Exam 1 Review Questions Flashcards by Adam Sklamberg

The nucleus ruber (“red nucleus”) in the mesencephalon would be best characterized by which of the following descriptions?

A collection of myelinated axons in the midbrain
A collection of myelinated dendrites in the midbrain
A collection of cell bodies and dendrites in the midbrain
A collection of unmyelinated axons in the midbrain

A collection of cell bodies and dendrites in the midbrain

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Which of the following is not a necessary component of a synapse?

Presynaptic Membrane
Postsynaptic Membrane
Synaptic Cleft
Sarcoplasmic Reticulum

Sarcoplasmic Reticulum

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The thalamus is derived from which of the following brain divisions?

Telencephalon
Diencephalon
Mesencephalon
Metencephalon
Myelencephalon

Diencephalon

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In which of the following forms of spina bifida are only meninges found in the sac?

Occulta
Meningocele
Meningomyelocele
Myeloschisis

Meningocele

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The Superior colliculi for visual reflexes and the inferior colliculi for auditory and olfactory reflexes are located in the tectum (roof) of which of the following subdivisions of the brain?

Telencephalon
Diencephalon
Mesencephalon
Metencephalon
Myelencephalon

Mesencephalon

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Cell bodies of alpha motor neurons are located in which of the following areas of the spinal cord?

Dorsal (posterior) horns
Ventral (anterior) horns
Dorsal Root Ganglia
Substania Gelantinosa
Paravertebral Ganglia

Ventral (anterior) horns

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Which of the following is the neurotransmitter used by many areas of the cerebral cortex and is always excitatory?

Serotonin
Glutamate
Dopamine
GABA
Glycine

Glutamate

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Which of the following landmarks demarcates the sensory cortex from the motor cortex?

Lateral Sulcus
Central Sulcus
Insula
Angular Gyrus

Central Sulcus

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Which of the following characteristics of dendrites is responsible for decremental conduction?

Lack of myelination
Relatively short length
Leakage of potassium ions
Leakage of sodium ions

Leakage of potassium ions

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Which of the brain’s cerebral lobes is responsible for interpreting olfactory and auditory sensations?

Occipital Lobe
Frontal Lobe
Parietal Lobe
Temporal Lobe

Temporal Lobe

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Which neurotransmitter is responsible for signaling by the alpha motor neuron?

Acetylcholine
Dopamine
Glycine
Glutamate

Acetylcholine

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Sensory group III afferent neurons send signals to which neurons that relay signals to both ipsilateral and contralateral muscles?

Renshaw Cells
Gamma Motor Neurons
Alpha Motor Neurons
Excitatory Interneurons

Excitatory Interneurons

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Electrotonic Conduction is utilized predominantly by the:

Axon
Dendrite
Axon Hillock
Synapse

Dendrite

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One of the functions of the thalamus is to:

Control large skeletal muscle movements
Initiate cognitive processes
Relay all sensory information, except smell, to the cerebral cortex
Connect the nervous system to the endocrine system

Relay all sensory information, except smell, to the cerebral cortex

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Which interneurons is responsible for inhibition of antagonistic muscle groups?

Renshaw cells
Ia inhibitory interneurons
Ib inhibitory interneurons
Gamma Motor Neurons

Ia inhibitory interneurons

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Ionotropic receptors are characterized by which of the following?

Activation results in opening of an ion channel
Binding of a neurotransmitter directly to an ion channel
Activation results in changes in gene expression in the postsynaptic neuron
Always involves binding to a G protein for activation

Activation results in opening of an ion channel

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Synaptic delay refers to the time it takes to transmit a signal from a presynaptic neuron to a postsynaptic neuron. It depends on a number of factors. Which of the following would NOT be associated with synaptic delay?

Time it takes to release the neurotransmitter from the presynaptic neuron
Time it takes for the neurotransmitter to diffuse across the synaptic cleft
Time it takes to jump from one node of Ranvier to the next one
Time it takes for the receptor to increase membrane permeability

Time it takes to jump from one node of Ranvier to the next one

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A memory system that has been discovered in the sea snail Aplysia includes a facilitator terminal synapsing with a sensory neuron. If a noxious stimulus excites the facilitator terminal at the same time that the sensory terminal is stimulated the release of a neurotransmitter by the facilitator terminal causes the memory pathway through the sensory terminal to become facilitated for a period of time. The neurotransmitter released by the facilitator terminal is which of the following?

Acetylcholine
Norepinephrine
Serotonin
Dopamine

Serotonin

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Damage to which of the following cortical areas would impair transmission of information from the visual cortex to the area where comprehension of the printed word occurs?

Supplemental Visual Cortex
Wernicke’s area
Angular gyrus
Broca’s area
Limbic association area

Angular gyrus

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The Corpus Callosum is the major commissure between the two cerebral hemispheres. Cutting the Corpus Callosum would result in which of the following deficits?

Loss of 2-point discrimination from the right side of the brain into Wernicke’s area
Loss of transfer of visual info from the right hemisphere into Wernicke’s area
Loss of transfer of visual info from the left hemisphere into Wernicke’s area
Loss of pain sensation from the right hemisphere into Wernicke’s area

Loss of transfer of visual info from the right hemisphere into Wernicke’s area

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Which of the following represents the major relay center for most afferent (sensory) pathways to the cerebral cortex? When the connections between this relay center and the cortex are cut, the functions of the corresponding cortical areas become almost entirely lost.

Thalamus
Basal Nuclei
Nucleus Ruber
Reticular Formation

Thalamus

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Most output neurons from the cerebral cortex originate from which of the following cortical layers?

I and II
II and III
III and IV
IV and V
V and VI

V and VI

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Which of following association areas plays the greatest single role of any part of the cerebral cortex for intelligence?

Broca’s area
Postcentral gyrus
Precentral gyrus
Wernicke’s area

Wernicke’s area

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In most individuals the left cerebral hemisphere is considered dominant. Which of the following areas in the left hemisphere does not display dominance in either hemisphere?

Wernicke’s area
Primary sensory cortex
Broca’s Area
Angular Gyrus

Primary sensory cortex

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Spatial summation increasing signal strength is transmitted by using progressively greater numbers of fiber. True False

True

In the neuronal pool, which of the following terms refers to all the output fibers that are stimulated by an incoming fiber? Facilitated zone Inhibition zone Discharge zone Converging zone

Discharge Zone

The Pacinian corpuscle is a specialized pressure receptor built around the axon of a sensory neuron. Local potentials are created when layers around the sensory nerve ending are deformed as a result of the application of pressure to the skin. Where in the transmission pathway are these local potentials converted to an axon potential? Axon hillock Cell body of the neuron First Node of Ranvier Within the capsule surrounding the end of the neuron

First Node of Ranvier

Which of the following nerve actions would be least affected in an individual with Arnold Chiari defect? Hearing Movement of the tongue Movement of eye upward Facial expression

Movement of eye upward

Many drugs are known to increase the excitability of neurons reducing the threshold for excitation of the neuron, while others are known to decrease excitability. Which of the following is one of the best known agents for increasing excitability by inhibiting the action of some normally inhibitory transmitter substances? Caffeine Theophylline Theobromine Strychnine

Strychnine

Which of the following functions as the major area for language comprehension? Broca’s area Medial geniculate nucleus Thalamus Wernicke’s area

Wernicke’s area

Neurons in the cerebral cortex are generally grouped into several classes. Which of the following class of neurons is characterized by short axons and functions as interneurons, utilizing either glutamate (excitatory) or GABA (inhibitory) as their neurotransmitter? Purkinje Cells Granular Cells Fusiform Cells Pyramidal Cells

Granular Cells

Which of the following characteristics would be true of tonic receptors but not phasic receptors? Slow adapting Do not transmit a continuous signal Stimulated only when stimulus strength changes Transmit information regarding rate of change

Slow adapting

Which of the following characteristics refers to the specificity of nerve fibers for transmitting only one modality of sensation? Differential sensitivity Modality Labeled line principle Adaptability threshold

Labeled line principle

In addition to the stimuli that elicit fast pain, slow pain can also be elicited by which of the following kinds of stimuli? Mechanical Thermal Pressure Chemical

Chemical

Which of the following characterizes fast pain? It begins about 1 second after the stimulus is applied It is carried by alpha-delta fibers It can be elicited by mechanical, thermal and chemical stimuli Fibers carrying fast pain terminate in the substantia gelatinosa

It is carried by alpha-delta fibers

Thermain sensations are carried in pathways that parallel which of the following pathways? Pain 2-point sensation Vibration Crude Touch

Pain

The cerebral cortex has been mapped and divided into specific areas known as Brodmann’s areas. The sensory cortex is associated with which of the following Brodmann’s Areas? 1,2,3 4 7A, 40 44

1,2,3 (“1,2,3..can’t hurt me”)

Lesions (damage) to which of the following pathways would affect the transmission of temperature stimuli? ``` Lateral spinothalamic pathways Anterior spinothalamic pathway Dorsal column pathways Fasciculus cuneatus pathway Fasciculus gracilis pathway ```

Lateral spinothalamic pathways

Although a small number of fibers in the slow-chronic paleospinothalamic pathways pass all the way to the thalamus, most fibers terminate in which of the following areas? Somatosensory cortex Basal nuclei Reticular formation Ventrobasal nuclei

Reticular formation

Which of the following is one of the major components of analgesia system? Periaqueductal gray Locus coeruleus Nucleus ruber Thalamus

Periaqueductal gray

Which of the following is NOT one of the major components of the analgesia system? Periaqueductal gray Raphe magnus nucleus Nuclear Ruber All of the above are components of the analgesia system

Nuclear Ruber

In typical sensory pathways, decussation occurs at what level? Primary (first order) neurons Secondary (second order neurons) Teritaly (third order neurons None of the above

Secondary (second order neurons)

In typical sensory pathways, tertiary (third order) neurons typically terminate in which of the following areas? Somatosensory cortex Reticular formation Basal nuclei Thalamus

Somatosensory cortex

Critical types of tactile signals, such as two-point discrimination, are transmitted through which of the following? Dorsal column-medial lemniscal pathway Spinoreticular pathway Pyramidal pathway Spinothalamic Pathway

Dorsal column-medial lemniscal pathway

In the slow-chronic paleospinothalamic pathways a small number of fibers pass all the way to the thalamus, but most fibers terminate where? In the somatosensory cortex In the basal nuclei In the reticular formation In the ventrobasal nuclei

In the reticular formation

Which of the following is NOT characteristic of the Brown-Sequard syndrome? All motor functions are blocked on the side of the trassection below the level of transection Sensations of pain, heat and cold are lost on the side of the transection below the level of transection Two-point discrimination sensations are lost on the side of the transection below the level of transection All the above are characteristics of the Brown-sequard syndrome

Sensations of pain, heat and cold are lost on the side of the transection below the level of transection

Which of the following pathways carries conscious perception rather than unconscious perception? Medial lemniscal Spinocerebellar Spino-olivary Spinotectal

Medial lemniscal

Which of the following areas is almost completely insensitive to visceral pain? Ureter Bile Duct Liver Parenchyma Parietal Pleura

Liver Parenchyma

The total refractive power of the human eye is about which of the following? 10 diopters 25 diopters 40 diopters 60 diopters

60 diopters

Which of the following is a measure of how much a lens bends light waves and is equal to 1 meter divided by the focal length of the lens? Refractive index Visual acuity Refractive power Depth of focus

Refractive power

What is the maximum visual acuity of the human eye for a two-point source of light? 1 nm 2 micrometer 10 millimeter 20 cm

2 micrometer

An eyeball that is too short will cause the light rays coming from distant objects to be focused behind the retina. This condition is referred to as which of the following? (Check the other terms) ``` Emmetropia Hyperopia Myopia Astigmatism Presbyropia ```

Presbyropia

An eyeball that is too long will cause the light rays coming from distant objects to be focused in front of the retina. This condition is referred to as which of the following? ``` Emmetropia Hyperopia Myopia Astigmatism Presbyropia ```

Myopia

Which of the following is a characteristic of myopia? Ciliary muscles are contracted All distant objects can be seen clearly The lens system is too weak The eyeball is too long

The eyeball is too long

The impingement of photos on a rod cell in the retina will cause rhodopsin to dissociate into which of the following? ``` Scotopsin and 11-cis retinal Scotopsin and 11-cis retinal Scotopsin metarhodopsin Scotopsin and all-trans retinal Iodopsin and 11-cis retinal ```

Scotopsin and all-trans retinal

Which of the following statements regarding ion flow through trod membranes in the dark is FALSE? The outer rod segment is leaky to sodium ions The inner rod segment continually pumps sodium ions to the outside The inner rod segment is leaky to potassium ions cGMP gated channels are open in the outer rod segment The inside of the rod membrane has a potential of -70 mV

The inside of the rod membrane has a potential of -70 mV

In the rods, cGMP sodium gates are closed when phosphodiesterase is activated by which of the following? ``` Transducin Metarhodopsin Scotopsin 11-cis retinal All-trans retinal ```

Transducin

How much of the signal is allowed to pass to the visual cortex (gating control) is determined by which of the following? ``` Amacrine cells Ganglion cells Lateral geniculate nucleus Interplexiform cells Color blobs in the visual cortex ```

Lateral geniculate nucleus

Transmission pathways in the foveal region of the retina can be grouped into two different categories: 3-neuron and 4-neuron. Both types of pathways share the same types of neurons. The 4-neuron pathway differs from the 3-neuron pathway because it also utilized which of the following types of neurons? Cones Bipolar cells Ganglion Cells Amacrine cells

Amacrine cells

Which of the following is a characteristic of “X’ ganglion cells? The have the smallest axon diameter of all the ganglion cells They have broad fields in the peripheral retina They make up approximately 5% of all the ganglion cells They are probably responsible for all color vision

They are probably responsible for all color vision

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of layers III-VI of the lateral geniculate nucleus? They constitute the magnocellular region of the lateral geniculate nucleus They are associated with accurate point-to-point transmission Almost all their input is via X type ganglion cells They transmit color

They constitute the magnocellular region of the lateral geniculate nucleus

Which of the following cell types respond to rapid changes in the visual image? ``` Bipolar cells Amacrine cells X type ganglion cells Y type ganglion cells Z type ganglion cells ```

Y type ganglion cells

Axons on which of the following cells make up the optic nerve? ``` Bipolar cells Amacrine cells Interplexiform cells Ganglion cells Rod and Cone cells ```

Ganglion cells

Sensory information entering the central nervous system typically decussates (crosses over) at some point in the spinal cord or brain. For visual information, the decussation occurs in the optic chiasma. How much decussation occurs in the optic chiasma? 25% 50% 75% 100%

50%

In children the refractive power of the lens can be voluntarily increased from 20 to 34 diopters (an accommodation of 14 diopters). In a person fo 70 years of age, accommodation is reduced to which of the following levels? 0 15 20 27

The primary visual cortex is made up of how many layers? 4 6 8 12

Which of the following principles states that the nervous system detects sound frequencies by determination positions along the basilar membrane that are most stimulated? Attenuation reflex Impedance matching Principle of Corti Place Principle

Place Principle

Which of the following descriptions best describes the hair fibers arranged along the basilar membrane form the oval window to the apex of the cochlea? Length of fibers increases from the oval window to the apex and diameter of the fibers decreases from the oval window to the apex Length of fibers decreases from the oval window to the apex and diameter of the fibers increases form the oval window to the apex Both length and diameter of the fibers increases from the oval window to the apex Both length and diameter of the fibers decreases from the oval window to the apex

Length of fibers increases from the oval window to the apex and diameter of the fibers decreases from the oval window to the apex

The endocochlear potential of +80 mV is largely due to which of the following factors? High concentration of potassium in the endolymph High concentration of sodium in the endolymph High concentration of potassium in the perilymph Low concentration of sodium in the perilymph

High concentration of potassium in the endolymph

The tensor tympani and stapedius muscles attach to the malleus and stapedius respectfully. Which of the following represents the function of these two muscles? Attenuation reflex Impedance matching Creation of “traveling wave” Creation of endocochlear potential

Attenuation reflex → dampen the movement of the malleus and stapedius so you can ignore your own voice when you’re talking

Which is the correct conduction pathway sequence in the middle ear? Tympanic membrane → Malleus → Incus → Stapes → Oval window Tympanic Membrane → Malleus → Incus → Stapes → Round window Tympanic membrane → Malleus → Stapes → Incus → Round Window Tympanic membrane → Incus→ Malleus → Stapes → Oval window

Tympanic membrane → Malleus → Incus → Stapes → Oval window

Reissner's membrane seperate which of the following pairs of chambers? Scala Tympani/Scala Media Scala Vestibuli/Scala Media Scala tympani/scala vestibuli None of the above

Scala Vestibuli/Scala Media

Which of the following separates the scala media from the scala vestibuli, thereby maintaining a special fluid within the scala media? Tectorial Membrane Reissner’s Membrane Stria vascularis Organ of Corti

Reissner’s Membrane

Collaterals from the auditory tracts activate the entire nervous system in response to loud noises. Where would you expect these collateral to terminate? Cerebral Cortex Thalamus Red Nucleus Reticular Activating System

Reticular Activating System

Decussation of the auditory pathways occurs in all of the places listed below except? Trapezoid body Lateral lemniscal nuclei Commissure connecting the inferior colliculi Thalamus

Thalamus

Stereocilia (hairs) of the auditory hair cells are embedded in which of the following? Reissner’s Membrane Basilar Membrane Tectorial Membrane Reticular Lamina

Tectorial Membrane

Which of the following sequences represents the correct order of structure involved in the pathway for the transmission of auditory information? Dorsal Ventral cochlear nuclei; Superior olivary nucleus; Medial Geniculate nucleus (thalamus); Auditory cortex Lateral Lemniscus’ nucleus; Superior olivary nucleus; Dorsal and ventral cochlear nuclei; Auditory cortex Medial geniculate nucleus; lateral leniscus’s nucleus; Superior olivary nucleus; Dorsal and ventral cochlear nuclei Dorsal and ventral cochlear nuclei; superior olivary nucleus; auditory cortex; medial geniculate nucleus (thalamus)

Dorsal Ventral cochlear nuclei; Superior olivary nucleus; Medial Geniculate nucleus (thalamus); Auditory cortex