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BIO116 Unit 3 Exam Study Guidance: Muscle and Nervous Tissue

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Study Guide - Smart Notes

Tailored notes based on your materials, expanded with key definitions, examples, and context.

Q1. List and describe the 3 different types of muscle tissue.

Background

Topic: Muscle Tissue Types

This question tests your understanding of the three main types of muscle tissue found in the human body, including their characteristics and functions.

Key Terms:

  • Skeletal muscle

  • Cardiac muscle

  • Smooth muscle

Step-by-Step Guidance

  1. Recall the three types of muscle tissue present in the human body.

  2. For each type, describe its general location (e.g., where in the body it is found).

  3. List at least one key structural or functional characteristic for each type (e.g., voluntary/involuntary, striated/non-striated).

  4. Summarize the primary function of each muscle tissue type.

Try solving on your own before revealing the answer!

Q2. Compare and contrast the 3 different muscle types with respect to location in the body, shape and microscopic appearance of cells, speed and rhythmicity of contraction, & how contraction is regulated/controlled.

Background

Topic: Muscle Tissue Comparison

This question asks you to analyze similarities and differences among skeletal, cardiac, and smooth muscle tissues based on several criteria.

Key Concepts:

  • Location in the body

  • Cell shape and microscopic appearance (e.g., striations, nuclei)

  • Speed and rhythmicity of contraction

  • Regulation/control (voluntary vs. involuntary)

Step-by-Step Guidance

  1. Create a comparison table or list for the three muscle types.

  2. For each muscle type, fill in the location, cell shape, and microscopic features (e.g., striated or not, number of nuclei).

  3. Describe the speed and rhythmicity of contraction for each type (e.g., fast/slow, rhythmic/non-rhythmic).

  4. Explain how contraction is regulated for each muscle type (e.g., voluntary control by somatic nervous system or involuntary control by autonomic nervous system/hormones).

Try solving on your own before revealing the answer!

Q3. List and describe the function of the skeletal muscular system.

Background

Topic: Skeletal Muscular System

This question focuses on the roles and functions of the skeletal muscular system in the human body.

Key Concepts:

  • Movement

  • Posture

  • Heat production

  • Protection of organs

Step-by-Step Guidance

  1. List the main functions of the skeletal muscular system.

  2. For each function, provide a brief description or example (e.g., how muscles produce movement or maintain posture).

  3. Consider additional roles such as heat generation or protection.

Try solving on your own before revealing the answer!

Q4. Define motor unit.

Background

Topic: Motor Unit

This question tests your understanding of the basic functional unit of muscle contraction.

Key Terms:

  • Motor neuron

  • Muscle fibers

Step-by-Step Guidance

  1. Recall what a motor neuron is and its role in muscle contraction.

  2. Define what a motor unit consists of (i.e., a single motor neuron and all the muscle fibers it innervates).

  3. Explain why the concept of a motor unit is important for understanding muscle control and strength.

Try solving on your own before revealing the answer!

Q5. Define and describe the function & purpose of a neuromuscular junction.

Background

Topic: Neuromuscular Junction

This question focuses on the specialized synapse between a motor neuron and a muscle fiber.

Key Terms:

  • Synapse

  • Neurotransmitter (e.g., acetylcholine)

  • Muscle contraction

Step-by-Step Guidance

  1. Define what a neuromuscular junction is.

  2. Describe the main components involved (axon terminal, synaptic cleft, motor end plate).

  3. Explain the role of neurotransmitters in transmitting the nerve impulse to the muscle fiber.

  4. Summarize the overall purpose of the neuromuscular junction in muscle contraction.

Try solving on your own before revealing the answer!

Q6. List and describe the 2 main types of cells in nervous tissue.

Background

Topic: Nervous Tissue Cell Types

This question tests your knowledge of the cellular composition of nervous tissue.

Key Terms:

  • Neurons

  • Neuroglia (glial cells)

Step-by-Step Guidance

  1. Identify the two main types of cells found in nervous tissue.

  2. Describe the primary function of each cell type (e.g., signal transmission vs. support).

  3. List at least one example or subtype for each (e.g., astrocytes for neuroglia).

Try solving on your own before revealing the answer!

Q7. List, describe, and provide and/or recognize specific examples of each of the structural classes of neurons.

Background

Topic: Neuron Structure

This question asks you to identify and describe the main structural types of neurons and give examples of each.

Key Terms:

  • Multipolar neuron

  • Bipolar neuron

  • Unipolar (pseudounipolar) neuron

Step-by-Step Guidance

  1. List the three main structural classes of neurons.

  2. Describe the distinguishing features of each class (e.g., number and arrangement of processes).

  3. Provide an example of where each type is found in the body.

Try solving on your own before revealing the answer!

Q8. List and describe the 3 functional classes of neurons and be able to match each structural class from #7 above to the appropriate functional class.

Background

Topic: Neuron Function

This question tests your understanding of the roles neurons play in the nervous system and how structure relates to function.

Key Terms:

  • Sensory (afferent) neurons

  • Motor (efferent) neurons

  • Interneurons (association neurons)

Step-by-Step Guidance

  1. List the three functional classes of neurons.

  2. Describe the role of each class in the nervous system.

  3. Match each structural class (from Q7) to its typical functional class (e.g., which are usually sensory, motor, or interneurons).

Try solving on your own before revealing the answer!

Q9. List and describe the 3 parts that make up all neurons. Be able to label each part on a diagram of each of the structural classes of neurons.

Background

Topic: Neuron Anatomy

This question focuses on the basic anatomy of a neuron and its main components.

Key Terms:

  • Cell body (soma)

  • Dendrites

  • Axon

Step-by-Step Guidance

  1. List the three main parts of a neuron.

  2. Describe the function of each part.

  3. Consider how these parts are arranged in different structural classes of neurons (refer to diagrams if available).

Try solving on your own before revealing the answer!

Q10. Given an organizational diagram similar to the one provided in class, be able to fill in the appropriate terms to show the organization of the nervous system.

Background

Topic: Nervous System Organization

This question tests your ability to recall and organize the major divisions and subdivisions of the nervous system.

Key Concepts:

  • Central nervous system (CNS)

  • Peripheral nervous system (PNS)

  • Somatic, autonomic, sympathetic, parasympathetic divisions

Step-by-Step Guidance

  1. Recall the two main divisions of the nervous system.

  2. Identify the subdivisions within each main division (e.g., CNS: brain and spinal cord; PNS: sensory and motor divisions).

  3. Further break down the motor division into somatic and autonomic, and then into sympathetic and parasympathetic branches.

Try solving on your own before revealing the answer!

Q11. List and/or label on a diagram, the 4 main regions of the brain.

Background

Topic: Brain Anatomy

This question focuses on identifying the major anatomical regions of the brain.

Key Terms:

  • Cerebrum

  • Cerebellum

  • Diencephalon

  • Brainstem

Step-by-Step Guidance

  1. List the four main regions of the brain.

  2. Be able to locate and label each region on a diagram.

  3. Briefly describe the general function of each region.

Try solving on your own before revealing the answer!

Q12. Compare and contrast the gray matter and white matter of the brain with the gray matter and white matter of the spinal cord in terms of location and names of specific structures in each.

Background

Topic: CNS Structure

This question asks you to analyze the similarities and differences in the arrangement of gray and white matter in the brain and spinal cord.

Key Concepts:

  • Gray matter: neuron cell bodies, dendrites

  • White matter: myelinated axons

  • Location in brain vs. spinal cord

Step-by-Step Guidance

  1. Define gray matter and white matter.

  2. Describe where gray and white matter are located in the brain (e.g., cortex vs. deeper structures).

  3. Describe where gray and white matter are located in the spinal cord (e.g., central vs. peripheral).

  4. Name specific structures associated with each (e.g., cerebral cortex, columns, horns).

Try solving on your own before revealing the answer!

Q13. Given a diagram of the anatomy of the spinal cord, be able to label the following structures:

  • Dorsal column

  • Ventral column

  • L and R Lateral columns

  • Dorsal root

  • Dorsal root ganglion

  • Ventral root

  • Spinal nerve

  • L and R Dorsal (Posterior) horn

  • L and R Ventral (Anterior) horn

  • L and R Lateral horns

  • Posterior white commissure

  • Posterior gray commissure

  • Central canal

  • Anterior gray commissure

  • Anterior white commissure

Background

Topic: Spinal Cord Anatomy

This question tests your ability to identify and label key anatomical features of the spinal cord on a diagram.

Step-by-Step Guidance

  1. Review a labeled diagram of the spinal cord from your textbook or class notes.

  2. Locate each structure listed above on the diagram.

  3. Practice labeling each part until you can do so from memory.

Try solving on your own before revealing the answer!

Q14. List and/or label the 5 basic elements of a somatic reflex arc.

Background

Topic: Reflex Arc

This question focuses on the basic components involved in a somatic reflex arc.

Key Terms:

  • Receptor

  • Sensory neuron

  • Integration center

  • Motor neuron

  • Effector

Step-by-Step Guidance

  1. List the five basic elements of a somatic reflex arc in order.

  2. Describe the role of each element in the reflex process.

  3. Be able to label each part on a diagram if provided.

Try solving on your own before revealing the answer!

Q15. Compare and contrast the neurons of the somatic and visceral nervous systems in terms of structural neuron type, location of dendrites, cell bodies, and axons, and whether they carry sensory or motor impulses.

Background

Topic: Somatic vs. Visceral Neurons

This question asks you to analyze differences between neurons in the somatic and visceral (autonomic) nervous systems.

Key Concepts:

  • Somatic neurons: typically involved in voluntary control

  • Visceral neurons: typically involved in involuntary control

  • Structural types, locations, and functions

Step-by-Step Guidance

  1. Identify the main structural neuron types found in each system.

  2. Describe the typical location of dendrites, cell bodies, and axons for each.

  3. Indicate whether each carries sensory or motor impulses.

  4. Summarize the main differences in a comparison table or list.

Try solving on your own before revealing the answer!

Q16. Differentiate between the neurons of the autonomic nervous system in terms of length of pre-synaptic (pre-ganglionic) versus post-synaptic (post-ganglionic) neurons, location in the CNS from which the neurons of the SNS and PSNS originate, and specific neurotransmitter substance secreted by each.

Background

Topic: Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) Neurons

This question tests your understanding of the structural and functional differences between sympathetic and parasympathetic neurons in the ANS.

Key Concepts:

  • Pre-ganglionic vs. post-ganglionic neuron length

  • Origin in CNS (thoracolumbar vs. craniosacral)

  • Neurotransmitters (e.g., acetylcholine, norepinephrine)

Step-by-Step Guidance

  1. Describe the relative lengths of pre- and post-ganglionic neurons in the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions.

  2. Identify the CNS origin of each division (e.g., thoracolumbar for sympathetic, craniosacral for parasympathetic).

  3. List the main neurotransmitters released by each division's neurons.

Try solving on your own before revealing the answer!

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