Nervous System A&P Practice Test

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• Which division of the autonomic nervous system is commonly referred to as "fight or flight"?
• Which of the following parts of the nervous system aids in maintaining homeostasis by regulating visceral activities?
• What type of tracts are responsible for sending impulses to the brain?
• Name two major excitatory and two major inhibitory neurotransmitters in the CNS.
• What substance circulates around the brain and spinal cord, supports and protects, and aids in maintaining stable ionic concentration in the CNS?
• What is the organ of Corti and where is it located?
• Which ascending tract carries fine touch, vibration, and proprioception?
• Which nerve is not involved in controlling facial movements?
• How are the spinal cord's gray and white matter organized and where are motor vs sensory neurons located?
• Name two photoreceptors that mediate vision and their functional differences.
• Which brain structure acts as a major relay for somatosensory information and contributes to pain modulation?
• What is the parasympathetic neurotransmitter at target organs and the common receptor type?
• Which cranial nerve is responsible for controlling the majority of eyeball muscles?
• What is the role of the lateral geniculate nucleus in the visual pathway?
• Which of the following do NOT transmit impulses and instead perform support functions in the nervous system?
• Which cranial nerve is primarily associated with sensations of taste at the back of the tongue?
• What is required for nerve impulses to be transmitted?
• Which lobe of the brain is involved with sensory functions such as interpreting pain and temperature?
• What is the innermost layer of the meninges that is thin and transparent?
• What are the main roles of the thalamus and hypothalamus?
• Which statement best contrasts CNS oligodendrocyte myelination with PNS Schwann cell myelination?
• What best describes the process in which impulses pass from dendrites to the cell body to the axon?
• Which is the outermost layer of the protective covering for the brain?
• Which layer of the meninges is described as thin and net-like?
• What type of cells provide support and protection to neurons?
• What is the typical resting membrane potential of a neuron and what maintains it?
• Which neurotransmitter is known for its role in mood regulation?
• Which mechanism best describes how metabotropic receptors produce slower, longer-lasting effects?
• Through which nerve is posterior tongue taste conveyed?
• Which part of the brain is responsible for vital centers, including the cardiac center?
• What are chemicals called that facilitate impulse transmission between neurons?
• What are watershed areas and why are they clinically important?
• The prosencephalon develops into which adult brain structures?
• Which cranial nerve is responsible for taste and aid in swallowing?
• Which structure carries signals from dendrites to the synapse?
• What structure contains two respiratory centers that assist the medulla?
• Name the cranial nerves primarily responsible for eye movements and their general roles.
• How many thoracic nerves are present in the human body?
• Differentiate ionotropic and metabotropic receptors.
• Which part of the brain is responsible for monitoring sensory stimuli and associating sensations with emotions?
• What term describes a group of axons and/or dendrites of many neurons, along with blood vessels, surrounded by connective tissue?
• What comprises the blood-brain barrier and its primary function?
• What is the primary function of myelin sheaths on axons?
• Which statement about Wallerian degeneration is true?
• The basilar artery is formed by the fusion of which vessels and provides input to which parts of the brain?
• What is the role of the pons in the brain?
• What is the primary role of the occipital lobe?
• What is Wallerian degeneration and when does it occur?
• Which structure regulates initiation and control of movement, with dopamine modulating direct and indirect pathways?
• What effect does the end-plate potential have on the muscle fiber?
• What is the main composition of the spinal nerves?
• What brain structure is involved in coordination and balance?
• In the sympathetic nervous system, which of the following describes sweat gland innervation?
• Which part of the brain is responsible for controlling visual and auditory reflexes?
• Which term refers to groups of neurons that are myelinated and located within the central nervous system?
• Which statement regarding graded potentials is correct?
• Which ion entry triggers neurotransmitter release at the presynaptic terminal?
• What type of information is primarily processed by the frontal lobe?
• What underlies saltatory conduction in myelinated axons?
• What are the ridges in the cerebrum called?
• Which glial cells myelinate axons in the CNS and in the PNS respectively?
• What type of neurons transmit impulses away from the central nervous system (CNS)?
• What is the function of the Abducens (VI) nerve?
• The Trochlear (IV) nerve is primarily responsible for which action?
• What do descending tracts in the nervous system primarily affect?
• Where is cerebrospinal fluid produced and how is it reabsorbed?
• What describes an automatic, unconscious response to a stimulus?
• How many pairs of spinal nerves are present in the human body?
• What is the main function of the parietal lobe?
• What is the cerebellum's primary function?
• Which type of nerve conducts impulses between the brain and the head, neck, thorax, and abdomen?
• Which statement about generator potentials is accurate?
• Which cranial nerve is involved in controlling the muscles of the tongue?
• What is a monosynaptic reflex and give an example.
• Which of the following is NOT one of the four primary neurotransmitters?
• Which thalamic nuclei are primarily involved in somatosensory relay and modulation of pain?
• Which nerve provides the majority of parasympathetic innervation to the thorax and abdomen?
• Which type of receptor mediates fast synaptic signaling at many CNS synapses?
• Which neurons primarily conduct impulses between sensory and motor nerves within the brain or spinal cord?
• What is the motor endplate and which receptor type is present there?
• What is the basic autonomic effect of the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions on heart rate?
• What is the primary role of neuroglia?
• Which part of the brain is the largest and divided into left and right hemispheres?
• What do the four cavities within the brain contain?
• The basic structural unit of the nervous system is known as?
• Which type of neuron carries information from sensory receptors to the central nervous system?
• The myelin sheath in the CNS is formed by which type of cells?
• Differentiate axonotmesis and neurotmesis in peripheral nerve injury and typical prognosis.
• Which structure hosts high densities of voltage-gated Na+ channels to restart the action potential in myelinated axons?
• What is the function of an axon in a neuron?
• What is the name given to the cranial nerve responsible for the sense of smell?
• Which area of the brain is associated with auditory functions?
• Name two major ascending sensory tracts and the modalities they carry.
• Which is a correct pairing of brainstem region with a key function?
• Which glial cells myelinate axons in the peripheral nervous system?
• Which of the following best describes the typical signs of upper motor neuron lesions compared with lower motor neuron lesions?
• Which division of the autonomic nervous system dominates under normal, everyday conditions?
• The sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system is primarily responsible for which of the following?
• The depolarization phase of an action potential is primarily caused by opening of which channels?
• Which neuron type is primarily involved in the function of the parasympathetic nervous system?
• What are the two divisions of the autonomic nervous system (ANS)?
• Which part of the brain contains the medulla, pons, and midbrain?
• What is considered the simplest type of nerve response?
• Which nerve has three branches that supply the cornea, upper face, ear, and muscles for chewing?
• At a chemical synapse, what sequence leads from presynaptic action potential to neurotransmitter release?
• How are neurotransmitters cleared from the synaptic cleft?
• Which arteries form the Circle of Willis and how are they connected?
• Which cranial nerve supplies muscles for taste and has functions in the middle ear?
• Which brain lobe is primarily involved in planning and decision-making?
• Which brain region is primarily involved in coordination of balance and motor learning?
• Which cranial nerve plays a vital role in the functions of hunger and heart rate control?
• Which cranial nerve is responsible for the ability to chew and has sensory functions for the face?
• What is the primary function of the cerebellum?
• Which structures comprise the limbic system and what are their primary roles?
• Which nerve carries efferent parasympathetic fibers to the sphincter pupillae?
• What type of neurons are responsible for carrying impulses away from the CNS?
• What is the difference between absolute and relative refractory periods?
• What major division of the nervous system includes the brain and spinal cord?
• What is the primary function of spinal nerves?
• Which layer of the meninges is closest to the brain?
• Which nerves and pathway are involved in the pupillary light reflex?
• Acetylcholine is primarily involved in what type of signaling?
• What is the function of the Nodes of Ranvier in nerve cells?
• What is the primary function of the Vagus (X) nerve?
• What functions does the hypothalamus perform?
• Which type of neurons transmit impulses to the CNS from all parts of the body?
• Which function is NOT associated with the hypothalamus?
• From which anatomical point does the spinal cord extend down to?
• Which cranial nerve controls muscles in the neck and upper back?
• Which structure is not part of the brain stem?
• Which neurotransmitter and receptor system is primarily involved in excitotoxicity and synaptic plasticity?
• What type of cells are primarily responsible for transmitting impulses in the nervous system?
• What is the effect of excitatory neurotransmitters on a postsynaptic neuron?
• What does neurovascular coupling describe in the brain?
• Which statement correctly lists the meninges from outermost to innermost and the spaces between them?
• Which neurotransmitter is associated with the "fight or flight" response?
• Which part of the nervous system is responsible for involuntary control of smooth muscles and glands?
• Which statement best describes neurotmesis prognosis after peripheral nerve injury?
• What key role does cerebrospinal fluid play in the central nervous system?
• What receptors and receptor subtypes mediate sympathetic nervous system effects on the heart and vasculature?
• What structure of a neuron receives impulses from other neurons?
• What happens to a nerve impulse at the synapse?
• During depolarization, what ion primarily enters the neuron?
• Name two major descending motor tracts and their general roles.
• What is found at the terminal end of the axon and is responsible for releasing neurotransmitters?
• What is the role of neuroglia in the nervous system?
• In the sympathetic nervous system, what neurotransmitters are released by preganglionic and postganglionic neurons, and what receptors do they activate?
• Name the three brainstem regions and give one key function for each.
• What provides protection to the brain and spinal cord?
• Which nerve innervates the lateral rectus muscle?
• Which lobe of the brain is primarily responsible for motor control and judgment?
• What is the cranial nerve associated with the sense of sight?
• What is the main function of the motor (efferent) neurons?
• How many pairs of cranial nerves are present in the human body?
• Which neurotransmitter is primarily involved in muscle contraction?
• What is the generator potential and how does it relate to action potential initiation?
• What is the gap called that separates two neurons?
• Which neuron type is primarily involved in processing information within the CNS?
• What are the major embryonic brain vesicles and their adult derivatives?
• What centers are found within the medulla?
• What organ does the vagus nerve primarily affect?
• Which brain region relays sensory information to the cortex?
• Which structure within the limbic system is especially associated with emotion processing?
• Which nerve is primarily involved in the sense of hearing and balance?
• What is the role of cholinesterase in neuronal function?
• Where do retinal ganglion cell axons travel to form the optic nerve?
• Which nerve is primarily responsible for innervating the diaphragm?
• Which cranial nerve controls only one eyeball muscle?
• Which nerve innervates the superior oblique muscle?
• Which part of the nervous system contains cranial nerves and spinal nerves?
• Where are photoreceptors located in the retina and which layer contains the ganglion cell axons forming the optic nerve?
• Which statement best describes receptor potentials and generator potentials and their relation to action potential generation?
• What type of tracts send impulses away from the brain to muscles and glands?
• What part of the nervous system consists of functions that occur without conscious effort and primarily regulates visceral activities?
• What type of nerve cell is responsible for transmitting sensory information?
• Which nerve mediates taste from the anterior two-thirds of the tongue?
• Taste from portions near the epiglottis is carried by which nerve?
• Arachnoid granulations serve to reabsorb CSF into which venous structure?