Question 1

Santiago Ramón y Cajal used special staining techniques to reveal that the brain is composed of individual cells.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 2

The blood-brain barrier is made up of closely packed glial cells.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 3

In order to produce an action potential, the collective amount of depolarization must exceed the _____

Accepted Answer

A)  threshold of excitation 
B)  energy required to open the potassium channels 
C)  absolute refractory period 
D)  resting membrane potential 
A)  threshold of excitation 
B)  energy required to open the potassium channels 
C)  absolute refractory period 
D)  resting membrane potential

Question 4

The role of glial cells is to act like "glue" or scaffolding to support the neurons.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 5

When the potential across a membrane reaches threshold, the sodium channels ____.

Accepted Answer

A)  open to let sodium enter the cell rapidly 
B)  close to prevent sodium from entering the cell 
C)  open to let sodium exit the cell rapidly 
D)  close to prevent sodium from exiting the cell 
A)  open to let sodium enter the cell rapidly 
B)  close to prevent sodium from entering the cell 
C)  open to let sodium exit the cell rapidly 
D)  close to prevent sodium from exiting the cell

Question 6

Professor Windell is lecturing about the resting potential of neurons. He will tell his class that the resting potential is advantageous because _____.

Accepted Answer

A)  it minimizes the toxic effects of sodium 
B)  the cell is ready to produce an action potential quickly following a stimulus 
C)  it prevents the cell from having to use any energy to keep itself prepared to fire an action potential. 
D)  this maintains equal levels of the ions both inside and outside of the neuron 
A)  it minimizes the toxic effects of sodium 
B)  the cell is ready to produce an action potential quickly following a stimulus 
C)  it prevents the cell from having to use any energy to keep itself prepared to fire an action potential. 
D)  this maintains equal levels of the ions both inside and outside of the neuron

Question 7

Which event will increase the concentration gradient of sodium?

Accepted Answer

A)  Decreasing permeability to potassium ions 
B)  Increasing activity of the sodium potassium pump 
C)  Increasing membrane permeability to sodium ions 
D)  Increasing membrane permeability to chloride ions 
A)  Decreasing permeability to potassium ions 
B)  Increasing activity of the sodium potassium pump 
C)  Increasing membrane permeability to sodium ions 
D)  Increasing membrane permeability to chloride ions

Question 8

What term describes the difference in voltage that typically exists between the inside and the outside of a neuron?

Accepted Answer

A)  Concentration gradient 
B)  Generator potential 
C)  Resting potential 
D)  Shock gradient 
A)  Concentration gradient 
B)  Generator potential 
C)  Resting potential 
D)  Shock gradient

Question 9

The branching fibers that form the information-receiving pole of the nerve cells are called _____.

Accepted Answer

A)  motor neurons 
B)  dendrites 
C)  sensory neurons 
D)  axons 
A)  motor neurons 
B)  dendrites 
C)  sensory neurons 
D)  axons

Question 10

Mae is studying for an exam on the action potential. She writes in her notes that the sodium channel closes ______.

Accepted Answer

A)  when the electrical gradient for sodium is eliminated 
B)  after the neuron reaches threshold 
C)  at the peak of the action potential 
D)  as a result of the refractory periods 
A)  when the electrical gradient for sodium is eliminated 
B)  after the neuron reaches threshold 
C)  at the peak of the action potential 
D)  as a result of the refractory periods

Question 11

As compared to dendrites, axons usually ____.

Accepted Answer

A)  form the information-receiving pole of the neuron 
B)  are shorter in length 
C)  are covered with myelin 
D)  taper in diameter toward their periphery 
A)  form the information-receiving pole of the neuron 
B)  are shorter in length 
C)  are covered with myelin 
D)  taper in diameter toward their periphery

Question 12

If all of a neuron's dendrites or axons were contained within the spinal cord, it would be considered a(n) ____ neuron.

Accepted Answer

A)  efferent 
B)  afferent 
C)  intrinsic 
D)  Purkinje 
A)  efferent 
B)  afferent 
C)  intrinsic 
D)  Purkinje

Question 13

Action potentials can be produced in the dendrites of some neurons.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 14

The speed of an action potential down an unmyelinated axon is best described as ____.

Accepted Answer

A)  the speed of electricity, regardless of the size of the axon 
B)  less than 1 meter per second, regardless of the size of the axon 
C)  faster in thin axons than in thick ones 
D)  faster in thick axons than in thin ones 
A)  the speed of electricity, regardless of the size of the axon 
B)  less than 1 meter per second, regardless of the size of the axon 
C)  faster in thin axons than in thick ones 
D)  faster in thick axons than in thin ones

Question 15

Jena has been assigned a project for school where she is asked to demonstrate the activity of the sodium-potassium pump using yellow marbles to represent sodium and green marbles to represent potassium. How many marbles will Jena need and explain how she could demonstrate the movement of the ions through the pump?

Accepted Answer

Jena needs to explain to the class that

Question 16

Under which conditions would the sodium-potassium pump likely be far less effective in creating a concentration gradient?

Accepted Answer

A)  if dendrites were generally longer than axons 
B)  if the glia-to-neuron ratio were higher 
C)  if selective permeability of the membrane did not exist 
D)  if it were an active transport system that required energy 
A)  if dendrites were generally longer than axons 
B)  if the glia-to-neuron ratio were higher 
C)  if selective permeability of the membrane did not exist 
D)  if it were an active transport system that required energy

Question 17

Terrance went to the dentist and was given some Novocain. This prevented him from feeling pain because the drug ____.

Accepted Answer

A)  attached to sodium channels letting in sodium and stopping the action potential from sending a pain message 
B)  attached to potassium channels letting in potassium and stopping the action potential from sending a pain message 
C)  attached to potassium channels blocking potassium from entering and stopping the action potential from sending a pain message 
D)  attached to sodium channels blocking sodium from entering and stopping the action potential from sending a pain message 
A)  attached to sodium channels letting in sodium and stopping the action potential from sending a pain message 
B)  attached to potassium channels letting in potassium and stopping the action potential from sending a pain message 
C)  attached to potassium channels blocking potassium from entering and stopping the action potential from sending a pain message 
D)  attached to sodium channels blocking sodium from entering and stopping the action potential from sending a pain message

Question 18

What mechanism prevents or slows some chemicals from entering the brain, while allowing others to enter?

Accepted Answer

A)  A threshold 
B)  A blood-brain barrier 
C)  An endoplasmic wall 
D)  A differential-drug inhibitor 
A)  A threshold 
B)  A blood-brain barrier 
C)  An endoplasmic wall 
D)  A differential-drug inhibitor

Question 19

Zandra is studying about the ions involved in the action potential. She records in her notes that ____.

Accepted Answer

A)  the concentration of sodium remains more concentrated outside the neuron than inside even during an action potential 
B)  the concentration of potassium remains more concentrated outside the neuron than inside even during an action potential 
C)  the concentration of sodium and potassium equalize across the membrane during an action potential 
D)  during an action potential, the sodium channels stay open for a long period of time 
A)  the concentration of sodium remains more concentrated outside the neuron than inside even during an action potential 
B)  the concentration of potassium remains more concentrated outside the neuron than inside even during an action potential 
C)  the concentration of sodium and potassium equalize across the membrane during an action potential 
D)  during an action potential, the sodium channels stay open for a long period of time

Question 20

The major disadvantage of a blood-brain barrier is that ____.

Accepted Answer

A)  many chemicals can easily diffuse into the brain 
B)  so much glucose is required to maintain it 
C)  certain required chemicals must be actively transported 
D)  viruses cannot escape 
A)  many chemicals can easily diffuse into the brain 
B)  so much glucose is required to maintain it 
C)  certain required chemicals must be actively transported 
D)  viruses cannot escape

Santiago Ramón y Cajal used special staining techniques to reveal that the brain is composed of individual cells.

The blood-brain barrier is made up of closely packed glial cells.

In order to produce an action potential, the collective amount of depolarization must exceed the _____

The role of glial cells is to act like "glue" or scaffolding to support the neurons.

When the potential across a membrane reaches threshold, the sodium channels ____.

Professor Windell is lecturing about the resting potential of neurons. He will tell his class that the resting potential is advantageous because _____.

Which event will increase the concentration gradient of sodium?

What term describes the difference in voltage that typically exists between the inside and the outside of a neuron?

The branching fibers that form the information-receiving pole of the nerve cells are called _____.

Mae is studying for an exam on the action potential. She writes in her notes that the sodium channel closes ______.

As compared to dendrites, axons usually ____.

If all of a neuron's dendrites or axons were contained within the spinal cord, it would be considered a(n) ____ neuron.

Action potentials can be produced in the dendrites of some neurons.

The speed of an action potential down an unmyelinated axon is best described as ____.

Under which conditions would the sodium-potassium pump likely be far less effective in creating a concentration gradient?

Terrance went to the dentist and was given some Novocain. This prevented him from feeling pain because the drug ____.

What mechanism prevents or slows some chemicals from entering the brain, while allowing others to enter?

Zandra is studying about the ions involved in the action potential. She records in her notes that ____.

The major disadvantage of a blood-brain barrier is that ____.

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Exam 1: Nerve Cells and Nerve Impulses

Santiago Ramón y Cajal used special staining techniques to reveal that the brain is composed of individual cells.

The blood-brain barrier is made up of closely packed glial cells.

In order to produce an action potential, the collective amount of depolarization must exceed the _____

The role of glial cells is to act like "glue" or scaffolding to support the neurons.

When the potential across a membrane reaches threshold, the sodium channels ____.

Professor Windell is lecturing about the resting potential of neurons. He will tell his class that the resting potential is advantageous because _____.

Which event will increase the concentration gradient of sodium?

What term describes the difference in voltage that typically exists between the inside and the outside of a neuron?

The branching fibers that form the information-receiving pole of the nerve cells are called _____.

Mae is studying for an exam on the action potential. She writes in her notes that the sodium channel closes ______.

As compared to dendrites, axons usually ____.

If all of a neuron's dendrites or axons were contained within the spinal cord, it would be considered a(n) ____ neuron.

Action potentials can be produced in the dendrites of some neurons.

The speed of an action potential down an unmyelinated axon is best described as ____.

Under which conditions would the sodium-potassium pump likely be far less effective in creating a concentration gradient?

Terrance went to the dentist and was given some Novocain. This prevented him from feeling pain because the drug ____.

What mechanism prevents or slows some chemicals from entering the brain, while allowing others to enter?

Zandra is studying about the ions involved in the action potential. She records in her notes that ____.

The major disadvantage of a blood-brain barrier is that ____.

Synapses

Anatomy and Research Methods

Genetics, Evolution, Development, and Plasticity

Vision

Other Sensory Systems

Movement

Wakefulness and Sleep

Internal Regulation

Reproductive Behaviors

Emotional Behaviors

Learning, Memory, and Intelligence

Cognitive Functions

Psychological Disorders

Filters