This activity contains 50 questions.
Which part of the nervous system performs the higher-order thinking required to complete
this practice exam?
autonomic nervous system
afferent division
central nervous system
peripheral nervous system
Which of the following structures would not be part of the PNS?
a ganglion
an interneuron within the spinal cord
a sensory receptor
an interneuron within an autonomic ganglion
The primary function(s) of the nervous system include:
providing sensation of the internal and external environments
integrating sensory information
regulating and controlling peripheral structures and systems
all of the above
Neurons are responsible for:
controlling the interstitial environment
performing repairs in damaged neural tissue
creating a three-dimensional framework for the CNS
information transfer and processing in the nervous system
The region of a neuron with voltage-gated sodium channels is the:
perikaryon
dendrite
axon hillock
soma
Neurons are classified on the basis of their structure as:
efferent, afferent, association, interneurons
anaxonic, unipolar, bipolar, multipolar
astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, microglia, ependymal
motor, sensory, association, interneurons
Neurons are classified on the basis of their function as:
motor, sensory, association
unipolar, bipolar, multipolar
central, peripheral, somatic
somatic, visceral, autonomic
The two major cell populations of neural tissue are:
satellite cells and Schwann cells
neurons and neuroglia
astrocytes and oligodendrocytes
microglia and ependymal cells
Which of the following CNS glial cells removes debris, wastes, and pathogens by
phagocytosis?
microglia
astrocytes
Schwann cells
ependymal cells
The white matter of the CNS represents a region dominated by the presence of:
unmyelinated axons
oligodendrocytes
neuroglia
astrocytes
Depolarization of the membrane will shift the membrane potential toward:
–90 mV
–70 mV
0 mV
–85 mV
What is the term given to describe a shift in transmembrane potential from –70 mV to –90
mV?
depolarization
hyperpolarization
repolarization
none of the above
If resting membrane potential is –70 mV and the threshold is –60 mV, a membrane
potential of –62 mV will:
produce an action potential
repolarize the membrane to –80 mV
depolarize the membrane to 0 mV
not produce an action potential
At the site of an action potential, the membrane contains:
an equal amount of positive and negative ions on either side of the membrane
an equal amount of positive ions on either side of the membrane
an excess of positive ions inside and an excess of negative ions outside
an excess of negative ions inside and an excess of negative ions outside
Which of the following statements about repolarization of an axon is false?
During repolarization, the axon will be in a refractory period.
It is marked by the movement of potassium ions out of the cell membrane.
It occurs when sodium ion channels are open.
It follows depolarization of the axon.
A node along the axon represents an area where there is:
interwoven layers of myelin and protein
a gap in the cell membrane
an absence of myelin
a layer of fat
Nerve cell bodies in the PNS are clustered together in masses called:
neuromodulators
nodes
ganglia
proprioceptors
The most important factors that determine the rate of action potential conduction are:
the number of neurons and the length of their axons
the strength of the stimulus and the rate at which the stimulus is applied
the presence or absence of a myelin sheath and the diameter of the axon
all of the above
At an electrical synapse, the presynaptic and postsynaptic membranes are locked together
at:
synaptic vesicles
neuromuscular junctions
myelinated axons
gap junctions
Exocytosis and the release of acetylcholine into the synaptic cleft is triggered by:
calcium ions leaving the cytoplasm
calcium ions flooding into the axoplasm
active transport of calcium into synaptic vesicles
reabsorption of calcium into the endoplasmic reticulum
Inhibitory or hyperpolarizing CNS neurotransmitters include:
substance P and endorphins
acetylcholine and norepinephrine
dopamine and serotonin
glutamate and aspartate
An excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP) is:
an action potential complying with the all-or-none principle
a result of a stimulus strong enough to produce threshold
a depolarization produced by the arrival of a neurotransmitter
the same as a nerve impulse along an axon
An inhibitory postsynaptic potential (IPSP) is a:
depolarization produced by the effect of a neurotransmitter
transient hyperpolarization of the postsynaptic membrane
reflection of the activation of an opposing transmembrane potential
repolarization produced by the addition of multiple stimuli
Rabies is a viral disease contracted from the bite of an infected animal. Rabies bypasses
many immune system defenses by traveling in peripheral neurons to reach the CNS.
Which method of transport is not used by rabies use to reach the CNS?
anterograde flow
axoplasmic transport
retrograde flow
The reason that active neurons need ATP is to support:
the synthesis, release, and recycling of neurotransmitter molecules
the recovery from action potentials
the movement of materials to and from the soma via axoplasmic flow
all of the above
Sensory neurons are responsible for carrying impulses:
to the CNS
away from the CNS
to the PNS
from the CNS to the PNS
Interneurons, or associated neurons, differ from sensory and motor neurons because of
their:
inability to generate action potentials
functional capabilities
exclusive location in the brain and spinal cord
structural characteristics
Efferent pathways consist of axons that carry impulses:
away from the CNS
from the PNS to the CNS
to the spinal cord and into the brain
toward the CNS
Graded potentials that develop on the postsynaptic membrane in response to a
neurotransmitter are:
presynaptic inhibitors
presynaptic potentials
presynaptic facilitators
postsynaptic potentials
The addition of stimuli occurring in rapid succession is:
the absolute refractory period
spatial summation
facilitation
temporal summation
When sensory information is relayed from one processing center to another in the brain,
the pattern is called:
convergence
divergence
serial processing
reverberation
Interneurons are responsible for:
collecting information from the external or internal environment
carrying instructions from the CNS to peripheral effectors
delivery of information to the CNS
analysis of sensory inputs and coordination of motor outputs
Sensory (ascending) pathways distribute information:
from the central nervous system to the peripheral nervous system
from processing centers in the brain to peripheral receptors
from motor pathways to interneurons in the CNS
from peripheral receptors to processing centers in the brain
Tyson decides to travel overseas but does not have all the required vaccines needed
before he goes. While on his trip, he contracts diphtheria. Which type of glial cell is
particularly at risk from this disease?
microglia
Schwann cells
satellite cells
oligodendrocytes
Schwann cells are glial cells responsible for:
phagocytic activities in the neural tissue of the PNS
surrounding nerve cell bodies in peripheral ganglia
producing a complete neurilemma around peripheral axons
secretion of cerebrospinal fluid
When a barrier prevents the movement of opposite charges toward one another, a(n):
generation potential is produced
action potential occurs
current is produced
potential difference exists
Which of the following statements about the sodium-potassium pump is correct?
The sodium-potassium pump requires ATP to pump sodium and potassium ions
from higher to lower concentrations along their concentration gradients.
The sodium-potassium pump brings sodium into a neuron during depolarization
and forces potassium out of a neuron during depolarization.
The sodium-potassium pump is a leak channel that allows passive movement of
sodium and potassium ions down the concentration gradient.
The sodium-potassium pump's activity is needed after every action potential to
restore resting potential.
Which of the following is a correct statement of the all-or-nothing principle?
A given stimulus either triggers a typical action potential or does not produce one
at all.
Action potentials occur in all neurons if a stimulus is applied that lowers the
membrane potential.
When a stimulus is applied it triggers an action potential in the membrane.
A hyperpolarized membrane always results in the production of an action
potential.
During the relative refractory period, a larger-than-normal depolarizing stimulus can:
cause the membrane to hyperpolarize
bring the membrane to threshold and initiate a second action potential
cause a membrane to reject a response to further stimulation
inhibit the production of an action potential
Saltatory conduction conducts impulses along an axon:
at a velocity determined by the rate at which the stimulus is applied
five to seven times faster than continuous conduction
at a rate determined by the strength of the stimulus
two to three times more slowly than continuous conduction
In type C fibers action potentials are conducted at speeds of approximately:
500 mph
40 mph
150 mph
2 mph
The larger the diameter of the axon, the:
slower the rate of transmission
size of the axon does not affect the rate of transmission or resistance
faster the rate of transmission
greater the resistance
Facilitation in the neuron's transmembrane potential toward threshold refers to:
any shift that makes the cell more sensitive to further stimulation
repolarization produced by the addition of multiple stimuli
transient hyperpolarization of a postsynaptic membrane
all of the above
Rachel decides to go swimming, but when she sticks her big toe into the water, she
changes her mind because the water is too cold. The sensory neurons responsible for
sending the message about the cold water temperature are:
interoceptors
enviroceptors
exteroceptors
proprioceptors
The main functional difference between the autonomic nervous system and the somatic
nervous system is that the activities of the ANS are:
primarily voluntary controlled
involved with carrying impulses to the CNS
involved with affecting skeletal muscle activity
primarily involuntary or under "automatic" control
Lulu, who is 50 years old, decides she wants to receive Botox treatments. If Botox, short
for botulism toxin, prevents the release of ACh from synaptic terminals, what effect should
Lulu expect from having Botox injected into her facial muscles?
difficulty breathing
temporary paralysis in the injected facial muscles
prolonged muscle contractions in her facial muscles
none of the above
Reverberation in neural circuits refers to collateral axons that:
synapse on the same postsynaptic neuron
use positive feedback to simulate presynaptic neurons
involve several neuronal pools processing the same information at one time
relay sensory information from one processing center to another in the brain
Emma is very excited because after taking up running several months ago, she has begun
to experience the phenomenon called "runners high." This is caused by the production of
endorphins. What is the effect of the endorphins on Emma when she runs?
Endorphins are blocking the transmission of substance P, a neurotransmitter that
sends information about pain to the CNS.
Endorphins cause an increase in the amount of myelin on axons, making impulses
travel faster.
Endorphins lower the level of threshold at the initial segments of her axons,
making it easier for impulses to be transmitted through her body.
None of the above.
Which of the following is the most excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain and functions in
learning and memory?
glutamate
dynorphins
norepinephrine
anamidine
Ann and Elise are two college students on an overseas vacation. Because they both love
seafood, they stop at a restaurant in a coastal town for lunch. After dining on shellfish, they
become very sick and have trouble breathing. What may have happened to Ann and Elise?
They may have consumed ciguatoxin (CTX), which can interfere with muscle
control.
They may have consumed some tetrodotoxin (TTX), which can cause abnormal
sensations.
They may have consumed saxitoxin (STX), which blocks sodium ion channels.
Any of the above could be correct. TTX, STX, and CTX all block sodium ion
channels, cause abnormal sensations, and interfere with muscle control.
Match the following:
Match the following terms with their correct definitions:
Using the pull-down menus, match each item in the left column to the corresponding item in
the right column.
1.1 CNS
1.2 ANS
A component of the efferent division of the nervous
system, this group of cells provides automatic
regulation of smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, and
glandular secretions at a subconscious level.
This location-based division of the nervous system
contains the brain and spinal cord.
1.3
Afferent
division
This location-based division of the nervous system
includes all the neural tissue found outside the
CNS.
This functional division of the PNS includes neural
tissues carrying somatic and motor commands out
of the CNS to muscles and glands.
1.4 PNS
This functional division of the PNS includes cells
bringing sensory information to the CNS from
receptors in peripheral tissues and organs.
1.5
Efferent
division
Match the neuron components with their appropriate functions:
Using the pull-down menus, match each item in the left column to the corresponding item in
the right column.
2.1
Collaterals
2.2 Dendrites
The end of axons and telodendria that often
contain neurotransmitters used to
communicate to other cells at a synapse
Slender processes that extend from the cell
body and are the structures used to transmit
information into the cell body
The cytoplasm around the nucleus containing
neurofilaments and neurotubules
2.3
Perikaryon
Branches of an axon that allow the neuron to
communicate with numerous cells
2.4 Synaptic
terminal
Put the following steps in the generation of an action potential into the proper sequence
from first (1) to last (6):
Using the pull-down menus, match each item in the left column to the corresponding item in
the right column.
3.1
1
3.2
2
All gated sodium channels close.
Voltage-regulated sodium channels open.
3.3
3
3.4
4
Voltage-regulated potassium channels
open.
Repolarization begins.
Transmembrane potential goes from –70
mV to +30 mV.
3.5
5
Graded depolarization brings membrane
area to threshold.
3.6
6
Match the specific molecule to the major neurotransmitter classes:
Using the pull-down menus, match each item in the left column to the corresponding item in
the right column.
4.1 GABA
Dissolved gases
4.2 Norepinephrine
Biogenic amines
Amino acids
4.3 Nitric oxide (NO)
Neuropeptides
4.4 Opioids
(endorphins)
Put in correct order the steps that describe the function of a cholinergic synapse:
Using the pull-down menus, match each item in the left column to the corresponding item in
the right column.
5.1
1
An action potential arrives and depolarizes the
synaptic knob.
5.2
2
5.3
3
Acetylcholine is removed by
acetylcholinesterase.
Postsynaptic neuron is depolarized.
ACh binds to receptors on the postsynaptic
neuron.
5.4
4
Calcium enters the presynaptic neuron,
triggering the exocytosis of ACh.
Extracellular calcium enters the synaptic cleft.
5.5
5
5.6
6
The ependymal cells line the blood vessels that supply the neural tissues of the brain,
thereby forming the blood-brain barrier
True
False
Neurotransmitters that depress the resting potential are called excitatory.
True
False
The all-or-none principle applies to excitable membranes, such as neuron membranes.
This principle states that either a stimulus is great enough to depolarize a membrane to
threshold and thus trigger an action potential, or the stimulus is not able to depolarize to
threshold and thus an action potential does not occur.
True
False
Unipolar neurons have only one cell process, the axon.
True
False
Acetylcholine is broken down in the mitochondrion by acetylcholinesterase.
True
False
This activity contains 5 questions.
Amy wants to text-message her friend Michelle. Amy sends impulses from her brain to the
skeletal muscles in her arms and hands, enabling her to correctly punch the buttons on her
phone to create the text message. What type of axon fibers is Amy using to send these
messages to her brain?
The separation of positive and negative charges by the cell membrane provides a
resistance since it keeps the charges from diffusing to equilibrium; if the charges are able
to move in response to voltage, that movement is called a(n)
.
Neurons have high amounts of sodium ions and chlorine ions in their extracellular fluid
(ECF), while the intracellular fluid contains high levels of
negatively charged proteins.
ions and
A chemical synapse at which the neurotransmitter is acetylcholine is called
a(n)
synapse.
A neurotransmitter is received at a postsynaptic cell, and rather than raising the membrane
potential from –70 mV, it is instead lowering the potential to –80 mV. Does the interaction
of neurotransmitter and receptor produce an excitatory or inhibitory
response?
Correctly label the parts of the adult spinal cord.
For each item below, use the pull-down menu to select the
letter that labels the correct part of the image.
1.1 thoracic
spinal nerves
1.2 conus
medullaris
1.3 filum
terminale
1.4 cervical
enlargement
1.5 cauda
equina
Match the labels to the correct parts of the sectional view of the spinal cord.
For each item below, use the pull-down menu to
select the letter that labels the correct part of the
image.
2.1 ventral
root
2.2
posterior
gray horn
2.3 lateral
gray horn
2.4
Posterior
median
sulcus
2.5 anterior
median
fissure
2.6 dorsal
root
ganglion
Correctly match each label to the appropriate step in a reflex arc.
For each item below, use the pull-down menu to
select the letter that labels the correct part of the
image.
3.1 information processing in the CNS
C
3.2 activation of motor neuron
D
3.3 response by effector
E
3.4 activation of sensory neuron
B
3.5 arrival of stimulus and activation of
receptor
A
This activity contains 5 questions.
Put the following steps in a neural reflex arc into the proper order from first (1) to last (5):
Using the pull-down menus, match each item in the left column to the corresponding item in
the right column.
1.1 1
Information processing
1.2 2
Activation of a receptor by a
stimulus
1.3 3
Activation of a sensory neuron
Activation of a motor neuron
1.4 4
Response by a peripheral effector
1.5 5
Match the following terms to the appropriate definition:
Using the pull-down menus, match each item in the left column to the corresponding item in
the right column.
2.1 Neural
center
2.2 CNS
nucleus
A collection of neuron cell bodies with a
common function
Delivering information from the CNS
motor control centers to the effecter
organs
Portions of the brain surface covered by
a thick layer of gray matter
2.3 Neural
cortex
2.4 Tract
Conducts information from peripheral
receptors to processing centers in the
brain
A collection of neuron cell bodies with a
common function and a discrete
anatomical boundary
2.5 Sensory
pathways
Bundles of axons in the CNS that share
common origins, destinations, and
functions
2.6 Motor
pathways
Match each term with the function associated with it:
Using the pull-down menus, match each item in the left column to the corresponding item in
the right column.
3.1 Sensory
nuclei
3.2 Motor nuclei
3.3 Posterior
gray horns
Somatic and visceral sensory nuclei
Relay information from one side of the
spinal cord to the other before reaching
its destination in the gray matter
Issue motor commands to peripheral
effectors
3.4 Gray
commissures
White matter that carries information
toward the brain
White matter that carries motor
information to the spinal cord
3.5 Ascending
tracts
3.6 Descending
tracts
Receive and relay sensory information
from peripheral receptors
Match each spinal nerve to the plexus to which it belongs:
Using the pull-down menus, match each item in the left column to the corresponding item in
the right column.
4.1 Genitofemoral
nerve
Lumbar plexus
4.2 Phrenic nerve
Brachial plexus
Cervical plexus
4.3 Ulnar nerve
Sacral plexus
4.4 Sciatic nerve
Match the reflexes with their correct descriptions:
Using the pull-down menus, match each item in the left column to the corresponding item in
the right column.
5.1 Tendon
reflex
A polysynaptic reflex in which the motor
response occurs on the side opposite the
stimulus
5.2 Flexor
reflex
5.3 Stretch
reflex
5.4 Crossed
extensor
reflex
A form of withdrawal reflex in which the
muscles of a limb contract to move the limb
away from a source of stimulation
Monitors external tension produced during a
muscular contraction and prevents tearing or
breaking of the tendon
A monosynaptic reflex that prevents
excessive stretching of skeletal muscles
This activity contains 5 questions.
The outermost spinal meninx is the thin layer that uses the denticulate ligaments to
stabilize the position of the spinal cord.
True
False
The brachial plexus is found in the lower back.
True
False
The cauda equina is composed of the long ventral and dorsal roots of spinal segments
L2 to S5.
True
False
A sensory message entering the spinal cord enters the dorsal side of the spinal cord, while
the motor response exits the ventral side.
True
False
A positive Babinski reflex is normal in an infant.
True
False
This activity contains 5 questions.
There are three complex, interwoven networks of compound nerve trunks called plexuses
that branch into peripheral nerves; in descending order, these are the cervical plexus, the
brachial plexus, and the
plexus.
The largest nerve in the body is the sciatic nerve, which arises from
the
plexus.
The
reflex, a representative withdrawal reflex, is used to move a limb
away from a stimulus.
The best-known example of a monosynaptic reflex is the
The withdrawal of CSF from the subarachnoid space is a called a
(Answer is two words.)
reflex.
.