia
3. sleep apnoea
4. narcolepsy
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