All AP Biology Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #71 : Nervous System
The __________ nervous system will __________ the body's heart rate by releasing acetylcholine.
parasympathetic . . . reduce
sympathetic . . . increase
sympathetic . . . reduce
parasympathetic . . . increase
parasympathetic . . . reduce
The parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for the "rest and digest" responses. The sympathetic nervous system, on the other hand, performs the "fight or flight" responses. This question, however, really hinges on knowing the effect of acetylcholine on cardiac muscle. The release of acetylcholine slows the heart rate.
Parasympathetic neurons will only use acetylcholine. Sympathetic neurons signal each other with acetylcholine (preganglionic neurons), but elicit their effects by releasing norepinephrine on their target cells (postganglionic neurons). The effect of norepinephrine on the heart would increase heart rate.
Example Question #72 : Nervous System
Which division of the nervous system increases digestive and urinary activity?
Sympathetic nervous system
Central nervous system
Somatic nervous system
Parasympathetic nervous system
Parasympathetic nervous system
The nervous system has two principle divisions for function and two principle divisions for structure. Structurally, there are the central and peripheral nervous system divisions. Functionally, there are the somatic and autonomic divisions. Within the autonomic nervous system are the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions.
The somatic nervous system is responsible for voluntary actions, namely the innervation of skeletal muscle. The autonomic nervous system is responsible for all involuntary actions, including smooth muscle contraction, glandular stimulation, and other functions. The parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for the "rest and digest" actions of involuntary organs, increasing digestive and excretory activity. In contrast, the sympathetic nervous system is responsible for the "fight or flight" response, suppressing these activities and stimulating epinephrine release.
Example Question #73 : Nervous System
When stimulated, the vagus nerve slows down heart rate. We can assume that the vagus nerve is classified under which branch of the nervous system?
Parasympathetic nervous system
Neuroglia
Somatic nervous system
Central nervous system
Sympathetic nervous system
Parasympathetic nervous system
Neuroglia are the support cells of the nervous system, and do not conduct action potentials. The central nervous system is composed of only the brain and spinal cord; not nerves. The somatic system controls voluntary movements, so heart rate would not be under its control. The sympathetic nervous system is commonly assigned the "fight or flight" responses, while the parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for "resting and digesting." Since the body is returning to a rested state by lowering heart rate, we would assign this action to the parasympathetic nervous system.
Example Question #4 : Understanding The Sympathetic And Parasympathetic Divisions
Which of the following is not a function of the sympathetic nervous system?
Breakdown of glycogen to glucose
Dilation of pupils
Acceleration of heartbeat
Dilation of bronchi
Stimulation of digestion/peristalsis
Stimulation of digestion/peristalsis
The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for regulating the body's "fight-or-flight" response. Physiological changes produced by the sympathetic nervous system include accelerated heartbeat, dilated bronchi and pupils, glucose breakdown, and inhibited digestion. As a result, when the sympathetic nervous system is active, digestion and its associated involuntary contractions are inhibited—not stimulated.
Example Question #74 : Nervous System
Fight or flight is a decision that all animals must make when confronted with a threat. Regardless of which one, an animal chooses, it will activate the sympathetic nervous system, instead of the parasympathetic nervous system. Which of the the following answers contain actions that will happen in a fight or flight situation?
Contracted bladder, relaxed bronchi, simulated salivation
Constricts pupils, secretes epinephrine and norepinephrine, and contracts bronchi
Dilated pupils, accelerated heart rate, relaxed bladder
Constricted pupils, accelerated heart rate, contracted bladder
Relaxed skeletal muscle, inhibited digestive activity, dilated pupils
Dilated pupils, accelerated heart rate, relaxed bladder
"Dilated pupils, accelerated heart rate, relaxed bladder" is the correct answer here because it is the only choice is entirely comprised of sympathetic nervous system actions. Some red herrings in the other answers is the fact that constricted pupils is a parasympathetic action, as is stimulation of the salivary gland.
Example Question #4 : Understanding The Sympathetic And Parasympathetic Divisions
Upon being approached by a bear in the wilderness, you notice your heart beat faster. Which part of the nervous system is responsible for this feeling?
Parasympathetic nervous system
Enteric nervous system
Sympathetic nervous system
Somatic nervous system
Sympathetic nervous system
The sympathetic nervous system is one branch of the autonomic nervous system in the body. The autonomic nervous system is not under conscious control. The sympathetic system is responsible for our "fight or flight" response. An increase in heart rate when presented with the dangers of being around a bear is due to the sympathetic nervous system. The increase in heart rate is your body's way of increasing blood supply to the body to help you escape ("flight") from the bear and return to safety.
Example Question #1 : Understanding The Brain And Brain Structures
Which of the following is a not a function of the medulla oblongata?
Control breathing rate
Control speech patterns
Control blood pressure
Control cardiac rate
Control vomiting reflexes
Control speech patterns
The medulla oblongata is in the lower half of the brainstem. It controls a variety of functions, mostly involuntary and essential. Heart beat, breathing, and blood pressure are controlled in the medulla oblongata, as is the vomiting reflex.
Speech is controlled by Broca's area, which is located in the frontal lobe of the cerebrum.
Example Question #75 : Nervous System
What is the primary function of the occipital lobe?
Conscious thought
Integrating tactile input
Integrating auditory input
Integrating visual input
Integrating visual input
Each answer corresponds to one lobe of the cerebrum. The frontal lobe is responsible for conscious thought, as well as many other functions. The parietal lobe is responsible for integrating tactile information. The temporal lobe has the functions of interpreting smell and sound. The occipital lobe is associated with processing visual information.
Example Question #3 : Understanding The Brain And Brain Structures
What is the fluid in the anterior chamber of the eye called?
All of these refer to the same structure
Hippocratic humor
Aqueous humor
Vitreous humor
Galen humor
Aqueous humor
The eye is divided into two chambers by the lens: the anterior and posterior chambers. The anterior chamber is filled with aqueous humor, while the posterior chamber is filled with vitreous humor. Aqueous humor nourishes the eye and maintains intraocular pressure. Aqueous humor is also important in the refraction of light, which allows humans to distinguish clear images and colors.
Hippocratic and Galen humor do not exist. Hippocrates and Galen were two ancient physicians who would use the four humors (yellow bile, black bile, phlegm, and blood) to diagnose and treat patients.
Example Question #1 : Understanding The Brain And Brain Structures
A patient is taken to the hospital after suffering severe head trauma. He is unconscious for two days before waking up. Upon standing, the patient finds he has moderate trouble walking straight and has difficulty maintaining his balance.
Based on these symptoms, what part of the patient's brain do you suspect was damaged in the accident?
The medulla oblongata
The cerebrum
The hypothalamus
The cerebellum
The amygdala
The cerebellum
The cerebellum is mainly responsible for fine tuning the motions of the body, including balance and coordination. As a result, damage to this region would cause difficulty walking straight and maintaining balance.
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