Download Scientists are trying to develop a pain medication that will bind to the

4.9 C: Organ Interactions Quiz
1.
Scientists are trying to develop a pain medication that will bind to the sodium-potassium pumps of
sensory neurons. When the medication binds to the sodium-potassium pump, the number of ions
that the protein can carry will be reduced by 40–60%. Which statement best explains why this
medication may reduce pain in the area where the medication is administered?
(A) The medication will decrease the rate at which sodium (Na+) and potassium (K+) ions
move through channel proteins, which will prevent action potentials in sensory neurons and
prevent the nerves from sending pain signals.
(B) The medication will prevent the depolarization of sensory neurons by stopping
neurotransmitters from binding to neurons, which will reduce the perception of pain in the
brain.
(C) The medication will decrease the ability of neurons to repolarize, which will decrease the
rate at which action potentials are sent to the brain and reduce the perception of pain.
(D) The medication will prevent the sodium-potassium (Na+/ K+) pump from maintaining
homeostasis and cause an ionic imbalance in the sensory neurons, which will stop the
brain nerves from sending pain signals to the brain.
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4.9 C: Organ Interactions Quiz
2.
Type 2 diabetes is a disease believed to be caused by both genetic and environmental factors.
Normally, when blood glucose levels become too high, pancreatic cells are stimulated to secrete
the hormone insulin, which lowers blood glucose levels, by stimulating most body cells to uptake
glucose. In type 2 diabetes, the body is unable to regulate blood glucose levels despite
pancreatic cells producing and secreting insulin in response to elevated blood glucose levels.
In which type of genes should a researcher look for mutations that may predispose a person to
developing type 2 diabetes?
(A) In genes involved in the production and secretion of insulin from pancreatic cells and
preventing insulin from leaving the pancreas
(B) In genes involved in the reception of the insulin signal in target cells because insulin is not
producing the appropriate response in these cells
(C) In genes involved in feedback regulation with pancreatic cells because pancreatic cells are
improperly responding to changes in blood glucose levels
(D) In genes involved in the production of glucose from glycogen in liver cells and preventing
the liver from releasing glucose
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4.9 C: Organ Interactions Quiz
3.
Sensory signals from the body are interpreted in one particular area of the brain. Different
neurons receive signals from different parts of the body, and the neurons for each body part are
very close in proximity. Amputees are individuals who have had a limb amputated, and some
amputees experience sensations as if the limb were still attached, in a phenomenon called
“phantom limb pain.” When parts of the body, such as the face or torso, are touched, neurons in
the brain that were once associated with the limb before it was amputated are stimulated and
interpret the sensations as occurring in the amputated limb.
Which statement best explains why some amputees experience phantom limb pain?
(A) Phantom limb pain is due to the severed sensory nerves at the site of amputation sending
nerve signals directly to the brain, which are interpreted as having originated in the missing
limb.
(B) Phantom limb pain is due to the nerves in the central nervous system being unable to
differentiate sensory signals from motor signals.
(C) Phantom limb pain is due to the rewiring of the brain, in which sensory signals from other
parts of the body are misinterpreted by the brain as having occurred in the missing limb.
(D) Phantom limb pain is due to the inability of the neurons in the brain to receive signals after
a significant change in the peripheral nervous system.
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4.9 C: Organ Interactions Quiz
4.
The diagram below shows the interactions among the thyroid gland, the skeletal system, and the
kidneys in the regulation of calcium levels in the body.
When calcium levels in the blood are high, the thyroid gland secretes calcitonin. Which
statement best explains how calcitonin interacts with the skeletal system and the kidneys to
regulate calcium levels in the body?
(A) Calcitonin causes bone cells to release calcium into the blood and causes the removal of
calcium by the kidney from the urine in order to maintain calcium levels within a
specific range.
(B) Calcitonin causes bone cells to initiate the release of calcium into the blood and causes
the kidneys to increase the elimination of calcium in order to prevent too much calcium
from being stored in the bones.
(C) Calcitonin causes bone cells to deposit excess calcium in bone and causes the kidneys to
increase the removal of calcium from the urine in order to ensure that enough calcium is
stored in the bones until it is needed.
(D) Calcitonin causes bone cells to deposit excess calcium in bone and causes the kidneys to
decrease the removal of calcium from the blood in order to keep calcium levels within a
specific range.
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