Basic Neuroanatomy

Question 1

The cytoskeleton is a network of three types of filamentous proteins - what are they called?

Answer 1

Microfilaments, neurofilaments/intermediate filaments and microtubules

Question 2

What is the basic functional unit of the nervous system?

Answer 2

Neuron

Question 3

True or False: The cerebellum is responsible for voluntary motor control.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

Fill in the blank: The _______ is the part of the brain that regulates homeostasis.

Answer 4

Hypothalamus

Question 5

What structure connects the left and right hemispheres of the brain?

Answer 5

Corpus callosum

Question 6

Which part of the neuron receives signals from other neurons?

Answer 6

Dendrites

Question 7

What are the two main types of cells in the nervous system?

Answer 7

Neurons and glial cells

Question 8

True or False: The spinal cord is part of the peripheral nervous system.

Answer 8

False

Question 9

Which lobe of the brain is primarily responsible for processing visual information?

Answer 9

Occipital lobe

Question 10

What is the role of myelin in the nervous system?

Answer 10

To insulate axons and increase the speed of signal transmission

Question 11

Fill in the blank: The _______ is the outer layer of the brain.

Answer 11

Cerebral cortex

Question 12

What type of neurotransmitter is primarily involved in muscle contraction?

Answer 12

Acetylcholine

Question 13

Which structure in the brain is involved in memory formation?

Answer 13

Hippocampus

Question 14

True or False: The amygdala is involved in emotional processing.

Answer 14

True

Question 15

What is the function of the thalamus?

Answer 15

To relay sensory information to the appropriate areas of the brain

Question 16

What are the three main parts of the brainstem?

Answer 16

Midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata

Question 17

Fill in the blank: The _______ is responsible for the ‘fight or flight’ response.

Answer 17

Sympathetic nervous system

Question 18

Which type of glial cell is responsible for forming the blood-brain barrier?

Answer 18

Astrocytes

Question 19

What is the primary function of the frontal lobe?

Answer 19

Higher cognitive functions such as reasoning, planning, and problem-solving

Question 20

True or False: The brain is divided into four main lobes.

Answer 20

True

Question 21

What is the role of the medulla oblongata?

Answer 21

To regulate vital functions such as heart rate and breathing

Question 22

Fill in the blank: The _______ nervous system is responsible for involuntary body functions.

Answer 22

Autonomic

Question 23

What is the primary role of the parietal lobe?

Answer 23

Processing sensory information related to touch and body position

Question 24

Which part of the neuron transmits signals away from the cell body?

Answer 24

Axon

Question 25

True or False: The limbic system is involved in the regulation of emotions.

Answer 25

True

Question 26

What is the main function of the occipital lobe?

Answer 26

Visual processing

Question 27

Fill in the blank: _______ are the cells that support and protect neurons.

Answer 27

Glial cells

Question 28

Which part of the cytoskeleton is two polymers of globular actin protein intertwined, with a diameter of 3nm-7nm? Where is it found and what are its three main functions?

Answer 28

Microfilaments. Prevalent at the edges of the cell, just inside the membraneat the cell cortex. It provides the basic strength and shape of the cell, positions vesicles and receptors in the synapses and allows for dendritic movements/remodelling as G-actin can be added and removed to change shape and create new synapses.