Appendix D: Questions and Answers

QUESTIONS

Section I: Chapters 1 through 3

In the following questions, select the single best answer.

1. The basic neuronal signaling unit is

   1. the equilibrium potential

   2. the action potential

   3. the resting potential

   4. the supernormal period

2. In a motor neuron at rest, an excitatory synapse produces an EPSP of 15 mV, and an inhibitory synapse produces an IPSP of 5 mV. If both the EPSP and IPSP occur simultaneously, then the motor neuron would

   1. depolarize by about 10 mV

   2. depolarize by 20 mV

   3. depolarize by more than 20 mV

   4. change its potential by less than 1 mV

3. The equilibrium potential for K⁺ in neurons is ordinarily nearest

   1. the equilibrium potential for Na⁺

   2. resting potential

   3. reversal potential for the EPSP

   4. the peak of the action potential

4. Generation of the action potential

   1. depends on depolarization caused by the opening of K⁺ channels

   2. depends on hyperpolarization caused by the opening of K⁺ channels

   3. depends on depolarization caused by the opening of Na⁺ channels

   4. depends on hyperpolarization caused by the opening of Na⁺ channels

   5. depends on second messengers

5. The cerebrum consists of the

   1. thalamus and basal ganglia

   2. telencephalon and midbrain

   3. telencephalon and diencephalon

   4. brain stem and prosencephalon

   5. cerebellum and prosencephalon

6. The somatic nervous system innervates the

   1. blood vessels of the skin

   2. blood vessels of the brain

   3. muscles of the heart

   4. muscles of the body wall

   5. muscles of the viscera

7. The peripheral nervous system

   1. includes the spinal cord

   2. is sheathed in fluid-filled spaces enclosed by membranes

   3. includes cranial nerves

   4. does not include spinal nerves

   5. is surrounded by bone

8. ATP provides an essential energy source in the CNS for

   1. division of neurons

   2. maintenance of ionic gradients via ATPase

   3. generation of action potentials

   4. EPSPs and IPSPs

9. Myelin is produced by

   1. oligodendrocytes in the CNS and Schwann cells in the PNS

   2. Schwann cells in the CNS and oligodendrocytes in the PNS

   3. oligodendrocytes in both CNS and PNS

   4. Schwann cells in both CNS and PNS

In the following questions, one or more answers may be correct. Select

• A if 1, 2, and 3 are correct

• B if 1 and 3 are correct

• C if 2 and 4 are correct

• D if only 4 is correct

• E if all are correct

1. A spinal motor neuron in an adult

   1. maintains its membrane potential via the active transport of sodium and potassium ions

   2. synthesizes protein only in the cell body and not in the axon

   3. does not synthesize DNA for mitosis

   4. does not regenerate its axon following section of its peripheral portion

2. The myelin sheath is

   1. produced within the CNS by oligodendrocytes

   2. produced within the peripheral nervous system by Schwann cells

   3. interrupted periodically by the nodes of Ranvier

   4. composed of spirally wrapped plasma membrane

3. Astrocytes

   1. may function to buffer extracellular K⁺

   2. are interconnected by gap junctions

   3. can proliferate to form a scar after an injury

   4. migrate to the CNS from bone ...