Question 1

Which of the following best distinguishes skeletal muscle from cardiac and smooth muscle?

Accepted Answer

Skeletal muscle is under voluntary control and contains sarcomeres, while cardiac and smooth muscle are involuntary.

Question 2

During muscle contraction, according to the sliding filament model, which of the following changes occurs within the sarcomere?

Accepted Answer

The thin filaments slide past the thick filaments, causing the Z lines to move closer together.

Question 3

A patient is given a drug that inhibits acetylcholinesterase. What is the most likely effect on muscle contraction?

Accepted Answer

Muscle contraction will be prolonged due to increased acetylcholine in the synaptic cleft.

Question 4

If a mutation causes troponin to lose its ability to bind calcium ions, what is the expected outcome for muscle contraction?

Accepted Answer

Muscle contraction will be impaired because tropomyosin will continue to block myosin binding sites on actin.

Question 5

Which of the following best describes the role of the sarcoplasmic reticulum in muscle contraction?

Accepted Answer

It stores and releases calcium ions, which are necessary for the initiation of contraction.

Question 6

A person is exposed to a stressful situation. Which of the following physiological changes is most likely to occur due to sympathetic nervous system activation?

Accepted Answer

Increased release of epinephrine and norepinephrine, leading to elevated blood pressure.

Question 7

Which of the following is an example of innate behavior?

Accepted Answer

A newborn baby grasping a finger placed in its palm.

Question 8

According to Hebb’s rule, which of the following scenarios would most likely strengthen a synaptic connection?

Accepted Answer

Repeated simultaneous activation of both the presynaptic and postsynaptic neurons.

Question 9

Which experimental technique uses light to manipulate neural activity and has been used to study memory formation?

Accepted Answer

Optogenetics with channelrhodopsin to activate specific neurons during learning tasks.

Question 10

Which of the following best describes the function of acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction?

Accepted Answer

It binds to receptors on the muscle cell membrane, triggering an action potential that leads to muscle contraction.

Question 11

A toxin blocks the release of acetylcholine from motor neurons. What is the most likely effect on skeletal muscle?

Accepted Answer

Muscle paralysis due to the inability to initiate contraction.

Question 12

Which of the following is a key difference between the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems?

Accepted Answer

The parasympathetic system promotes 'rest and digest' functions, while the sympathetic system mediates 'fight or flight' responses.

Question 13

Which of the following would most likely weaken a synaptic connection?

Accepted Answer

Decreased neurotransmitter release from the presynaptic neuron.

Question 14

Which of the following is a piece of experimental evidence connecting memory to changes in neural activity?

Accepted Answer

Optogenetic activation of neurons previously active during learning can trigger recall of a memory in mice.

Question 15

Which of the following best describes the role of T tubules in muscle contraction?

Accepted Answer

They transmit action potentials deep into the muscle fiber, ensuring coordinated contraction.

Question 16

A mutation causes tropomyosin to be permanently displaced from actin’s myosin-binding sites. What is the most likely effect?

Accepted Answer

Continuous muscle contraction due to unregulated myosin binding.

Question 17

Which of the following best describes learned behavior?

Accepted Answer

A behavior acquired through experience, such as a rat navigating a maze for a reward.

Question 18

Which of the following correctly matches the muscle type with its characteristic?

Accepted Answer

Smooth muscle: involuntary, no sarcomeres

Question 19

Which of the following best explains why calcium is essential for muscle contraction?

Accepted Answer

Calcium binds to troponin, causing tropomyosin to move and expose myosin-binding sites on actin.

Question 20

Which of the following is a direct result of cross-bridge cycling during muscle contraction?

Accepted Answer

Shortening of the sarcomere as myosin heads pull actin filaments toward the center.

Motor Systems and Behavior: Muscle Physiology, Nervous System, and Learning

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