Module 1.2 - The Central Nervous System

Which division of the nervous system calms a person down once a stressful event has passed?

• Parasympathetic

• Central

• Somatic

• Sympathetic

Thomas is walking down his favorite street in town. Which division of the nervous system enables him to move the muscles necessary to do this?

• Central

• Sympathetic

• Parasympathetic

• Somatic

If Drew’s motor neurons were impaired, he would experience a disruption in the ability to

• send messages from specific body parts to the brain.

• transmit and process information within the brain and spinal cord.

• process neurotransmiters in the brain.

• send messages from the brain to body parts.

Dr. Veloso wants to conduct a study on how the central nervous system affects emotional expression in young children. Which of the following is an appropriate independent variable for her study?

• Motor neuron activity

• Brain activity

• Sensory neuron activity

• Somatic nervous system activity

A doctor taps a patient’s knee to test the patellar reflex. The patient’s leg immediately jerks in response to the tap, without any involvement of the brain. Which of the following best explains the process that occurs in this scenario?

• Sensory neurons send a signal directly to the brain, which then sends a motor command back to the muscles.

• The reflex arc bypasses the brain, with sensory neurons sending information to the spinal cord, which then directly communicates with motor neurons.

• Interneurons in the brain relay the signal from sensory to motor neurons, triggering the knee jerk response.

• The autonomic nervous system activates, causing an involuntary response to the stimulus.

Answer explanation

Explanation: The reflex arc is a direct pathway where sensory neurons send signals to the spinal cord, which then directly activates motor neurons, causing an automatic response without involving the brain

During a stressful situation, which of the following actions is most likely mediated by the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system?

• Decreased heart rate and activation of digestion.

• Increased heart rate and dilation of pupils.

• Constriction of pupils and stimulation of saliva production.

• Activation of the patellar reflex to protect against injury.

Answer explanation

Explanation: The sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system prepares the body for a fight-or-flight response, which includes increasing heart rate and dilating pupils to prepare for quick action

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS1-3