Question 1

Which of the following best describes the main function of the myelin sheath in vertebrate neurons?

Accepted Answer

It increases the speed of action potential propagation along the axon.

Question 2

A patient suffers a spinal cord injury that disrupts the white matter but leaves the gray matter intact. Which of the following is most likely to be affected?

Accepted Answer

Transmission of signals along myelinated axons.

Question 3

Which equation best represents the Nernst equation for calculating the equilibrium potential ($$E_{ion}) $$for a particular ion across a membrane?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 4

Which part of the nervous system is responsible for the 'fight or flight' response?

Accepted Answer

Sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system

Question 5

A person touches a hot stove and immediately withdraws their hand before feeling pain. Which neural pathway is primarily responsible for this rapid response?

Accepted Answer

A reflex arc mediated by the spinal cord

Question 6

Which of the following best explains why action potentials only travel in one direction along an axon?

Accepted Answer

The refractory period prevents the action potential from moving backward.

Question 7

Which brain region is primarily responsible for coordinating movement and balance?

Accepted Answer

Cerebellum

Question 8

Damage to which lobe of the cerebral cortex is most likely to result in changes to personality and decision-making ability, as seen in the case of Phineas Gage?

Accepted Answer

Frontal lobe

Question 9

Which of the following best describes the process of long-term potentiation (LTP) in the nervous system?

Accepted Answer

Frequent excitation of a synapse increases the sensitivity of the postsynaptic neuron.

Question 10

Which of the following is a key difference between the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS)?

Accepted Answer

The CNS includes the brain and spinal cord, while the PNS includes nerves and ganglia outside the CNS.

Question 11

Which structure connects the left and right cerebral hemispheres, allowing communication between them?

Accepted Answer

Corpus callosum

Question 12

Which of the following best describes the role of afferent neurons in the nervous system?

Accepted Answer

They carry sensory information toward the central nervous system.

Question 13

Which animal group is characterized by a diffuse nerve net rather than a centralized nervous system?

Accepted Answer

Cnidarians

Question 14

Which division of the autonomic nervous system is primarily responsible for stimulating digestion?

Accepted Answer

Enteric division

Question 15

During embryonic development, which process is responsible for the loss of approximately 50% of neurons?

Accepted Answer

Large-scale neuron die-off due to lack of access to growth factors

Question 16

Which of the following best explains why reading to children at an early age is thought to benefit brain development?

Accepted Answer

It strengthens synaptic connections in the developing brain.

Question 17

Which of the following is a function of the thalamus in the human brain?

Accepted Answer

Coordinating sensory information and relaying it to the cerebral cortex

Question 18

Which of the following best describes the process by which neurotransmitters are released at a synapse?

Accepted Answer

An action potential reaches the synaptic terminal, triggering the release of neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft.

Question 19

Which of the following is a real-world example of neural plasticity?

Accepted Answer

A stroke patient regains lost language abilities through therapy and brain reorganization.

Chapter 49: Nervous Systems – Structure and Function

Study Guide - Practice Questions

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