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BIO116 Unit 3 Exam Study Guidance: Muscle and Nervous Tissue

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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. Identify 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. For each type, mention a key structural or functional characteristic (e.g., voluntary/involuntary, striated/non-striated).

  4. Summarize the main 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 Terms:

  • Location

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

  • Contraction speed and rhythmicity

  • Regulation of contraction (voluntary vs. involuntary, neural/hormonal control)

Step-by-Step Guidance

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

  2. For each muscle type, fill in details for location, cell shape, and microscopic appearance.

  3. Describe the speed and rhythmicity of contraction for each type.

  4. Explain how contraction is regulated for each muscle type (e.g., voluntary/involuntary, nervous/hormonal control).

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 Terms:

  • Movement

  • Posture

  • Heat production

  • Protection

Step-by-Step Guidance

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

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

  3. Consider how skeletal muscles interact with bones and other tissues to perform these functions.

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.

  3. Provide an example of a specific type of neuroglia and its function.

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 focuses on the classification of neurons based on their structure.

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 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 and Structure

This question tests your ability to classify neurons by function and relate them to their structural types.

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 functional class in the nervous system.

  3. Match each structural class (from Q7) to its typical functional class.

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 neurons and their structural variations.

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. Review diagrams of multipolar, bipolar, and unipolar neurons to identify these parts.

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 Terms:

  • 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 the PNS (sensory, motor; somatic, autonomic).

  3. Further subdivide the autonomic nervous system into sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions.

  4. Practice labeling these divisions on a blank diagram.

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. Review their locations and main functions.

  3. Practice labeling these regions on a diagram.

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 tests your understanding of the organization of gray and white matter in the brain and spinal cord.

Key Terms:

  • Gray matter

  • White matter

  • Cortex, nuclei, columns, horns

Step-by-Step Guidance

  1. Describe the location of gray and white matter in the brain (e.g., cortex, internal structures).

  2. Describe the location of gray and white matter in the spinal cord (e.g., central H-shaped gray matter, surrounding white matter).

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

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.

Key Terms:

  • Columns (funiculi)

  • Roots

  • Horns

  • Commissures

  • Central canal

Step-by-Step Guidance

  1. Review a labeled diagram of the spinal cord cross-section.

  2. Identify the dorsal, ventral, and lateral columns (white matter regions).

  3. Locate the dorsal and ventral roots, and the dorsal root ganglion.

  4. Identify the horns (gray matter regions) and commissures (connections between sides).

  5. Locate the central canal in the center of the spinal cord.

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 components of a basic somatic reflex pathway.

Key Terms:

  • Receptor

  • Sensory neuron

  • Integration center

  • Motor neuron

  • Effector

Step-by-Step Guidance

  1. List the five elements in order from stimulus to response.

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

  3. Practice labeling these elements on a diagram of a reflex arc.

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 tests your understanding of the differences between neurons in the somatic and visceral (autonomic) nervous systems.

Key Terms:

  • Somatic nervous system

  • Visceral (autonomic) nervous system

  • Sensory vs. motor neurons

  • Neuron structure (multipolar, unipolar, etc.)

Step-by-Step Guidance

  1. Identify the structural types of neurons found in each system.

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

  3. Indicate whether the neurons carry 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 Neurons

This question focuses on the structural and functional differences between sympathetic and parasympathetic neurons.

Key Terms:

  • Sympathetic nervous system (SNS)

  • Parasympathetic nervous system (PSNS)

  • Pre-ganglionic and post-ganglionic neurons

  • Neurotransmitters (acetylcholine, norepinephrine)

Step-by-Step Guidance

  1. Compare the relative lengths of pre-ganglionic and post-ganglionic neurons in the SNS and PSNS.

  2. Identify the regions of the CNS where SNS and PSNS neurons originate.

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

  4. Summarize these differences in a table or organized list.

Try solving on your own before revealing the answer!

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