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Feeling Nervous Trivia Quiz

A quiz about reflexes.

A multiple-choice quiz by jamesf. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
jamesf

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
273,487

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
1460

Awards
Top 20% Quiz

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Which statement is NOT true of simple reflexes? Hint

They can never be consciously controlled.

They are relatively quick responses.

They can occur automatically.

They are innate.

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Question 2 of 10

2. The well-known "knee-jerk" reflex may be referred to as a monosynaptic reflex. What does this mean? Hint

Only one nerve cell is involved in the basic reflex arc.

The main neural pathway passes through the spinal cord.

The stimulus always produces the same response.

The basic reflex arc does not include any relay neurones.

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Question 3 of 10

3. In the "knee-jerk" reflex, what is the stimulus that causes the leg to kick? Hint

touch to the skin

reduced tension in the patellar tendon

pain

stretching of the thigh muscle

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Question 4 of 10

4. In a reflex arc, what is meant by the effector? Hint

the stimulus

the central nervous system

the nerve cell that ends on a muscle

the organ that carries out the response

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Question 5 of 10

5. In a spinal reflex, where are the cell bodies of the sensory neurones? Hint

in the ventral root of the spinal cord

in the dorsal root of the spinal cord

in the white matter of the spinal cord

in the grey matter of the spinal cord

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Question 6 of 10

6. What is one way in which the grey matter of the spinal cord differs from the white matter? Hint

It contains more cell bodies and synapses.

It is around the edges of the spinal cord.

It contains more nerve axons.

It contains fewer nerve cells.

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Question 7 of 10

7. Which statement is true of all cranial reflexes? Hint

They are learned.

They are conscious actions.

Their neural pathway passes through the brain.

They are under voluntary control.

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Question 8 of 10

8. In a reflex arc, how does the "message" cross a synapse? Hint

as an electrical spark

as a flow of electrons

as a flow of ionic charge

as a chemical transmitter

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Question 9 of 10

9. In the 1890s, Ivan Pavlov investigated the way in which simple reflexes may be modified so that they occur in response to a new stimulus. Which reflex did Pavlov mainly investigate? Hint

knee-jerk

salivation

pupil dilation

response to pain

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Question 10 of 10

10. Most reflexes depend only on the nervous system, but occasionally the endocrine system is also involved. Which of these reflexes includes the action of a hormone? Hint

shivering in response to cold

secretion of saliva in reponse to food in the mouth

milk ejection in response to suckling

pupil contraction in response to high light intensity

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Which statement is NOT true of simple reflexes?

Answer: They can never be consciously controlled.

A simple reflex is defined as a rapid and automatic innate response to a stimulus. However, many reflexes can be consciously inhibited - for example, if you accidentally pick up a hot plate, you might stop yourself dropping it, if it is valuable enough.

2. The well-known "knee-jerk" reflex may be referred to as a monosynaptic reflex. What does this mean?

Answer: The basic reflex arc does not include any relay neurones.

A monosynaptic reflex has only one synapse - the sensory neurone ends directly on the motor neurone, with no intervening relay neurones.

3. In the "knee-jerk" reflex, what is the stimulus that causes the leg to kick?

Answer: stretching of the thigh muscle

A tap below the knee pushes on the patellar tendon, pulling the patella (knee cap) down, and thus stretching the muscle (quadriceps femoris) on the top of the thigh. The reflex causes the muscle to contract in response to this stretch - making the leg kick.
In more natural situations, this is a reflex that helps to stop us falling over when someone pushes into us: stretching of the muscle causes it to contract in compensation.

4. In a reflex arc, what is meant by the effector?

Answer: the organ that carries out the response

The effector is usually a muscle or a gland. The nerve cell that ends on it is sometimes called the effector neurone, or motor neurone.

5. In a spinal reflex, where are the cell bodies of the sensory neurones?

Answer: in the dorsal root of the spinal cord

The sensory neurones have their cell bodies in the dorsal root ganglion, just before they enter the spinal cord.

6. What is one way in which the grey matter of the spinal cord differs from the white matter?

Answer: It contains more cell bodies and synapses.

The grey matter, in the centre of the spinal cord, is where interconnections (synapses) between nerve cells occur. Relay neurones are found here.

7. Which statement is true of all cranial reflexes?

Answer: Their neural pathway passes through the brain.

In cranial reflexes, the neural pathway passes through the brain. In spinal reflexes, it passes through the spinal cord. Both cranial and spinal reflexes may be unconscious - the pupil reflex is an example of a cranial reflex that is totally subconscious.

8. In a reflex arc, how does the "message" cross a synapse?

Answer: as a chemical transmitter

A chemical transmitter (neurotransmitter) is released from vesicles in the first nerve cell, and the transmitter diffuses across the minute gap between the cells. It binds to receptor proteins in the membrane of the second cell, and thus stimulates (or inhibits) it.

9. In the 1890s, Ivan Pavlov investigated the way in which simple reflexes may be modified so that they occur in response to a new stimulus. Which reflex did Pavlov mainly investigate?

Answer: salivation

Pavlov was originally researching digestive secretions, using dogs in his laboratory: he gave food to the dogs, and measured their secretion of saliva. However, Pavlov soon found that the dogs were producing saliva before he had begun his experiment - in anticipation of the food. So, he decided to investigate the properties of this "conditional" or "conditioned" reflex instead.

10. Most reflexes depend only on the nervous system, but occasionally the endocrine system is also involved. Which of these reflexes includes the action of a hormone?

Answer: milk ejection in response to suckling

Suckling at the breast causes nerve impulses to go to the hypothalamus of the brain, which stimulates the secretion of oxytocin from the pituitary gland. This hormone then causes cells inside the breast to contract, thus ejecting the milk.

Source: Author jamesf

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor crisw before going online.
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