Question 1

___________ enable(s) the rapid transmission of action potentials down an axon and increase(s) the distance over which transmission can occur.

Accepted Answer

A) Soma 
B) Dendrites 
C) Neurotransmitters 
D) Myelin

Question 2

A team of scientists from California and Sweden (Eriksson et al., 1998) administered BrdU, a synthetic form of thymidine, to patients. Which of the following best summarizes the findings from these procedures?

Accepted Answer

A) Very few neurons are generated after birth. 
B) Synaptogenesis and synapse elimination peak earlier in sensory cortex than in association cortex. 
C) Brains of humans and rats are anatomically similar. 
D) New neurons are produced in the adult human brain.

Question 3

Neural inputs that target the cortex and originate in the thalamus are referred to as corticothalamic.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 4

Compare the following analogy to chemical synaptic transmission: Two postage companies use different methods for delivery. Company One's method is to send a delivery person out with packages that will be delivered directly to the address on the label. Company Two's method is to send a delivery person out to a transfer center, and a second driver will deliver the package to the address. Company One's method best compares to ___________________, while Company Two's method best compares to ___________________. Company ___ uses a faster method.

Accepted Answer

A) G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs); ligand-gated ion channels; One 
B) G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs); ligand-gated ion channels; Two 
C) ligand-gated ion channels; G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs); One 
D) ligand-gated ion channels; G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs); Two

Question 5

Within a neuron, the transmission of information is usually ________. Between neurons, the transmission of information is usually ________.

Accepted Answer

A) chemical; chemical 
B) electrical; electrical 
C) electrical; chemical 
D) chemical; electrical

Question 6

If you inserted a micropipette into a neuron without harming the cell and pumped in a small quantity of calcium ions, each of which carried two positive charges, how would this affect the membrane potential?

Accepted Answer

A) The membrane potential would become depolarized relative to the resting potential. 
B) The membrane potential would become hyperpolarized relative to the resting potential. 
C) There would be no change because calcium does not contribute to the resting potential. 
D) There would be no change because the sodium-potassium pump would remove excess calcium from the cell.

Question 7

Which of the following sequences of steps best represents the order of events that occur during synaptic transmission?

Accepted Answer

A) binding of neurotransmitter at the postsynaptic membrane → diffusion of neurotransmitter across the synapse → release of neurotransmitter from the presynaptic cell 
B) diffusion of neurotransmitter across the synapse → binding of neurotransmitter at the postsynaptic membrane → release of neurotransmitter from the presynaptic cell 
C) release of neurotransmitter from the presynaptic cell → binding of neurotransmitter at the postsynaptic membrane → diffusion of neurotransmitter across the synapse 
D) release of neurotransmitter from the presynaptic cell → diffusion of neurotransmitter across the synapse → binding of neurotransmitter at the postsynaptic membrane

Question 8

Gray matter is to white matter as ________ are to ________.

Accepted Answer

A) gyri; sulci 
B) glial cells; neurons 
C) cell bodies; axon tracts 
D) oligodendrocytes; Schwann cells

Question 9

How do two neurons communicate with each other? Describe the process of synaptic transmission, including both chemical and electrical synapses.

Accepted Answer

The answer of How do two neurons communicate with each...

Question 10

The resting potential of a neuron is typically +40 to +90 millivolts (mV).

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 11

Which of the following cells devour and remove damaged brain cells?

Accepted Answer

A) astrocytes 
B) microglia 
C) oligodendrocytes 
D) Schwann cells

Question 12

The term commissure refers to the white matter tracts that connect the brain and spinal cord.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 13

Choose six of the following eight brain regions. For each region, briefly describe its location in the brain and one of its functions. Draw a picture to accompany your answer.
• frontal lobe
• parietal lobe
• temporal lobe
• occipital lobe
• basal ganglia
• hypothalamus
• thalamus
• cerebellum

Accepted Answer

The answer of Choose six of the following eight brain...

Question 14

During development, a structure called the blastula begins to form when the neural plate invaginates via neural folds being pushed up at its border.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 15

The part of the thalamus that is most important in relaying information to the primary visual cortex is the

Accepted Answer

A) lateral geniculate nucleus. 
B) superior colliculus. 
C) medial geniculate nucleus. 
D) inferior colliculus.

Question 16

As a result of a brain injury to the medial temporal lobes and neighboring subcortical structures, a patient exhibits a number of cognitive and behavioral changes. Of the following options, which is the LEAST likely to be affected?

Accepted Answer

A) memory 
B) emotional processing 
C) learning 
D) somatosensation

Question 17

A gap junction is

Accepted Answer

A) the point where a neurotransmitter vesicle binds to the presynaptic membrane. 
B) a connection between two sections of a G protein that plays a role in second-messenger cascades. 
C) a transmembrane channel that connects the cytoplasm of two cells at an electrical synapse. 
D) more likely to be found on the amino acids than on the biogenic amines.

Question 18

The Hodgkin-Huxley cycle describes how the depolarization of the membrane causes voltage-gated sodium channels to ________, allowing ________ sodium ions to enter the cell. This change in sodium concentration then causes ________ of the cell.

Accepted Answer

A) close; fewer; further depolarization 
B) close; fewer; repolarization 
C) open; more; further depolarization 
D) open; more; repolarization

Question 19

In the nervous system, these cells provide structural support and insulation for neurons.

Accepted Answer

A) glia 
B) dendrites 
C) mitochondria 
D) Purkinje cells

Question 20

What are the advantages of a cerebral cortex with gyri and sulci? Why might the human cerebral cortex be more heavily folded than those of other mammals?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What are the advantages of a cerebral...

Exam 2: Structure and Function of the Nervous System

___________ enable(s) the rapid transmission of action potentials down an axon and increase(s) the distance over which transmission can occur.

A team of scientists from California and Sweden (Eriksson et al., 1998) administered BrdU, a synthetic form of thymidine, to patients. Which of the following best summarizes the findings from these procedures?

Neural inputs that target the cortex and originate in the thalamus are referred to as corticothalamic.

Within a neuron, the transmission of information is usually . Between neurons, the transmission of information is usually .

If you inserted a micropipette into a neuron without harming the cell and pumped in a small quantity of calcium ions, each of which carried two positive charges, how would this affect the membrane potential?

Which of the following sequences of steps best represents the order of events that occur during synaptic transmission?

Gray matter is to white matter as are to .

How do two neurons communicate with each other? Describe the process of synaptic transmission, including both chemical and electrical synapses.

The resting potential of a neuron is typically +40 to +90 millivolts (mV).

Which of the following cells devour and remove damaged brain cells?

The term commissure refers to the white matter tracts that connect the brain and spinal cord.

During development, a structure called the blastula begins to form when the neural plate invaginates via neural folds being pushed up at its border.

The part of the thalamus that is most important in relaying information to the primary visual cortex is the

As a result of a brain injury to the medial temporal lobes and neighboring subcortical structures, a patient exhibits a number of cognitive and behavioral changes. Of the following options, which is the LEAST likely to be affected?

A gap junction is

The Hodgkin-Huxley cycle describes how the depolarization of the membrane causes voltage-gated sodium channels to , allowing sodium ions to enter the cell. This change in sodium concentration then causes of the cell.

In the nervous system, these cells provide structural support and insulation for neurons.

What are the advantages of a cerebral cortex with gyri and sulci? Why might the human cerebral cortex be more heavily folded than those of other mammals?