Electrophysiology APPLIED questions Flashcards
What increases the speed and efficiency of axonal conduction?
myelin
If Sam and Annie are like neurons, what would the space between their desks, across which they pass notes, be analogous to in the structure of a neuron?
synapse
When a neuron is not strongly driven by excitatory or inhibitory inputs, what is the voltage across its membrane referred to as?
resting potential
John is suffering from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and so has difficulty moving his muscles. What kind of cell, which normally controls muscle activity, has become degenerated in John?
neuron
Sheila has been diagnosed with progressive multiple sclerosis and has been experiencing neurological numbness in her hands. This is being caused by the degeneration of what protective substance that normally surrounds her axons?
myelin
What cell in the nervous system acts like a foster mother who feeds and defends her adopted children?
glial cell
What are like the eyes and ears of neurons?
dendrite
The auditory sensory neurons in the inner ear can only match their firing rates with sound waves that have frequencies of less than 1000 waves per second. What stage of neuronal activity is responsible for this inability of the sensory neurons to keep up with sound waves of frequencies greater than 1000 waves per second, even if they are loud sounds?
absolute refractory period
Janice is monitoring the membrane potential of a neuron when she sees, after it is exposed to a stimulus, its membrane potential shift negatively 3 mV from its resting potential. What is this shift called?
hyperpolarization
What type of integration of signals is analogous to the sinking of a battleship by cannon fire from multiple attacking ships that surround the battleship?
spatial summation
John has just ran a marathon and collapses once he crosses the finish line. Before he is able to run again he will need to rest. If John was a neuron, what would this time of rest when he is completely unable to run be called?
absolute refractory period
What is an all-or-none response; that is, it either occurs to its full extent or does not occur at all?
action potential
Mila is monitoring the membrane potential of a neuron when she sees, after it is exposed to a stimulus, its membrane potential shift positively 3 mV from its resting potential. What is this shift called?
depolarization
Dwayne was shot in the brain during a failed bank robbery attempt. What type of cell was most likely damaged in the greatest numbers in his brain?
glial cell
Sergio has a fiery temper and can only take so much aggravation before he reaches his limit and blows his top. What is this limit analogous to for a neuron?
threshold of excitation
What is the nerve impulse that travels down the axon of a motor neuron in Jesse’s leg in order to kick a soccer ball?
action potential
Glial cells absorb excessive excitatory neurotransmitters released into what space between neurons?
synapse
A syringe has a barrel at one end and an extended needle attached at the other end. When pressure is applied to the barrel by a plunger, substances in the barrel travel through the needle and are released onto the desired site. What part of the neuron is the needle analogous to?
axon
As George walked down the road that lead to the bridge, he imagined he was a neurotransmitter coming from the cell body and making his way to the synapse. Which part of the neuron was the road analogous to?
axon
A neuron releases neurotransmitters which bind with postsynaptic receptors on another neuron. An increase in the positivity of the postsynaptic neuron occurs that temporarily increases the probability of action potentials occurring from its resting membrane potential. What type of shift has occurred in the postsynaptic neuron?
depolarization
After falling down a flight of stairs, Gavin complains of having pain in his lower back. What part of the neuron is responsible for transmitting information from the sensory neurons in his back to neurons in his spinal cord?
axon
After Bill orgasms he is unable to have sex again immediately after unless he receives greater than normal enticement. What stage of neuronal activity is this analogous to?
relative refractory period
A neuron releases neurotransmitters which bind with postsynaptic receptors on another neuron. An increase in the negativity of the postsynaptic neuron occurs that temporarily decreases the probability of action potentials occurring from its resting membrane potential. What type of shift has occurred in the postsynaptic neuron?
hyperpolarization
Sergio has a fiery temper and can only take so much aggravation before he reaches his limit and blows his top. What is this limit analogous to for a neuron?
threshold of excitation
Bob has been poisoned with a drug that slows down his heart and breathing rate. What effect has this drug most likely had on the motor neurons which control Bob’s heart and diaphram?
hyperpolarization
If Sam and Annie are like neurons, what would the space between their desks, across which they pass notes, be analogous to in the structure of a neuron?
synapse
After Bill orgasms he is unable to have sex again immediately after unless he receives greater than normal enticement. What stage of neuronal activity is this analogous to?
relative refractory period
What type of integration of signals is analogous to the sinking of a battleship by cannon fire from multiple attacking ships that surround the battleship?
spatial summation
When a neuron is not strongly driven by excitatory or inhibitory inputs, what is the voltage across its membrane referred to as?
resting potential
Sheila has been diagnosed with progressive multiple sclerosis and has been experiencing neurological numbness in her hands. This is being caused by the degeneration of what protective substance that normally surrounds her axons?
myelin
What is the nerve impulse that travels down the axon of a motor neuron in Jesse’s leg in order to kick a soccer ball?
action potential
A syringe has a barrel at one end and an extended needle attached at the other end. When pressure is applied to the barrel by a plunger, substances in the barrel travel through the needle and are released onto the desired site. What part of the neuron is the needle analogous to?
axon
What type of cell is most numerous in the nervous system?
glial cell
The auditory sensory neurons in the inner ear can only match their firing rates with sound waves that have frequencies of less than 1000 waves per second. What stage of neuronal activity is responsible for this inability of the sensory neurons to keep up with sound waves of frequencies greater than 1000 waves per second, even if they are loud sounds?
absolute refractory period
John is suffering from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and so has difficulty moving his muscles. What kind of cell, which normally controls muscle activity, has become degenerated in John?
neuron
After falling down a flight of stairs, Gavin complains of having pain in his lower back. What part of the neuron is responsible for transmitting information from the sensory neurons in his back to neurons in his spinal cord?
axon
Janice is monitoring the membrane potential of a neuron when she sees, after it is exposed to a stimulus, its membrane potential shift negatively 3 mV from its resting potential. What is this shift called?
hyperpolarization
What cell in the nervous system acts like a foster mother who feeds and defends her adopted children?
glial cell
John has just ran a marathon and collapses once he crosses the finish line. Before he is able to run again he will need to rest. If John was a neuron, what would this time of rest when he is completely unable to run be called?
absolute refractory period
Glial cells absorb excessive excitatory neurotransmitters released into what space between neurons?
synapse
What type of integration of signals is analogous to the sinking of a battleship by repeated cannon fire from a single ship that is aiming at the battleship’s port-side?
temporal summation
What are like the eyes and ears of neurons?
dendrite
