Question 1

The action potential is generated when a stimulus
A) opens sodium channels.
B) opens voltage-gated potassium channels.
C) causes the interior of the cell to become more negative.
D) blocks the entry of sodium into the cell.

Accepted Answer

The opening of sodium channels allows an influx of sodium ions into the cell, depolarizing the membrane and leading to the generation of an action potential.

Question 2

Neurons can be divided into three basic parts:
A) cell body, soma, and axon.
B) soma, dendrites, and Schwann cells.
C) cell body, dendrites, and axon.
D) afferent, efferent, and dendrites.

Accepted Answer

Neurons consist of three basic parts: the cell body (or soma), which contains the nucleus and many other organelles; dendrites, which receive signals from other neurons; and the axon, which carries signals away from the cell body to other neurons or muscles. Therefore, choice C is the correct answer.

Question 3

Nerve fibers that carry impulses toward the central nervous system are called
A) efferent fibers.
B) dendrites.
C) afferent fibers.
D) synapses.

Accepted Answer

Afferent fibers carry impulses toward the central nervous system, providing sensory information from peripheral tissues and organs to the brain and spinal cord. Efferent fibers, on the other hand, carry impulses away from the central nervous system to muscles and glands, allowing for motor responses. Dendrites are the branching extensions of neurons that receive signals from other neurons. Synapses are the small gaps between neurons where chemical or electrical signals are transmitted.

Question 4

The area of the brain that aids in control of movement and may initiate fast ballistic movements is the
A) cerebrum.
B) motor cortex.
C) brain stem.
D) cerebellum.

Accepted Answer

The cerebellum is responsible for coordination, balance, and control of voluntary movements. It may also initiate fast ballistic movements such as rapid arm movements. The cerebrum is responsible for higher cognitive processes such as thinking and perception, while the motor cortex is responsible for planning and controlling voluntary movements. The brain stem is responsible for basic life-sustaining functions such as breathing and heart rate.

Question 5

An excitatory neurotransmitter results in increased neuronal permeability to
A) sodium and results in IPSPs.
B) sodium and results in EPSPs.
C) potassium and results in IPSPs.
D) potassium and results in EPSPs.

Accepted Answer

An excitatory neurotransmitter, such as glutamate, binds to receptors on the postsynaptic neuron and results in the opening of sodium channels. This leads to an influx of positively charged sodium ions into the neuron, resulting in depolarization and the generation of excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs). Therefore, choice B is the correct answer.

Question 6

The joint receptors that provide the central nervous system with information about body position are termed
A) motor neurons.
B) proprioceptors.
C) extrafusal fibers.
D) chemoreceptors.

Accepted Answer

Proprioceptors are specialized sensory receptors located in muscles, tendons, and joints that provide the central nervous system with information about body position, movement, and balance. They play a critical role in motor control by allowing the nervous system to adjust and coordinate movements based on information about the body's position and orientation. Motor neurons are nerve cells that control muscle contractions, extrafusal fibers are muscle fibers that generate force for movement, and chemoreceptors are specialized sensory receptors that detect chemicals in the environment such as odor or taste.

Question 7

Neurons are negatively charged on the inside of the cell with respect to the charge on the exterior of the cell. This electrical charge difference is called
A) irritability.
B) conductivity.
C) action potential.
D) resting membrane potential.

Accepted Answer

The electrical charge difference between the inside and outside of a neuron is called resting membrane potential. Irritability refers to a neuron's ability to respond to stimuli, conductivity refers to the ability of a neuron to transmit an electrical signal, and action potential refers to a rapid change in electrical potential that occurs during neuron firing.

Question 8

The summing of many EPSPs from a single pre-synaptic neuron over a short time period is called
A) spatial summation.
B) temporal summation.
C) IPSP.
D) hyperpolarization.

Accepted Answer

Temporal summation refers to the summing of EPSPs from a single pre-synaptic neuron over a short time period. Spatial summation occurs when multiple pre-synaptic neurons release neurotransmitters onto a single post-synaptic neuron. IPSPs are inhibitory post-synaptic potentials and hyperpolarization is a shift in the resting potential of a neuron towards a more negative value. Neither of these options describe the scenario described in the question.

Question 9

The term kinesthesia refers to
A) the study of movement.
B) a lack of sensation in the muscles and joints.
C) conscious recognition of the position of body parts with respect to each other.
D) the transmission of a nerve impulse along the axon.

Accepted Answer

Kinesthesia refers to the conscious recognition of the position of body parts with respect to each other. It is the sense that allows us to know where our body parts are located in space and how they are moving.

Question 10

Anatomically, the nervous system can be divided into two main parts:
A) afferent and efferent.
B) central nervous system and peripheral nervous system.
C) sensory and motor.
D) sympathetic and parasympathetic.

Accepted Answer

The central nervous system includes the brain and spinal cord, while the peripheral nervous system includes all other nerve cells in the body. This is the most commonly used division of the nervous system in anatomy and physiology.

Question 11

______________ refers to the ability of a neuron to respond to a stimulus.
A) Irritability
B) Conductivity
C) Depolarization
D) Repolarization

Accepted Answer

Irritability refers to the ability of a neuron to respond to a stimulus. Conductivity refers to the ability of a neuron to transmit an electrical signal. Depolarization and repolarization are specific processes that occur during the transmission of an electrical signal in a neuron.

Question 12

The ______________________ is an organ located in the inner ear and is responsible for maintaining general equilibrium.
A) pacinian corpuscle
B) Golgi tendon organ
C) vestibular apparatus
D) cerebellum

Accepted Answer

The vestibular apparatus is specifically responsible for maintaining general equilibrium and is located in the inner ear. The pacinian corpuscle and Golgi tendon organ are sensory receptors located in muscles and skin, respectively, and are not related to maintaining balance. The cerebellum plays a role in coordination and movement control but is not solely responsible for maintaining equilibrium.

Question 13

Parkinson's disease is a disorder of the basal ganglia resulting in
A) an impairment in maximal speed of movement.
B) increased involuntary movement of tremors.
C) an impairment in hearing.
D) impaired reaction times.

Accepted Answer

Parkinson's disease is a disorder of the basal ganglia that results in increased involuntary movement of tremors.

Question 14

Nerve fibers that conduct impulses away from the central nervous system are called
A) efferent.
B) afferent.
C) dendrites.
D) sensory.

Accepted Answer

Nerve fibers that conduct impulses away from the central nervous system are called efferent.

Question 15

Neurotransmitters that cause depolarization of membranes are called
A) inhibitory transmitters.
B) receptors.
C) excitatory transmitters.
D) synaptic transmitters.

Accepted Answer

Excitatory transmitters are the neurotransmitters that cause depolarization of membranes, leading to an increase in the likelihood of generating an action potential. Inhibitory transmitters, on the other hand, cause hyperpolarization of membranes, reducing the likelihood of generating an action potential. Receptors are the protein molecules on the cell membranes that bind to specific neurotransmitters, initiating a signaling cascade within the cell. Synaptic transmitters refer to neurotransmitters that are released into the synaptic cleft between neurons to transmit signals.

Question 16

A "movement plan" is developed by the _________________ before being sent to spinal centers for modification
A) medulla
B) cerebellum
C) motor cortex
D) sensory cortex

Accepted Answer

The motor cortex is responsible for planning, controlling, and executing voluntary movements, thus it develops the "movement plan" before it is sent to spinal centers for modification.

Question 17

The spinal cord translated a voluntary movement into appropriate muscle action. This is called
A) spinal modification.
B) spinal tuning.
C) motor activation.
D) action potential generation.

Accepted Answer

Spinal tuning refers to the process by which the spinal cord adjusts the signals from the brain to produce smooth and coordinated muscle actions for voluntary movements.

Question 18

The autonomic nervous system can be divided into two functional and anatomical divisions called
A) sympathetic and unsympathetic.
B) sympathetic and parasympathetic.
C) afferent and efferent.
D) CNS and PNS.

Accepted Answer

The autonomic nervous system can be divided into two functional and anatomical divisions called sympathetic and parasympathetic.

Question 19

The initial drive to move comes from
A) the motor cortex.
B) the cerebellum.
C) subcortical and cortical areas.
D) feedback from motor units.

Accepted Answer

The drive to move comes from both subcortical (such as the basal ganglia and brainstem) and cortical areas (such as the motor and pre-motor cortices). These regions work together to plan and execute movements. The motor cortex plays a significant role in the initiation of voluntary movements, while the cerebellum primarily serves to fine-tune movements and maintain balance. Feedback from motor units is important for adjusting ongoing movements, but it is not the primary source of the initial drive to move.

Question 20

The motor cortex is concerned with voluntary movement and is located within the
A) cerebellum.
B) cerebrum.
C) brain stem.
D) hypothalamus.

Accepted Answer

The motor cortex is located within the cerebrum, specifically within the frontal lobe. It is responsible for planning, executing, and controlling voluntary movements of the body.

Quiz 8: The Nervous System: Structure and Control of Movement

The action potential is generated when a stimulus

Neurons can be divided into three basic parts:

Nerve fibers that carry impulses toward the central nervous system are called

The area of the brain that aids in control of movement and may initiate fast ballistic movements is the

An excitatory neurotransmitter results in increased neuronal permeability to

The joint receptors that provide the central nervous system with information about body position are termed

Neurons are negatively charged on the inside of the cell with respect to the charge on the exterior of the cell. This electrical charge difference is called

The summing of many EPSPs from a single pre-synaptic neuron over a short time period is called

The term kinesthesia refers to

Anatomically, the nervous system can be divided into two main parts:

______________ refers to the ability of a neuron to respond to a stimulus.

The ______________________ is an organ located in the inner ear and is responsible for maintaining general equilibrium.

Parkinson's disease is a disorder of the basal ganglia resulting in

Nerve fibers that conduct impulses away from the central nervous system are called

Neurotransmitters that cause depolarization of membranes are called

A "movement plan" is developed by the _________________ before being sent to spinal centers for modification

The spinal cord translated a voluntary movement into appropriate muscle action. This is called

The autonomic nervous system can be divided into two functional and anatomical divisions called

The initial drive to move comes from

The motor cortex is concerned with voluntary movement and is located within the