Question 1

How is the speed of an action potential down an unmyelinated axon BEST described?

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 2

What is the approximate resting potential of the inside of a neuron's membrane, relative to the outside?

Accepted Answer

A)  -70 millivolts 
B)  +10 millivolts 
C)  0 millivolts 
D)  +90 millivolts 
A)  -70 millivolts 
B)  +10 millivolts 
C)  0 millivolts 
D)  +90 millivolts

Question 3

The concentration gradient for potassium tends to:

Accepted Answer

A)  draw potassium into the cell. 
B)  push chloride out of the cell. 
C)  push sodium out of the cell. 
D)  push potassium out of the cell. 
A)  draw potassium into the cell. 
B)  push chloride out of the cell. 
C)  push sodium out of the cell. 
D)  push potassium out of the cell.

Question 4

What will NOT affect the speed of an action potential?

Accepted Answer

A)  the presence of myelin 
B)  the diameter of the axon 
C)  the length of the axon 
D)  the number of sodium gates 
A)  the presence of myelin 
B)  the diameter of the axon 
C)  the length of the axon 
D)  the number of sodium gates

Question 5

What happens once an action potential starts?

Accepted Answer

A)  It is conducted the rest of the way as an electrical current. 
B)  It needs additional stimulation to keep it going along the axon. 
C)  It increases in speed as it goes. 
D)  It is regenerated at other points along the axon. 
A)  It is conducted the rest of the way as an electrical current. 
B)  It needs additional stimulation to keep it going along the axon. 
C)  It increases in speed as it goes. 
D)  It is regenerated at other points along the axon.

Question 6

In the normal course of an action potential:

Accepted Answer

A)  sodium channel remain open for long periods of time. 
B)  the concentration of sodium equalizes across the membrane. 
C)  sodium remains much more concentrated outside than inside the neuron. 
D)  subthreshold stimulation intensifies the action potential. 
A)  sodium channel remain open for long periods of time. 
B)  the concentration of sodium equalizes across the membrane. 
C)  sodium remains much more concentrated outside than inside the neuron. 
D)  subthreshold stimulation intensifies the action potential.

Question 7

The primary feature of a neuron that prevents the action potential from traveling back from where it just passed is the:

Accepted Answer

A)  concentration gradient. 
B)  refractory period. 
C)  sodium potassium pump. 
D)  phospholipid bilayer. 
A)  concentration gradient. 
B)  refractory period. 
C)  sodium potassium pump. 
D)  phospholipid bilayer.

Question 8

When a neuron's membrane is at rest, which of the following molecules crosses through it MOST slowly?

Accepted Answer

A)  potassium 
B)  sodium 
C)  water 
D)  carbon dioxide 
A)  potassium 
B)  sodium 
C)  water 
D)  carbon dioxide

Question 9

The presence of myelin and the diameter of the axon:

Accepted Answer

A)  affect the strength and frequency of the stimulus 
B)  affect the speed of an action potential 
C)  affect the strength of an action potential 
D)  affect the frequency of an action potential 
A)  affect the strength and frequency of the stimulus 
B)  affect the speed of an action potential 
C)  affect the strength of an action potential 
D)  affect the frequency of an action potential

Question 10

If you were to accidentally touch a hot stove with your hand, you would quickly pull your hand away. The information carried to the muscles in your arm to make them contract was carried by:

Accepted Answer

A)  efferent neurons. 
B)  afferent neurons. 
C)  intrinsic neurons. 
D)  sensory neurons. 
A)  efferent neurons. 
B)  afferent neurons. 
C)  intrinsic neurons. 
D)  sensory neurons.

Question 11

Increasing the electrical gradient for potassium would reduce the tendency for potassium ions to exit the neuron.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 12

One type of glia helps synchronize the activity of axons. They are called:

Accepted Answer

A)  oligodendrocytes. 
B)  astrocytes. 
C)  radial glia. 
D)  Schwann cells. 
A)  oligodendrocytes. 
B)  astrocytes. 
C)  radial glia. 
D)  Schwann cells.

Question 13

Chemicals than cannot flow freely across a cell membrane enter a neuron through:

Accepted Answer

A)  a Golgi complex. 
B)  specialized protein channels. 
C)  the endoplasmic reticulum. 
D)  gaps in the myelin sheath. 
A)  a Golgi complex. 
B)  specialized protein channels. 
C)  the endoplasmic reticulum. 
D)  gaps in the myelin sheath.

Question 14

The risk of having part of the brain unprotected by the blood-brain barrier is that:

Accepted Answer

A)  it is invisible to brain imaging techniques. 
B)  it takes longer for drugs to work. 
C)  viruses or toxic chemicals are more likely to damage it. 
D)  the blood is poorly oxygenated. 
A)  it is invisible to brain imaging techniques. 
B)  it takes longer for drugs to work. 
C)  viruses or toxic chemicals are more likely to damage it. 
D)  the blood is poorly oxygenated.

Question 15

Describe the aspects of the resting potential.

Accepted Answer

The resting potential is the electrical

Question 16

A prolonged increase in the permeability of the membrane to sodium ions would interfere with a neuron's ability to have an action potential.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 17

Which of the following describes the transmission of information in a local neuron?

Accepted Answer

A)  The signal decreases in strength as it travels. 
B)  The signal increases in strength as it travels. 
C)  The signal strength remains constant as it travels. 
D)  Local neurons do not transmit any information. 
A)  The signal decreases in strength as it travels. 
B)  The signal increases in strength as it travels. 
C)  The signal strength remains constant as it travels. 
D)  Local neurons do not transmit any information.

Question 18

What is meant by the term "concentration gradient" with respect to neurons?

Accepted Answer

A)  Sodium is more concentrated in the dendrites and potassium in the axon. 
B)  Negative charges are more concentrated outside the cell. 
C)  Sodium and potassium ions are more concentrated on opposite sides of the membrane. 
D)  Potassium is more concentrated in the dendrites and sodium in the axon. 
A)  Sodium is more concentrated in the dendrites and potassium in the axon. 
B)  Negative charges are more concentrated outside the cell. 
C)  Sodium and potassium ions are more concentrated on opposite sides of the membrane. 
D)  Potassium is more concentrated in the dendrites and sodium in the axon.

Question 19

Schwann cells build the myelin sheaths in the periphery of the body.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 20

Briefly describe glial cells.

Accepted Answer

They are the other major compo

How is the speed of an action potential down an unmyelinated axon BEST described?

What is the approximate resting potential of the inside of a neuron's membrane, relative to the outside?

The concentration gradient for potassium tends to:

What will NOT affect the speed of an action potential?

What happens once an action potential starts?

In the normal course of an action potential:

The primary feature of a neuron that prevents the action potential from traveling back from where it just passed is the:

When a neuron's membrane is at rest, which of the following molecules crosses through it MOST slowly?

The presence of myelin and the diameter of the axon:

If you were to accidentally touch a hot stove with your hand, you would quickly pull your hand away. The information carried to the muscles in your arm to make them contract was carried by:

Increasing the electrical gradient for potassium would reduce the tendency for potassium ions to exit the neuron.

One type of glia helps synchronize the activity of axons. They are called:

Chemicals than cannot flow freely across a cell membrane enter a neuron through:

The risk of having part of the brain unprotected by the blood-brain barrier is that:

Describe the aspects of the resting potential.

A prolonged increase in the permeability of the membrane to sodium ions would interfere with a neuron's ability to have an action potential.

Which of the following describes the transmission of information in a local neuron?

What is meant by the term "concentration gradient" with respect to neurons?

Schwann cells build the myelin sheaths in the periphery of the body.

Briefly describe glial cells.

The Major Issues

Synapses

Anatomy of the Nervous System

Development and Plasticity of the Brain

Vision

The Other Sensory Systems

Movement

Wakefulness and Sleep

Internal Regulation

Reproductive Behaviors

Emotional Behaviors

The Biology of Learning and Memory

Cognitive Functions

Mood Disorders and Schizophrenia

Filters

Exam 2: Nerve Cells and Nerve Impulses

How is the speed of an action potential down an unmyelinated axon BEST described?

What is the approximate resting potential of the inside of a neuron's membrane, relative to the outside?

The concentration gradient for potassium tends to:

What will NOT affect the speed of an action potential?

What happens once an action potential starts?

In the normal course of an action potential:

The primary feature of a neuron that prevents the action potential from traveling back from where it just passed is the:

When a neuron's membrane is at rest, which of the following molecules crosses through it MOST slowly?

The presence of myelin and the diameter of the axon:

If you were to accidentally touch a hot stove with your hand, you would quickly pull your hand away. The information carried to the muscles in your arm to make them contract was carried by:

Increasing the electrical gradient for potassium would reduce the tendency for potassium ions to exit the neuron.

One type of glia helps synchronize the activity of axons. They are called:

Chemicals than cannot flow freely across a cell membrane enter a neuron through:

The risk of having part of the brain unprotected by the blood-brain barrier is that:

Describe the aspects of the resting potential.

A prolonged increase in the permeability of the membrane to sodium ions would interfere with a neuron's ability to have an action potential.

Which of the following describes the transmission of information in a local neuron?

What is meant by the term "concentration gradient" with respect to neurons?

Schwann cells build the myelin sheaths in the periphery of the body.

Briefly describe glial cells.

The Major Issues

Synapses

Anatomy of the Nervous System

Development and Plasticity of the Brain

Vision

The Other Sensory Systems

Movement

Wakefulness and Sleep

Internal Regulation

Reproductive Behaviors

Emotional Behaviors

The Biology of Learning and Memory

Cognitive Functions

Mood Disorders and Schizophrenia

Filters