Question 1

The membrane that separates the cerebellum from the cerebrum is known as the:
A) tentorium cerebelli.
B) falx cerebri.
C) arachnoid membrane.
D) falx cerebelli.

Accepted Answer

The tentorium cerebelli is a tough membrane that separates the cerebellum from the cerebrum.

Question 2

Maintenance of homeostasis and instinctive behavioral control arise from the:
A) thalamus.
B) medulla.
C) cerebellum.
D) hypothalamus.

Accepted Answer

The hypothalamus is responsible for maintaining homeostasis by regulating body temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing. It also plays a role in instinctive behavioral control, including hunger, thirst, and sexual behavior.

Question 3

A patient presents with altered respiratory patterns following head trauma. A lesion in which of the following areas would cause these symptoms?
A) Cerebrum
B) Cerebellum
C) Midbrain
D) Hindbrain

Accepted Answer

The hindbrain, which includes the medulla oblongata and pons, is responsible for regulating vital functions such as breathing. A lesion in this area can lead to altered respiratory patterns.

Question 4

Stimulation of the vagus nerve causes:
A) increased gastrointestinal activity.
B) increased heart rate.
C) pupil constriction.
D) vasoconstriction.

Accepted Answer

Stimulation of the vagus nerve activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for slowing down bodily functions and conserving energy. This includes increasing gastrointestinal activity, such as increasing digestion and absorption of nutrients. The other options, including increased heart rate, pupil constriction, and vasoconstriction, are controlled by the sympathetic nervous system, which is opposite to the parasympathetic system.

Question 5

The outermost membrane surrounding the brain is the:
A) dura mater.
B) arachnoid mater.
C) pia mater.
D) falx cerebri.

Accepted Answer

The outermost membrane surrounding the brain is the dura mater.

Question 6

A cell that is involved in forming the blood-brain barrier is the:
A) microglia.
B) Schwann cell.
C) oligodendrocyte.
D) astrocyte.

Accepted Answer

Astrocytes are cells that play a key role in the formation of the blood-brain barrier, which helps to protect the brain from harmful substances that may be circulating in the bloodstream. Astrocytes create a physical barrier by wrapping their end-feet around the blood vessels in the brain, limiting the movement of molecules and cells in and out of the brain.

Question 7

Characteristics of upper motor neurons include:
A) directly innervating muscles.
B) influencing and modifying spinal reflex arcs.
C) cell bodies located in the gray matter of the spinal cord.
D) dendritic processes extending out of the CNS.

Accepted Answer

Upper motor neurons do not directly innervate muscles; instead, they influence and modify spinal reflex arcs. The cell bodies of upper motor neurons are typically located in the cerebral cortex or brainstem, outside of the gray matter of the spinal cord. The dendritic processes of upper motor neurons extend within the CNS.

Question 8

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) can accumulate around the brain when there is injury to the sites of CSF reabsorption, which are called the:
A) arachnoid villi.
B) epidural foramina.
C) lateral apertures.
D) choroid plexuses.

Accepted Answer

The sites of CSF reabsorption are called arachnoid villi, which are small protrusions of the arachnoid mater that extend into the dural sinuses. Injury to these sites can lead to the accumulation of CSF around the brain. The epidural foramina are passageways in the skull that allow the passage of spinal nerves. The lateral apertures are openings in the fourth ventricle that allow CSF to flow into the subarachnoid space. The choroid plexuses are specialized structures in the walls of the ventricles that produce CSF.

Question 9

The _____ ensures collateral blood flow from blood vessels supplying the brain.
A) carotid arteries
B) basal artery
C) circle of Willis
D) vertebral arteries

Accepted Answer

The circle of Willis is a circle of interconnected arteries located at the base of the brain. It ensures collateral blood flow from blood vessels supplying the brain, making it an important structure for maintaining adequate blood flow to the brain. The carotid arteries and vertebral arteries are also important blood vessels supplying the brain, but they do not ensure collateral blood flow like the circle of Willis does. The basal artery is not a real structure in the brain, so it is not a valid answer.

Question 10

Reflex activities concerned with heart rate and blood pressure are controlled by the:
A) medulla oblongata.
B) pons.
C) midbrain.
D) cerebrum.

Accepted Answer

The medulla oblongata is a part of the brainstem that controls vital functions such as heart rate and blood pressure through reflex activities. The pons and midbrain are also parts of the brainstem but are not primarily responsible for controlling these specific functions. The cerebrum is the largest part of the brain and is involved in higher cognitive functions such as thinking and perception, but does not play a major role in reflexive control of heart rate and blood pressure.

Question 11

A patient begins taking a new drug that causes pupil dilation, vasoconstriction, decreased gastrointestinal motility, and goose bumps. Which of the following receptors are activated?
A) Alpha 1
B) Alpha 2
C) Beta 1
D) Beta 2

Accepted Answer

The symptoms described are consistent with activation of the alpha-1 adrenergic receptor. Activation of alpha-1 receptors causes pupil dilation, vasoconstriction, decreased gastrointestinal motility, and hair follicle contraction leading to goosebumps. The drug is most likely an alpha-1 agonist.

Question 12

The brain receives approximately _____ of the cardiac output.
A) 80%
B) 20%
C) 40%
D) 10%

Accepted Answer

The brain receives approximately 20% of the cardiac output, which is essential for maintaining its high metabolic activity and function.

Question 13

The _____ is a transverse fiber tract that connects the two cerebral hemispheres.
A) peduncle
B) corpus callosum
C) basal ganglia
D) pons

Accepted Answer

The corpus callosum is a transverse fiber tract that connects the two cerebral hemispheres. The peduncle is a bundle of nerve fibers that connects the cerebellum to the brainstem. The basal ganglia are a group of nuclei in the brain that help to control movement. The pons is a part of the brainstem that plays a role in breathing and sleep.

Question 14

A 40-year-old male suffers from a head trauma that affects cranial nerve I. Which of the following symptoms would be expected?
A) Visual disturbances
B) Loss of sense of smell
C) Loss of ability to taste
D) Hearing disturbances

Accepted Answer

Loss of sense of smell is associated with damage to cranial nerve I, also known as the olfactory nerve.

Question 15

Parasympathetic motor neurons release the neurotransmitter:
A) epinephrine.
B) serotonin.
C) acetylcholine.
D) substance P.

Accepted Answer

Parasympathetic motor neurons release acetylcholine, which activates muscarinic and nicotinic receptors on target tissues.

Question 16

Which of the following areas of the spinal cord contains cell bodies involved in the autonomic nervous system?
A) Anterior horn
B) Ventral horn
C) Lateral horn
D) Dorsal horn

Accepted Answer

The lateral horn of the spinal cord contains cell bodies involved in the autonomic nervous system. The anterior horn contains cell bodies involved in somatic motor neurons, the ventral horn contains both somatic and autonomic motor neurons, and the dorsal horn contains cell bodies involved in sensory processing.

Question 17

An effect of $\beta$-1 receptor stimulation is:
A) dilation of the coronary arteries.
B) arterial vasoconstriction.
C) increase in the strength of myocardial contraction.
D) decrease in the rate of myocardial contraction.

Accepted Answer

Stimulation of $\beta$-1 receptors primarily affects the heart, leading to an increase in the strength of myocardial contraction (positive inotropic effect) and an increase in heart rate (positive chronotropic effect).

Question 18

Sensory pathways in the spinal cord include the:
A) corticospinal tract.
B) pyramids.
C) spinothalamic tract.
D) anterior column.

Accepted Answer

The spinothalamic tract is responsible for transmitting pain and temperature sensations from the body to the brain through the spinal cord. The corticospinal tract and pyramids are part of the motor pathways, not sensory pathways. The anterior column is not a specific sensory pathway.

Question 19

A 12-year-old female presents with hydrocephalus. Blockage of which of the following would cause this condition?
A) Cerebral aqueduct
B) Inferior colliculi
C) Red nucleus
D) Tegmentum

Accepted Answer

Hydrocephalus occurs as a result of an obstruction in the ventricular system of the brain. The cerebral aqueduct is a narrow canal that connects the third and fourth ventricles, and a blockage in this area can prevent the normal flow of cerebrospinal fluid, leading to hydrocephalus. The inferior colliculi, red nucleus, and tegmentum are not directly involved in the regulation of cerebrospinal fluid circulation.

Quiz 12: Structure and Function of the Neurologic System

The membrane that separates the cerebellum from the cerebrum is known as the:

Maintenance of homeostasis and instinctive behavioral control arise from the:

A patient presents with altered respiratory patterns following head trauma. A lesion in which of the following areas would cause these symptoms?

Stimulation of the vagus nerve causes:

The outermost membrane surrounding the brain is the:

A cell that is involved in forming the blood-brain barrier is the:

Characteristics of upper motor neurons include:

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) can accumulate around the brain when there is injury to the sites of CSF reabsorption, which are called the:

The _____ ensures collateral blood flow from blood vessels supplying the brain.

Reflex activities concerned with heart rate and blood pressure are controlled by the:

A patient begins taking a new drug that causes pupil dilation, vasoconstriction, decreased gastrointestinal motility, and goose bumps. Which of the following receptors are activated?

The brain receives approximately _____ of the cardiac output.

The _____ is a transverse fiber tract that connects the two cerebral hemispheres.

A 40-year-old male suffers from a head trauma that affects cranial nerve I. Which of the following symptoms would be expected?

Parasympathetic motor neurons release the neurotransmitter:

Which of the following areas of the spinal cord contains cell bodies involved in the autonomic nervous system?

An effect of $\beta$ -1 receptor stimulation is:

Sensory pathways in the spinal cord include the:

A 12-year-old female presents with hydrocephalus. Blockage of which of the following would cause this condition?