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Neuroscience > Exam 4: Questions from previous exams > Flashcards

Exam 4: Questions from previous exams Flashcards

1
Q

Where is the occipital lobe?

A

Posterior cerebral cortex

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2
Q

The two hemispheres of the brain are separated by what?

A

Interhemispheric fissure

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3
Q

In the peripheral nervous system, groups of neuronal somata are called ________, and bundles of axons are called _________.

A

ganglia, nerves

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4
Q

What is the primary function of myelin?

A

increases the conduction velocity of action potentials

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5
Q

Motor neurons that send their axons out of the central nervous system and connect to muscles develop from cells in what region of the embryonic neural tube?

A

basal plate

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6
Q

The dorsal root (spinal) ganglia, part of the peripheral nervous system, develop from what embryonic cell group?

A

neural crest

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7
Q

Failure of the caudal (tail) end of the neural tube to close completely in the embryo will result in a condition in the infant called…

A

spina bifida

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8
Q

Which of the primary germ layers gives rise to the nervous system in development?

A

ectoderm

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9
Q

The lateral ventricles derive from which secondary neural vesicle?

A

telencephalon

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10
Q

Cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) in the subarachnoid space normally drains into the ….

A

dural venous sinuses

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11
Q

Which layer of the meninges is tightly adherent to the surface of the brain?

A

pia mater

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12
Q

What structure produces most of the cerebrospinal fluid?

A

Choroid plexus

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13
Q

Blood from the brain leaves the skull mainly via what pair of veins?

A

internal juglar veins

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14
Q

What effect will increased CO2 have on blood circulation to the brain?

A

Vasodilation

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15
Q

In a normal healthy person, approximately what percentage of the blood flow is to the brain?

A

20%

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16
Q

Blood to the brain enters the skull mainly via what arteries?

A

Internal carotid arteries and vertebral arteries

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17
Q

Synthesis of mRNA from DNA in the nucleus is a process called…

A

Transcription

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18
Q

Which of the following is true regarding Schwann cells?

A

They myelinate axons in peripheral nerves.

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19
Q

How many chromosomes do humans normally have?

A

22 pairs plus two sex chromosomes

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20
Q

What happens during translation regarding protein synthesis?

A

Proteins are synthesized by linking together amino acids in a specific sequence.

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21
Q

An axon with which of the following characteristics would be expected to have the fastest conduction velocity?

A

5μm diameter, myelinated

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22
Q

why do neurons have the refractory period?

A

Ensures that the action potential is only propagated in one direction

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23
Q

Action potentials are due mainly to what?

A

Sodium channels opening when a cell becomes sufficiently depolarized.

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24
Q

Activation of excitatory synapses is likely to have what effect on a neuron?

A

The neuron will initially depolarize

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25
Q

SNARE proteins on synaptic vesicles are activated by…

A

Ca++

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26
Q

After the neurotransmitter glutamate is released, it typically …

A

is recycled through astrocytes back to the presynaptic terminal.

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27
Q

In humans, which of the following neurotransmitters is released by motor neurons to initiate contraction of muscles?

A

acetylcholine

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28
Q

Metabotropic receptors, when activated by an appropriate neurotransmitter, will…

A

activate an enzyme cascade inside the neuron that leads to opening or closing of nearby ion channels.

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29
Q

Which tract in the spinal cord carries pain information to the brain?

A

spinothalamic

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30
Q

Where in the vertebral column does the spinal cord end in the adult?

A

Upper lumbar

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31
Q

What level of the spinal cord has the most white matter?

A

cervical

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32
Q

Where do axons of the spinocerebellar tract synapse?

A

cerebellum

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33
Q

list brain structures in the correct rostral-to-caudal order?
- spinal cord, medulla, cerebellar vermis, thalamus, frontal lobe
- spinal cord, cerebellar vermis, medulla, thalamus, frontal lobe
- frontal lobe, thalamus, cerebellar vermis, medulla, spinal cord
- frontal lobe, medulla, thalamus, cerebellar vermis, spinal cord

A

frontal lobe, thalamus, cerebellar vermis, medulla, spinal cord

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34
Q

what diencephalon structure cannot be seen in a ventral view of the human brain?

A

thalamus

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35
Q

What artery supplies much of the lateral surface of the cerebral cortex?

A

middle cerebral artery

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36
Q

The olive and inferior olivary nucleus are major landmarks for what part of the central nervous system?

A

Upper medulla

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37
Q

The fourth ventricle is on the dorsal surface of what part of the brain?

A

pons and medulla

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38
Q

The superior colliculus is on the ____ surface of the ____

A

dorsal surface of the midbrain

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39
Q

To which layer(s) of neocortex does the thalamus project?

A

Layer IV

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40
Q

What is the function of the thalamic reticular nucleus?

A

It inhibits the output of other thalamic nuclei to the cerebral cortex.

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41
Q

What layer of myelinated axons divides the thalamus into medial, lateral, and anterior regions?

A

Internal medullary lamina

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42
Q

Axons from thalamus project to the cerebral cortex via what major bundle of axons?

A

internal capsule

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43
Q

Which cranial nerve carries somatosensory information from most of the face?

A

Trigeminal

44
Q

Which of the following cranial nerves is most important for pointing your eyes at the text when you are reading?
- Facial
- Trochlear
- Vagus
- Accessory
- Hypoglossal

A

Trochlear

45
Q

What is the only cranial nerve that exits from the dorsal surface of the brainstem?

A

Trochlear (CN IV)

46
Q

What happens when photoreceptors are exposed to light?

A

They hyperpolarize

47
Q

The ciliary muscle in the eye is important for what function?

A

adjusting the diameter of the pupil

48
Q

The axons from retinal ganglion cells on the nasal (nose) side of the left retina …

A

synapse in the right lateral geniculate nucleus

49
Q

What part of the retina is specialized for high acuity vision?

A

fovea

50
Q

Cutting the right optic tract would be expected to result in

A

Loss of the left half of one’s visual field

51
Q

The main nucleus in the thalamus for relaying visual information to primary visual cortex receives axons of retinal ganglion cells. Which of the following best describes this input?

A

The input to the thalamus on one side of the brain comes from both eyes, but the axons from the two eyes are segregated into separate layers in the nucleus

52
Q

Which of the following nuclei is particularly important for the pupillary light reflex?

A

pretectal nucleus

53
Q

Vision is processed in the cortex in two main streams. Which of the following statement best describes the ventral stream from primary visual cortex?

A

It projects to temporal lobe for recognition of objects and faces

54
Q

Which of the following accurately describes Piezo2?

A

It can form a channel through which ions pass, causing the cell to depolarize.

55
Q

Axons in the right dorsal column of the spinal cord carry primarily what information?

A

proprioception and touch information from the right side of the body

56
Q

Sensory neurons associated with muscle spindles are activated by what?

A

Stretch of the muscle

57
Q

Where is the cell body (soma) of a primary afferent neuron sensing pain in the skin of the leg?

A

Dorsal root (spinal) ganglion

58
Q

Which of the following describes pain that outlasts healing?

A

Chronic pain

59
Q

what is true regarding the dorsal column pathway and spinothalamic pathway?

A

Information relayed by these two pathways is carried to the same cortical region.

60
Q

Stimulation of the periaqueductal gray results in…

A

analgesia

61
Q

Sound is conducted through the middle ear by vibration of several structures. What is the correct sequence of these structures from the external ear to the inner ear?

A

tympanic membrane – three bones – oval window

62
Q

The sensory apparatus in the semicircular canals are most sensitive to what?

A

Rotation

63
Q

The primary auditory cortex, which is important for the conscious perception of sound, is in what lobe of the brain?

A

Temporal lobe

64
Q

Suppose a tone with a frequency of 220 hz. resonates 2 mm from the apex of the cochlea. A tone with a frequency of 440 hz resonates 5 mm from the apex of the cochlea. Roughly where will a tone with a frequency of 880 hz resonate?

A

8 mm from the apex of the cochlea

65
Q

How many odorant receptors are expressed by one olfactory primary afferent neuron?

A

1

66
Q

Where do axons of olfactory receptor neurons synapse?

A

olfactory bulb

67
Q

T2-type taste receptors are involved with sensing which of the following tastes?

A

Bitter

68
Q

Which taste(s) are innately aversive to humans?

A
  • bitter
  • sour
69
Q

what histological staining methods is most helpful for visualizing dendritic spines?

A

Golgi

70
Q

Which of the following statements is TRUE about action potentials?
- The repolarization phase is eliminated if voltage-gated potassium channels are blocked.
- The depolarization phase requires voltage-gated potassium channels.
- Potassium ions enter the cell when the voltage-gated potassium channels open.
- Sodium ions enter the cell when the voltage-gated sodium channels open.
- The membrane potential becomes negative at the peak of the action potential.

A

Sodium ions enter the cell when the voltage-gated sodium channels open.

71
Q

Tetrodotoxin (TTX) is a compound that blocks the action of voltage-gated sodium channels. What would be the effect of applying TTX to neurons?

A

It would be more difficult to generate an action potential.

72
Q

The resting membrane potential of a cell is closest to the equilibrium potential of which ion?

A

potassium

73
Q

Unilateral damage to motor cortex leads to paralysis mainly on the ____ side of the body. Unilateral damage to the spinal cord leads to paralysis mainly on the ____ side of the body.

A

contralateral, ipsilateral

74
Q

Where can lower motor neurons be found?

A

ventral horn of the spinal cord

75
Q

What neurotransmitter is released at neuromuscular junctions to initiate muscle contraction?

A

acetylcholine

76
Q

Each muscle fiber is targeted by how many neuromuscular junctions?

A

1

77
Q

The major input to the striatum is from …

A

cerebral cortex

78
Q

Which axon tract divides the striatum?

A

internal capsule

79
Q

Which of the following nuclei is NOT part of the striatum?
- caudate nucleus
- nucleus accumbens
- globus pallidus
- putamen

A

globus pallidus

80
Q

Degeneration of neurons in what results in Parkinson’s disease?

A

substantia nigra

81
Q

What is a major direct input to Purkinje cells? Axons from …

A

cerebellar granule cells

82
Q

In most regions of the cerebellum, Purkinje cells send axons to the …

A

a deep cerebellar nucleus.

83
Q

Parallel fibers originate from what?

A

Granule cells

84
Q

what is a major source of axons that leave the cerebellum (i.e. output of the cerebellum)?

A

Deep cerebellar nuclei

85
Q

What is TRUE about the effects of the brain on locomotion?

A

Descending glutamatergic pathways are required to initiate walking.

86
Q

Golgi tendon organs relay information via ____ fibers about ____.

A

Ib, weight bearing

87
Q

what is TRUE regarding the central pattern generator (CPG) for walking?

A

The CPG includes inhibitory interneurons whose axons cross the midline of the spinal cord.

88
Q

Typically, while walking, activation of the motor neurons for extensor muscles in one leg will roughly coincide with…

A

inhibition of the motor neurons for flexor muscles in the same leg.

89
Q

Which eye movements do you make when you are reading?

A

fixation followed by a saccade

90
Q

Which type of movement is most essential for reading a street sign when you are walking down the street?

A

Vestibulo-ocular reflex

91
Q

Which cranial nerve directly innervates the medial rectus muscle?

A

oculomotor (CN III)

92
Q

If you want to look to the left, which extraocular muscles must contract?

A

lateral rectus muscle of the left eye and medial rectus muscle of the right eye

93
Q

Urbach-Wiethe disease, which results in the bilateral loss of the amygdala, leads to…

A

decreased feelings of fear.

94
Q

Septal lesions can cause which of the following?

A

Enhanced aggression

95
Q

what is a symptom of Korsakoff’s syndrome?

A

confabulation

96
Q

In the Papez circuit, neurons in the mammillary bodies receive input directly from the ____ and then project their axons to the ____

A

hippocampus via the fornix, anterior nucleus of the thalamus

97
Q

Which of the following are characteristics of hypothalamic control of anterior pituitary function?

A

Hypothalamic releasing hormones are transported to the anterior pituitary via a portal vein.

98
Q

The hypothalamus appears to regulate feeding. Which of the following statements regarding feeding is TRUE?
- Ghrelin is a hormone produced by white fat cells that creates the sensation of fullness.
- Ghrelin, leptin and orexin are synthesized by the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus.
- Leptin is a hormone synthesized by the stomach that creates a sensation of hunger.
- Orexin is a hormone synthesized by white fat cells that creates the sensation of hunger.
- Stomach filling inhibits release of ghrelin.

A

Stomach filling inhibits release of ghrelin

99
Q

A blow to the head that completely severs the pituitary stalk most likely would result in …

A

loss of the milk-ejection reflex

100
Q

What part of the hypothalamus contains neurons that are directly activated by INCREASED body temperature?

A

Preoptic nucleus

101
Q

Neurons that are part of the enteric nervous system are in the …

A

intestine

102
Q

If a person’s blood pressure was too high, you might consider giving them a drug to block signaling by what neurotransmitter?

A

norepinephrine

103
Q

Which of the following is a characteristic of the sympathetic nervous system?

A

Preganglionic neurons are in the thoracic spinal cord.

104
Q

Preganglionic parasympathetic axons for control of the heart, lungs and a portion of the gut run in the …

A

vagus nerve (CN X).

105
Q

During the two-point discrimination test, the mean distance at which students could reliably discern whether they were probed by one or two pins was 2mm on the index finger and 20mm on the forehead. The p value comparing these two regions was 0.03, with significance defined as 0.05. Which of the following statements is true?
- Density of sensory receptors in the skin of the index finger is higher than that of the sensory receptors in the skin of the forehead.
- The sensory receptors in the skin of the forehead are significantly less sensitive to pain compared to those on the skin of the index finger.
- The sensory receptors in the forehead have a lower resting membrane potential and therefore they are less sensitive.
- There was no statistically significant difference between the discrimination of the index finger and the forehead.

A

Density of sensory receptors in the skin of the index finger is higher than that of the sensory receptors in the skin of the forehead.

106
Q

What structure is responsible for the blind spot?

A

Optic nerve head

107
Q

Where is the first synapse for touch and proprioceptive information from the leg?

A

Nucleus gracilus

Neuroscience (18 decks)

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