Scenario Yawning Is a Reflexive Action That Is Often Associated with with Sleepiness

question 35

Multiple Choice

Scenario
Yawning is a reflexive action that is often associated with sleepiness. When a person yawns, the mouth opens, and a longer than normal breath of air is inhaled, followed by a longer than normal exhalation. Hypothesizing that yawning has a regulatory mechanism similar to breathing, scientists conducted an experiment on college students to test the effect of existing carbon dioxide levels on yawning.
-The scientists investigated carbon dioxide levels in their experiment because high carbon dioxide levels in the ________ signal control centers in the brain to increase rate and depth of inhalations and exhalations.

• A)alveoli
• B)blood
• C)heart muscle
• D)pharynx

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Definitions:

Psychoactive Drugs

Substances that affect the mind, mood, or other mental processes by altering brain function.

Neurotransmission

The process by which signaling molecules called neurotransmitters are released by a neuron and cross the synaptic gap to reach receptor sites on another neuron, facilitating neuronal communication.

Neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers that transmit signals across a chemical synapse from one neuron to another 'target' neuron, muscle cell, or gland cell.

Gambling

The act of wagering money or something of value on an event with an uncertain outcome, often with the intent of winning additional resources.