Question 1

If Mary's neurons were never able to achieve a resting potential more positive than -70 millivolts,____.

Accepted Answer

The resting potential of a neuron is typically around -70mV, and this negative charge is necessary to allow for the neuron to fire an action potential. If the resting potential is never able to get more positive than -70mV, the neuron will never reach the threshold required to generate an action potential. Therefore, choice B is the correct answer.

Question 2

A synapse is essentially a(n)____.

Accepted Answer

The answer of  A synapse is essentially a(n)____. 
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Question 3

Which of the following axon membrane potentials represents the greatest amount of polarization?

Accepted Answer

Polarization refers to the difference in charge across the membrane. A potential of -70 millivolts indicates a greater difference in charge compared to the other options, representing the greatest amount of polarization.

Question 4

When your teacher is attempting to describe a postsynaptic neuron,she is essentially talking about a neuron that ____.

Accepted Answer

The postsynaptic neuron is the neuron that receives input from another neuron at the synapse. Therefore, the best choice is C.

Question 5

If your neurosurgeon were able to take a neuron out of your brain and examine it,she would most likely find that ____.

Accepted Answer

Neurons typically have one axon that can be quite long, sometimes extending up to several feet in length.

Question 6

Which of the following is TRUE regarding the resting potential of a neuron?

Accepted Answer

The resting potential of a neuron is maintained when the neuron is in a polarized state, meaning that there is a difference in electrical charge between the inside and outside of the neuron. A) is false as the resting potential in mammals is typically around -70 millivolts. B) is false as during resting state, ions are not able to move freely. C) is false as magnesium ions do not play a role in maintaining the resting potential.

Question 7

Unlike the electricity that powers lights,the body's electrochemical energy relies upon ____.

Accepted Answer

The body's electrochemical energy relies upon the movement of ions, not electrons or alternating/direct current.

Question 8

Each neuron in the brain can potentially synapse with up to ____ other neuron(s).

Accepted Answer

Each neuron in the brain can potentially synapse with up to 10,000 other neurons. This allows for complex networks and communication within the brain.

Question 9

Neurotransmitters are most analogous to ____.

Accepted Answer

Just as mail carriers deliver messages to specific destinations, neurotransmitters carry messages between neurons to specific target cells.

Question 10

When the inside of the axon has a greater negative charge than the outside,it is safe to conclude that ____.

Accepted Answer

A greater negative charge inside the axon is indicative of a resting potential, which means that an action potential is not being generated at that moment.

Question 11

When neurotransmitters bind with receptor sites,what is the essential event that eventually causes the postsynaptic neuron to generate an action potential?

Accepted Answer

When neurotransmitters bind with receptor sites, it can trigger the opening of ion channels that allow ions such as sodium (Na+) to flow into the postsynaptic neuron. This influx of positive ions can depolarize the neuron and bring it closer to its threshold for firing an action potential.

Question 12

If Clark had no ions in his nervous system,____.

Accepted Answer

Ions, specifically sodium and potassium ions, play a crucial role in generating action potentials in the nervous system. Without ions, the neurons would not be able to generate any action potentials, which are necessary for communication between neurons and for controlling movements and thoughts. Therefore, Clark would not be able to generate any action potentials if he had no ions in his nervous system.

Question 13

If you needed to explain to your friend what the synapse is,what would you say?

Accepted Answer

A synapse is the tiny gap between the axon bulb of one neuron and the dendrites of another. It is where chemical signals in the form of neurotransmitters are released from one neuron and received by another. This transfer of signals allows for communication and transmission of information in the brain and nervous system.

Question 14

The action potential is directly created when ____.

Accepted Answer

The action potential is created when sodium (Na+) ions flood into the axon, which depolarizes the neuron and generates an electrical impulse. None of the other options directly contribute to the creation of an action potential.

Question 15

You are a neurosurgeon performing surgery on a 50-year-old man.When you insert an electrode into the axon of one of his neurons while it is not receiving or sending information,what voltage should you record with your instruments?

Accepted Answer

The resting membrane potential of a neuron is typically around -70mV. Therefore, when inserting an electrode into an axon not currently receiving or sending information, a voltage reading of -70mV would be expected. Option D is the only option that reflects this value.

Question 16

Receptor sites for communication among neurons exist on ____.

Accepted Answer

Receptor sites for communication among neurons are located on dendrites, which are the branch-like extensions of a neuron that receive signals from other neurons. Sodium ions and myelin are not receptor sites, and while neurotransmitters are involved in communication between neurons, they are not the location of the receptor sites.

Question 17

There are many more neural connections in the brain than the number of neurons because ____.

Accepted Answer

Each neuron can synapse with many other neurons, meaning that one neuron can have multiple connections with other neurons. This increases the number of neural connections in the brain beyond the number of neurons.

Question 18

If you wanted to trace the flow of information through a single neuron,you would have to start at the____,go through the ____,and end at the ____.

Accepted Answer

Information flows through a neuron in a specific direction. It starts at the dendrites where it receives input from other neurons or sensory receptors, then continues through the axon, a long thin extension of the neuron, and finally ends at the axon bulb, also known as the terminal button or synaptic knob, where it releases neurotransmitters that communicate with the next neuron in the network. The axon hillock is the region where the axon originates from the cell body, but it does not play a role in the flow of information through a single neuron. The brain stem is a part of the central nervous system but not a specific structure within a neuron itself.

Question 19

The branchlike structures on the heads of neurons that receive signals from other neurons are called ____.

Accepted Answer

Dendrites are the branchlike structures on the heads of neurons that receive signals from other neurons. Myelin sheaths are the fatty coverings that surround and insulate some axons, axon hillocks are located at the base of the axon and are involved in transmitting signals to other neurons, and synapses are the junctions where two neurons meet and communicate with each other.

Question 20

Which statement is most correct about the complexity of neurological processes in the brain?

Accepted Answer

Neurological processes in the brain involve a multitude of activities happening simultaneously, making them highly complex. While advancements in technology have allowed us to better understand these processes, there is still much to learn and we are far from having a complete understanding. Therefore, option A, B and C are not correct choices.

Quiz 2: Neuroscience