Exam 1

Question 1

T or F: neurons do not physically touch one another

Answer 1

True

Question 2

Your doctor taps on your patellar tendon. List out the steps, in detail, of the nervous pathway of the reflects he is testing. Include any sensory organs involved in the action of the reflex.

Answer 2

1. Tapping patellar tendon causes it to stretch
2. Stretch detected by muscle spindles
3. Afferent neuron sent through DRG
4. Passes through spinal cord
5. Synapses on motor neuron
6. Contracts quadriceps, kicking of foot

Question 3

A postsynaptic neuron would be found:

Answer 3

After the synapse

Question 4

This is a collection of cell bodies found in the PNS

Answer 4

GANGLIA

Question 5

T or F: reflexes occur slower than a conscious decision to move from the brain

Answer 5

False

Question 6

A neuron going to the bicep of the forearm is part of the:

Answer 6

• PNS
• SOMATIC

Question 7

A patient’s spinal cord was severed in a car accident. Would the patient be expected to regrow axons in their spinal cord?

Answer 7

No, the spinal cord is a part of the CNS. Only PNS axons are capable of regeneration.

Question 8

T or F: action potentials travel in one direction within the same neuron

Answer 8

 True

Question 9

What neurotransmitter helps regulate emotional responses in muscle tone?

Answer 9

Dopamine

Question 10

T or F: a sensory neuron is signaling the body of extreme pain. This means that the strength of the action potential is greater than usual. Explain your reasoning.

Answer 10

This is false. There is no variation in the strength of an action potential.

Question 11

This part of the autonomic system increases digestion

Answer 11

PARASYMPATHETIC

Question 12

In a reflex, the _______ neuron conducts nerve impulses along a path way towards the CNS

Answer 12

Sensory (afferent)

Question 13

This part of a neuron conducts nerve impulses AWAY from the body

Answer 13

AXON

Question 14

An afferret neuron carries information:

Answer 14

From the PNS to CNS

Question 15

The ventral root of a nerve contains what type of neurons?

Answer 15

MOTOR (efferent)

Question 16

At rest, a neuron plasma membrane is:

Answer 16

-70 mV

Question 17

Which of the following statements is true concerning the neuromuscular junction?

Answer 17

The NMJ terminates on a muscle fiber

Question 18

Which of the following statements is false about reflexes?

Answer 18

Pulling a hand away from a hot flame is not a reflex it is entirely voluntary

Question 19

What is false about the flexor withdrawal reflex?

Answer 19

• It does not involve interneurons
• The effect of the reflex is to create a co-contraction of two muscles

Question 20

What is the location and function of astrocytes?

Answer 20

• CNS
• Regulate chemical environment inside CNS, form a physical Blood brain barrier by wrapping around blood capillaries

Question 21

Which of the following is true concerning the sodium-potassium pump?

Answer 21

It must remain in constant operation to maintain the resting state

Question 22

What prevents continuous stimulation of a nerve synapse and how is it accomplished?

Answer 22

Continuous stimulation of a nerve synapse is prevented by the short existence of neurotransmitters. This is accomplished by enzymes deactivating the neurotransmitters and some enzymes absorbing the neurotransmitters.

Question 23

Describe the synthesis and storage of neurotransmitters

Answer 23

Neurotransmitters are synthesized in the neuron cell body. They are stored in secretory vesicles at the end of axon terminals.

Question 24

This part of a reflex is inside the CNS, made up of one or more synapses

Answer 24

Integration center

Question 25

What is false about the stretch reflex?

Answer 25

The effect of the motor signal is to relax the muscle

Question 26

Multiple sclerosis, an autoimmune disease, which attacks the myelin sheath of the nerve axon. Patients with this disease may experience difficulty using the muscles of their arms and legs. Explain why this would occur.

Answer 26

Multiple sclerosis affects the formation of myelin sheath. Myelin sheath main function is to increase nerve conduction speed and protect the nerve. If there is damage done to it, the conduction speed would be slow and the nerve would be vulnerable. Making it difficult for the muscles to be utilized.

Question 27

This is the most superficial layer of the brain meninges

Answer 27

Dura Mater

Question 28

The ______ fissure separates the cerebrum from the cerebellum

Answer 28

Transverse

Question 29

What is the purpose of the blood-brain barrier? Describe its maintenance from a cellular level.

Answer 29

The blood-brain barrier is a diffusion barrier for the brain and spinal cord to keep certain particles out of CNS tissue. The barrier is a relatively impermeable membrane due to the formation of astrocytes. This barrier also keeps the brain and spinal cord separate from general circulation to ensure the stability of the environment. The environment for the nerves of the brain and spinal cord is important so that they do not undergo chemical variants that could cause uncontrollable, rapid firing.

Question 30

All the following are functions of the hypothalamus except: - Maintain homeostasis - Controls the pituitary gland - Links the nervous and endocrine systems - Relays sensory impulses to the cerebrum

Answer 30

Relays sensory impulses to the cerebrum

Question 31

What is the largest portion of the brain?

Answer 31

Cerebrum

Question 32

This region of the brain controls decision making skills

Answer 32

Frontal Lobe

Question 33

A patient is having difficulty producing speech sounds, but other motor movements are normal. Which area of the brain is most likely damaged?

Answer 33

Broca’s Area

Question 34

Describe how memories are stored and retrieved in the brain. Include a specific brain region.

Answer 34

Memories are stored throughout the cerebral hemispheres. The hippocampus is especially important to storage and retrieval of memories. Along with the amygdala, a portion of the limbic system, it is how emotionally charged events are vivid in our memory.

Question 35

Which statement is false concerning the brainstem? - The medulla portion of the brainstem continuous with the spinal cord. - The medulla contains reflex centers to regulate vasoconstriction. - The midbrain contains the superior and inferior colliculi. - The midbrain helps to regulate breathing.

Answer 35

The midbrain helps to regulate breathing

Question 36

Which of the following is false concerning the cerebellum? - The gray matter is external while the white mater is internal. - The cerebellar peduncles are located posteriorly. - The anterior lobe receives information from the body trunk. - The vermis coordinates arm movements.

Answer 36

The cerebellar peduncles are located posteriorly

Question 37

Which of the following is most likely a symptom of ALS? - Impaired ability to swallow - Decreased sensation in the hands - Shrinkage of cerebral cortex - Increased size of brain ventricles - All the above

Answer 37

Impaired ability to swallow

Question 38

Which of the following is true concerning a CVA? - An ischemic stroke is also known as a “brain bleed”. - A TIA is a form of hemorrhagic stroke. - Stroke survivors never regain any lost function. - A hemorrhagic stroke is due to a broken blood vessel.

Answer 38

A hemorrhagic stroke is due to a broken blood vessel

Question 39

A patient is unable to extend his fourth and fifth digits when asked to open his hand. What is most likely the cause?

Answer 39

Ulnar Nerve Damage