Question 1

Which of the following best describes the three main functions of the nervous system?

Accepted Answer

Sensory input, integration, and motor output

Question 2

A patient suffers a spinal cord injury that disrupts the transmission of impulses from the CNS to skeletal muscles. Which division of the nervous system is most likely affected?

Accepted Answer

Somatic nervous system

Question 3

Which neuroglial cell is primarily responsible for forming the myelin sheath in the central nervous system (CNS)?

Accepted Answer

Oligodendrocyte

Question 4

A neuron receives multiple excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) in rapid succession from a single presynaptic neuron. What is this process called?

Accepted Answer

Temporal summation

Question 5

Which of the following statements about the resting membrane potential is correct?

Accepted Answer

It is maintained by the sodium-potassium pump, which moves 3 Na$$^+$$ out and 2 K$$^+ in $$per ATP hydrolyzed.

Question 6

Which of the following best explains why myelinated axons conduct action potentials faster than nonmyelinated axons?

Accepted Answer

Saltatory conduction allows the action potential to jump from node to node.

Question 7

A local anesthetic like Novocaine blocks sodium channels in nerve cells. What is the physiological effect of this action?

Accepted Answer

It prevents the generation and propagation of action potentials, blocking pain signals.

Question 8

Which of the following is a correct pairing of neurotransmitter and its primary function?

Accepted Answer

Acetylcholine – stimulates skeletal muscle contraction

Question 9

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

Accepted Answer

Graded potentials decay with distance, while action potentials do not.

Question 10

A neuron in the retina of the eye has one axon and one dendrite. What is the structural classification of this neuron?

Accepted Answer

Bipolar neuron

Question 11

Which of the following is true regarding the propagation of an action potential along an axon?

Accepted Answer

It is unidirectional due to the inactivation of sodium channels behind the action potential.

Question 12

Which type of neuroglia is responsible for monitoring the health of neurons and can transform into a phagocytic cell in the CNS?

Accepted Answer

Microglial cell

Question 13

A patient has a disorder that impairs the function of Schwann cells. Which of the following would most likely be affected?

Accepted Answer

Myelination of axons in the peripheral nervous system

Question 14

Which of the following best describes the effect of an inhibitory postsynaptic potential (IPSP)?

Accepted Answer

It hyperpolarizes the postsynaptic membrane, decreasing the likelihood of an action potential.

Question 15

Which of the following is a correct statement about the sodium-potassium pump?

Accepted Answer

It moves 3 Na$$^+$$ ions out of the cell and 2 K$$^+$$ ions into the cell per ATP molecule hydrolyzed.

Question 16

Which of the following is a function of astrocytes in the CNS?

Accepted Answer

Regulating the chemical environment around neurons

Question 17

A patient is exposed to a toxin that increases the permeability of the neuronal membrane to K$$^+. $$What is the most likely effect on the resting membrane potential?

Accepted Answer

The membrane potential will become more negative (hyperpolarized).

Question 18

Which of the following best explains why the CNS can distinguish between a weak and a strong stimulus?

Accepted Answer

By the frequency of action potentials generated

Question 19

Which of the following is true regarding the functional classification of neurons?

Accepted Answer

Interneurons are found entirely within the CNS and are mostly multipolar.

Question 20

Which of the following is a characteristic of graded potentials but NOT action potentials?

Accepted Answer

They can summate to increase amplitude.

Fundamentals of the Nervous System and Nervous Tissue – Study Notes

Study Guide - Practice Questions

Study Guide - Flashcards