HSP Anatomy & Physiology Fundamentals 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which part of the brain regulates homeostatic functions such as hunger, thirst, body temperature, and circadian rhythms?
- Thalamus
- Hypothalamus (Correct answer)
- Basal ganglia
- Cingulate cortex
Correct answer: Hypothalamus
The hypothalamus serves as the master regulator of homeostasis, controlling hunger, thirst, temperature regulation, and circadian rhythms through neural and hormonal mechanisms.
Question 2: In the context of psychophysiology, what does the term 'allostasis' refer to?
- The body returning to a fixed set point after stress
- Achieving stability through change in response to anticipated demands (Correct answer)
- The maximum stress load the body can tolerate
- The baseline resting state of the autonomic nervous system
Correct answer: Achieving stability through change in response to anticipated demands
Allostasis refers to the process of achieving stability through physiological or behavioral change in anticipation of demands, differing from homeostasis which returns to a fixed set point.
Question 3: Which cranial nerve is responsible for carrying parasympathetic fibers to most thoracic and abdominal organs, including the heart and digestive tract?
- Trigeminal nerve (CN V)
- Facial nerve (CN VII)
- Vagus nerve (CN X) (Correct answer)
- Glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX)
Correct answer: Vagus nerve (CN X)
The vagus nerve (CN X) is the longest cranial nerve and carries parasympathetic fibers to the heart, lungs, and most digestive organs, mediating rest-and-digest functions.
Question 4: The myelin sheath that insulates axons in the central nervous system is produced by which type of glial cell?
- Schwann cells
- Oligodendrocytes (Correct answer)
- Microglia
- Astrocytes
Correct answer: Oligodendrocytes
Oligodendrocytes produce myelin in the CNS, with each cell capable of myelinating multiple axon segments, whereas Schwann cells perform this function in the peripheral nervous system.
Question 5: Which phase of the general adaptation syndrome (GAS) is characterized by the body's resistance to a stressor being at its highest?
- Alarm phase
- Exhaustion phase
- Resistance phase (Correct answer)
- Recovery phase
Correct answer: Resistance phase
During the resistance (adaptation) phase of Selye's GAS, the body has mobilized resources and maintains heightened physiological resistance to the ongoing stressor.
Question 6: Which neurotransmitter is deficient in Parkinson's disease, producing the characteristic motor symptoms relevant to neuropsychological assessment?
- Acetylcholine
- Serotonin
- GABA
- Dopamine (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Dopamine
Parkinson's disease results from degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra, leading to dopamine deficiency and impaired motor control.
Question 7: The fight-or-flight response is mediated primarily by which branch of the autonomic nervous system and its associated hormones?
- Parasympathetic nervous system and acetylcholine
- Sympathetic nervous system and catecholamines (Correct answer)
- Somatic nervous system and glutamate
- Enteric nervous system and serotonin
Correct answer: Sympathetic nervous system and catecholamines
The sympathetic nervous system triggers fight-or-flight by releasing catecholamines (epinephrine and norepinephrine) from the adrenal medulla, increasing heart rate, blood pressure, and alertness.
HSP Anatomy & Physiology Fundamentals 3
Which part of the brain regulates homeostatic functions such as hunger, thirst, body temperature, and circadian rhythms?