Question 1

A system of neurons originating deep in the brainstem which controls arousal, consciousness, and alertness is the ________ system.

Accepted Answer

A)   mesolimbic
B)   reticular activating
C)   striatal
D)   somatosensory B

Question 2

The mesolimbic-cortical system originates in the ________ and projects dopamine containing neurons to the ________.

Accepted Answer

A)   nucleus accumbens; frontal cortex
B)   septum; prefrontal cortex
C)   ventral tegmental area; frontal cortex
D)   ventral tegmental area; nucleus accumbens C

Question 3

Potassium is said to be at equilibrium during a resting potential because

Accepted Answer

A)   electrostatic pressure forcing it in equals the diffusion pressure forcing it out.
B)   diffusion pressure forcing it in equals the electrostatic pressure forcing it out.
C)   hydrostatic pressure forcing it in equals the electrostatic pressure forcing it out.
D)   it is equally concentrated inside and outside the cell. A

Question 4

The axon hillock is located

Accepted Answer

A)   at a cell's terminal button.
B)   at gaps in a cell's myelin.
C)   where the axon leaves the cell body.
D)   where dendrites connect to the cell body.

Question 5

Receptor proteins that directly control either the opening or closing of specific ion channels are referred to as ________ receptors.

Accepted Answer

A)   ionotropic
B)   metabotropic
C)   postsynaptic
D)   presynaptic

Question 6

The ________ undergoes considerable degeneration with prolonged periods of stress, schizophrenia, or posttraumatic stress disorder.

Accepted Answer

A)   hypothalamus
B)   hippocampus
C)   thalamus
D)   basal ganglia

Question 7

Neurotransmitters are stored and released from a cell's

Accepted Answer

A)   terminal button.
B)   node of Ranvier.
C)   cell body.
D)   axon hillock.

Question 8

Local anesthetics such as lidocaine work by

Accepted Answer

A)   preventing the release of neurotransmitters signaling pain messages.
B)   blocking sodium channels so an action potential cannot occur.
C)   preventing cells from receiving signals from pain-transmitting neurons.
D)   blocking receptor sites for pain-signaling neurotransmitters.

Question 9

The initiation of an action potential is a consequence of an ________ of ________ ions.

Accepted Answer

A)   influx; potassium
B)   efflux; chlorine
C)   influx; sodium
D)   All of the above are correct

Question 10

Which of the following is NOT a criterion for a substance to meet the definition of a neurotransmitter?

Accepted Answer

A)   It must be synthesized and stored in the presynaptic neuron.
B)   It must cause a postsynaptic effect after it interacts with a receptor.
C)   It must be taken up intact by the transmitting neuron.
D)   It must have some mechanism for its degradation or reuptake.

Question 11

Which of the following is an example of a second messenger?

Accepted Answer

A)   Sodium
B)   A G-protein
C)   Acetylcholine
D)   Cyclic adenosine monophosphate

Question 12

Proteins on the presynaptic terminal that transport neurotransmitter substances back into the terminal button are referred to as

Accepted Answer

A)   G-proteins.
B)   reuptake transporters.
C)   autoreceptors.
D)   metabotropic receptors.

Question 13

Myelin serves to

Accepted Answer

A)   increase the speed of conduction along the axon.
B)   insulate a cell's axon from the electrical activity of adjacent axons.
C)   synthesize and store neurotransmitter substances.
D)   Both a and b are correct

Question 14

The resting membrane potential is maintained because

Accepted Answer

A)   potassium ions cannot cross through the cell membrane to the outside.
B)   sodium ions cannot cross to the inside of the cell membrane.
C)   there is no pressure acting on sodium ions.
D)   there is no pressure acting on potassium ions.

Question 15

The nucleus of a neuron resides within the

Accepted Answer

A)   terminal button.
B)   axon.
C)   cell body.
D)   dendrites.

Question 16

The neurotransmitter of the mesolimbic system is called

Accepted Answer

A)   norepinephrine.
B)   serotonin.
C)   adenosine.
D)   dopamine.

Question 17

The main difference between autoreceptors and heteroreceptors is that

Accepted Answer

A)   heteroreceptors are activated by a different neuron and neurotransmitter, whereas autoreceptors are activated by the neuron they regulate.
B)   heteroreceptors are postsynaptic, whereas autoreceptors are presynaptic.
C)   heteroreceptors are metabotropic, whereas autoreceptors are ionotropic.
D)   heteroreceptors are excitatory, whereas autoreceptors are inhibitory.

Question 18

Myelin is made up of ________ in the peripheral nervous system.

Accepted Answer

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

Question 19

The total amount of neurotransmitter released during an action potential depends on

Accepted Answer

A)   how much sodium enters the terminal button.
B)   how much calcium is ejected from the terminal button.
C)   regulatory proteins that contain the neurotransmitter substance.
D)   how much calcium enters the terminal button.

Question 20

A neuron's resting membrane potential is caused by

Accepted Answer

A)   sodium ions.
B)   a disequilibrium of positive and negatively charged ions inside and outside the axon.
C)   a high concentration of sodium inside the cell.
D)   potassium ions.

Exam 1: Organization and Function of the Nervous System