Question 1

The brain floats in _______, which protects it against mechanical injury.
A) blood
B) lymph fluid
C) cerebrospinal fluid
D) spinal fluid

Accepted Answer

The brain floats in cerebrospinal fluid, which acts as a cushion and protects it against mechanical injury. Blood and lymph fluid are not primarily responsible for protecting the brain, and spinal fluid is not a distinct type of fluid separate from cerebrospinal fluid.

Question 2

The part of the brain responsible for memory, language, and making logical decisions is the _______.
A) pons
B) medulla
C) cerebrum
D) cerebellum

Accepted Answer

The cerebrum is the largest part of the brain and is responsible for memory, language, and making logical decisions. The pons and medulla are part of the brainstem, which is responsible for basic life-sustaining functions such as breathing and heart rate. The cerebellum is responsible for balance and coordination of movement.

Question 3

A(n) _______ is a neural, automatic stimulus-response.
A) reflex action
B) frontal lobe action
C) sodium pump action
D) occipital lobe action

Accepted Answer

A reflex action is an automatic response to a specific stimulus. It involves the activation of a sensory neuron, which then activates a motor neuron and results in a quick and involuntary response, such as pulling your hand away from a hot stove. Frontal lobe action, sodium pump action, and occipital lobe action are not necessarily automatic stimulus-response processes.

Question 4

Which of the following is/are functions of the spinal cord?
A) Reflex control center
B) Transmits information between the brain and the peripheral nerves
C) Temperature regulation
D) Both A and B

Accepted Answer

The spinal cord serves as a reflex control center, and it also transmits information between the brain and the peripheral nerves. However, it is not involved in temperature regulation.

Question 5

Within the _______, most of the motor fibers cross, resulting in the right side of the brain controlling the left side of the body and vice versa.
A) reticular formation
B) medulla
C) pons
D) midbrain

Accepted Answer

The medulla is located at the base of the brainstem and contains many important structures, including the pyramidal decussation where most of the motor fibers cross. This results in contralateral control of the body, with the right side of the brain controlling the left side of the body and vice versa.

Question 6

The central nervous system (CNS) consists of the _______ and _______.
A) brain; cranial nerves
B) spinal cord; cranial nerves
C) brain; spinal cord
D) spinal cord; touch receptors

Accepted Answer

The CNS consists of the brain and spinal cord. The cranial nerves are considered part of the peripheral nervous system (PNS). Touch receptors are also part of the PNS, specifically the somatosensory system.

Question 7

The _______ filters and evaluates incoming sensory information for survival decisions.
A) hippocampus
B) cerebellum
C) medulla
D) amygdala

Accepted Answer

The amygdala is a part of the brain that is responsible for processing emotions, particularly fear and aggression. It is involved in evaluating sensory information and determining whether it is a threat to survival.

Question 8

_______ is an excellent electrical conductor that speeds the conduction of nerve impulses.
A) Myelin
B) Scar tissue
C) Neurilemma
D) Ganglion

Accepted Answer

Myelin is an excellent electrical conductor that speeds up the conduction of nerve impulses. It is a fatty substance that forms a protective sheath around nerve fibers in the peripheral nervous system.

Question 9

The two main divisions of the nervous system are the _______ and the _______.
A) autonomic nervous system; somatic nervous system
B) central nervous system; autonomic nervous system
C) peripheral nervous system; autonomic nervous system
D) central nervous system; peripheral nervous system

Accepted Answer

The nervous system is divided into two main divisions: the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS). The CNS includes the brain and spinal cord, while the PNS includes all of the other nerves in the body. The autonomic nervous system (ANS) and the somatic nervous system (SNS) are subdivisions of the PNS. Therefore, option D is the correct answer.

Question 10

In neural integration, _______ to determine an appropriate response.
A) EPSPs and IPSPs are summed
B) neurotransmitters activate sodium-potassium pumps
C) endorphins activate synapses
D) the all-or-none response regulates transmission

Accepted Answer

EPSPs (excitatory postsynaptic potentials) and IPSPs (inhibitory postsynaptic potentials) are summed to determine whether a neuron will fire an action potential or not. EPSPs and IPSPs are graded potentials that can either depolarize (EPSP) or hyperpolarize (IPSP) the neuron. When the sum of the graded potentials reaches a threshold, an action potential is initiated.

Question 11

Neurotransmitters are signaling molecules that _______.
A) transmit impulses along axons
B) activate sodium-potassium pumps
C) transmit neural signals across synapses
D) remove receptors from postsynaptic neurons

Accepted Answer

Neurotransmitters are molecules that allow neurons to communicate with each other by transmitting signals across the synapse, the gap between neurons. They bind to receptors on the postsynaptic neuron and trigger a response in that neuron.

Question 12

The _______ system links us with the outside world and coordinates the activities of the other body systems.
A) endocrine
B) nervous
C) circulatory
D) reproductive

Accepted Answer

The nervous system is responsible for receiving and processing information from the environment and coordinating the activities of the other body systems in response to that information. The endocrine system plays a significant role in regulating bodily functions through the release of hormones, but it does not directly link us with the outside world. The circulatory system moves blood and nutrients throughout the body, but it also does not directly coordinate the activities of the other body systems. The reproductive system is primarily responsible for the production of offspring and does not have a major role in homeostasis or coordination of bodily functions.

Question 13

The hypothalamus is responsible for all of the following mechanisms except _______.
A) appetite
B) maintaining fluid balance
C) regulation of body temperature
D) smooth movement of the body

Accepted Answer

The hypothalamus is responsible for regulating various vital bodily functions including appetite, maintaining fluid balance, and regulation of body temperature. However, it is not responsible for the smooth movement of the body.

Question 14

In the disease multiple sclerosis, myelin deteriorates and is replaced by ________.
A) ganglia
B) glial cells
C) neurons
D) scar tissue

Accepted Answer

In multiple sclerosis, the immune system attacks the myelin sheath that surrounds and protects nerve fibers in the central nervous system. As a result, the myelin deteriorates, leading to scar tissue formation. This process is called demyelination, and it can cause a variety of symptoms, including muscle weakness, vision loss, and cognitive dysfunction. Glial cells, neurons, and ganglia are not typically associated with the process of myelin deterioration and scar tissue formation in multiple sclerosis.

Question 15

The main divisions of the brain are the _______.
A) medulla, pons, diencephalon, cerebrum, and pituitary
B) medulla, cerebrum, cerebellum, thalamus, pons, and midbrain
C) medulla, pons, midbrain, diencephalon, cerebellum, and cerebrum
D) thalamus, medulla, cerebrum, and hypothalamus

Accepted Answer

The main divisions of the brain include the medulla, pons, midbrain (collectively forming the brainstem), diencephalon (which includes structures such as the thalamus and hypothalamus), cerebellum, and cerebrum. These divisions are responsible for various functions ranging from basic life support to complex cognitive processes.

Question 16

Together with the endocrine system, the nervous system works continuously to preserve _______.
A) homeostasis
B) heterostasis
C) neurons
D) equilibrium

Accepted Answer

The nervous system and endocrine system work together to maintain homeostasis in the body, which is the balance of internal conditions necessary for optimal functioning. Therefore, the correct option is (A) homeostasis.

Question 17

_______ are highly specialized to receive and transmit electrical and chemical signals throughout the body.
A) Dendrites
B) Glial cells
C) Axons
D) Neurons

Accepted Answer

Neurons are specialized cells in the nervous system that transmit information through electrical and chemical signals. They have a unique structure consisting of dendrites, a cell body, and an axon. Glial cells, on the other hand, support and protect neurons but do not transmit signals themselves.

Question 18

The first step in the neural signaling process is _______.
A) transmission along an afferent neuron
B) integration
C) reception
D) transmission along an efferent neuron

Accepted Answer

The first step in neural signaling is reception, or the process of receiving information from sensory receptors. This information is then transmitted to the brain for further processing and integration before a response can be produced via efferent neurons. Thus, options A and D are incorrect as they involve transmission along afferent or efferent neurons, respectively, which occur after reception. Integration is also a later step in the process.

Question 19

The resting potential of a neuron is maintained by _______.
A) transmission of an impulse along the neuron
B) sodium-potassium pumps in the plasma membrane
C) passive ion channels
D) voltage-activated channels

Accepted Answer

Sodium-potassium pumps are responsible for maintaining the resting potential of a neuron by actively pumping out three positively charged sodium ions for every two positively charged potassium ions pumped in. This creates a concentration gradient where there are more positive ions outside of the neuron compared to inside, resulting in a negative charge on the inside of the neuron. Transmission of an impulse along the neuron, passive ion channels, and voltage-activated channels contribute to changes in the membrane potential but do not maintain the resting potential.

Question 20

The outermost of the meninges is the _______, a tough, double-layered membrane.
A) dura mater
B) pia mater
C) arachnoid
D) subarachnoid

Accepted Answer

The dura mater is the outermost of the meninges and is a tough, double-layered membrane that provides protection and support for the brain and spinal cord. The other options are the middle (arachnoid) and innermost (pia mater) layers of the meninges.

Quiz 6: The Central Nervous System

The brain floats in _______, which protects it against mechanical injury.

The part of the brain responsible for memory, language, and making logical decisions is the _______.

A(n) _______ is a neural, automatic stimulus-response.

Which of the following is/are functions of the spinal cord?

Within the _______, most of the motor fibers cross, resulting in the right side of the brain controlling the left side of the body and vice versa.

The central nervous system (CNS) consists of the _ and _.

The _______ filters and evaluates incoming sensory information for survival decisions.

_______ is an excellent electrical conductor that speeds the conduction of nerve impulses.

The two main divisions of the nervous system are the _ and the _.

In neural integration, _______ to determine an appropriate response.

Neurotransmitters are signaling molecules that _______.

The _______ system links us with the outside world and coordinates the activities of the other body systems.

The hypothalamus is responsible for all of the following mechanisms except _______.

In the disease multiple sclerosis, myelin deteriorates and is replaced by ________.

The main divisions of the brain are the _______.

Together with the endocrine system, the nervous system works continuously to preserve _______.

_______ are highly specialized to receive and transmit electrical and chemical signals throughout the body.

The first step in the neural signaling process is _______.

The resting potential of a neuron is maintained by _______.

The outermost of the meninges is the _______, a tough, double-layered membrane.