PRACTICE QUESTIONS from quiz and exam

Question 1

Which of the following would be expected to inhibit the generation of an action potential?

Answer 1

Stimulating GABA receptors

Question 2

TRUE OR FALSE

At rest a neuron will have a negative membrane potential, due to it having more open K+ channels than Na+ channels

Answer 2

TRUE

Question 3

Glial cells:

Answer 3

include oligodendrocytes which form myelin

Question 4

TRUE OR FALSE

The nervous system directs activities that continue for extended periods, such as growth and pregnancy.

Answer 4

FALSE

Question 5

Sensory neurons travelling in a cranial nerve would be part of the __________ division of the __________.

Answer 5

afferent, PNS

Question 6

Opening of sodium channels in the membrane of a neuron results in:

Answer 6

depolarisation.

Question 7

What is a positive Babinski sign

Answer 7

A positive Babinski sign in an adult indicates damage to descending motor tracts or higher centres that normally provide inhibition to spinal reflexes.

Question 8

Proprioceptors:

Answer 8

monitor the positions of joints and muscles.

Question 9

Which cranial nerve is important for some eye movements, pupillary constriction and eyelid raising?

Answer 9

Oculomotor (III)

Question 10

A 30 year-old man sought medical help because his hearing seemed to be deteriorating and he was having a problem with tinnitus. The doctor found significant hearing loss in his right ear. Further investigations showed a tumour growing on a nerve. Which nerve would the tumour have to be on to produce the effects described?

Answer 10

Cranial nerve VIII

Question 11

Jason is experiencing spastic paralysis in his left arm. This could be explained by:

Answer 11

a lesion in the upper motor neurons on his right side above the medulla

Question 12

Lucinda has shingles. The painful eruptions are around her body in a band at around the level of her belly button (umbilicus). What is the infectious agent, and what spinal nerve is affected in Lucinda’s case?

Answer 12

Herpes zoster, T10

Question 13

Which part of the cerebral cortex is involved in intellect, cognition, recall, and personality?

Answer 13

prefrontal cortex

Question 14

Francess often gets frustrated as she has difficulty communicating. She understands what is asked and therefore has no damage within her ________ ________, but has difficulty forming sentences due to a lesion in her ________ _______.

Answer 14

Wernicke’s area; Broca’s area

Question 15

Mike has a biking accident and injures his back. He cannot feel pin pricks in his left foot, but can feel them in his right foot, both arms and thorax. There appear to be no problems with the motor function in any of his limbs. The physician tells Mike that he thinks these symptoms are being caused by compression of a portion of the spinal cord. Where is the problem likely to be located?

Answer 15

the right spinothalamic tract at the L2 level

Question 16

A woman is brought into the emergency room after an accident. Preliminary testing caused the medical staff to suspect damage to the left lumbar nerves. Which of these findings would be consistent with this diagnosis?

Answer 16

Hyporeflexia in the left leg