$$\mathrm{cis\text{-}retinal} \xrightarrow{\text{light}} \mathrm{trans\text{-}retinal}$$

Question 1

Which of the following best describes the function of glial cells in the vertebrate nervous system?

Accepted Answer

They nourish, support, and regulate neurons.

Question 2

Which evolutionary trend is characterized by the clustering of sensory neurons and interneurons at the anterior end of the body?

Accepted Answer

Cephalization

Question 3

A patient suffers damage to the hippocampus. Which of the following symptoms would most likely be observed?

Accepted Answer

Inability to form new long-term memories

Question 4

Which division of the autonomic nervous system is primarily responsible for the 'fight-or-flight' response?

Accepted Answer

Sympathetic division

Question 5

Which brain structure acts as the main relay station for sensory information entering the cerebrum?

Accepted Answer

Thalamus

Question 6

Which of the following best explains why aspirin and ibuprofen reduce pain?

Accepted Answer

They inhibit the synthesis of prostaglandins.

Question 7

A person is exposed to a continuous, unchanging stimulus but gradually stops noticing it. Which process is responsible for this phenomenon?

Accepted Answer

Sensory adaptation

Question 8

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

Accepted Answer

It is induced by astrocytes forming tight junctions in capillaries.

Question 9

Which of the following is a correct pathway for visual information from the retina to the brain?

Accepted Answer

Photoreceptors → Bipolar cells → Ganglion cells → Optic nerve → Thalamus → Visual cortex

Question 10

Which of the following best describes the role of the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) in mammals?

Accepted Answer

It acts as a pacemaker, synchronizing circadian rhythms.

Question 11

Which type of sensory receptor is responsible for detecting changes in solute concentration in body fluids?

Accepted Answer

General chemoreceptor

Question 12

A person is unable to comprehend spoken language but can still produce speech. Which brain region is most likely damaged?

Accepted Answer

Wernicke’s area

Question 13

Which of the following is a function of the cerebellum?

Accepted Answer

Coordination of movement and balance

Question 14

Which of the following best explains why mammals that are nocturnal have a high proportion of rods in their retina?

Accepted Answer

Rods are more sensitive to low light levels than cones.

Question 15

Which of the following drugs enhances the activity of the dopamine pathway by blocking the removal of dopamine from the synaptic cleft?

Accepted Answer

Cocaine

Question 16

Which of the following equations correctly represents the conversion of cis-retinal to trans-retinal in the visual system?

Accepted Answer

$$\mathrm{cis	ext{-}retinal} \xrightarrow{	ext{light}} \mathrm{trans	ext{-}retinal}$$

Question 17

Which of the following best describes the process of sensory transduction?

Accepted Answer

The conversion of a stimulus into a change in membrane potential of a sensory receptor

Question 18

Which structure in the inner ear is responsible for detecting angular movement in any direction?

Accepted Answer

Semicircular canals

Question 19

Which of the following statements about the corpus callosum is correct?

Accepted Answer

It enables communication between the right and left cerebral hemispheres.

Question 20

Which of the following best explains why the fovea provides the sharpest vision?

Accepted Answer

It contains a high density of cones and no rods.

The Nervous System: Structure, Function, and Sensory Mechanisms

Study Guide - Practice Questions