Nervous System

1. Which of the following is NOT part of the diencephalon?

a. Pineal gland
b. Tectum
c. Interthalamic adhesion
d. Hypothalamus
e. Thalamus

2. The ______________ is the primary relay station for sensory information coming into the cerebral cortex.
a. Hypothalamus
b. Epithalamus
c. Midbrain
d. Thalamus
e. Prosencephalon

3. The __________________ is attached to the hypothalamus by the infundibulum.

a. Pineal gland
b. Sella turcica of the sphenoid bone
c. Thyroid gland
d. Thalamus
e. None of the above

4. The ___________________ is the autonomic control center.

a. Thalamus
b. Pons
c. Prefrontal cortex
d. Hypothalamus
e. Fornix

5. An increase in sympathetic activity will cause airway diameter to:

a. Increase
b. Decrease
c. Stay the same

6. Which of the following secretes a hormone that plays a role in the regulation of sleep/wake cycles?
a. Thalamus
b. Pituitary gland
c. Brainstem
d. Pons
e. Pineal gland

7. Which of the following is NOT found in the brain stem?

a. Pons
b. Midbrain
c. Cerebral peduncles
d. Decussation of the pyramids
e. Lateral ventricle

1
 Nervous System

8. The cerebral aqueduct connects the:

a. Left and right lateral ventricles
rd
b. Lateral ventricles to the 3 ventricle
rd th
c. 3 ventricle to the 4 ventricle
th
d. 4 ventricle to the subarachnoid space
e. Subarachnoid space to the dural sinuses

9. The pons contains:

a. White matter linking the cerebral cortex and the spinal cord
b. Nuclei involved in urination
c. Nuclei involved in respiration
d. Neurons and glial cells
e. All of the above

10. Which of the following is NOT TRUE?

a. The deepest meninx is the pia mater
b. The dura mater of the brain is a 2 layered structure
c. The periosteal dura mater is deep to the meningeal dura mater
d. The subarachnoid space contains cerebrospinal fluid
e. The subarachnoid space is between the arachnoid mater and the pia mater

11. Increased activity of the sympathetic nervous system will cause BP to:
a. Increase
b. Decrease
c. Stay the same

12. Which of the following is NOT TRUE?

a. Venous sinuses are found between the 2 layers of the dura mater
b. CSF travels from the subarachnoid space to the venous sinuses
c. There are 4 ventricles in the brain
d. Roughly 5000 mL of CSF is produced daily.
th
e. CSF enters the subarachnoid space by way of the median and lateral apertures of the 4 ventricle

13. Which of the following is TRUE?

a. Capillary endothelial cells are linked by tight junctions.
b. The brain is a very vascular organ
c. The blood-brain barrier protects the brain from harmful substances in the brain
d. The lateral ventricles are separated by the septum pellucidum
e. All of the above

14. Atenolol is a drug that prevents norepinephrine from binding to the beta adrenergic receptors on the
heart. Atenolol would cause the amount of time in between heart beats to:
a. Increase
b. Decrease
c. Stay the same

2
 Nervous System

15. Increased activity of the parasympathetic nervous system will cause heart rate to:
a. Increase
b. Decrease
c. Stay the same

16. Increased activity of the sympathetic nervous system will cause pupil diameter to:
a. Increase
b. Decrease
c. Stay the same

17. The length of the parasympathetic preganglionic axon is ______________________ the length of the
parasympathetic postganglionic axon.
a. Longer than
b. Shorter than
c. The same as

18. The duration of the sympathetic response is _________________ the duration of the parasympathetic
response.
a. Longer than
b. Shorter than
c. The same as

Use the picture below for the next 3 questions.

19. The structured labeled with the arrow in the above picture is a ____________________.
a. Gray ramus communicans
b. White ramus communicans
c. Ventral root
d. Paravertebral ganglion
e. Prevertebral ganglion

3
 Nervous System

20. How many ganglia are visible in the above picture?

a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. 4
e. 5

21. What part of the spinal cord is depicted in the above picture?
a. Cranial
b. Cephalic
c. Thoracic
d. Sacral
e. Coccygeal

Use the following answer choices for the next 6 items. Each may be used once, more than once, or not at all.
a. CN VII
b. Oculomotor nerve
c. CN II
d. Glossopharyngeal nerve
e. None of the above

22. Controls the levator palpebrae superioris

23. Controls the submandibular and sublingual glands
24. Extends through the optic canals of the sphenoid bone.
25. Shrugs the shoulders.
26. Carries sensory information concerning blood pressure.
27. Releases ACh onto the heart.

Use the following answer choices for the next 4 items. Each may be used once, more than once, or not at all.
a. Nicotinic cholinergic receptor
b. Muscarinic cholinergic receptor
c. Adrenergic receptor
d. None of the above

28. Found on the heart and binds norepinephrine

29. Found on the heart and binds ACh
30. Found on postganglionic sympathetic neurons and binds to ACh
31. Found on the motor end plate

32. Which of the following is NOT TRUE?

a. The trigeminal nerve is the largest of the cranial nerves.
b. “Vagus” means wanderer.
c. Damage to the trochlear nerve could result in double vision
d. The cochlea of the inner ear is associated with CN VIII
e. Fibers of CN I pass through the cribriform plate of the sphenoid bone

4
 Nervous System

33. Symapthetic preganglionic axons that pass through the sympathetic trunk without synapsing form the
______________.
a. Gray ramus communicans
b. Adrenal nerve
c. Splanchnic nerve
d. White ramus communicans
e. None of the above

34. Which of the following nerves controls the motor functions of the tongue?
a. CN V
b. CN VII
c. CN IX
d. CN XI
e. CN XII

35. Which of the following is TRUE?

a. The ANS is under voluntary control.
b. The sympathetic division of the ANS is known as the “rest and digest division.”
c. The parasympathetic division of the ANS is also known as the craniosacral division.
d. The somatic nervous system is involuntary
e. None of the above

36. Which of the following neurons release norepinephrine?

a. Sympathetic preganglionic neurons
b. Parasympathetic preganglionic neurons
c. Sympathetic postganglionic neurons
d. Parasympathetic postganglionic neurons
e. Somatic motor neurons

37. Which of the following is NOT generally associated with the parasympathetic nervous system?
a. Diuresis
b. Penile erection
c. Ejaculation
d. Defecation
e. Increased activity of the stomach and intestines

38. Which of the following is NOT TRUE?

a. The sympathetic division of the ANS is known as the thoracolumbar division.
b. Sympathetic ganglia are usually located near the spinal cord.
c. Parasympathetic nerves innervate arrector pili and blood vessels in the dermis
d. Sympathetic nerves innervate the smooth muscle in arteries and veins.
e. Sympathetic preganglionic cell bodies are found in thoracic spinal cord lateral horns.

5
 Nervous System

39. Which of the following cranial nerves does NOT contain axons of parasympathetic motor neurons?
a. CN III
b. CN VII
c. CN IX
d. CN X
e. CN XII

40. Inability to track the flight of an airplane could be indicative of damage to the:
a. Inferior colliculus
b. Superior colliculus
c. Cerebral aqueduct
rd
d. 3 ventricle
e. Central canal of the spinal cord
-
41. If a significant amount of Cl entered the body of a motor neuron, which of the following would occur?
a. The neuron would contract
b. The VM would move towards threshold
c. An action potential would occur
d. The neuron would be less likely to fire an action potential
e. The VM would become more positive

42. As a result of a viral infection, a patient has suffered destruction to the anterior gray horns in the lumbar
region. What manifestations would you expect from this neurologic damage:
a. Numbness in the feet
b. Intense leg pain
c. Deterioration of motor activity in the legs and feet
d. Inability to move the fingers
e. Numbness in the fingers

43. The spinal cord:

a. Contains only sensory neurons
b. Contains only motor neurons
c. Contains only interneurons
d. Is exactly as long as the vertebral canal
e. None of the above

44. _____________ are found within the dorsal root ganglion.

a. Cell bodies of motor neurons
b. Cell bodies of sensory neurons
c. Cell bodies of cortical neurons
d. Cell bodies of smooth muscle cells
e. Cell bodies of skeletal muscle cells

45. Which of the following cortical areas is associated with neurons extending through the cribriform plate?
a. Gustatory cortex
b. Olfactory cortex
c. Primary somatosensory cortex
d. Premotor cortex
e. Frontal eye field

6
 Nervous System

46. Which of the following brain areas would you expect to be most involved in coordinating the joint
movements used in throwing a football?
a. Cerebellum
b. Epithalamus
c. Hypothalamus
d. Adenohypophysis
e. Neurohypophysis

47. The sympathetic nervous system could be anatomically referred to as the:

a. Craniosacral division
b. Lumbar-sacral division
c. Thoracolumbar division
d. Thoracosacral division
e. Paravertebral chain

48. The primary neurotransmitter of the parasympathetic nervous system is:

a. Epinephrine
b. Norepinephrine
c. Substance P
d. Calcium
e. Acetylcholine

49. Which of the following would NOT be expected during a “fight or flight” response?
a. Increase in pupil diameter
b. Increase in digestive activity
c. Increase in heart rate
d. Increases in plasma epinephrine levels
e. Increase in blood pressure

50. The venom of a puffer fish (tetrodotoxin) stops voltage-gated sodium channels from functioning. Thus,
you would expect a cell treated with tetrodotoxin to:
a. Produce stronger than normal action potentials
b. Produce action potentials quicker
c. To be unable to produce action potentials
d. To be able to depolarize but not repolarize
e. Both A and B are correct

51. Which of the following is NOT considered one of the 4 major regions of the brain?
a. Cerebrum
b. Prosencephalon
c. Diencephalon
d. Cerebellum
e. Brainstem

52. Which of the following is NOT TRUE?

a. The cerebral hemispheres make up about 80% of the brain.
b. Ridges in the cerebrum are called sulci
c. The longitudinal fissure separates the 2 cerebral hemispheres
d. The central sulcus separates the frontal and parietal lobes
e. The parieto-occipital sulcus separates the parietal and occipital lobes

7
 Nervous System

53. Which of the following is NOT TRUE?

a. The precentral gyrus is anterior to the central sulcus
b. The precentral gyrus is anterior to the postcentral gyrus
c. The lateral sulcus separates the temporal lobe from the parietal and occipital lobes
d. Each cerebral hemisphere has a thin outer surface layer composed of myelinated axons
e. The cerebral cortex is the site of the conscious mind

54. Which of the following is NOT TRUE?

a. The primary motor cortex is found in the postcentral gyrus.
b. The precentral gyrus contains pyramidal neurons that control muscle movements.
c. The motor homunculus has tiny hands
d. The corticospinal tracts connect the spinal cord and the primary motor cortex
e. The premotor cortex is anterior to the precentral gyrus

55. Damage to Broca’s area would result in an inability to:

a. See a pattern of flashing lights
b. Smell organic compounds like freshly cut grass
c. Smell volatile compounds like unleaded gasoline
d. Say the word “inconspicuous”
e. Hear sounds that are high in pitch

56. Which of the following is NOT TRUE?

a. The frontal eye field controls voluntary eye movements
b. The somatosensory cortex is found in the postcentral gyrus
c. The sensory homunculus has large lips
d. Proprioceptors sense body position
e. The somatosensory association cortex is just anterior to the postcentral gyrus

57. The tapered end of the spinal cord is called the filum terminale. It is anchored to the coccyx by an
extension of the pia mater called the conus medullaris.
a. True
b. False

58. Which of the following is NOT TRUE?

a. The primary visual cortex is found in the occipital lobe
b. The visual association area is found in the occipital lobe
c. The primary auditory cortex is found in the temporal lobe
d. Rodin is the artist who sculpted The Thinker
e. The corpus callosum is a group of projection fibers

59. Which of the following is NOT TRUE?

a. Wernicke’s area is involved in understanding spoken language
b. A frontal lobotomy can drastically alter an individuality
c. Association fibers connect the 2 cerebral hemispheres
d. Basal nuclei are deep to the cerebral cortex
e. Basal nuclei play a role in performing voluntary movements

8
 Nervous System

60. A spinal nerve is considered to be a mixed nerve because it contains both sensory and motor axons.
a. True
b. False

61. Movement of the right hand is caused by neural activity in the:

a. Left precentral gyrus
b. Right precentral gyrus
c. Left postcentral gyrus
d. Right postcentral gyrus
e. All of the above

62. A spinal nerve branches into a dorsal ramus and a ventral ramus. Both the dorsal ramus and the ventral
ramus are mixed.
a. True
b. False

63. Which of the following is TRUE?

a. The motor tracts descending from the spinal cord cross over in the medulla oblongata
b. The medulla oblongata contains nuclei involved in cardiac function
c. The medulla oblongata is inferior to the pons
d. The medulla oblongata is superior to the spinal cord
e. All of the above

64. Which of the following is NOT TRUE?

a. The vermis is found in between the 2 cerebellar hemispheres.
b. Munch painted “The Scream”
c. The cerebellum plays a role in coordinating the movements involved in throwing a baseball.
th
d. The cerebellum is anterior to the 4 ventricle
e. The cerebellum is inferior to the occipital lobe of the cerebrum

65. Which of the following is a function of the spinal cord?

I. Transmit sensory information to the cerebral cortex
II. Transmit motor commands from the cerebral cortex
III. Serve as an integration center for reflexes
a. I, II, and III
b. I and II
c. I and III
d. II and III
e. II

66. The spinal cord runs from the foramen magnum to the level of the ___________ vertebra.
th
a. 10 thoracic
nd
b. 2 sacral
st
c. 1 lumbar
th
d. 4 lumber
nd
e. 22 cervical

9
 Nervous System

67. There are ___________ pairs of cervical spinal nerves and ___________ pairs of thoracic spinal nerves.
a. 7 – 12
b. 8 – 11
c. 7 – 11
d. 8 – 12
e. None of the above

68. There are _________ pairs of lumbar spinal nerves and __________ pairs of sacral spinal nerves.
a. 5 – 5
b. 5 – 1
c. 5 – 3
d. 3 – 5
e. None of the above

69. The spinal cord is enlarged at the ___________ and ______________ regions.
a. Cervical – thoracic
b. Thoracic – lumbar
c. Cervical – lumbar
d. Thoracic – sacral
e. None of the above

70. The epidural space is found between the dura mater and the __________.
a. Arachnoid mater
b. Pia mater
c. Spinal cord
d. Meninx
e. Vertebra

71. Which of the following would be the LEAST likely to be found within gray matter?
a. Neuron somata
b. Glial cells
c. Dendrites
d. Axons
e. Myelin

72. Which of the following encloses the MOST axons?

a. Perineurium
b. Endoneurium
c. Epineurium

73. Which of the following is NOT TRUE?

a. CSF is produced at choroid plexuses
b. The cleft on the ventral spinal cord is the anterior median fissure
c. The groove on the dorsal spinal cord is the posterior median sulcus
d. The central canal is larger than the gray commissure

10
 Nervous System

e. The ventral horn contains cell bodies of motor neurons

74. A collection of axons in the CNS is referred to as a _____________.

a. Nucleus
b. Ganglion
c. Nerve
d. Tract
e. None of the above

75. Cutting all the right ventral rootlets in the cervical and thoracic spinal cord would cause a decrease in the
ability to:
a. Move the right arm
b. Move the left arm
c. Feel hot/cold in the right hand
d. Feel hot/cold in the left hand
e. All of the above

76. Cutting all the right dorsal rootlets in the cervical and thoracic spinal cord would cause a decrease in the
ability to:
a. Move the right arm
b. Move the left arm
c. Feel hot/cold in the right hand
d. Feel hot/cold in the left hand
e. All of the above

77. Sensory neuron somata are found in the ____________.

a. Lateral horn of the spinal cord
b. Ventral horn of the spinal cord
c. Dorsal horn of the spinal
d. Ventral root ganglion
e. Dorsal root ganglion

78. A spinal nerve will exit the vertebral canal via a _______________ foramen.
a. Magnum
b. Interventricular
c. Intervertebral
d. Transverse
e. Vertebral

79. Which of the following is NOT an example of a nerve plexus?

a. Coccygeal
b. Thoracic
c. Brachial
d. Sacral
e. 2 of the above

11
 Nervous System

80. The cervical plexus derives from the ventral rami of which spinal nerves?
a. C1-C8
b. C1-C3
c. C1-C4
d. C5-T1
e. C1-C57

81. Which of the following does NOT belong?

a. Axillary nerve
b. Pudendal nerve
c. Radial nerve
d. Median nerve
e. Ulnar nerve

82. Damage to the phrenic nerve would impair an individual’s ability to:
a. Jump
b. Run
c. Dance
d. Ride a bike
e. All of the above

83. The lumbar plexus is found within the psoas major muscle and gives rise to the sciatic and femoral nerves.
a. True
b. False

84. Which of the following encloses the FEWEST axons?

a. Perineurium
b. Endoneurium
c. Epineurium

85. A bundle of axons within a nerve is called a fascicle.

a. True
b. False

86. Chemical messengers released by endocrine glands into the blood are known as hormones.
a. True
b. False

87. Which of the following is an example of an effector?

a. Skeletal muscle
b. Smooth muscle
c. Cardiac muscle
d. Glands
e. All of the above

12
 Nervous System

88. The 2 divisions of the somatic nervous system are the sympathetic division and the parasympathetic
division.
a. True
b. False

89. The cell body of neuron in the brain will contain a nucleus. A collection of neuron cell bodies in the brain
is a nucleus.
a. True
b. False

90. Which of the following is NOT a function of glial cells?

a. Maintaining a neuron’s chemical environment.
b. Sending action potentials to effector tissues
c. Insulating axons
d. Devouring microorganisms
e. Transferring nutrients to neurons

91. Which of the following is FARTHEST from the nucleus of a neuron?

a. Nissl body
b. Axon collateral
c. Telondenrion
d. Axon hillock
e. Dendrite

92. Which of the following is NOT TRUE?

a. The plasma membrane of the axon is the axolemma
b. A gap between 2 Schwann cells is a neurilemma
c. The neuron contains protein filaments called neurofibrils
d. Each telodendrion ends at an axon terminal
e. Axon terminals contain synaptic vesicles

93. Which of the following is the LEAST abundant in the body?

a. Motor neurons
b. Interneurons
c. Bipolar neurons
d. Multipolar neurons
e. Unipolar neurons

94. The number of axons in a multipolar neuron is ___________________ the number of axons in a bipolar
neuron.
a. Greater than
b. Fewer than
c. The same as

13
 Nervous System

95. Sensory neurons are considered to be efferent neurons because they take information from organs to the
brain and the spinal cord.
a. True
b. False

96. Which of the following is NOT TRUE?

a. Positively charged ions are known as anions
b. The flow of ions into a cell is an example of an electrical current.
c. The plasma membrane is a source of electrical resistance
d. A separation of negative and positive charges is a source of potential energy.
e. A typical neuron has a membrane potential of -70 mV

97. Suppose you had a neuron that had more potassium leakage channels than normal. Which of the
following would be the most likely value of its membrane potential?
a. +30 mV
b. 0 mV
c. -55 mV
d. -70 mV
e. -85 mV

98. When the sodium potassium pump breaks down a molecule of ATP, ______ K+ ions are moved into the
cell and ______ Na+ are moved out of the cell.
a. 2-3
b. 3-2
c. 3-4
d. 4-3
e. None of the above

99. The influx of sodium will cause the membrane potential of a neuron to:
a. Increase
b. Decrease
c. Stay the same

100. Extracellular potassium levels are ____________________ intracellular potassium levels.

a. Greater than
b. Less than
c. The same as

101. The influx of chloride ions (Cl-) will cause the membrane potential of a neuron to:
a. Increase
b. Decrease
c. Stay the same

102. As a graded potential moves away from its site of origin, its amplitude will:
a. Increase
b. Decrease
c. Stay the same

14
 Nervous System

103. As an action potential moves away from its site of origin, its amplitude will:
a. Increase
b. Decrease
c. Stay the same

104. Voltage-gated channels are primarily found on the:

a. Axon
b. Dendrites
c. Soma

Refer to the above graph for questions 117-121. The x-axis is time in milliseconds. The y-axis is voltage
(membrane potential) in millivolts. The red arrow indicates when a stimulus was applied to the neuron.

105. At time=0.5 ms, sodium channels are ___________ and membrane is _______________.
a. Open – depolarizing
b. Closed – depolarizing
c. Open – repolarizing
d. Closed – repolarizing

106. At time=2 ms, the membrane is hyperpolarized.

a. True
b. False

107. At time=1 ms, ________ channels are inactivated and the membrane is ________________.
a. Sodium – depolarizing
b. Potassium – depolarizing
c. Sodium – repolarizing
d. Potassium – repolarizing

15
 Nervous System

108. At which of the following times is the neuron at its resting membrane potential?
a. 1 ms
b. 2 ms
c. 3 ms
d. 4 ms

109. There are 2 points of the graph where there is NO potential difference across the neuron membrane.
a. True
b. False

110. A rise in calcium levels inside the axon terminal of a neuron will cause the number of phospholipids in the
plasma membrane of that axon terminal to:
a. Increase
b. Decrease
c. Stay the same

111. The velocity of an action potential in a myelinated axon is _______________ the velocity of an action
potential in an unmyelinated axon.
a. Greater than
b. Less than
c. The same as

112. The velocity of an action potential in a large diameter axon is _______________ the velocity of an action
potential in a small diameter axon.
a. Greater than
b. Less than
c. The same as

113. A sensory nerve in the foot is part of the PNS while a motor nerve in the foot is part of the CNS.
a. True
b. False

16
 Nervous System

114. In the above picture we have 2 separate telodendria synapsing on2 different dendrites of a neuron.
Suppose the 2 telodendria stimulate their dendrite one right after another. 2 graded potentials would be
created. These 2 graded potentials would then combine at the axon hillock and possibly exceed threshold
and generate an action potential. This is an example of:
a. Spatial summation
b. Temporal summation
c. Both spatial summation and temporal summation
d. Neither spatial summation nor temporal summation

115. The arrival of an action potential at an axon terminal will cause calcium levels inside the axon terminal to:
a. Increase
b. Decrease
c. Stay the same

116. Suppose the binding of neurotransmitter to receptors on a dendrite caused the opening of chemically-
gated potassium channels. This would result in:
a. The production of a postsynaptic potential
b. The production of an inhibitory postsynaptic potential
c. The efflux of potassium ions
d. The membrane potential becoming more negative
e. All of the above

117. 2-(diethylamino)ethyl 4-aminobenzoate is a chemical that prevents voltage-gated sodium channels from
opening. Which of the following is the most likely outcome of an injection of this chemical?
a. Motor neurons would be more likely to generate action potentials
b. Sensory neurons would be unable to generate action potentials
c. Interneurons would be more likely to depolarize
d. All of the above

118. Lead can damage the myelin sheath of neurons.

a. True
b. False

17
 Nervous System

132. The number of cranial nerves with purely sensory function is _______________________ the number of
cranial nerves with purely motor function.
a. Greater than
b. Less/fewer than
c. Stay the same

133. The above diagram depicts the parasympathetic motor pathway and the somatic motor pathway. The
axon terminals of cell A would release ____________. The axon terminals of cell C would release
_____________. The axon terminals of cell D would release _____________.
a. Acetylcholine – acetylcholine – acetylcholine
b. Acetylcholine – norepinephrine – acetylcholine
c. Acetylcholine – acetylcholine – norepineprine
d. Acetylcholine – norepinpehrine – norepineprine
e. Norepinephrine – norepinpehrine – norepineprine

134. There are 24 cranial nerves.

a. True
b. False

135. There are 46 sympathetic paravertebral ganglia.

a. True
b. False

136. Which of the following is the most voluntary?

a. Autonomic NS
b. Peripheral NS
c. Somatic NS
d. Sympathetic NS
e. Parasympathetic NS

18
 Nervous System

165. [K+] inside a neuron is normally ________________________ [K+] outside a neuron.

a. Greater than
b. Less than
c. The same as

166. [Na+] inside a neuron is normally ________________________ [Na+] outside a neuron.

a. Greater than
b. Less than
c. The same as

167. If a sodium channel in the plasma membrane of the axon hillock of a neuron opened, the [Na+] inside the
cell would:
a. Increase
b. Decrease
c. Stay the same

168. If a potassium channel in the plasma membrane of the axon hillock of a neuron opened, the [K+] inside
the cell would:
a. Increase
b. Decrease
c. Stay the same

169. If a sodium channel in the plasma membrane of the axon hillock of a neuron opened, the potential
difference between the inside the cell and the outside of the cell would:
a. Increase
b. Decrease
c. Stay the same

170. If a potassium channel in the plasma membrane of the axon hillock of a neuron opened, the potential
difference between the inside the cell and the outside of the cell would:
a. Increase
b. Decrease
c. Stay the same

171. The arrival of an electrical signal at an axon terminal would cause the number of synaptic vesicles in the
axon terminal to:
a. Increase
b. Decrease
c. Stay the same

172. The entry of chloride ions into a resting neuron would cause the membrane potential to:
a. Increase
b. Decrease
c. Stay the same

173. The number of dendrites on a neuron is typically ________________________ the number of axons on a
neuron.
a. Greater than
b. Less than
c. The same as

19
 Nervous System

174. The number of multipolar neurons in the body is ______________ the sum of the number of bipolar
neurons and the number of unipolar neurons.
a. Greater than
b. Less than
c. The same as

175. The number of bipolar neurons found above the diaphragm is ______________ the number of bipolar
neurons found below the diaphragm.
a. Greater than
b. Less than
c. The same as

176. A group of somata in the brain is referred to as a ________________.

177. The cell responsible for forming the insulating cover of an axon is the _________________.

178. Neutrotransmitters travel from a presynaptic cell to a postsynaptic cell by means of _______________.
(One word answer please. 9 letters.)

179. Name an integral protein that breaks down ATP in order to contribute to the inequality of cations
between the inside of the cell and the outside of the cell.

180. Draw a graph of the changes in the membrane potential that occur during an action potential. Use the
axes provided below.

0mV

-70mV

Time

Use the following letter s and instructions to label your graph.

a. Label the resting membrane potential twice.
b. Label the depolarization phase of the action potential
c. Label the repolarization phase of the action potential
d. Label the hyperpolarization phase of the action potential
e. Label the phase when the membrane is most permeable to sodium
f. Label the phase when the membrane is most permeable to potassium
g. Label the phase when the v-gated sodium channels are inactivated

20
 Nervous System

h. Label the point at which the membrane potential is the smallest (really think about this)

181. Explain why action potential propagation is said to be unidirectional!

In items 183-192, 2 quantities are given and are being compared.

Choose A if quantity A is the larger of the 2.
Choose B if quantity B is the larger of the 2.
Choose C if the 2 quantities are equal in size.

183. A. The percentage of spinal cord gray matter composed of myelinated axons
B. The percentage of spinal cord white matter composed of myelinated axons

184. A. The number of motor neuron axons in the dorsal root

B. The number of sensory neuron axons in the dorsal root

185. A. The number of sensory neuron cell bodies found in spinal cord gray matter
B. The number of motor neuron cell bodies found in spinal cord gray matter

186. A. The number of meninges surrounding the spinal cord

B. The number of processes extending from the soma of a sensory neuron

187. A. The amount of CSF found in the subarachnoid space

B. The amount of CSF found in the epidural space

188. A. The number of fibrous proteins in the dura mater

B. The number of fibrous proteins in the pia mater

189. A. The distance from the skin to the dura mater

B. The distance from the skin to the arachnoid mater.

190. A. The length of the spinal cord

B. The length of the spinal column

191. A. The number of pairs of cervical spinal nerves

B. The number of cervical vertebrae

192. A. The number of pairs of thoracic spinal nerves

B. The number of thoracic vertebrae

21
 Nervous System

Use the above diagram for questions 193 - 197.

193. Contains the CSF

194. Contains sensory neuron somata

195. Contains motor neuron cell bodies

196. Ventral horn

197. Posterior horn

Questions 198-202 are TRUE/FALSE

198. Roughly 75% of spinal nerves carry only sensory information.

199. The spinal cord is directly connected to the cerebrum.

200. Cutting the ventral roots would affect sensation but not motor control.

201. The spinal cord ends at the level of the S2 vertebra.

202. The spinal cord is primarily composed of epithelial tissue.

203. Mr. Drexler suffered a stroke. He is able to understand verbal and written language, but when he tries to
speak, his words are garbled. What cortical region did the stroke damage?

22
 Nervous System

204. After Mr. Stockton’s brain tumor was removed, he could no longer identify an object solely by touch. He
can describe how the object feels when he touches it but he must look at it in order to name it. What
cortical region could be malfunctioning?

205. Mr. Olajuwon was in a horrific snowmobile accident. Afterwards he had trouble walking and he had a loss
of balance. Which of the 4 major brain regions was probably damaged?

206. Someone can survive the destruction of an entire cerebral hemisphere but cannot survive destruction of
the hypothalamus. Why?

207. Rank the following from most anterior to most posterior.

Primary visual cortex
Central sulcus
Premotor area
Prefrontal cortex
Precentral gyrus
Wernicke’s area

208. Bogorad’s syndrome (a.k.a. crocodile tears syndrome) is spontaneous lacrimation (crying) during eating.
Damage to which of the following nerves is the likely cause of this disorder?
a. Cranial nerve 5
b. Oculomotor nerve
c. Facial nerve
d. Cranial nerve 0

209. An inability to shrug one’s shoulders would be indicative of damage to which of the following nerves?
a. Vagus
b. Accessory
c. Hypoglossal
d. Hyperglossal
e. Trapeziomatic
f. All of the above
g. 2 of the above

210. Cutting one of the cranial nerves will cause heart rate to go up. Which cranial nerve must it be?
a. Vestibulocochlear
b. Vagus
c. Visceral
d. Trigeminal
e. CN VI

23
 Nervous System

211. Meniere’s disease is characterized by a loss of balance and a ringing in the ears. Inflammation of which of
the following nerves is the likely cause?
a. Trochlear
b. Abducens
c. Facial
d. Vestibulocochlear

212. Which of the following cranial nerves is the odd one of the group?
a. Trochlear
b. Abducens
c. Oculomotor
d. Optic

213. Explain your reasoning behind your choice for #6. What commonality did the other 3 share that led you
to select the odd one?

214. Which cranial nerve is not really a cranial nerve? And why?

215. Which of the following nerves carry sensory information about blood pressure?
a. Vagus
b. Accessory
c. Hypoglossal
d. Trochlear
e. Glossopharyngeal
f. All of the above
g. 2 of the above

24
 Nervous System

Use the following diagram to answer the remaining questions.

A B

216. Point at which voltage-gated sodium and potassium channels are both closed.

217. Point at which potassium efflux exceeds sodium influx.

218. Point at which the membrane potential is at its largest.

219. Point when the neuron is in the relative refractory period.

25