Neuroscience Exam Questions

Exam Questions and Answers

• TRUE/FALSE: Any two EPSPs will override one IPSP. Answer: False.

Multiple Choice

• Question 2: While a neuron membrane is depolarizing: Answer: D. chloride gates are fully open.

• Question 3: Regarding unmyelinated nerve fibers in the PNS: Answer: D. A Schwann cells wraps its plasma membrane around each individual fiber.

• Question 4: An inhibitory local potential causes: Answer: D. hyperpolarization of the plasma membrane.

• Question 5: Norepinephrine is a: Answer: monoamine.

• Question 6: If a neuron is prevented from sending a neurotransmitter: Answer: B. Secretion

• Question 9: The respiratory center gathering information: Answer: A. Convergent

• Question 10: Which body system(s) maintain stable internal conditions: Answer: A. Nervous, endocrine, and integumentary.

• Question 11: Accumulation of Ca2+ in the axon terminal is called: Answer: and probably plays an important role in Neural coding; short-term memory.

• Question 12: What is the most common type of neuron? Answer: D. Multipolar

• Question 13: In which part of a neuron is the postsynaptic membrane usually found?: Answer: A. Dendrite

• Question 14: A cholinergic synapse uses ________ as its neurotransmitter: Answer: C. acetylcholine

• Question 15: When the voltage of a plasma membrane shifts: Answer: C. depolarizing

• Question 16: Place the following events in synaptic transmission: Answer: D, B, E, A, C (in order)

• Question 17: If the potassium leak channels were suddenly blocked: Answer: B. It would become more positive.

• Question 18: How does a neuron transport enzymes: Answer: D. Along microtubules.

• Question 19: A traveling wave of excitation is called a(n): Answer: E. action potential

• Question 20: What type of neural circuit is best for prolonged output?: Answer: E. A reverberating circuit

• Question 21: In a myelinated fiber, only the initial segment in the trigger zone: Answer: TRUE

• Question 22: What is another name for the autonomic nervous system?: Answer: A. Visceral motor division

• Question 23: Memories are formed by neural pathways of modified: Answer: synapses.

• Question 24: Some antidepressant drugs act by inhibiting monoamine oxidase (MAO). What is the function of this enzyme?: Answer: C. It breaks down monoamines.

• Question 25: During the absolute refractory period: Answer: A. No stimulus of any strength will trigger a new action potential.

• Question 26: Which of these is an example of an EPSP?: Answer: E. A voltage change from −70 mV to −69.5 mV

• Question 27: Which cells form myelin in the spinal cord?: Answer: E. Oligodendrocytes

• Question 28: Where do most local potentials form in a neuron?: Answer: B. The dendrites.

• Question 29: Which of these happens first in cholinergic synaptic transmission?: Answer: D. A nerve signal arrives at an axon terminal.

• Question 30: Local potentials are __________, meaning they vary in magnitude according to the strength of the stimulus: Answer: graded.

• Question 31: Which of these does not contribute to the cessation of a signal in synaptic transmission?: Answer: D. Neurotransmitters are no longer released

• Question 32: In order to regenerate, a peripheral nerve fiber must have which of the following?: Answer: E. The neurosoma and at least some neurilemma intact.

• Question 33: Most metabolic and regulatory functions in a neuron happen where?: Answer: D. The neurosoma

• Question 34: How is a growing axon directed to its original destination in PNS nerve fiber regeneration?: Answer: B. It grows within a regeneration tube

• Question 35: Which of the following are effectors?: Answer: A. Glands

• Question 36: An action potential never occurs in dendrites: Answer: TRUE

• Question 37: Ependymal cells line the inner cavities of the CNS: Answer: TRUE

• Question 38: The nervous system communicates exclusively by electrical means: Answer: FALSE (it uses chemical messengers as well.)

• Question 39: Even though all action potentials are the same, the brain can differentiate: Answer: D. coding

• Question 40: Which ion has the greatest influence on the resting membrane potential?: Answer: E. Potassium

• Question 41: What is the primary site for receiving signals from other neurons?: Answer: A. The dendrites

• Question 42: Neurons move material away from the neurosoma by retrograde transport: Answer: TRUE

• Question 43: What division carries signals to smooth muscle in the large intestine: Answer: E. visceral motor

• Question 44: Are neurons more abundant than neuroglia in the brain?: Answer: FALSE (Neuroglia outnumber neurons)

• Question 45: Most neurons have multiple dendrites: Answer: TRUE

• Question 46: What's the best explanation for why myelinated fibers conduct faster than unmyelinated fibers? Answer: B. Diffusion of ions is faster

• Question 47: Local potentials are __________, whereas action potentials are __________: Answer: graded, all-or-none.

• Question 48: When a neuron is stimulated, Na+ gates open and allow Na+ to exit the cell: Answer: FALSE (Sodium enters)

• Question 49: The addition and response to the net effect of postsynaptic potentials is called: Answer: E. neural summation

• Question 50: Place the following events of synaptic transmission: Answer: E, D, A, C, B (in order)

• Question 51: Which neurotransmitter excites skeletal muscle and inhibits cardiac muscle? Answer: E. Acetylcholine

• Question 52: Which of the following will cause hyperpolarization at RMP? Answer: B. An inflow of chloride

• Question 53: The term "nerve fiber" refers to a(n): Answer: A. axon

• Question 54: Which is not a typical characteristic of neurotransmitters? Answer: C. They are released into the bloodstream before reaching the postsynaptic cell.

• Question 55: Inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPs) are associated with which of the following?: Answer: D. Hyperpolarization of the cell membrane.

• Question 56: Parkinson's disease is due to the degeneration of neurons that secrete which inhibitory neurotransmitter?: Answer: A. Dopamine

• Question 57: Conduction of a nerve impulse is fastest in which of the following?: Answer: C. A large diameter myelinated fiber

• Question 58: A myelin sheath is primarily composed of: Answer: B. Lipids

• Question 59: In a neuron, opening sodium gates typically leads to: Answer: B. Depolarization of the plasma membrane

• Question 60: What is the opposite of presynaptic inhibition?: Answer: C. Facilitation

Test your understanding of neuron functions and neurotransmission with this quiz. Covering key concepts such as EPSPs, IPSPs, and the role of monoamines, this exam questions set is perfect for neuroscience students. Challenge yourself to see how well you grasp these essential topics in the nervous system.