Question 1

A patient presents with slow, jerky movements, resting tremors, and difficulty initiating voluntary movement. Which area of the nervous system is most likely degenerated, and what neurotransmitter is primarily involved?

Accepted Answer

Substantia nigra; dopamine

Question 2

Which of the following best describes the organization of gray and white matter in the spinal cord?

Accepted Answer

Gray matter is central, surrounded by outer white matter

Question 3

A person suffers a spinal cord injury at the level of C5. Which of the following outcomes is most likely?

Accepted Answer

Quadriplegia, affecting both upper and lower limbs

Question 4

Which of the following best explains why the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system has more widespread and longer-lasting effects than the parasympathetic division?

Accepted Answer

It has more divergence in its pathways and releases hormones into the bloodstream

Question 5

A patient is unable to speak, swallow, or breathe due to progressive destruction of ventral horn motor neurons and pyramidal tract fibers. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)

Question 6

Which of the following statements about the blood-brain barrier is correct?

Accepted Answer

It allows fat-soluble substances such as anesthetics to cross

Question 7

A person experiences pain in the left arm during a heart attack. This phenomenon is best explained by which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Referred pain due to convergence of visceral and somatic afferent fibers

Question 8

Which of the following best describes the difference between a spinal root and a ramus?

Accepted Answer

A root carries only sensory or only motor fibers, while a ramus carries both

Question 9

Which of the following cranial nerves carries parasympathetic fibers to the thoracic and abdominal viscera?

Accepted Answer

Vagus nerve (X)

Question 10

A patient has lost the ability to recognize and understand spoken language, but can still produce speech. Which area of the brain is most likely damaged?

Accepted Answer

Wernicke's area in the left parietal and temporal lobes

Question 11

Which of the following best describes the function of the thalamus?

Accepted Answer

It acts as a relay station mediating sensation, motor activities, cortical arousal, learning, and memory

Question 12

Which of the following is a correct pathway for a stretch reflex, such as the patellar reflex?

Accepted Answer

Receptor → Sensory neuron → Integration center → Motor neuron → Effector

Question 13

Which of the following best explains why CNS nerve fibers do not regenerate as readily as PNS nerve fibers?

Accepted Answer

Oligodendrocytes in the CNS secrete growth-inhibiting proteins and astrocytes form scar tissue

Question 14

A patient is exposed to a drug that blocks all muscarinic acetylcholine receptors. Which of the following effects would most likely be observed?

Accepted Answer

Inhibition of parasympathetic effects on target organs

Question 15

Which of the following best describes the effect of activation of beta-2 adrenergic receptors?

Accepted Answer

Dilation of bronchioles and blood vessels to skeletal muscle

Question 16

A person accidentally touches a hot stove and quickly withdraws their hand. Which reflexes are involved in this response, and what is the role of reciprocal inhibition?

Accepted Answer

Flexor reflex and crossed-extensor reflex; reciprocal inhibition prevents contraction of antagonistic muscles

Question 17

Which of the following equations best represents the relationship between the number of spinal nerves ($$N$$), the number of cervical ($$C$$), thoracic ($$T$$), lumbar ($$L$$), sacral ($$S$$), and coccygeal ($$Co) $$nerves?

Accepted Answer

$$N = C + T + L + S + Co$$

Question 18

Which of the following best describes the function of the cerebellum?

Accepted Answer

Processes input to provide precise, smooth, coordinated movements and balance

Question 19

A patient has a lesion in the ventral horn of the spinal cord. Which of the following symptoms would most likely be observed?

Accepted Answer

Loss of motor function only

Question 20

Which of the following is a correct statement about the neurotransmitters released by the autonomic nervous system?

Accepted Answer

All parasympathetic postganglionic neurons release acetylcholine

BIO153 Exam 4: Central and Peripheral Nervous System, Autonomic Nervous System

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