Deck 3: The Central Nervous System

Question 1

Which of these statements describes efferent neurons

A)They carry information to the CNS.
B)They have cell bodies that originate in the CNS.
C)They lie within the CNS.
D)They have cell bodies in the posterior grey horn

Answer 1

B

Question 2

Which of the following applies to nerves

A)contain both afferent and efferent fibres traversing between a particular region of the body and the central nervous system
B)do not contain complete nerve cells
C)are NOT present within the central nervous system
D)are NOT present within the peripheral nervous system

Answer 2

A

Question 3

What is the function of astrocytes

A)to induce formation of cerebrospinal fluid
B)to aid in repairing brain injuries and in forming neural scars
C)to take up excess H⁺ from the brain ECF
D)to line the fluid-filled cavities of the CNS

Answer 3

B

Question 4

Which of these statements applies to glial cells

A)Astrocytes form myelin sheaths in CNS.
B)They branch as extensively as neurons do.
C)Ependymal cells line the internal cavities of the brain and spinal cord.
D)Oligodendrocytes enhance synapse formation and strengthen synaptic transmission.

Question 5

Which region of the brain is the smallest and oldest in evolutionary development

A)cerebellum
B)brain stem
C)hypothalamus
D)forebrain

Question 6

Which of the following is NOT a function of astrocytes

A)to hold neurons together in proper spatial relationship
B)to line the internal cavities of the brain and spinal cord
C)to induce the formation of the blood-brain barrier
D)to take up excess K⁺ to help maintain proper brain ECF ion concentration

Question 7

Which of these neurons is the most abundant type of neuron in the body

A)motor neuron
B)efferent neuron
C)afferent neuron
D)interneuron

Question 8

In which area of the brain is consciousness created

A)cerebellum
B)cerebral cortex
C)frontal lobe
D)hypothalamus

Question 9

What structure is the outermost layer of the meninges

A)arachnoid mater
B)dura mater
C)parietal meninges
D)pia mater

Question 10

Which of these statements applies to brain cells

A)They consist of glial cells only.
B)They can perform anaerobic metabolism when oxygen supplies are low.
C)They use only glucose as a fuel for energy production.
D)About 10 percent of the cells within the CNS are glial cells.

Question 11

Why do myelinated axons conduct impulses much faster than unmyelinated axons

A)The myelin sheath insulates the axon.
B)Voltage gradually decreases through myelinated areas.
C)The distance between the nodes is short enough.
D)The fibre diameters are small.

Question 12

What is the function of afferent neurons

A)to transmit information to effector organs
B)to transmit information to the cerebellum
C)to transmit messages from receptors to the spinal cord and brain
D)to receive messages from the cerebrum

Question 13

Which statement describes the peripheral nervous system

A)It consists of 33 pairs of spinal nerves and 12 pairs of cranial nerves.
B)It consists of nerve fibres that carry information between the CNS and other parts of the body.
C)Its fibres are myelinated by oligodendrocytes.
D)It consists of motor nerve fibres only.

Question 14

Which of these components of the nervous system comprises sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions

A)autonomic nervous system
B)central nervous system
C)somatic nervous system
D)afferent division

Question 15

Which of these types of neuroglial cells line the ventricles of the brain

A)astrocytes
B)neurons
C)oligodendrocytes
D)ependymal cells

Question 16

Which of these structures is/are part of the peripheral nervous system

A)cerebrum
B)thalamus
C)spinal cord
D)afferent neurons

Question 17

If all of the glial cells of the nervous system were destroyed, which of the following would occur

A)Both the central and the peripheral nervous system would be adversely affected.
B)Only about 10 percent of cells within CNS would remain.
C)The rate of neuronal cell regeneration would decline significantly.
D)Initiation or conduction of nerve impulses would be impaired.

Question 18

Which glial cells possess phagocytic abilities

A)astrocytes
B)ependymal cells
C)neurons
D)microglia

Question 19

What are the vast majority of cells that can be found in the nervous tissues

A)fibroblasts
B)glial cells
C)neurons
D)plexus cells

Question 20

What is the normal sequence of structures activated for signal transmission and response in the body

A)effector, afferent neuron, interneuron, efferent neuron, receptor
B)effector, efferent neuron, interneuron, afferent neuron, receptor
C)receptor, afferent neuron, interneuron, efferent neuron, effector
D)receptor, efferent neuron, interneuron, afferent neuron, effector

Question 21

Which statement does NOT describe subarachnoid space

A)It is the space between the arachnoid layer and the underlying pia mater.
B)It is filled with CSF.
C)Venous blood draining from the brain empties into this space.
D)Both brain and spinal cord have this space.

Question 22

Which of these statements best describes the arachnoid mater

A)It is the innermost meningeal layer.
B)It is a delicate, richly vascularized, meningeal layer that is cobwebby in appearance.
C)It is a tough, inelastic membrane that covers the central nervous system.
D)It is involved with the formation of cerebrospinal fluid.

Question 23

Which of these statements does NOT apply to cerebrospinal fluid

A)It is formed by the choroid plexuses and is reabsorbed across the arachnoid villi into the blood within the dural sinuses.
B)It serves as a shock-absorbing fluid to cushion the brain against jarring movements.
C)It comes into direct contact with the neuronal and glial cells.
D)It fills the subarachnoid space.

Question 24

Which of these statements applies to the choroid plexus

A)It is located on the entire surface area of the brain.
B)It is the site of drainage of used cerebrospinal fluid from brain tissues.
C)It consists of richly vascularized masses of pia mater tissue.
D)It is an extension of sura mater.

Question 25

Which of the following structures is the innermost layer of the meninges

A)arachnoid mater
B)dura mater
C)parietal meninges
D)pia mater

Question 26

Which of these statements does NOT describe the blood-brain barrier

A)It controls the direct exchange of materials between the cerebrospinal fluid and brain.
B)It is formed in part by the tight junctions in capillary cells of the brain.
C)It consists of the astrocyte processes that encircle the brain capillaries.
D)It is a barrier between the three layers of meninges.

Question 27

Which of the following tracts transmits conscious sensory impulse regarding touch in the upper body

A)dorsal cerebellar
B)fasciculus gracilis
C)lateral spinothalamic
D)lateral corticospinal

Question 28

Which statement does NOT describe the spinal cord

A)Afferent fibres enter the spinal cord through the ventral root.
B)The dorsal and ventral roots at each level of the spinal cord join to form a spinal nerve.
C)The spinal cord is not as long as the vertebral column.
D)The ventral horn contains cell bodies of the efferent motor neurons that supply skeletal muscles.

Question 29

Which statement does NOT describe the brain stem

A)It includes the medulla.
B)It is a critical connecting link through which all fibres traversing between the periphery and higher brain centres must pass.
C)It is an important link between nervous and endocrine systems.
D)It contains centres that control respiration, blood vessel and heart function, and digestive activities.

Question 30

The withdrawal reflex is an example of which of the following reflex categories

A)innate reflex
B)conditioned reflex
C)polysynaptic reflex
D)monosynaptic reflex

Question 31

Which of these statements does NOT apply to neural reflexes

A)The responses are greatly variable in response to the same stimulus.
B)They are automatic motor responses.
C)They are triggered by specific stimuli.
D)They provide the ability to make rapid responses to changing stimuli to preserve homeostasis.

Question 32

Which statement describes CSF production or flow

A)It is produced along the spinal cord.
B)It is produced by meningeal cells.
C)It enters the meningeal layer through the cerebral aqueduct.
D)It flows inferiorly along the dorsal subarachnoid space of the spinal cord.

Question 33

By which route does information travel up the spinal cord to the brain

A)via the ventral root ganglion
B)via efferent pathways
C)via ascending tracts
D)via descending tracts

Question 34

Which statement describes descending tracts

A)They relay messages from the brain to the efferent neurons.
B)They involve the lateral spinothalamic tract.
C)They are part of the peripheral nervous system.
D)They are a bundle of neuronal axons, some afferent and some efferent.

Question 35

In addition to producing cerebral spinal fluid, what is the function of ependymal cells

A)to contribute to the formation of the blood-brain barrier
B)to act as immune cells
C)to act as neural stem cells
D)to conduct neural impulses

Question 36

Which of the following ascending spinal tracts carries pain and temperature sensations to the brain

A)ventral spinothalamic
B)dorsal spinocerebellar
C)lateral spinothalamic
D)ventral spinocerebellar

Question 37

Which of the following is the cause of neural damage following a cerebrovascular accident

A)reduced CO₂ and increased glucose delivery to the region of the brain deprived of its blood supply
B)toxic release of glutamate from damaged brain cells, which overexcites and subsequently destroys surrounding brain cells
C)a loss of the blood-brain barrier in the affected area of the brain as a result of rupture or occlusion of a cerebral vessel
D)decreased production of ATP in the absence of oxygen

Question 38

Which component of the reflex arc directly sends an impulse to an organ making a response

A)receptor
B)afferent pathway
C)integrating centre
D)efferent pathway

Question 39

Which of these statements applies to cerebrospinal fluid

A)It is formed by the choroid plexuses.
B)It is formed by the arachnoid villi.
C)It separates the blood and brain to form the blood-brain barrier.
D)It separates the dura mater from the skull bone.

Question 40

Which of the following is a monosynaptic reflex

A)stretch reflex
B)withdrawal reflex
C)brain stem reflex
D)crossed extensor reflex

Question 41

Which of the following does NOT participate in control of skeletal muscle activity

A)limbic system
B)cerebellum
C)supplementary motor area
D)premotor cortex

Question 42

Which of the following is NOT accomplished by the cerebral cortex

A)personality traits
B)language ability
C)final sensory perception
D)control of circulation and digestion

Question 43

If a person suffers a severe blow to the side of the head slightly above the ear, the impact is closest to which lobe of the cerebral cortex

A)frontal
B)occipital
C)parietal
D)temporal

Question 44

Most of the cranial nerves originate from the _____________.

A)brain stem
B)cerebellum
C)cerebral cortex
D)hypothalamus

Question 45

During cerebrovascular accidents, what type of receptors of neighbouring, healthy neurons does the glutamate that is released by damaged neurons bind to, thus initiating apoptosis

A)acetylcholine
B)calcium
C)epinephrine
D)NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartic acid)

Question 46

Which of the following separates the parietal lobes and frontal lobes

A)central sulcus
B)lateral sulcus
C)longitudinal fissure
D)transverse fissure

Question 47

Which of these statements best describes the primary motor cortex

A)It is located in the parietal lobes.
B)It is in the left cerebral hemisphere and controls the skeletal muscles on the right side of the body.
C)It is the only region of the brain involved in motor control.
D)It develops motor programs for specific voluntary tasks.

Question 48

Which of these functions is NOT characteristic of the hypothalamus

A)to control body temperature
B)to act as the centre for coordination with the autonomic nervous system
C)to produce hormones for the posterior pituitary gland
D)to receive sensory inputs from skeletal muscles

Question 49

Which of these statements applies to the thalamus

A)It performs preliminary processing of almost all sensory input on its way to the cortex.
B)It inhibits muscle tone throughout the body.
C)It controls thirst, urine output, and food intake.
D)It plays a role in emotional and behavioural patterns.

Question 50

Which of these pairs is NOT correctly associated

A)frontal lobe and understanding language
B)occipital lobe and visual input
C)parietal lobe and proprioception
D)parietal lobe and somesthetic sensations

Question 51

Where is the primary motor cortex located

A)posterior to the central sulcus
B)anterior to the central sulcus
C)in the temporal lobe
D)in the parietal lobe

Question 52

Which of these statements describes cerebrospinal fluid

A)It is formed primarily by the choroid plexuses.
B)It is located in subdural space.
C)Its composition is the same as plasma.
D)Its volume is about 500 mL.

Question 53

Which of these statements applies to the prefrontal association cortex

A)It is concerned primarily with motivation and emotion.
B)It integrates somatic, auditory, and visual sensations.
C)It plays an important role in personality traits.
D)It localizes the source of sensory input and perceives the level of intensity of the stimulus.

Question 54

Which of these CNS structures influences autonomic activity

A)medulla
B)hypothalamus
C)cerebral cortex
D)spinal cord

Question 55

Which of these functions is NOT associated with the hypothalamus

A)to control respiration and circulatory function
B)to control thirst and urine output
C)to control body temperature
D)to control food intake

Question 56

The corpus callosum interconnects which of the following

A)the brain stem and the cerebellum
B)the brain stem and the diencephalon
C)the hypothalamus and the thalamus
D)the two cerebral hemispheres

Question 57

What is the location of Wernicke's area

A)parietal lobe only
B)prefrontal association cortex
C)limbic association cortex
D)parietal-temporal-occipital association cortex

Question 58

Which part of the brain controls thirst and urine output, food intake, and body temperature, among other things

A)cerebral cortex
B)hypothalamus
C)basal nuclei
D)thalamus

Question 59

Which of the following cranial nerves primarily innervates visceral organs

A)facial
B)trochlear
C)vagus
D)accessory

Question 60

Which of the following is NOT accomplished by the cerebral cortex

A)voluntary initiation of movement
B)control of breathing, circulation, and digestion
C)final sensory perception
D)language ability

Question 61

A deficiency of the neurotransmitter dopamine in the basal nuclei will cause which of these clinical conditions

A)schizophrenia
B)epilepsy
C)Parkinson's disease
D)depression

Question 62

Which of these statements applies to the cerebellum

A)It is important for language function.
B)It is involved in coordination and planning of skilled voluntary muscle activity.
C)It inhibits muscle tone throughout the body.
D)It is for sensory perception, acting as a relay station.

Question 63

What region of the brain is concerned primarily with motivation and emotion

A)limbic association area
B)prefrontal cortex
C)Broca's area
D)parietal association area

Question 64

Which of the following describes somesthetic sensation

A)It is initially processed by the frontal lobes of the cerebral cortex.
B)It is the awareness of body position.
C)It is equally sensitive for all regions of the body surface.
D)It is projected from the surface of the body to the parietal lobe.

Question 65

Which of the following is NOT a function of the limbic system

A)to provide emotional overtones
B)to coordinate aspects of learning
C)to provide "reward" stimulation
D)to provide conscious perceptions

Question 66

Which of the following describes the limbic system

A)It is a ring of structures surrounding the cerebellum.
B)It plays a key role in sensory perception.
C)It does not consist of frontal lobe.
D)It contains regions designated as reward and punishment centres.

Question 67

Which of the following is NOT a structural component of the limbic system

A)amygdala
B)cingulate gyrus
C)mammillary body
D)medulla

Question 68

What part of the brain plays a vital role in short-term memory, involving the integration of various related stimuli, and is also crucial for consolidation into long-term memory

A)hippocampus
B)basal nuclei
C)cerebellum
D)cerebral cortex

Question 69

Which of the following describes the sensory homunculus

A)It is the location of referred pain.
B)It is the site that determines the intensity of a pain stimulus.
C)It is proportionately the same as the areas of the body represented.
D)It is the functional map of the primary sensory cortex.

Question 70

Which of these statements describes short-term memory

A)It has a larger storage capacity than long-term memory.
B)It takes longer to retrieve than long-term memory.
C)It involves transient modifications in the function of pre-existing synapses, such as channel modification.
D)It has relatively stable memory trace.

Question 71

Which of these statements describes the cerebellum

A)It does not have any direct influence on efferent motor neurons.
B)It is part of the subcortical region of the brain.
C)It gives rise to resting tremors when diseased.
D)It is associated with declarative memories.

Question 72

What part of the brain plays an especially important role in declarative memories

A)hippocampus
B)thalamus
C)hypothalamus
D)cerebellum

Question 73

Which neurotransmitter is required for long-term potentiation

A)epinephrine
B)acetylcholine
C)glycine
D)glutamate

Question 74

Which of these statements describes long-term potentiation

A)It refers to increased responsiveness to mild stimuli following a strong or noxious stimulus.
B)It refers to an increase in strength of existing synaptic connections in pathways.
C)It involves decreased neurotransmitter release from the presynaptic cells.
D)It involves transient strengthening of pre-existing synapses.

Question 75

Which of these statements describes procedural memories

A)They are associated with the temporal lobes, and are closely associated with limbic structures.
B)They are associated with the cerebrum.
C)They are associated with the hippocampus.
D)They involve acquisition of motor skills gained via repetitive training.

Question 76

Which of these statements best describes Parkinson's disease

A)It is associated with a deficiency of serotonin.
B)It is characterized by an intention tremor.
C)It is characterized by a resting tremor.
D)It is caused by cerebellar disorder.

Question 77

Which of the following is NOT a function of the basal ganglia

A)to inhibit muscle tone
B)to coordinate impulses related to posture
C)to suppress unnecessary motor activity
D)to control autonomic activity

Question 78

Which of these areas of the brain is important for the maintenance of posture

A)primary motor cortex
B)basal nuclei
C)brainstem
D)cerebellum

Question 79

Which of the following characteristics does NOT describe short-term memory

A)immediate storage
B)large capacity
C)permanently forgotten
D)transient modifications in functions

Question 80

What part of the cerebellum regulates muscle tone and coordinates skilled, voluntary movement

A)anterior cerebellum
B)posterior cerebellum
C)cerebrocerebellum
D)spinocerebellum