Deck 3: Neurons and Synapses

Question 1

The number of discrete cells in the human brain is estimated to be in the:

A)trillions
B)millions
C)thousands
D)billions

Answer 1

billions

Question 2

The axon of a neuron is responsible for ____ electrical signals.

A)outputting
B)conducting
C)inputting
D)integrating

Answer 2

conducting

Question 3

Releasing chemicals into the spaces between cells is accomplished by the:

A)axon terminals
B)dendrites
C)cell body
D)myelin sheath

Answer 3

axon terminals

Question 4

The majority of neurons in the human brain are:

A)afferent neurons
B)sensory neurons
C)interneurons
D)motor neurons

Question 5

Neurons that have direct inputs from sensory organs are _______ neurons.

A)sensory
B)afferent
C)efferent
D)glial

Question 6

One way to classify the complexity of a brain is to compare the proportion of sensory and motor neurons to:

A)afferent neurons
B)glial cells
C)interneurons
D)efferent neurons

Question 7

Unlike neurons, glial cells come in only _____ basic types.

A)4000
B)4
C)400
D)40

Question 8

The function of Schwann cells is most similar to which other cell type?

A)bipolar neurons
B)oligodendrocytes
C)astrocytes
D)multipolar neurons

Question 9

Compared to a computer, the human brain has _____ computational units.

A)no
B)Otto Loewi
C)many fewer
D)Santiago Ramón y Cajal

Question 10

The discovery of chemical signaling between neurons earned a Nobel Prize for

A)Otto Loewi
B)Santiago Ramón y Cajal
C)Francis Crick
D)Adam Riedy

Question 11

Unlike typical neurotransmitters, retrograde transmitters travel from the _____ to the _____.

A)soma; axon hillock
B)axons; dendrites
C)dendrites; axons
D)axon; myelin

Question 12

After being released, neurotransmitters are removed from the synaptic cleft through a process of:

A)chaotic
B)reuptake
C)degradation
D)neutral

Question 13

The resting potential of a neuron has a _____ charge.

A)chaotic
B)neutral
C)negative
D)positive

Question 14

When a psychoactive drug prevents the reuptake of a neurotransmitter, it should be classified as an _____ drug.

A)inhibitory
B)indirect agonist
C)antagonist
D)excitatory

Question 15

If a neuron is consistently receiving multiple inputs but not firing, it is likely the inputs are:

A)a mixture of excitatory and inhibitory potentials
B)not reaching the cell body
C)arriving from different axons
D)arriving at different dendrites

Question 16

The axon hillock is the part of the neuron that starts:

A)neurotransmitter release
B)reuptake
C)the action potential
D)input

Question 17

The critical ions for creating an action potential are sodium and:

A)potassium
B)iron
C)chloride
D)calcium

Question 18

Action potentials do not travel backward because of _____.

A)reuptake inhibitors
B)a refractory period
C)calcium ions
D)chloride ions

Question 19

Action potentials leap between nodes of Ranvier in a process called:

A)electrical conduction
B)the number of action potentials within a time window
C)reuptake
D)the amplitude of the action potentials

Question 20

A rate-coding neuron can encode a particular stimulus by modulating:

A)the number of action potentials within a time window
B)the amplitude of the action potentials
C)the activity of neurons within a region
D)the rhythm of the action potentials

Question 21

Rate coding is preferable to a single spike because the response of a given neuron is _____, and it may fire even in the absence of external sitmulation.
A)probability codes

A)random
B)fixed
B)frequency codes

Question 22

Beyond rate coding, neurons may communicate using:

A)probability codes
B)frequency codes
C)burst duration codes
D)all of the above

Question 23

All of the following are problems with local coding except:

A)local coding is incredibly inefficient
B)there is no experimental evidence for local coding
C)there may not be enough neurons to represent all the stimuli one could ever see
D)natural cell death would cause you to lose memories

Question 24

The idea of neurons forming coalitions suggests that membership in particular groups is:

A)there is no experimental evidence for local coding
B)local coding is incredibly inefficient
C)there may not be enough neurons to represent all the stimuli one could ever see
D)natural cell death would cause you to lose memories

Question 25

A major roadblock to our understanding of large-scale population activity is:

A)the lack of behaviors likely supported by population activity
B)lack of computational power
C)the technical inability to precisely measure activity from large populations
D)lack of relevant theory to guide hypothesis generation

Question 26

Your eyes and ears sense activity in your environment. What happens next?

A)Your sensory neurons release chemicals called receptors."
B)The motor neurons respond by creating new synapses."
C)The physical stimuli you perceived are turned into electrical signals called action potentials."
D)Your sensory outputs relay this information to the cerebellum."

Question 27

Thanks to the help of microscopy, we now know that the brain is made up of:

A)A single connected fiber"
B)Billions of discrete cells"
C)10 major lobes"
D)A vast network of vessels"

Question 28

A neuron is responsible for collecting, integrating, conducting, and outputting chemical signals. Which region is primarily response for conduction?

A)The soma"
B)The axon"
C)The synapse"
D)The dendrites"

Question 29

In a neuron, chemical signals are collected by the:

A)Cell body"
B)Axon terminals"
C)Dendrites"
D)Axons"

Question 30

The axon terminals are responsible for:

A)Collecting information from chemical cells"
B)Transporting signals across long distances"
C)Integrating signals coming from the dendrites"
D)Releasing chemicals into the spaces between cells"

Question 31

Chemical signals are collected, converted into an electrical signal, then integrated. A new electrical signal is generated. What is the next step?

A)Chemical signals are released by the dendrites."
B)Electrical signals are conducted by the axon."
C)Electrical signals are conducted by the dendrites."
D)Chemical signals are released by the axon terminals."

Question 32

Over time, the number of synapses in the brain:

A)Stays the same"
B)Decreases"
C)Grows exponentially"
D)Increases"

Question 33

There are many different types of neurons. The most common way to classify them is by their:

A)Length of axon"
B)Location"
C)Function"
D)Number of somas"

Question 34

The two basic building blocks of the nervous system are neurons and:

A)Proteins"
B)Glial cells"
C)Neurotransmitters"
D)Dendrites"

Question 35

Destruction of ____ neurons would eliminate the brain's ability to process signals from the outside environment.

A)Postmitotic"
B)Sensory"
C)Motor"
D)Efferent"

Question 36

Neurons that have direct outputs to muscles or glands are _______ neurons.

A)Glial"
B)Afferent"
C)Motor"
D)Sensory"

Question 37

Complex behavior is likely accompanied by increasing neural complexity that occurs between:

A)Glial cells and neurons"
B)Sensory and motor neurons"
C)Dendrites and axons"
D)Bipolar cells"

Question 38

Neurons can be classified by their shape. Which term is used for neurons that have a single dendrite on one end and a single axon on the other?

A)Monopolar"
B)Bipolar"
C)Multipolar"
D)None of the above"

Question 39

The type of neuron that is typically found in sensory neurons that signal touch and pain is the _________ neuron.

A)Multipolar"
B)Glial"
C)Bipolar"
D)Monopolar"

Question 40

The most common neuron, which has multiple dendrites, is called a _____ neuron.

A)Bipolar"
B)Multipolar"
C)Sensory"
D)Motor"

Question 41

The glial cells play several roles, including:

A)Determining the extent to which networks of neurons can modify their connections"
B)Providing ways to speed up the signaling from neurons"
C)Regulating the concentrations of extracellular chemicals"
D)All of the above"

Question 42

The large cell whose main function is to wrap a layer of "insulation" around axons is called the:

A)Myelin sheath"
B)Astrocyte"
C)Node of Ranvier"
D)Oligodendrocyte"

Question 43

Golgi staining and Nissl staining are both methods of:

A)Creating neural spikes"
B)Visualizing neurons"
C)Visualizing neurotransmitters"
D)Blocking action potentials"

Question 44

The use of a radioactive substance to visualize neurons is called:

A)Golgi staining"
B)Nissl staining"
C)Immunocytochemistry"
D)Autoradiography"

Question 45

Loss of myelination around axons would most likely affect:

A)Regulation of blood flow to regions of the brain"
B)Speed of electrical signaling"
C)Chemical balance outside the neuron"
D)Ability to repair injuries in the central nervous system"

Question 46

Similar to oligodendrocytes, Schwann cells:

A)Balance chemicals outside the neurons"
B)Are found only in the central nervous system"
C)Wrap myelin around a single axon"
D)Wrap the axons of up to 50 different neurons"

Question 47

Myelin sheaths come in short segments. The gaps between the segments are referred to as:

A)Microglia"
B)Nodes of Ranvier"
C)Schwann cells"
D)Astrocytes"

Question 48

Astrocytes are critical for which of the following?

A)Physical structural support"
B)Repair of injury in the central nervous system"
C)Release of chemical signals"
D)All of the above"

Question 49

Your central nervous system needs immune defense, just like the rest of your body. Without the _____ the CNS would be more susceptible to infectious agents.

A)Schwann cells"
B)Oligodendrocytes"
C)Astrocytes"
D)Microglia"

Question 50

Why are we able to do so many complicated tasks that computers are unable to do, even though computers are much faster than our brains?

A)Our brains are trained over time to do these tasks, but we have been unable to do the same with computers."
B)Our brains have a small number of streamlined cells that make processing faster."
C)Computers actually can do the same complicated tasks that humans can do."
D)Our brains have vast quantities of cells that allows for parallel interactions."

Question 51

Neurotransmission occurs between which two sites?

A)Axons and axon terminals"
B)Presynaptic terminals and postsynaptic targets"
C)Dendrites and postsynaptic targets"
D)Somas and axons"

Question 52

There is a small space between the pre- and postsynaptic that allows the neurotransmitter concentration to rise and decay rapidly. This space is called the:

A)Postsynaptic target"
B)Node of Ranvier"
C)Synaptic vesicle"
D)Synaptic cleft"

Question 53

A neurotransmitter makes its way from the axon terminal in one neuron to the dendrites of another. The muscles in your hand contract. Which neurotransmitter was just released?

A)GABA"
B)Norepinephrine"
C)Glutamate"
D)Acetylcholine"

Question 54

Which neurotransmitter is likely responsible for the pleasurable feelings that come from taking drugs like cocaine?

A)Serotonin"
B)Acetylcholine"
C)Epinephrine"
D)Dopamine"

Question 55

Dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine are all classified as:

A)Peptide neurotransmitters"
B)Retrograde transmitters"
C)Catecholamines"
D)Amino acids"

Question 56

Glutamate, aspartate, GABA, and glycine are classified as:

A)Retrograde transmitters"
B)Amino acids"
C)Peptide transmitters"
D)Monoamines"

Question 57

Serotonin and melatonin are classified as:

A)Catecholamines"
B)Monoamines"
C)Amino acids"
D)None of the above"

Question 58

Peptide neurotransmitters include:

A)Serotonin and melatonin"
B)Somatostatin and cholecystokinin"
C)Nitric oxide and carbon monoxide"
D)Glycine and GABA"

Question 59

Neurotransmitters do not always move from the axon transmitter of one cell to the dendrites of another. These transmitters move backwards, from the dendrites to the axon terminal:

A)Peptide neurotransmitters"
B)Catecholamines"
C)Retrograde transmitters"
D)Monoamines"

Question 60

The charged particles that flow into or out of a cell are called:

A)Transporters"
B)Ions"
C)Messengers"
D)Receptors"

Question 61

Neurotransmitter molecules are released by the presynaptic cells, then float through the synaptic cleft until they bind onto:

A)Transporters"
B)Synaptic vesicles"
C)Receptors"
D)Amino acids"

Question 62

Keys are to locks as neurotransmitters are to:

A)Axons"
B)Dendrites"
C)Receptors"
D)Ions"

Question 63

After neurotransmitters have done their job, they are cleaned up, either by degradation, diffusion, or:

A)Recalibration"
B)Reuptake"
C)Transportation"
D)None of the above"

Question 64

Neurotransmitters are sometimes broken apart by other molecules. This process is called:

A)Transportation"
B)Degradation"
C)Reuptake"
D)Diffusion"

Question 65

Sometimes after binding to a receptor, neurotransmitters will be pulled back inside a neuron. This is called:

A)Diffusion"
B)Transportation"
C)Degradation"
D)Reuptake"

Question 66

The term for a neurotransmitter moving out of the synapse is:

A)Reuptake"
B)Diffusion"
C)Transportation"
D)Degradation"

Question 67

The membrane potential of a neuron can be changed when:

A)The myelin sheath is damaged"
B)Ions move across the membrane into the cell"
C)Neurotransmitters are diffused"
D)All of the above"

Question 68

An excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP) occurs when:

A)EPSP does not involve charged ions"
B)Negatively charged ions flow into the neuron"
C)Positively charged ions flow into the neuron"
D)Positively charged ions flow out of the neuron"

Question 69

An _____ causes the postsynaptic neuron to become more negatively charged; this is called hyperpolarization.

A)Ion channel"
B)Amino acid"
C)Excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP)"
D)Inhibitory postsynaptic potential (IPSP)"

Question 70

If the inside of a neuron is flooded with positively charged sodium ions, there would be a/an:

A)Neurotransmitter diffusion"
B)Neurotransmitter reuptake"
C)Excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP)"
D)Inhibitory postsynaptic potential (IPSP)"

Question 71

Whether we say a neurotransmitter is excitatory or inhibitory depends on:

A)The type of neurotransmitter"
B)The action of the receptor the neurotransmitter binds to"
C)How the neurotransmitter is cleaned up"
D)The charge of the neurotransmitter"

Question 72

Some synapses, know as gap junctions, allow what kind of signaling?

A)Protein"
B)Electrical"
C)Chemical"
D)Ionic"

Question 73

If a drug prevents the reuptake of a neurotransmitter, that drug could be classified as a/an _______ drug.

A)Inhibitory"
B)Excitatory"
C)Ineffective"
D)Psychoactive"

Question 74

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) are classified as agonists. After taking an SSRI, we would expect an increase in serotonin in the:

A)Presynaptic cells"
B)Axon terminals"
C)Synaptic cleft"
D)Soma"

Question 75

Direct antagonists are drugs that dampen or block normal _____ function.

A)Neurotransmitter"
B)Receptor"
C)Soma"
D)Axon"

Question 76

Cocaine prevents the reuptake of dopamine, making it an ______ drug.

A)Antagonist"
B)Indirect Agonist"
C)Excitatory"
D)Inhibitory"

Question 77

Alcohol prevents the reuptake of GABA, making it an ______ drug.

A)Antagonist"
B)Excitatory"
C)Inhibitory"
D)Indirect agonist"

Question 78

Caffeine prevents adenosine from binding to its receptors, making it a/an ______ drug.

A)Agonist"
B)Direct antagonist"
C)Excitatory"
D)Inhibitory"

Question 79

A sudden depolarizing voltage change in a neuron is known as:

A)A spike"
B)An action potential"
C)A nerve impulse"
D)All of the above"

Question 80

Voltage changes are initiated at the:

A)Synaptic vesicles"
B)Axon terminals"
C)Axons"
D)Dendrites"