BIO116 Unit 3 Exam Study Guidance: Muscle and Nervous Tissue

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 and write down their names.

2. For each type, describe its general location in the body (e.g., attached to bones, heart, walls of hollow organs).

3. List one or two key features for each type, such as voluntary/involuntary control, striations, and unique functions.

Try describing each muscle type before checking your notes!

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 in several aspects.

Key Concepts:

• Cell shape (e.g., cylindrical, branched, spindle-shaped)

• Striations (present or absent)

• Control (voluntary or involuntary)

• Contraction speed and rhythmicity

Step-by-Step Guidance

1. Create a table or list to organize the features for each muscle type.

2. For each muscle type, fill in the location, cell shape, presence of striations, speed/rhythmicity, and control mechanism.

3. Highlight at least one unique feature for each muscle type.

Try filling out your comparison table before reviewing the answer!

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

Background

Topic: Skeletal Muscular System Functions

This question focuses on the roles played by the skeletal muscular system in the human body.

Key Terms:

• Movement

• Posture

• Heat production

• Protection

Step-by-Step Guidance

1. List at least three major functions of the skeletal muscular system.

2. For each function, write a brief description or example.

Try listing the functions before checking your notes!

Q4. Define motor unit.

Background

Topic: Motor Unit Definition

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 (hint: it includes a neuron and the muscle fibers it controls).

Try writing your own definition before looking it up!

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)

Step-by-Step Guidance

1. Define what a neuromuscular junction is.

2. Describe its function in transmitting signals from nerve to muscle.

3. Mention the role of neurotransmitters in this process.

Try explaining the neuromuscular junction in your own words!

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. Name the two main cell types found in nervous tissue.

2. For each, provide a brief description of their function.

Try listing and describing both cell types before checking your notes!

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.

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 (number and arrangement of processes).

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

Try matching each neuron type to its example before checking your notes!

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 and Structure

This question tests your ability to connect neuron structure with 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 most common functional class.

Try making the matches before checking your notes!

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 parts.

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. Practice labeling these parts on diagrams of different neuron types.

Try labeling a diagram before checking your notes!

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 understanding of how the nervous system is organized into major divisions and subdivisions.

Key Terms:

• Central nervous system (CNS)

• Peripheral nervous system (PNS)

• Somatic, autonomic, sympathetic, parasympathetic divisions

Step-by-Step Guidance

1. Recall the main divisions of the nervous system and their relationships.

2. Practice filling in a blank diagram with the correct terms for each level.

Try drawing and labeling the organization before checking your notes!

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 regions of the brain.

Key Terms:

• Cerebrum

• Diencephalon

• Brainstem

• Cerebellum

Step-by-Step Guidance

1. List the four main regions of the brain.

2. Practice labeling these regions on a diagram.

Try labeling a brain diagram before checking your notes!

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 Tissue Organization

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

Key Terms:

• Gray matter

• White matter

• Cortex, nuclei, tracts, columns, horns

Step-by-Step Guidance

1. Describe the location of gray and white matter in the brain and spinal cord.

2. List the names of specific structures associated with each type of matter in both regions.

3. Compare the arrangement in the brain versus the spinal cord.

Try making a comparison chart before checking your notes!

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 and locate each structure listed.

2. Practice labeling a blank diagram from memory.

Try labeling a spinal cord diagram before checking your notes!

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

Background

Topic: Reflex Arc

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

Key Terms:

• Receptor

• Sensory neuron

• Integration center

• Motor neuron

• Effector

Step-by-Step Guidance

1. List the five elements in order.

2. Describe the function of each element in the reflex arc.

3. Practice labeling these elements on a diagram.

Try listing and labeling the elements before checking your notes!

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:

• Structural neuron types (e.g., multipolar, unipolar)

• Location of neuron parts

• Type of impulse carried (sensory or motor)

Step-by-Step Guidance

1. Create a comparison chart for somatic and visceral neurons.

2. List the structural type, location of dendrites, cell bodies, and axons for each.

3. Indicate whether each carries sensory or motor impulses.

Try making your own chart before checking your notes!

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 Neurons

This question tests your understanding of the differences between sympathetic and parasympathetic neurons in the autonomic nervous system.

Key Terms:

• Pre-ganglionic neuron

• Post-ganglionic neuron

• Sympathetic nervous system (SNS)

• Parasympathetic nervous system (PSNS)

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

Step-by-Step Guidance

1. For both SNS and PSNS, note the relative lengths of pre- and post-ganglionic neurons.

2. Identify the CNS origin of each system's neurons.

3. List the main neurotransmitter(s) released by each type of neuron in both systems.

Try filling out a comparison table before checking your notes!