Nervous System

Question 1

Describe the resting membrane potential and explain the specific roles/contributions of
the following factors to the RMP: Na+/K+ ATPase, electrochemical gradient, Na+ and K+
leak channels

Question 2

Define the equilibrium potential for a given ion and explain how it influences the RMP.

Question 3

Detail the mechanism of action potential.

Question 3

Compare and contrast the properties/characteristics of graded potentials and action
potentials.

Question 4

Describe the mechanisms of absolute and relative refractory periods for action
potentials

Question 5

Detail the mechanism of neurotransmitter release (from a typical neuron)

Question 6

Explain how a postsynaptic neuron can be excited or inhibited by a presynaptic neuron,
and how a postsynaptic neuron can integrate multiple synaptic inputs.

Question 7

Provide examples of how synaptic transmission can be modulated endogenously, and by
drugs/disease

Question 8

Explain how sensory stimuli are detected and transduced by sensory receptors, and how
sensory information is transmitted to the CNS

Question 9

Using the example of pain, explain how sensory information in ascending pathways can
be modified

Question 10

Describe how the properties of a stimulus (duration, modality, intensity and location) are
coded, and illustrate how the size and density of receptive fields relate to the acuity with
which a stimulus can be localized

Question 11

Distinguish between a sensation and a perception (list the factors that affect perception),
and explain the phenomena of referred pain and phantom limb

Question 12

Outline the characteristics of efferent (somatic and autonomic) neurons.

Question 13

Distinguish how sympathetic and parasympathetic fibers innervate effectors

Question 14

Differentiate the characteristics of sympathetic and parasympathetic responses.