Question 1

Which of the following best describes the primary function of the nervous system?

Accepted Answer

To regulate and coordinate body activities by detecting changes, processing information, and initiating responses

Question 2

A patient suffers a spinal cord injury that damages only the white matter. Which of the following best describes the likely consequence?

Accepted Answer

Disruption of nerve impulse transmission along myelinated axons

Question 3

Which of the following correctly matches a glial cell with its function in the central nervous system (CNS)?

Accepted Answer

Oligodendrocyte – forms myelin sheaths around multiple axons in the CNS

Question 4

Which of the following best describes the difference between graded potentials and action potentials?

Accepted Answer

Graded potentials decrease in strength with distance, while action potentials are propagated without decrement

Question 5

During the depolarization phase of an action potential, which of the following occurs?

Accepted Answer

Voltage-gated sodium channels open, allowing $$Na^+ to $$enter the cell

Question 6

A neuron receives simultaneous excitatory and inhibitory inputs. Which of the following best describes the outcome at the postsynaptic membrane?

Accepted Answer

The combined effect of EPSPs and inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPs) determines whether threshold is reached

Question 7

Which of the following best explains why action potentials travel faster in myelinated axons compared to unmyelinated axons?

Accepted Answer

Action potentials jump from node to node in a process called saltatory conduction

Question 8

Which of the following events occurs first at a chemical synapse?

Accepted Answer

Voltage-gated calcium channels open in the presynaptic terminal

Question 9

Which of the following best describes the absolute refractory period?

Accepted Answer

A period when no stimulus, regardless of strength, can initiate another action potential

Question 10

Which of the following neurotransmitters is primarily inhibitory in the adult central nervous system?

Accepted Answer

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)

Question 11

A neuron is exposed to a subthreshold stimulus. Which of the following best describes the result?

Accepted Answer

A graded potential occurs, but no action potential is generated

Question 12

Which of the following best describes the process of neurotransmitter removal from the synaptic cleft?

Accepted Answer

Neurotransmitters can be degraded by enzymes, reuptaken by presynaptic neurons, or diffuse away

Question 13

Which of the following is a correct sequence of events during an action potential?

Accepted Answer

Depolarization → Repolarization → Hyperpolarization

Question 14

Which of the following best explains why a larger diameter axon conducts impulses faster than a smaller diameter axon?

Accepted Answer

Larger diameter axons have less resistance to ion flow

Question 15

Which of the following best describes spatial summation?

Accepted Answer

Simultaneous stimulation of a postsynaptic neuron by multiple presynaptic neurons

Question 16

Which of the following is true regarding the structure of a typical neuron?

Accepted Answer

The axon hillock is the site where action potentials are initiated

Question 17

Which of the following best describes the function of the myelin sheath?

Accepted Answer

It increases the speed of nerve impulse conduction

Question 18

Which of the following is a characteristic of an inhibitory synapse?

Accepted Answer

It causes hyperpolarization, making the postsynaptic neuron less likely to fire

Question 19

Which of the following best describes the threshold for an action potential?

Accepted Answer

The minimum membrane potential required to open voltage-gated sodium channels

Question 20

A patient is diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, a disease that destroys myelin in the CNS. Which of the following symptoms is most likely to occur?

Accepted Answer

Slower and less efficient nerve impulse conduction

Chapter 11: Fundamentals of the Nervous System and Nervous Tissue – Study Guide

Study Guide - Practice Questions