Question 1

A current in a living cell is based on
A) a flow of electrons.
B) a flow of ions in aqueous solution.
C) a flow of ions in membrane lipids.
D) attractions among positive ions.
E) attractions among negative ions.

Accepted Answer

Living cells rely on ion gradients across cell membranes for various physiological processes. The flow of ions in aqueous solution generates an electrical potential, which can be measured as a current. This current is responsible for various cellular processes, including nerve impulses and muscle contractions.

Question 2

Which statement about myelin is false?
A) It is conductive.
B) It is lipid-rich.
C) It insulates the axon.
D) It is made of glial cell membranes.
E) It appears white and glistening.

Accepted Answer

Myelin is not conductive. It is an insulator that helps to increase the speed and efficiency of nerve impulses along the axon.

Question 3

The four functional regions of a typical neuron include all of the following except the
A) axon.
B) synaptic cleft.
C) cell body.
D) dendrites
E) presynaptic axon terminals.

Accepted Answer

The four functional regions of a typical neuron are the dendrites, cell body, axon, and presynaptic axon terminals. The synaptic cleft is not considered a functional region of the neuron, but rather the gap between the presynaptic axon terminal and the postsynaptic dendrite of the adjacent neuron or effector cell.

Question 4

If the resting potential of the neuronal cell membrane is between -60 and -70 mV,the cell
A) is -60 to -70 mV more negative inside than outside.
B) is -60 to -70 mV more positive inside than outside.
C) has a potential of -60 to -70 mV on both sides of the membrane.
D) must build up a potential of -60 to -70 mV inside the cell before it can carry an action potential.
E) must build up a potential of -60 to -70 mV outside the cell before it can carry an action potential.

Accepted Answer

Resting potential refers to the electrical potential difference across the neuron's membrane when it is not actively transmitting a signal. The negative sign indicates that the inside of the cell is more negative than the outside. Therefore, choice A is correct as the cell is -60 to -70 mV more negative inside than outside.

Question 5

What is the difference between glial cells and neurons?
A) Glial cells nourish and support neurons.
B) A neuron is the body of a glial cell.
C) Glial cells include parts of multiple neurons.
D) Glial cells carry information away from the brain;neurons carry it to the brain.
E) There is no difference;neurons and glial cells are the same type of cell.

Accepted Answer

Glial cells, also known as neuroglia, are non-neuronal cells in the nervous system that provide support and protection for neurons. They do not generate or conduct nerve impulses, but they play essential roles in maintaining proper brain function by nourishing and protecting neurons. In contrast, neurons are specialized cells that transmit and process nerve impulses.

Question 6

What is the difference between a nerve and a neuron?
A) A neuron is the body of a nerve.
B) Nerves nourish and support neurons.
C) A nerve is a bundle of axons from multiple neurons.
D) Nerves carry information away from the brain;neurons carry it to the brain.
E) There is no difference;the terms describe the same structure.

Accepted Answer

A nerve is a bundle of axons from multiple neurons, while a neuron is a single cell that transmits electrical signals.

Question 7

A certain cell is highly elongated and is able to conduct an action potential to a specific location.It is also able to integrate signals from many other cells into a single output.This type of cell is a(n)
A) neuron.
B) glial cell.
C) muscle cell.
D) oligodendrocyte.
E) Schwann cell.

Accepted Answer

The ability to conduct an action potential and integrate signals from other cells are characteristic of neurons. The other options do not possess these abilities.

Question 8

A neuron is said to be "addressed" because it is able to
A) carry an impulse very rapidly.
B) carry an impulse long distances.
C) travel in more than one direction.
D) convey impulses to a specific location in the CNS.
E) receive communications from other cells.

Accepted Answer

Neurons are able to convey impulses to a specific location in the CNS because they have specialized structures, such as dendrites and axons, that allow them to receive and transmit signals in a directional manner. This directional flow allows for precise communication within the nervous system.

Question 9

If a star-nosed mole lost the use of its star-shaped sensory organ,it would be unable to find food by
A) smelling.
B) touching.
C) tasting.
D) seeing.
E) hearing.

Accepted Answer

The star-shaped sensory organ of the star-nosed mole is used for touch and not for any other sense (such as vision, hearing, or taste) that would help it find food. Therefore, if it lost the use of this sensory organ, it would be unable to find food by touch.

Question 10

A neuron that is not connected to a postsynaptic cell will be unable to
A) conduct a nerve impulse down its axon.
B) receive a nerve impulse.
C) undergo depolarization.
D) receive nourishment from a glial cell.
E) send a nerve impulse to another neuron.

Accepted Answer

A neuron that is not connected to a postsynaptic cell cannot send a nerve impulse to another neuron because there is no synaptic connection to transmit the signal.

Question 11

Nervous systems are composed of which two primary cell types?
A) Neurons and glial cells
B) Neurons and epithelial cells
C) Fibroblasts and chondrocytes
D) Epithelial cells and glandular cells
E) Neuromuscular cells and epithelial cells

Accepted Answer

The two primary cell types in nervous systems are neurons, which transmit electrical signals, and glial cells, which support and protect the neurons.

Question 12

A cell membrane has an electrical polarity in which the outside is more negative than the inside.This cell membrane is
A) depolarized and conducting an impulse.
B) polarized and conducting an impulse.
C) polarized and not conducting an impulse.
D) depolarized and not conducting an impulse.
E) repolarizing after conducting an impulse.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A cell membrane has an electrical polarity...

Question 13

A voltage is a(n)
A) action potential.
B) electrical potential difference.
C) flow of electrically charged particles.
D) electrical difference within a bulk solution.
E) electrical difference within mixed positive and negative charges.

Accepted Answer

A voltage is a measure of electrical potential difference. It is the force that drives electrically charged particles to move or flow.

Question 14

The region where two neurons come into close contact with each other and pass along information is a(n)
A) axon.
B) dendrite.
C) synapse.
D) cell body.
E) glial cell.

Accepted Answer

The synapse is the region where two neurons come into close contact and pass along information.

Question 15

Besides neurons,which other type of cell is excitable?
A) Glial cells
B) Blood cells
C) Muscle cells
D) Secretory cells
E) Epithelial cells

Accepted Answer

Muscle cells are excitable cells that can generate action potentials and contract, enabling movements in the body.

Question 16

An axon travels from the spinal cord to the legs.It is surrounded by a concentric ring of lipid-rich cell membrane that insulates the axon and speeds up its transmission of electrical impulses.This covering is composed of
A) synapses.
B) dendrites.
C) Schwann cells.
D) nodes of Ranvier.
E) oligodendrocytes.

Accepted Answer

The concentric ring of lipid-rich cell membrane surrounding the axon is specifically describing the myelin sheath, which is composed of Schwann cells. Synapses, dendrites, nodes of Ranvier, and oligodendrocytes are all involved in nerve function, but are not the primary components of the myelin sheath.

Question 17

Which of the following is not a function of glial cells?
A) Supplying nutrients
B) Insulating nerve tissue
C) Conducting nerve impulses
D) Consuming foreign particles
E) Orienting neurons during embryonic development

Accepted Answer

Glial cells do not conduct nerve impulses; that is the role of neurons. Glial cells have a variety of other functions including supplying nutrients, insulating nerve tissue, consuming foreign particles, and orienting neurons during embryonic development.

Question 18

The function of combining and integrating incoming signals into a single output occurs in which part of the neuron?
A) Axon
B) Dendrites
C) Cell body and axon hillock
D) Presynaptic axon terminals
E) Postsynaptic axon terminals

Accepted Answer

The process of combining and integrating incoming signals occurs at the cell body and axon hillock, which are responsible for generating the action potential. The dendrites receive incoming signals and the axon transmits the signal to the synaptic terminals, but they do not play a direct role in integration.

Question 19

A potential difference can build up across a cell membrane,but not in a bulk solution inside the cell,because
A) lipids in the cell membrane are hydrophobic and prevent ions from crossing.
B) lipids in the cell membrane capture ions and prevent them from crossing.
C) proteins in the cell membrane capture ions and prevent them from crossing.
D) proteins in the cell membrane are hydrophobic and prevent ions from crossing.
E) there is no way to move ions from one side of a membrane to the other side.

Accepted Answer

Lipids in the cell membrane are hydrophobic and prevent ions from crossing, which allows for a potential difference to build up across the membrane. In contrast, in a bulk solution inside the cell, ions are able to move freely and therefore there is no potential difference.

Question 20

While you read this question,your neurons send information to and from your brain;meanwhile,the metabolic needs of those neurons are assisted by
A) synapses.
B) glial cells.
C) excitable cells.
D) Schwann cells.
E) oligodendrocytes.

Accepted Answer

Glial cells are non-neuronal cells that provide support and nutrition to neurons. They play a crucial role in helping to meet the metabolic needs of neurons. Synapses, excitable cells (which include neurons), Schwann cells, and oligodendrocytes are all directly involved in the transmission of signals in the nervous system, but do not contribute to the metabolic needs of the neurons.

Quiz 34: Neurons, Sense Organs, and Nervous Systems

A current in a living cell is based on

Which statement about myelin is false?

The four functional regions of a typical neuron include all of the following except the

If the resting potential of the neuronal cell membrane is between -60 and -70 mV,the cell

What is the difference between glial cells and neurons?

What is the difference between a nerve and a neuron?

A certain cell is highly elongated and is able to conduct an action potential to a specific location.It is also able to integrate signals from many other cells into a single output.This type of cell is a(n)

A neuron is said to be "addressed" because it is able to

If a star-nosed mole lost the use of its star-shaped sensory organ,it would be unable to find food by

A neuron that is not connected to a postsynaptic cell will be unable to

Nervous systems are composed of which two primary cell types?

A cell membrane has an electrical polarity in which the outside is more negative than the inside.This cell membrane is

A voltage is a(n)

The region where two neurons come into close contact with each other and pass along information is a(n)

Besides neurons,which other type of cell is excitable?

An axon travels from the spinal cord to the legs.It is surrounded by a concentric ring of lipid-rich cell membrane that insulates the axon and speeds up its transmission of electrical impulses.This covering is composed of

Which of the following is not a function of glial cells?

The function of combining and integrating incoming signals into a single output occurs in which part of the neuron?

A potential difference can build up across a cell membrane,but not in a bulk solution inside the cell,because

While you read this question,your neurons send information to and from your brain;meanwhile,the metabolic needs of those neurons are assisted by