Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

To coordinate activities of the body to maintain homeostasis through swift, brief, short-term responses to stimuli

Question 2

Which step in neural coordination involves the interpretation and processing of sensory information?

Accepted Answer

Processing and interpreting information in the brain/spinal cord

Question 3

A soccer player sees a ball coming towards them and kicks it. Which division of the nervous system is responsible for carrying the motor command to the leg muscles?

Accepted Answer

Somatic motor (efferent) division

Question 4

Which property of neurons allows them to respond to stimuli and generate electrical changes across their membrane?

Accepted Answer

Excitability

Question 5

Why can't most adult neurons divide?

Accepted Answer

They lack centrioles

Question 6

Which of the following is TRUE regarding the metabolic rate of neurons?

Accepted Answer

Neurons require a continuous supply of glucose and oxygen

Question 7

Which of the following best describes the role of neurotransmitters?

Accepted Answer

They are chemical messengers released at the end of a neuron to transmit information to the next cell

Question 8

Which of the following equations correctly represents the resting membrane potential (RMP) of a typical neuron?

Accepted Answer

$V_{m} \approx -70\ \mathrm{mV}$

Question 9

Which of the following best explains why the membrane potential of a neuron is negative at rest?

Accepted Answer

The membrane is more permeable to K+ than Na+

Question 10

If the membrane were freely permeable to K+ only, what would be the equilibrium potential for K+?

Accepted Answer

$E_{K^+} \approx -90\ \mathrm{mV}$

Question 11

Which type of ion channel opens in response to a change in membrane potential?

Accepted Answer

Voltage-gated channel

Question 12

A neuron receives multiple excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) at the same time. What is the term for the additive effect that may bring the membrane to threshold?

Accepted Answer

Summation

Question 13

Which neurotransmitter is most important for excitatory transmission in the brain?

Accepted Answer

Glutamate

Question 14

Which of the following best describes saltatory conduction?

Accepted Answer

Action potentials 'jump' from node of Ranvier to node of Ranvier along myelinated fibers

Question 15

Which class of nerve fibers has the fastest conduction velocity?

Accepted Answer

Type A fibers: large diameter, myelinated

Question 16

Which of the following is a function of astrocytes in the central nervous system?

Accepted Answer

Form the blood-brain barrier and regulate the interstitial environment

Question 17

Which of the following best describes the effect of neuromodulators?

Accepted Answer

They alter the rate of neurotransmitter release or the responsiveness of the postsynaptic membrane

Question 18

Which neurotransmitter is primarily responsible for transmitting information along pain pathways?

Accepted Answer

Substance P

Question 19

Which of the following is a consequence of synaptic fatigue?

Accepted Answer

Progressively weaker synaptic transmission with repeated excitation

Question 20

Which equation best represents the Nernst equation for calculating the equilibrium potential of an ion?

Accepted Answer

$E_{ion} = \frac{RT}{zF} \ln \left( \frac{[ion]_{out}}{[ion]_{in}} \right)$

Neural Tissue: Structure, Function, and Organization

Study Guide - Practice Questions

Study Guide - Flashcards