Deck 2: Structure and Function of Cells of the Nervous System

Question 1

_______ are located only within the central nervous system.

A) Sensory
B) Motor
C) Relay interneurons
D) Projection neurons
E) Schwann cells

Answer 1

C

Question 2

The portion of a neuron that carries information toward the cell body is the

A) dendrite.
B) axon terminal.
C) presynaptic membrane.
D) soma.
E) glial membrane.

Answer 2

A

Question 3

The membrane of a nerve cell is comprised of

A) protein molecules.
B) vesicle remnants.
C) a double layer of lipid molecules.
D) cytoplasm.
E) a single layer of lipid molecules interfaced with a layer of protein molecules.

Answer 3

C

Question 4

The nucleus of the nerve cell is located within the

A) soma.
B) axon.
C) axon terminals.
D) dendrites.
E) mitochondria.

Question 5

The physical gap that carries a neural message between two nerve cells is the

A) glial junction.
B) axon contact
C) synapse.
D) dendritic apposition.
E) neural gap.

Question 6

Which of the following represents a correct match between a neuronal organelle and its function?

A) mitochondria; extraction of energy
B) Golgi apparatus; extraction of energy
C) endoplasmic reticulum; breakdown of proteins
D) microtubules; transport of chemicals through the cell membrane
E) mitochondria; formation of vesicles

Question 7

The _______ system is defined as comprised of the brain and spinal cord.

A) peripheral nervous
B) central nervous
C) enteric nervous
D) human nervous
E) local circuit

Question 8

Synapses are most commonly formed between a(n) _______ and a(n) _______.

A) axon terminal; dendrite
B) dendrite; soma
C) soma; glial
D) glial; dendrite
E) dendrite; axon terminal

Question 9

The most common neuron type in the central nervous system is the _______ neuron.

A) multipolar
B) apolar
C) sensory
D) bipolar
E) motor

Question 10

Which of the following is correct regarding neurons?

A) All neurons are sensory neurons.
B) Motor neurons gather sensory information from the environment.
C) The number of neurons in the human nervous system is estimated at more than 100 billion.
D) The term "motor" refers to a mechanical engine.
E) Interneurons are found outside the brain and spinal cord.

Question 11

A key function of specialized lipid molecules located in the nerve cell is to

A) detect the presence of hormones outside the cell.
B) form the membrane.
C) form channels to carry ions in and out of the cell.
D) transport molecules into the cell.
E) transport vesicles within the neuron.

Question 12

_______ neurons function to contract muscles.

A) Sensory
B) Motor
C) Inter-
D) Relay
E) Local

Question 13

Which of the following structures is the site of production of proteins?

A) vesicles
B) ribosomes
C) genes
D) myeline.
E) the nucleolus

Question 14

The primary symptom shown by Kathryn D. was

A) severe nausea.
B) inability to sleep.
C) muscle weakness.
D) distortions of memory.
E) difficulty in recognizing facial displays of emotion.

Question 15

Neurotransmitter molecules are most commonly secreted from the

A) glial cell.
B) dendrite.
C) axon terminal.
D) dendritic apposition.
E) soma.

Question 16

Loss of dendritic branches on _______ would be expected to impair the ability to sense temperature and touch.

A) bipolar neurons
B) multipolar neurons
C) unipolar neurons
D) apolar neurons
E) motor neurons

Question 17

The _______ system is that portion of the nervous system that lies outside of the brain and spinal cord.

A) extraspinal
B) central nervous
C) enteric nervous
D) human nervous
E) peripheral nervous

Question 18

_______ neurons gather information from the environment related to light, odors, and contact of our skin with objects.

A) Sensory
B) Motor
C) Inter-
D) Relay inter-
E) Local inter-

Question 19

Match up the internal cell structure with the function most closely associated with that structure:

A) nucleolus; production of cytoplasm
B) ribosomes; production of DNA
C) lipid bilayer; production of ribosomes
D) nucleolus; production of ribosomes
E) mRNA; production of cytoplasm

Question 20

A key function of the _______ nerve cell is to transmit sensory information.

A) apolar
B) multipolar
C) glial fiber
D) bipolar
E) heteropolar

Question 21

The _______ mediates the inflammatory reaction that follows brain damage.

A) Schwann cell
B) phagocyte
C) dendrocyte
D) astrocyte
E) microglia

Question 22

A drug that specifically killed the _______ cells would be expected to alter the physical and nutritional support of brain cells.

A) phagocyte
B) Schwann
C) microglia
D) astrocyte
E) microtubule

Question 23

Nerve cells are able to rapidly metabolize fuel because

A) of their capacity to store glucose in the cytoplasm.
B) neurons receive lactate from astrocytes.
C) glial cells can transfer ATP into neurons.
D) brain blood vessels can convert glucose into lactate for neuron use.
E) glial cell mitochondria process fuel for the neuron.

Question 24

Movement of cargo from one end of the axon to the other involves _______ along the _______ .

A) axoplasmic transport; myelin sheath
B) facilitated diffusion; exterior of the cell membrane
C) facilitated diffusion; neurofilaments
D) protein synthesis; microtubules
E) axoplasmic transport; microtubules

Question 25

The process of phagocytosis involves

A) the removal of neuronal debris.
B) the transfer of lactate from a glial cell to a neuron.
C) the wrapping of fatty material around an axon membrane.
D) structural support of a nerve cell.
E) the degradation of transmitter molecules within the synapse.

Question 26

Which of the following is true of Schwann cells?

A) Schwann cells provide myelin for peripheral nerve cells.
B) Schwann cells are found within the brain.
C) A single Schwann cell wraps multiple segments around a peripheral nerve cell.
D) A single Schwann cells can myelinate up to 50 segments of axon membrane.
E) Schwann cells remove the cellular debris left by dead neurons in brain.

Question 27

A key function of lysosomes is to

A) move vesicles from the soma to the axon terminal.
B) produce proteins.
C) degrade surplus cellular materials.
D) provide energy to the neuron.
E) transport vesicles within the neuron.

Question 28

Which of the following is a key a function of the glial cells?

A) Protection of the outer surface of the brain.
B) Removal of physical debris from the brain.
C) Secretion of CSF in the brain.
D) Movement of vesicles along the axon.
E) The conduction of action potentials.

Question 29

The _______ are the key supply source of energy for neurons.

A) phagocytes
B) Schwann cells
C) dendrocytes
D) astrocytes
E) microtubules

Question 30

The scar tissue generated in the brain by _______ cells acts to impede the regrowth of nerve cells.

A) astrocytes
B) microglia
C) Schwann cells
D) axon terminals
E) phagocytes

Question 31

Which of the following is correct regarding axoplasmic transport?

A) Dendrograde transport involves moving substances from the dendrites to the soma.
B) Retrograde transport involves moving substances from the soma to the axon terminals.
C) The kinesin molecule is involved in anterograde transport.
D) Retrograde transport is twice as fast as anterograde transport.
E) The dynein molecule is involved in anterograde transport.

Question 32

Proteins are produced within the neuron cytoplasm by

A) mitochondria.
B) ribosomes.
C) lysosomes.
D) the cytoskeleton.
E) nucleoli.

Question 33

Which of the following is correct regarding axoplasmic transport?

A) The dynein molecule is involved in anterograde axoplasmic transport.
B) Retrograde axoplasmic transport involves moving substances from the soma to the axon terminals.
C) The kinesin molecule is involved in retrograde axoplasmic transport.
D) Retrograde transport is half as fast as anterograde axoplasmic transport.
E) Transport of materials occurs only in one direction.

Question 34

Match the correct function with the neuronal organelle:

A) mitochondria; production of fat-like molecules
B) mitochondria; formation of vesicles
C) endoplasmic reticulum; breakdown of proteins
D) microtubules; transport of molecules between the soma and the axon terminals
E) Golgi apparatus; extraction of energy for cell use

Question 35

A key feature for the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis in Dr. C. was

A) focal damage to a single brain region evident in a CT scan.
B) diverse neurological symptoms that appeared at different times.
C) the excess production of myelin in the nervous system.
D) the occurrence of small strokes that impair brain function.
E) an autoimmune disease that attacks the myelin found in the peripheral nervous system.

Question 36

Regrowth of a damaged axon can occur more readily in the peripheral nervous system than in the brain because

A) Schwann cells form barriers to axon regrowth.
B) Schwann cells form cylinders through which new axons can grow and reinnervate a target cell nerve cell.
C) Schwann cells generate a chemical signal that instructs nerve cells to die.
D) Astrocytes form cylinders through which new axons can grow and reinnervate a target cell nerve cell.
E) Oligodendroglia form barriers to axon regrowth.

Question 37

Neurons of the central nervous system are provided nutrients, oxygen, and physical support by _______ cells.

A) Schwann
B) glial or neuroglial
C) Golgi
D) stem
E) microtubule

Question 38

Which of the following is true of neurons?

A) Neurons have a high metabolic rate.
B) The dendrites store nutrients and oxygen for the neuron.
C) Dead neurons are consumed by other neurons.
D) Neurons make up 29% of the volume of the brain.
E) Neurons can survive for hours without oxygen.

Question 39

Which of the following is true of the human genome?

A) Humans have about 95,000,000 genes.
B) Much of the genome contains "junk" DNA.
C) Non-coding "junk" RNA sequences that do not produce protein has no known function.
D) The human genome has not been fully sequenced.
E) Nearly 10% of the genes of the human genome code for proteins.

Question 40

Myelination of brain nerve axon membranes is accomplished by

A) oligodendrocytes.
B) microglia.
C) astrocytes.
D) neurocytes.
E) Schwann cells.

Question 41

The difference in electrical charge between the inside and the outside of the axon membrane is defined as the _______ potential.

A) membrane
B) local
C) glial
D) action
E) axon

Question 42

The _______ potential is defined as the difference in electrical charge between the inside and the outside of an undisturbed axon membrane.

A) resting membrane
B) local
C) resting
D) action
E) axon

Question 43

A cup of sugar is dumped into a gallon of hot water. After 30 minutes, we will expect that the process of _______ will ensure that the sugar molecules are evenly distributed throughout the water.

A) retrograde transport
B) diffusion
C) anterograde transport
D) electrostatic pressure
E) salinity

Question 44

The normal order of activation during neuronal transmission is

A) axon --> dendrite --> cell body --> axon terminals.
B) axon terminals --> cell body --> axon --> dendrite.
C) dendrite --> cell body --> axon --> terminal button.
D) cell body --> axon --> dendrite --> axon terminal.
E) dendrite --> axon terminal --> cell body --> axon.

Question 45

_______ will be recorded from a nerve cell whose membrane potential rises above threshold.

A) action potential
B) local potential
C) downward shift of the threshold of excitation
D) upward shift of the membrane threshold
E) long-term change in the membrane potential

Question 46

The process by which similarly charged particles repel each other and are thus moved within a medium is termed

A) diffusion.
B) carrier-mediated transport.
C) refraction.
D) electrostatic pressure.
E) diffraction.

Question 47

A key function of the giant squid axon is the

A) integration of sensory messages regarding the environment.
B) planning of feeding-related movements.
C) contraction of the squid mantle, which propels the squid away from danger.
D) coordination of general sensory-motor function.
E) contraction of the oral region to produce chewing movements.

Question 48

The function of a _______ in a giant squid physiology experiment is to _______.

A) microelectrode; inject potassium ions into the axon
B) voltmeter; stimulate the interior of the axon
C) microelectrode; compare the electric charge of the interior with that of the exterior
D) voltmeter; compare the electric charge of the interior with that of the exterior
E) microelectrode; dampen the electric charge within the axon

Question 49

The simplest version of a withdrawal from pain reflex is a

A) pain receptor that synapses onto an interneuron, which in turn activates a motor neuron in the spinal cord.
B) pain receptor that projects to the thalamus, which then projects to motor cortex and then back down to the spinal cord.
C) motor neuron within the spinal cord that is spontaneously active.
D) sensory neuron in the visual cortex that synapses onto a motor neuron in the spinal cord.
E) motor neuron that activates sensory fibers.

Question 50

A change in the axon membrane potential from -70 mV to -90 mV would be termed a(n)

A) depolarization.
B) threshold potential.
C) action potential.
D) hyperpolarization.
E) excitatory local potential.

Question 51

The _______ is the voltage level at which an action potential is triggered in a patch of axon membrane.

A) resting membrane potential
B) hyperpolarization event
C) threshold of excitation
D) rate level
E) refractory period

Question 52

_______ are negatively charged particles.

A) Transmitters
B) Solvents
C) Electrolytes
D) Cations
E) Anions

Question 53

The presence of a barrier between the bloodstream and the brain is suggested by the observation that

A) all cells of the body are stained by a dye injected into the bloodstream.
B) injection of dye into the bloodstream stains all cells but those of the brain and spinal cord.
C) the gut is stained by a dye injected into the brain ventricles.
D) injection of dye into the spinal cord stains the cells of the gut.
E) injection of dye into the gut stains the cells of the spinal cord.

Question 54

Activation of cells within the _______ by a poison in the blood would be predicted to produce _______.

A) nucleus accumbens; visual hallucinations
B) hippocampus; locomotion
C) hypothalamus; vomiting
D) area postrema; vomiting
E) hippocampus; vomiting

Question 55

The interior of a neuron at rest

A) has the same ionic concentrations as the outside.
B) is at the same voltage potential as the outside.
C) has a higher sodium concentration than outside.
D) is negatively charged relative to the outside.
E) has a lower potassium concentration than outside.

Question 56

A neuron membrane potential moves from -90 mV to -We would term this change in potential as a(n)

A) depolarization.
B) resting potential.
C) action potential.
D) hyperpolarization.
E) inhibitory local potential.

Question 57

Which of the following is true of the blood-brain barrier?

A) The barrier is uniform, protecting all brain structures.
B) The barrier pumps glucose out of the brain into the bloodstream.
C) The barrier functions to regulate the chemical composition of the extracellular fluid surrounding the brain cells.
D) The barrier is formed by cells that line the capillaries of the brain.
E) The ventricles have a blood-brain barrier.

Question 58

A substance that forms oppositely charged particles when dissolved into water would be termed a(n)

A) ion.
B) molecule.
C) electrolyte.
D) cation.
E) anion.

Question 59

_______ are positively charged ionic particles.

A) Transmitters
B) Solvents
C) Electrolytes
D) Cations
E) Anions

Question 60

_______ are charged particles formed when an electrolyte dissolves in water.

A) Ions
B) Solvents
C) Transmitters
D) Electrons
E) Solutes

Question 61

Depolarizations of the axon membrane that are below the threshold of activation

A) involve activation of the sodium-potassium pump.
B) remain the same size at each point along the membrane.
C) are just smaller versions of the action potential.
D) decrease in size as they sweep along the membrane.
E) are not conducted along the membrane.

Question 62

Match the ion channel action with its resulting change in membrane potential:

A) entry of a negative ion; hyperpolarization
B) entry of a positive ion; hyperpolarization
C) exit of a positive ion; depolarization
D) exit of a negative ion; hyperpolarization
E) inactivation of sodium-potassium transporters; depolarization

Question 63

Sodium ions will be pushed into a resting neuron by the forces of

A) inactivation of potassium channels; diffusion.
B) electrostatic pressure; sodium-potassium pump activation.
C) sodium-potassium pump activation; diffusion.
D) ion channel inactivation; diffusion.
E) diffusion; electrostatic pressure.

Question 64

As a consequence of the activity of the sodium-potassium transporters,

A) extracellular sodium concentrations are kept low.
B) intracellular sodium concentrations are kept very high.
C) extracellular potassium concentrations are kept very high.
D) intracellular sodium concentrations are kept low.
E) very little energy is required to maintain ionic differences across the membrane.

Question 65

Which of the following sets of terms do NOT belong together?

A) saltatory conduction; faster conduction speeds in smaller neurons
B) open sodium channels; membrane depolarization
C) saltatory conduction; slower conduction speeds in smaller neurons
D) open potassium channels; membrane repolarization
E) sodium-potassium pump; restoration of the normal concentrations of these ions

Question 66

Which of the following was suggested as an advantage associated with myelination?

A) Myelin changes the height of the action potential.
B) Myelin increases the energy requirements of the nerve cell.
C) Myelin slows down conduction speed.
D) Myelin reduces the threshold for induction of an action potential.
E) Myelin speeds up axon conduction speed.

Question 67

The nervous system codes for variation in the intensity of incoming sensory stimuli by variations in the _______ of a neuron.

A) repolarization rate
B) resting membrane potential
C) speed of conduction of action potentials
D) total amplitude of the action potential
E) firing rate

Question 68

Among the cable properties of axons are the fact that

A) subthreshold signals degrade with distance from the point of stimulation.
B) a high rate of firing produces a stronger response in muscle.
C) subthreshold signals grow in size with distance.
D) subthreshold signals remain constant in size along the axon membrane.
E) subthreshold signals grow in size as time passes.

Question 69

Which of the following is consistent with the "all-or-none" law?

A) The action potential will diminish to near 0 mV when transmitted down a long axon.
B) The action potential fires at the same rate regardless of the inputs to the neuron.
C) The action potential is conducted more rapidly down the axon as it reaches the axon terminal.
D) The action potential is produced whenever the membrane potential reaches threshold.
E) The action potential travels only in one direction.

Question 70

The term _______ is derived from the word meaning "little bladder."

A) vesicle
B) neurite
C) cisternae
D) mitochondria
E) storage pool

Question 71

Movement of _______ ions _______ the axon would be induced by the force of diffusion.

A) chloride; out of
B) sodium; into
C) potassium; into
D) organic; into
E) sodium; out of

Question 72

Sodium ions move out of the axon because of

A) the opening of sodium channels.
B) the opening of voltage-gated channels.
C) kinesin.
D) electrostatic pressure.
E) the sodium-potassium transporter.

Question 73

Which of the following is true of the action potential?

A) More sodium channels are opened at a lower voltage level than are the potassium channels.
B) The action potential requires 10 msec for completion.
C) The action potential requires the activity of the sodium-potassium transporters during the rising phase.
D) More potassium channels are opened at a lower voltage than are sodium channels.
E) The overshoot is due to a prolonged change in sodium conductance.

Question 74

Which of the following events restores the membrane potential from the peak of the action potential back down to the resting level?

A) Sodium ions move into the cell.
B) Potassium ions move out of the cell.
C) Potassium ions move into the cell.
D) Chloride ions move into the cell.
E) Protein anions move out of the cell.

Question 75

The specialized protein molecules located in the axon membrane that can open or close are termed

A) receptors.
B) voltage transporters.
C) autoreceptors.
D) ion channels.
E) sodium-potassium transporters.

Question 76

Which of the following is true of ion distribution across the axon membrane?

A) Chloride ions are more concentrated inside the axon membrane.
B) Potassium ions are more concentrated outside the cell membrane.
C) The action potential is the balance point between diffusion and electrostatic pressure.
D) Sodium ions are more concentrated outside the axon membrane.
E) Sodium ions are more concentrated inside the axon membrane.

Question 77

Which of the following is an important advantage associated with saltatory conduction?

A) More sodium ions have to be pumped out of the cell after an action potential.
B) Myelin allows the nerve cell to recycle neurotransmitter molecules.
C) Less transmitter is required to send a message across the next synapse.
D) Myelin speeds up the velocity at which an axon can conduct an action potential.
E) Myelin requires that nerve cell axons be larger in order to conduct a signal rapidly.

Question 78

In a myelinated axon, ions can enter and leave the axonal membrane only at

A) the terminal buttons.
B) the soma.
C) the nodes of Ranvier.
D) the segment of membrane under the Schwann cell wrapping.
E) every point along the axonal membrane.

Question 79

Saltatory conduction is rapid because

A) cable properties carry the signal under the myelin sheath.
B) myelinated cells have more leakage through the membrane.
C) myelinated axons are larger in diameter.
D) myelinated cells have more ion channels per unit area than do non-myelinated cells.
E) myelinated fibers have a lower threshold of activation.

Question 80

Which of the following is true regarding the action potential (AP)?

A) The AP is conducted along the dendrite.
B) The AP is conducted faster in unmyelinated nerve cells
C) The AP is an all-or-none electrical event
D) The AP amplitude is higher for an intense signal.
E) The AP amplitude depends on its location along the axon.