Deck 3: Cells of the Nervous System

Question 1

"Permeability" refers to the ability of the cell's

A) axons to form connections with other neurons.
B) microtubules to transport substances within the cell.
C) dendrites to receive information from other neurons.
D) membrane to control the movement of substances into or out of the cell.

Answer 1

membrane to control the movement of substances into or out of the cell.

Question 2

Ion pumps differ from ion channels in that

A) they allow different types of ions to cross the neural membrane.
B) pumps respond to ligands and drugs whereas channels respond to the electrical environment in their immediate vicinity.
C) channels require energy to operate whereas pumps do not.
D) pumps require energy to function whereas channels do not.

Answer 2

pumps require energy to function whereas channels do not.

Question 3

The fact that neurons fold in on themselves and collapse due to the destruction of microtubules has been implicated in Alzheimer's disease.Which of the following is not a function of microtubules?

A) anterograde transport,or the transport of organelles to the end of the axon
B) production of ribosomes
C) helping to maintain the shape of the cell along with the neurofilaments
D) retrograde transport or transport of organelles back to the cell body

Answer 3

production of ribosomes

Question 4

Which of the types of cytoskeleton fiber may be involved with structural changes in response to learning?

A) microfilaments
B) neurofilaments
C) tau proteins
D) microtubules

Question 5

Tetrodotoxin,the poisonous substance produced by the puffer fish,interacts with which of the following?

A) sodium channels located on the axon membrane
B) calcium channels located at the axon terminal
C) sodium channels located on postsynaptic dendrites
D) potassium channels located on the axon membrane

Question 6

Anterograde and retrograde transport within neurons occurs along

A) microtubules.
B) neurofilaments.
C) microfilaments.
D) transport sites.

Question 7

Abnormalities involving which type of cytoskeleton fibers have been implicated in Alzheimer's disease?

A) microfilaments
B) neurofilaments
C) microtubules
D) sodium-potassium pumps

Question 8

The largest of the three types of cytoskeleton fibers are the

A) microfilaments.
B) neurofilaments.
C) tau proteins.
D) microtubules.

Question 9

Which of the types of cytoskeleton fiber provides the majority of the structural support of the cell?

A) microfilaments
B) neurofilaments
C) tau proteins
D) microtubules

Question 10

Sodium-potassium pumps move

A) potassium out of the cell and sodium into the cell.
B) sodium out of the cell and potassium into the cell.
C) both sodium and potassium into the cell.
D) both sodium and potassium out of the cell.

Question 11

In a healthy brain,adjacent microtubules are connected by

A) microfilaments.
B) neurofilaments.
C) tau proteins.
D) phospholipids.

Question 12

Channels that open when they come in contact with specific chemicals are known as

A) sodium-potassium pumps.
B) ligand-gated channels.
C) voltage-dependent channels.
D) phospholipids pumps.

Question 13

In Alzheimer's disease,which of the following substances contributes to the development of neurofibrillary tangles?

A) tetrodotoxin
B) calcium
C) amyloid
D) tetanospasmin

Question 14

Calcium pumps differ from sodium-potassium pumps in that

A) they do not require energy in order to operate.
B) they are rarely found in the central nervous system.
C) while moving one type of ion out of the cell,they do not move another type of ion into the cell.
D) they are not essential for the healthy operation of the nervous system.

Question 15

A large percentage of the energy required by the nervous system is used by

A) sodium-potassium pumps.
B) calcium pumps.
C) anterograde transport within neurons.
D) retrograde transport within neurons.

Question 16

Ion channels are made up of

A) proteins and require energy in order to operate.
B) lipids and require energy in order to operate.
C) proteins and do not require energy in order to operate.
D) lipids and do not require energy in order to operate.

Question 17

Ion selectivity is a feature of

A) both ion channels and ion pumps.
B) neither ion channels nor ion pumps.
C) ion channels,but not ion pumps.
D) ion pumps,but not ion channels.

Question 18

The neural cell membrane consists of a(n)

A) outer layer of protein and an inner layer of phospholipid.
B) single layer of phospholipids.
C) double layer of phospholipids.
D) double layer of protein.

Question 19

The most numerous of the cytoskeleton fibers are the

A) microtubles.
B) microfilaments.
C) dendritic spines.
D) neurofilaments.

Question 20

In the human nervous system,there are approximately

A) equal numbers of neurons and glia.
B) 10-50 times as many glia as neurons.
C) 10-50 times as many neurons as glia.
D) 100 times as many glia as neurons.

Question 21

A branch that typically carries neural messages to other neurons is known as a(n)

A) axon.
B) dendrite.
C) spine.
D) filopodium.

Question 22

The swelling at the end of an axon is known as a

A) spine.
B) hillock.
C) collateral.
D) terminal.

Question 23

Chemical messengers in the axon terminal are contained within

A) mitochondria.
B) synaptic vesicles.
C) ribosomes.
D) nodes of Ranvier.

Question 24

Synaptic vesicles are made of a(n)

A) outer layer of protein and an inner layer of phospholipid.
B) single layer of phospholipid.
C) double layer of phospholipid.
D) double layer of protein.

Question 25

The initial cone-shaped segment of an axon at the junction with the cell body is known as a

A) spine.
B) spike.
C) hillock.
D) terminal.

Question 26

Branches that serve as locations at which information is received from other neurons are known as

A) dendrites.
B) ribosomes.
C) mitochondria.
D) cell bodies.

Question 27

The primary function(s)of the neurofilaments is (are)

A) providing structural support for the neuron.
B) anterograde transport,or the transport of organelles to the end of the axon.
C) retrograde transport,or the transport of organelles back to the cell body.
D) both anterograde and retrograde transport.

Question 28

Proteins produced in the cell body are packaged by the

A) endoplasmic reticulum.
B) nucleolus.
C) mitochondria.
D) Golgi apparatus.

Question 29

Neurons with short axons that communicate primarily with adjacent cells are known as _________ neurons.

A) sensory
B) motor
C) projection
D) local circuit

Question 30

The bare axon membrane between two segments of myelin is known as a(n)

A) axon terminal.
B) axon hillock.
C) collateral.
D) node of Ranvier.

Question 31

The diameter of an axon is correlated with

A) the age of the organism.
B) the speed of signaling in the axon.
C) the number of synapses formed by the axon.
D) whether or not learning has occurred.

Question 32

Compared with the myelin found on small diameter axons,the myelin coating axons of large diameter axons

A) is of equal thickness and spacing.
B) has less thickness but equal spacing.
C) has equal thickness,but the nodes of Ranvier are closer together.
D) is thicker,and the nodes of Ranvier are farther apart.

Question 33

Ribosomes are built by the

A) endoplasmic reticulum.
B) nucleolus.
C) mitochondria.
D) Golgi apparatus.

Question 34

Larger diameter axons usually transmit information _________ smaller diameter axons.

A) faster than
B) more slowly than
C) at the same rate as
D) using less energy than

Question 35

Knobs located on the dendrites that provide additional locations for synapses are known as

A) spikes.
B) spines.
C) filopodia.
D) lamellopodia.

Question 36

Which of the following structures are typically found within the axon terminal?

A) mitochondria and synaptic vesicles
B) the nucleolus and synaptic vesicles
C) myelin and mitochondria
D) the nucleolus and endoplasmic reticulum

Question 37

The branches formed as the axon approaches its target are known as

A) spines.
B) hillocks.
C) collaterals.
D) spikes.

Question 38

Dominick Purpura suggested that mental retardation may occur due to abnormalities in the structure of

A) neural cell bodies.
B) axons.
C) glia.
D) dendrites.

Question 39

The major bulk of the neuron,containing the nucleus and other organelles,is known as the

A) axon.
B) dendrite.
C) cell body.
D) endfoot.

Question 40

The organelles responsible for providing energy for the cell are the

A) endoplasmic reticulum.
B) nucleolus.
C) mitochondria.
D) Golgi apparatus.

Question 41

Multipolar neurons have _______________leaving the cell body.

A) one branch
B) one axon and many dendrites
C) two processes
D) one dendrite and many axons

Question 42

The most common type of glia in the CNS is the

A) astrocyte.
B) oligodendrocyte.
C) Schwann cell.
D) microglia.

Question 43

Neurons that are specialized to receive information from the outside world are known as

A) sensory neurons.
B) motor neurons.
C) multipolar neurons.
D) interneurons.

Question 44

A Von Economo neuron is a special type of _________ neuron

A) unipolar
B) bipolar
C) multipolar
D) sensory

Question 45

Von Economo neurons are found in

A) both invertebrates and vertebrates.
B) all vertebrates,but not in any invertebrates.
C) all mammals,but not in other types of animals.
D) humans and great apes,but not in other types of animals.

Question 46

Pyramidal cells in the cerebral cortex are examples of

A) unipolar neurons.
B) bipolar neurons.
C) multipolar neurons.
D) Purkinje cells.

Question 47

Neurons that are specialized to transmit commands from the central nervous system to glands and muscles are known as

A) sensory neurons.
B) motor neurons.
C) unipolar neurons.
D) interneurons.

Question 48

Ion channels are located _________ of myelinated axons.

A) along the entire length
B) only at the axon hillock and nodes of Ranvier
C) only at the axon terminals
D) only at the axon hillock

Question 49

Compared with the Von Economo neurons found in great apes,those found in humans are

A) the same size and are found in the same numbers.
B) the same size but are more numerous.
C) larger,but are found in the same numbers.
D) much larger and more numerous.

Question 50

In vertebrates,unipolar cells are common in the

A) cerebral cortex.
B) cerebellum.
C) sensory systems.
D) motor systems.

Question 51

Von Economo neurons probably participate in which of the following functions?

A) fast,intuitive assessments of complex situations
B) regulation of important body functions,including temperature,hunger,and thirst
C) conscious,deliberate efforts to pay attention to particular stimuli
D) reflexive motor behaviors

Question 52

If a neuron is from a part of the brain known to be involved in learning,it is most likely a(n)

A) unipolar neuron with very few collaterals.
B) multipolar neuron with very few dendritic spines.
C) interneuron with a very long axon and many collaterals.
D) multipolar neuron with many dendrites and many dendritic spines.

Question 53

Professor Winston is observing the effects of a new drug on neurons in the spinal cord that participate in reflexes by forming a bridge between incoming sensory information and outgoing motor commands.The neurons that Professor Winston is studying are most likely

A) sensory neurons
B) motor neurons
C) interneurons
D) Von Economo neurons

Question 54

Unipolar neurons have _________ leaving the cell body.

A) one branch
B) one axon and many dendrites
C) two branches
D) one dendrite and many axons

Question 55

A structural matrix for neurons is provided by

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

Question 56

Compared with unmyelinated axons,myelinated axons are

A) faster at transmitting action potentials and use relatively less energy.
B) energy efficient,but are slower at transmitting action potentials.
C) faster at transmitting action potentials,but require more energy.
D) slower at transmitting action potentials and require more energy.

Question 57

The most common structural type of neuron in the vertebrate nervous system is the

A) unipolar neuron.
B) bipolar neuron.
C) multipolar neuron.
D) astrocyte.

Question 58

Bipolar neurons have _________ leaving the cell body.

A) one branch
B) one axon and many dendrites
C) two branches
D) one dendrite and many axons

Question 59

Neurons that are not specialized for either sensory or motor functions are known as

A) sensory neurons.
B) motor neurons.
C) unipolar neurons.
D) interneurons.

Question 60

The vast majority of neurons are classified as

A) sensory neurons.
B) motor neurons.
C) spinal neurons.
D) interneurons.

Question 61

The glia that participate in the formation of the blood-brain barrier are the

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

Question 62

A single oligodendrocyte may myelinate

A) only one axon.
B) 2-5 axons.
C) 6-10 axons.
D) 15 axons or more.

Question 63

In some (although not all)cases of multiple sclerosis,one of the first symptoms noticed is a reduction in sensation from distal parts of the body,such as feet and hands.Which of the following statements best explains why this might happen?

A) The fibers of the axons are reduced in diameter,so the information can't travel fast enough.
B) Without the myelin sheath covering the axon,the neural transmission from the periphery is slowed.
C) The fibers of the axons are enlarged,slowing the neural transmission.
D) The neurons have degenerated and are no longer producing neural transmission.

Question 64

Intracellular fluid is rich in

A) K⁺,with small amounts of Na⁺ and Cl^-.
B) K⁺ and Cl^-,with very small amounts of Na⁺.
C) Cl^-,with very small amounts of K⁺ and Na⁺.
D) Na⁺ and Cl^-,with small amounts of K⁺.

Question 65

Following injury,which of the glia may actually prevent neural regrowth by forming scar tissue?

A) astrocytes
B) oligodendrocytes
C) Schwann cells
D) microglia

Question 66

Extracellular fluid is rich in

A) K⁺,with small amounts of Na⁺ and Cl^-.
B) K⁺ and Cl^-,with very small amounts of Na⁺.
C) Cl^-,with very small amounts of K⁺ and Na⁺.
D) Na⁺ and Cl^-,with small amounts of K⁺.

Question 67

The resting potential of a typical neuron is about _________ mV.

A) -70
B) +70
C) -40
D) +40

Question 68

A single Schwann cell may myelinate

A) only one axon.
B) 2-5 axons.
C) 6-10 axons.
D) 15 axons or more.

Question 69

An important function of the astrocytes is to regulate the chemical environment of the synaptic gap.In particular,the astrocytes remove excess amounts of which of the following chemicals from the gap?

A) magnesium
B) potassium
C) sodium
D) tetrodotoxin

Question 70

Many common brain disorders,including stroke,may result in damage due to the release of glutamate by

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

Question 71

Inflammation caused by which of the following types of glia is believed to contribute to neurodegenerative diseases,such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease?

A) astrocytes
B) oligodendrocytes
C) Schwann cells
D) microglia

Question 72

The primary function of microglia is to

A) digest debris.
B) provide a structural matrix for neurons.
C) participate in forming the blood-brain barrier.
D) form myelin in the central nervous system.

Question 73

A major factor contributing to the relative negativity of the neuron's internal environment at rest is

A) its large amount of sodium.
B) its large amount of potassium.
C) the presence of negatively charged protein ions.
D) the absence of negatively charged protein ions.

Question 74

Extracellular fluid is most similar in chemical composition to

A) fresh water.
B) seawater.
C) alcoholic beverages.
D) caffeinated energy drinks.

Question 75

Sam almost severed his arm in an accident.Which of the following statements explains why his doctors feel he will regain complete use of his arm?

A) Astrocytes will clean up the debris surrounding the area,making it possible for the axons to regrow.
B) Schwann cells in the peripheral nervous system can help guide the regrowth of neural branches,helping to ensure nervous system recovery.
C) Oligodendrocytes form a tube in the CNS that guides the regrowth of axons.
D) PNS neurons are mostly bipolar;thus,they are more easily regrown.

Question 76

Which type of glia is responsible for forming myelin in the central nervous system?

A) astrocytes
B) oligodendrocytes
C) Schwann cells
D) microglia

Question 77

Which type of glia actually helps guide the regrowth of axons following injury?

A) astrocytes
B) oligodendrocytes
C) Schwann cells
D) microglia

Question 78

Which type of glia may actually participate in neural communication?

A) astrocytes
B) oligodendrocytes
C) Schwann cells
D) microglia

Question 79

Which type of glia is responsible for forming myelin in the peripheral nervous system?

A) astrocytes
B) oligodendrocytes
C) Schwann cells
D) microglia

Question 80

Which of the following disorders is characterized by a progressive demyelination of the nervous system?

A) Huntington's disease
B) Alzheimer's disease
C) multiple sclerosis
D) Parkinson's disease