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Chapter 2: Structure and Function of the Nervous System
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
2.1 Understand the structure of neurons and synapses.
2.2 Explain the role of ion channels in changing neuronal membrane potential.
2.3 Describe the impact of depolarization on the resting potential, and on the likelihood of subsequent
action potentials.
2.4 Describe the influence of myelin and voltage-gated ion channels on action potentials.
2.5 Understand electrical and chemical transmission at the synapse, including the use and
removal of neurotransmitters after binding.
2.6 Explain the roles of different types of glial cells, including astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, Schwann
cells, and microglial cells.
2.7 Define and recognize differences between the central nervous system, peripheral nervous system,
sympathetic system, parasympathetic system, cerebral cortex, gray and white matter, and corpus
callosum.
2.8 Understand the functions of the spinal cord, brainstem, and cerebellum.
2.9 Understand the functions of the thalamus, hypothalamus, and pituitary gland.
2.10 Understand the functions of the limbic system and basal ganglia.
2.11 Define and describe anatomical structures and principles that include gyri, sulci, Brodmann areas,
lobes, topography, and association cortices.
2.12 Explain the developmental process of the nervous system and the mechanisms behind neurogenesis.
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The two main classes of cells in the nervous system are
a. dendrites and axons.
c. neurons and glial cells.
b. axons and neurons.
d. glial cells and dendrites.
ANS: C
OBJ: 2.1
DIF: Easy
REF: 2.1 The Cells of the Nervous System
MSC: Remembering
2. In the nervous system, these cells provide structural support and insulation for neurons.
a. glia
c. mitochondria
b. dendrites
d. Purkinje cells
ANS: A
OBJ: 2.1
DIF: Easy
REF: 2.1 The Cells of the Nervous System
MSC: Remembering
3. Two main types of projections extend from the cell body of a neuron. ________ receive inputs from
other neurons, while ________ send information to other neurons.
a. Synapses; glia
c. Glia; synapses
b. Axons; dendrites
d. Dendrites; axons
ANS: D
OBJ: 2.1
DIF: Easy
REF: 2.1 The Cells of the Nervous System
MSC: Remembering
4. Within a neuron, the transmission of information is usually ________. Between neurons, the
transmission of information is usually ________.
a. chemical; chemical
c. electrical; chemical
b. electrical; electrical
d. chemical; electrical
ANS: C
OBJ: 2.1
DIF: Medium
REF: 2.1 The Cells of the Nervous System
MSC: Remembering
5. The term concentration gradient refers to a difference in the
a. number of two different ion types within the neuron.
b. number of ions found on opposite sides of the cell membrane.
c. permeability of the membrane to one kind of ion compared to another.
d. permeability of the membrane at rest compared to during an action potential.
ANS: B
OBJ: 2.1 | 2.2
DIF: Medium
REF: 2.1 The Cells of the Nervous System
MSC: Remembering
6. At the resting state, a higher concentration of ________ is found outside a neuron and a higher
concentration of ________ is found inside a neuron.
a. K+; Na+
c. dopamine; serotonin
b. Na+; K+
d. serotonin; dopamine
ANS: B
OBJ: 2.1 | 2.2
DIF: Easy
REF: 2.1 The Cells of the Nervous System
MSC: Remembering
7. If you were to insert a microelectrode through the cell membrane of a neuron, you would be able to
demonstrate that
a. the region inside the cell membrane is more positively charged than the region outside the
membrane.
b. the region inside the cell membrane is more negatively charged than the region outside the
membrane.
c. there is a greater concentration of potassium ions outside the cell membrane than inside
the membrane.
d. there is a greater concentration of potassium ions inside the cell membrane than outside
the membrane.
ANS: B
OBJ: 2.1 | 2.2
DIF: Medium
MSC: Applying
REF: 2.1 The Cells of the Nervous System
8. The ease with which a cell membrane will permit ions to cross is referred to as
a. the concentration gradient.
c. the action potential.
b. permeability.
d. conductivity.
ANS: B
OBJ: 2.2
DIF: Easy
REF: 2.1 The Cells of the Nervous System
MSC: Remembering
9. If you inserted a micropipette into a neuron without harming the cell and pumped in a small quantity
of calcium ions, each of which carried two positive charges, how would this affect the membrane
potential?
a. The membrane potential would become depolarized relative to the resting potential.
b. The membrane potential would become hyperpolarized relative to the resting potential.
c. There would be no change because calcium does not contribute to the resting potential.
d. There would be no change because the sodiumโpotassium pump would remove excess
calcium from the cell.
ANS: A
DIF: Medium
OBJ: 2.2 | 2.3 | 2.4 MSC: Applying
REF: 2.1 The Cells of the Nervous System
10. The HodgkinโHuxley cycle describes how the depolarization of the membrane causes voltage-gated
sodium channels to ________, allowing ________ sodium ions to enter the cell. This change in
sodium concentration then causes ________ of the cell.
a. close; fewer; further depolarization
c. open; more; further depolarization
b. close; fewer; repolarization
d. open; more; repolarization
ANS: C
DIF: Difficult
REF: 2.1 The Cells of the Nervous System
OBJ: 2.2 | 2.3 | 2.4 MSC: Understanding
11. Ouabain is a toxin that works by permanently inhibiting the activity of sodiumโpotassium pumps
embedded in neuronal membranes. How would ouabain administration affect the resting potential of a
neuron?
a. The magnitude of the resting potential would shift toward zero.
b. The resting potential would hyperpolarize toward a more negative value.
c. The resting potential would reverse to a positive, rather than a negative, value.
d. Application of ouabain would not affect the resting potential.
ANS: A
OBJ: 2.2
DIF: Difficult
MSC: Applying
REF: 2.1 The Cells of the Nervous System
12. The value of the membrane potential to which an axon must be depolarized to initiate an action
potential is called the ________ potential for that neuron.
a. graded
c. threshold
b. resting
d. refractory
ANS: C
OBJ: 2.3
DIF: Easy
REF: 2.1 The Cells of the Nervous System
MSC: Remembering
13. The poison tetraethylammonium (TEA) interferes with normal neural communication. The toxin
binds to and blocks voltage-gated potassium channels in the neuron cell membrane. Which of the
following best describes the effects of TEA on the action potential?
a. The depolarization phase of the action potential fails to occur.
b. The repolarization phase of the action potential is blocked.
c. The refractory period of the action potential is shortened.
d. The action potential fails to be regenerated at the nodes of Ranvier.
ANS: B
OBJ: 2.4
DIF: Difficult
MSC: Applying
REF: 2.1 The Cells of the Nervous System
14. Demyelinating diseases such as multiple sclerosis disrupt normal neural communication by
a. destroying receptors on postsynaptic cells so that neurotransmitters cannot bind normally.
b. creating lesions in the bloodโbrain barrier that allow toxic substances to enter the brain
from the bloodstream.
c. causing deterioration of the fatty substance that normally coats and insulates axons.
d. diminishing the activity of the sodiumโpotassium pumps that usually maintain the resting
potential of neurons.
ANS: C
OBJ: 2.4
DIF: Medium
MSC: Evaluating
15. The nodes of Ranvier are
REF: 2.1 The Cells of the Nervous System
a.
b.
c.
d.
vesicles of neurotransmitters, stored in presynaptic neurons.
little knobs attached by small necks to the surface of dendrites.
vesicles of calcium ions, stored in postsynaptic neurons.
points along axons that are not surrounded by myelin.
ANS: D
OBJ: 2.4
DIF: Easy
REF: 2.1 The Cells of the Nervous System
MSC: Remembering
16. The primary reason why neurons are refractory for a short period after firing action potentials, and the
reason underlying the absolute refractory period, is that the
a. voltage-gated sodium channels are inactivated.
b. voltage-gated potassium channels are inactivated.
c. sodiumโpotassium pump has to remove sodium ions from inside the cell.
d. sodiumโpotassium pump has to retrieve potassium ions from outside the cell.
ANS: A
OBJ: 2.4
DIF: Easy
MSC: Evaluating
REF: 2.1 The Cells of the Nervous System
17. If electrical currents on multiple dendrites sum together at the axon hillock, and the current flows
across the neuronal membrane to the spike-triggering zone, what is likely to happen?
a. An action potential will be initiated.
b. A sodium-potassium pump will activate.
c. Hyperpolarization.
d. Saltatory conduction.
ANS: A
OBJ: 2.4
DIF: Medium
REF: 2.1 The Cells of the Nervous System
MSC: Understanding
18. The term saltatory conduction refers to the fact that
a. action potentials travel faster when extracellular salt concentration is high.
b. action potentials evoked by strong stimuli travel faster than those evoked by weaker
stimuli.
c. action potentials appear to jump from node to node in myelinated axons.
d. action potentials are generated only by myelinated portions of axons.
ANS: C
OBJ: 2.4
DIF: Easy
REF: 2.1 The Cells of the Nervous System
MSC: Remembering
19. In which of the following diseases is myelin damaged or lost?
a. Alzheimerโs
b. Parkinsonโs
c. schizophrenia
d. multiple sclerosis
ANS: D
OBJ: 2.4
DIF: Easy
MSC: Evaluating
REF: 2.1 The Cells of the Nervous System
20. ___________ enable(s) the rapid transmission of action potentials down an axon and increase(s) the
distance over which transmission can occur.
a. Soma
b. Dendrites
c. Neurotransmitters
d. Myelin
ANS: D
OBJ: 2.4
DIF: Easy
REF: 2.1 The Cells of the Nervous System
MSC: Remembering
21. The ___________, which is comprised of _________, restricts the diffusion of certain molecules and
microbes from the circulatory system, protecting the brain from chemical compounds that might
otherwise interfere with neuronal activity.
a. sodiumโpotassium pump; astrocytes
c. myelin sheath; oligodendrites
b. bloodโbrain barrier; astrocytes
d. lipid bilayer; oligodendrites
ANS: B
OBJ: 2.6
DIF: Medium
REF: 2.1 The Cells of the Nervous System
MSC: Remembering
22. Which of the following cells produce myelin in the peripheral nervous system?
a. astrocytes
c. oligodendrocytes
b. microglia
d. Schwann cells
ANS: D
OBJ: 2.6
DIF: Easy
REF: 2.1 The Cells of the Nervous System
MSC: Remembering
23. Which of the following cells devour and remove damaged brain cells?
a. astrocytes
c. oligodendrocytes
b. microglia
d. Schwann cells
ANS: B
OBJ: 2.6
DIF: Easy
REF: 2.1 The Cells of the Nervous System
MSC: Remembering
24. Which of the following statements best describes the immediate consequence of neurotransmitter
molecules binding to ligand-gated ion channel receptors?
a. Voltage-gated channels in the cell membrane open and permit ion flow through the
membrane.
b. The activity of the sodiumโpotassium pumps increases.
c. Calcium absorption into the axon terminal cell is triggered.
d. Neurotransmitter-containing vesicles bind to the inside of the axon terminal membrane.
ANS: A
OBJ: 2.2 | 2.5
DIF: Medium
REF: 2.2 Synaptic Transmission
MSC: Understanding
25. The role of calcium ions (Ca2+) in synaptic transmission is to
a. bind neurotransmitter molecules to the postsynaptic membrane.
b. mediate the release of neurotransmitter molecules from the presynaptic neuron.
c. repolarize the postsynaptic cell after transmission has been completed.
d. increase the activity of the sodiumโpotassium pumps in the presynaptic cell.
ANS: B
OBJ: 2.5
DIF: Easy
REF: 2.2 Synaptic Transmission
MSC: Remembering
26. Which of the following sequences of steps best represents the order of events that occur during
synaptic transmission?
a. binding of neurotransmitter at the postsynaptic membrane โ diffusion of neurotransmitter
across the synapse โ release of neurotransmitter from the presynaptic cell
b. diffusion of neurotransmitter across the synapse โ binding of neurotransmitter at the
postsynaptic membrane โ release of neurotransmitter from the presynaptic cell
c. release of neurotransmitter from the presynaptic cell โ binding of neurotransmitter at the
postsynaptic membrane โ diffusion of neurotransmitter across the synapse
d. release of neurotransmitter from the presynaptic cell โ diffusion of neurotransmitter
across the synapse โ binding of neurotransmitter at the postsynaptic membrane
ANS: D
OBJ: 2.5
DIF: Medium
MSC: Evaluating
REF: 2.2 Synaptic Transmission
27. Compare the following analogy to chemical synaptic transmission: Two postage companies use
different methods for delivery. Company Oneโs method is to send a delivery person out with packages
that will be delivered directly to the address on the label. Company Twoโs method is to send a
delivery person out to a transfer center, and a second driver will deliver the package to the address.
Company Oneโs method best compares to ___________________, while Company Twoโs method
best compares to ___________________. Company ___ uses a faster method.
a. G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs); ligand-gated ion channels; One
b. G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs); ligand-gated ion channels; Two
c. ligand-gated ion channels; G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs); One
d. ligand-gated ion channels; G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs); Two
ANS: C
OBJ: 2.5
DIF: Difficult
MSC: Analyzing
REF: 2.2 Synaptic Transmission
28. Consider the synapse shown schematically here.
If neuron A causes neuron B to become hyperpolarized relative to Bโs resting state,
a. neuron B is more likely to fire its own action potential.
b. neuron B is less likely to release neurotransmitter molecules from its own axon terminal.
c. neuron B is more likely to absorb extracellular potassium through voltage-gated channels.
d. neuron B is less likely to absorb extracellular sodium through the sodiumโpotassium
pump.
ANS: B
OBJ: 2.5
DIF: Medium
MSC: Analyzing
REF: 2.2 Synaptic Transmission
29. A gap junction is
a. the point where a neurotransmitter vesicle binds to the presynaptic membrane.
b. a connection between two sections of a G protein that plays a role in second-messenger
cascades.
c. a transmembrane channel that connects the cytoplasm of two cells at an electrical synapse.
d. more likely to be found on the amino acids than on the biogenic amines.
ANS: C
OBJ: 2.5
DIF: Easy
REF: 2.2 Synaptic Transmission
MSC: Remembering
30. Which of the following is a catecholamine?
a. gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)
b. glutamate
ANS: D
OBJ: 2.5
c. serotonin
d. norepinephrine
DIF: Medium
REF: 2.2 Synaptic Transmission
MSC: Remembering
31. The effect of a particular neurotransmitter on postsynaptic neurons
a. is always either excitatory or inhibitory.
b. depends on the properties of the postsynaptic neuron.
c. may be modulated by the presence or absence of another neurotransmitter.
d. depends on the properties of the postsynaptic neuron and may be modulated by the
presence or absence of another neurotransmitter.
ANS: D
DIF: Medium
REF: 2.2 Synaptic Transmission
OBJ: 2.5
MSC: Understanding
32. Which of the following is NOT a mechanism for removing a neurotransmitter from the synaptic cleft?
a. diffusion of the neurotransmitter away from the synapse
b. active reuptake of the neurotransmitter back into the presynaptic terminal
c. enzymatic breakdown of the neurotransmitter in the synaptic cleft
d. transport of the neurotransmitter by ion channels into neighboring glial cells
ANS: D
OBJ: 2.5
DIF: Medium
MSC: Evaluating
REF: 2.2 Synaptic Transmission
33. Many drugs produce their effects by facilitating or interfering with neurotransmitters at synapses.
Which of the following drugs would most likely increase the effect of serotonin?
a. a drug that binds to directly coupled serotonin receptors but does not change membrane
permeability to ions
b. a drug that prevents the activity of an enzyme that breaks down serotonin molecules in the
synaptic cleft
c. a drug that blocks the effect of Ca2+ ions
d. a drug that blocks the effect of a conditional neurotransmitter that normally facilitates the
effect of serotonin
ANS: B
OBJ: 2.5
DIF: Difficult
MSC: Applying
REF: 2.2 Synaptic Transmission
34. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is produced in the lateral and third ventricles by the
a. dura mater.
c. globus pallidus.
b. substantia nigra.
d. choroid plexus.
ANS: D
OBJ: 2.7
DIF: Easy
REF: 2.3 Overview of Nervous System Structure
MSC: Remembering
35. The thick outer membrane that encloses the brain within the skull is the
a. gray matter.
c. myelin sheath.
b. white matter.
d. dura mater.
ANS: D
OBJ: 2.7
DIF: Easy
REF: 2.3 Overview of Nervous System Structure
MSC: Remembering
36. The two main divisions of the central nervous system are the
a. forebrain and brainstem.
c. brain and spinal cord.
b. white matter and gray matter.
d. cerebral hemispheres and cerebellum.
ANS: C
OBJ: 2.7
DIF: Easy
REF: 2.3 Overview of Nervous System Structure
MSC: Remembering
37. The difference between gray matter and white matter is that gray matter refers to ________, whereas
white matter refers to ________.
a. protruding rounded surfaces; fissures and invaginations
b. fissures and invaginations; protruding rounded surfaces
c. cell bodies; axon tracts
d. axons; cell bodies
ANS: C
OBJ: 2.7
DIF: Easy
REF: 2.3 Overview of Nervous System Structure
MSC: Remembering
38. Gray matter is to white matter as ________ are to ________.
a. gyri; sulci
c. cell bodies; axon tracts
b. glial cells; neurons
ANS: C
OBJ: 2.7
DIF: Medium
MSC: Analyzing
d. oligodendrocytes; Schwann cells
REF: 2.3 Overview of Nervous System Structure
39. The brainstem includes all of the following components EXCEPT the
a. medulla.
c. hypothalamus.
b. midbrain.
d. pons.
ANS: C
OBJ: 2.8
DIF: Easy
MSC: Evaluating
REF: 2.4 A Guided Tour of the Brain
40. The specialized structures that comprise the midbrain control functions such as
a. hormone regulation.
c. memory.
b. visual reflexes.
d. emotional processing.
ANS: B
OBJ: 2.8
DIF: Easy
REF: 2.4 A Guided Tour of the Brain
MSC: Understanding
41. The dorsal portions of the gray matter in the spinal cord carry
a. motor information.
b. sensory information.
c. motor and sensory information from the dorsal surface of the body.
d. sensory and motor information to the cerebellum.
ANS: B
OBJ: 2.8
DIF: Medium
REF: 2.4 A Guided Tour of the Brain
MSC: Understanding
42. A patient has great difficulty in maintaining his posture, walking, and coordinating his movements.
His brain injuries probably involve the
a. cerebellum.
c. superior colliculus.
b. corpus callosum.
d. third ventricle.
ANS: A
OBJ: 2.8
DIF: Medium
MSC: Applying
REF: 2.4 A Guided Tour of the Brain
43. A patient reports that she is functionally blind after a focal brain injury, even though her eyes and
optic nerves are completely intact. Of the structures listed here, the most probable location for the
brain injury is the
a. inferior colliculus.
c. superior temporal lobe.
b. lateral geniculate nucleus.
d. postcentral gyrus.
ANS: B
OBJ: 2.9
DIF: Difficult
MSC: Applying
REF: 2.4 A Guided Tour of the Brain
44. The part of the thalamus that is most important in relaying information to the primary visual cortex is
the
a. lateral geniculate nucleus.
c. medial geniculate nucleus.
b. superior colliculus.
d. inferior colliculus.
ANS: A
OBJ: 2.9
DIF: Easy
REF: 2.4 A Guided Tour of the Brain
MSC: Remembering
45. This brain structure is often called the gateway to the cortex because almost all sensory inputs synapse
here before continuing to their primary cortical sensory areas.
a. hypothalamus
c. thalamus
b. hippocampus
d. amygdala
ANS: C
OBJ: 2.9
DIF: Easy
REF: 2.4 A Guided Tour of the Brain
MSC: Remembering
46. Which of the following functions is NOT mediated primarily by the hypothalamus?
a. endocrine system regulation
b. maintenance of homeostatic states in the body
c. relay of sensory information from the body to the cortex
d. hormone control
ANS: C
OBJ: 2.9
DIF: Medium
MSC: Evaluating
REF: 2.4 A Guided Tour of the Brain
47. As a result of a brain injury to this diencephalic structure, a patient is experiencing disruptions in
maintaining homeostasis of bodily states and endocrine control.
a. thalamus
c. hippocampus
b. hypothalamus
d. cingulate gyrus
ANS: B
OBJ: 2.9
DIF: Medium
MSC: Applying
REF: 2.4 A Guided Tour of the Brain
48. Injury to the hypothalamus would most likely interfere with
a. hormone regulation.
c. memory.
b. motor control.
d. olfactory sensation.
ANS: A
OBJ: 2.9
DIF: Medium
REF: 2.4 A Guided Tour of the Brain
MSC: Understanding
49. All of the structures listed here are major components of the basal ganglia EXCEPT the
a. globus pallidus.
c. caudate nucleus.
b. amygdala.
d. putamen.
ANS: B
OBJ: 2.10
DIF: Easy
MSC: Evaluating
REF: 2.4 A Guided Tour of the Brain
50. As a result of a brain injury to the medial temporal lobes and neighboring subcortical structures, a
patient exhibits a number of cognitive and behavioral changes. Of the following options, which is the
LEAST likely to be affected?
a. memory
c. learning
b. emotional processing
d. somatosensation
ANS: D
OBJ: 2.10
DIF: Medium
MSC: Applying
REF: 2.4 A Guided Tour of the Brain
51. The ___________________ is a system of structures that includes the ____________. This system
has been implicated in ________________________.
a. limbic system; amygdala; emotion behavior
b. limbic system; putamen; motor preparation
c. basal ganglia; amygdala; emotion behavior
d. basal ganglia; hippocampus; motor preparation
ANS: A
OBJ: 2.10
DIF: Difficult
MSC: Evaluating
REF: 2.4 A Guided Tour of the Brain
52. All of the following are advantages of a folded cerebral cortex EXCEPT:
a. The need for blood vasculature in the cortex is eliminated.
b. Neural conduction time between areas is reduced.
c. Neurons are brought into closer three-dimensional relationships.
d. More cortical surface can be packed into the skull.
ANS: A
OBJ: 2.7
DIF: Medium
MSC: Evaluating
REF: 2.5 The Cerebral Cortex
53. Communication between the two hemispheres of the brain occurs mainly through the
a. basal ganglia.
c. corpus callosum.
b. cingulate gyrus.
d. limbic system.
ANS: C
OBJ: 2.7
DIF: Easy
REF: 2.5 The Cerebral Cortex
MSC: Remembering
54. The corpus callosum
a. permits communication between the two cerebral hemispheres.
b. is the area of the cortex in which information about touch, pain, temperature, and limb
position is processed.
c. separates the temporal lobe from the frontal and parietal lobes.
d. is a fluid-filled chamber that cushions and supports the brain.
ANS: A
OBJ: 2.7
DIF: Easy
REF: 2.5 The Cerebral Cortex
MSC: Understanding
55. The most caudal lobe of the cerebral cortex is the ________ lobe.
a. frontal
c. occipital
b. temporal
d. parietal
ANS: C
OBJ: 2.7 | 2.11
DIF: Medium
REF: 2.5 The Cerebral Cortex
MSC: Understanding
56. Neurons in two different regions of Brodmannโs cytoarchitectonic map always
a. use different types of neurotransmitters to communicate.
b. differ in cell morphology and organization.
c. lie inside different lobes of the cerebral cortex.
d. are separated by fissures in the cortex.
ANS: B
OBJ: 2.11
DIF: Easy
REF: 2.5 The Cerebral Cortex
MSC: Understanding
57. The temporal lobe is to the occipital lobe as ________ is to ________.
a. touch; vision
b. touch; audition
c. audition; vision
d. audition; touch
ANS: C
OBJ: 2.11
DIF: Medium
MSC: Analyzing
REF: 2.5 The Cerebral Cortex
58. The morphology of the brain of Albert Einstein revealed an unusual Sylvian fissure, the division that
separates the ________ lobe from the ________ lobes.
a. occipital; frontal and parietal
c. frontal; temporal and occipital
b. temporal; frontal and parietal
d. parietal; temporal and occipital
ANS: B
OBJ: 2.11
DIF: Easy
MSC: Evaluating
REF: 2.5 The Cerebral Cortex
59. The central sulcus is an anatomical landmark that separates the ________ lobe from the ________
lobe.
a. temporal; frontal
b. frontal; parietal
ANS: B
OBJ: 2.11
c. parietal; occipital
d. occipital; temporal
DIF: Easy
REF: 2.5 The Cerebral Cortex
MSC: Remembering
60. The term cytoarchitectonics refers to
a. how cells in one brain region appear morphologically and how they are arranged with
respect to each other.
b. how assemblies of neurons function together and how they communicate with neighboring
ganglia.
c. how different brain regions differ in volume and how they interact to produce complex
cognitive phenomena.
d. how the brains of different animals differ from each other in gross anatomy and the
evolutionary bases of these differences.
ANS: A
OBJ: 2.11
DIF: Medium
REF: 2.5 The Cerebral Cortex
MSC: Understanding
61. Of the following choices, the most anterior portion of the frontal lobesโthe prefrontal cortexโis
most critical to
a. processing information about pain, touch, and temperature.
b. executive functions.
c. the โwhatโ visual pathway.
d. the โwhereโ visual pathway.
ANS: B
OBJ: 2.11
DIF: Easy
MSC: Evaluating
REF: 2.5 The Cerebral Cortex
62. The primary visual cortex, or V1, is located in
a. the striate cortex.
c. Heschlโs gyrus.
b. Brodmann area 41.
d. the Sylvian fissure.
ANS: A
OBJ: 2.11
DIF: Easy
REF: 2.5 The Cerebral Cortex
MSC: Remembering
63. The neocortex contains ______ cortical layers, with ________ typically being the input layer.
a. 10; layer IV
c. six; layer IV
b. 10; layer I
d. six; layer I
ANS: C
OBJ: 2.11
DIF: Easy
REF: 2.5 The Cerebral Cortex
MSC: Remembering
64. The frontal lobe is ________ to the occipital lobe, whereas the temporal lobe is ________ to the
parietal lobe.
a. posterior; superior
c. superior; caudal
b. anterior; inferior
d. inferior; rostral
ANS: B
OBJ: 2.11
DIF: Easy
REF: 2.5 The Cerebral Cortex
MSC: Understanding
65. All of the following terms refer to the same cortical region that processes visual input EXCEPT
a. striate cortex.
c. Heschlโs gyrus.
b. area V1.
d. Brodmann area 17.
ANS: C
OBJ: 2.11
DIF: Medium
MSC: Evaluating
REF: 2.5 The Cerebral Cortex
66. The primary auditory cortex is organized using a tonotopic map, which means that there is an orderly
representation of
a. loudness.
c. duration.
b. frequency.
d. spatial location.
ANS: B
OBJ: 2.11
DIF: Easy
REF: 2.5 The Cerebral Cortex
MSC: Understanding
67. A patient recently suffered a traumatic blow to the head. She reports that she is having social
difficulties, such as adding inappropriate comments to conversations. She cannot seem to control
these outbursts. Which area of her cortex is most likely affected?
a. the posterior frontal lobe
c. the anterior frontal lobe
b. the anterior parietal lobe
d. the posterior parietal lobe
ANS: C
OBJ: 2.11
DIF: Medium
MSC: Applying
REF: 2.5 The Cerebral Cortex
68. The volume of cortex that is not sensory or motor has traditionally been termed ________ cortex.
a. extrastriate
c. association
b. cognitive
d. equipotential
ANS: C
OBJ: 2.11
DIF: Easy
REF: 2.5 The Cerebral Cortex
MSC: Remembering
69. Parts of the brain where metabolic activity is relatively high are characterized by
a. elevated regional blood flow.
b. increased cerebrospinal fluid production.
c. a high degree of myelination.
d. greater concentrations of calcium ions.
ANS: A
OBJ: 2.11
DIF: Medium
REF: 2.5 The Cerebral Cortex
MSC: Understanding
70. This type of early cell line is the precursor to the cells that will compose the nervous system.
a. blastula
c. endoderm
b. gastrula
d. ectoderm
ANS: D
OBJ: 2.12
DIF: Medium
REF: 2.7 Development of the Nervous System
MSC: Remembering
71. Which of the following statements regarding the prenatal development of the human nervous system
is correct?
a. The brain develops from ectoderm cells, whereas the spinal cord develops from mesoderm
cells.
b. Ectoderm cells are the precursors of the entire nervous system.
c. Glial cells are derived from endoderm cells, whereas neurons are derived from ectoderm
cells.
d. Mesoderm cells are the precursors for all parts of the human nervous system.
ANS: B
OBJ: 2.12
DIF: Difficult
MSC: Evaluating
REF: 2.7 Development of the Nervous System
72. A team of scientists from California and Sweden (Eriksson et al., 1998) administered BrdU, a
synthetic form of thymidine, to patients. Which of the following best summarizes the findings from
these procedures?
a. Very few neurons are generated after birth.
b. Synaptogenesis and synapse elimination peak earlier in sensory cortex than in association
cortex.
c. Brains of humans and rats are anatomically similar.
d. New neurons are produced in the adult human brain.
ANS: D
OBJ: 2.12
DIF: Medium
MSC: Analyzing
REF: 2.7 Development of the Nervous System
73. ____________________ refers to the process of rapid cell division that occurs early in development
of the nervous system.
a. Neurulation
c. Neuronal migration
b. Neuronal proliferation
d. Neural determination
ANS: B
OBJ: 2.12
DIF: Easy
REF: 2.7 Development of the Nervous System
MSC: Remembering
74. The cells in the brain that guide migrating neurons to their final locations are called
a. microglia.
c. oligodendrocytes.
b. radial glia.
d. ventricular cells.
ANS: B
OBJ: 2.12
DIF: Easy
REF: 2.7 Development of the Nervous System
MSC: Remembering
75. Which of the following best describes the reason for substantial growth of the human brain from birth
to adulthood?
a. The birth of neurons and expansion of axons.
b. The absorption of cerebral fluid into the brain.
c. The formation of synapses and growth of dendritic trees.
d. The formation of new neurons.
ANS: C
OBJ: 2.12
DIF: Medium
MSC: Evaluating
REF: 2.7 Development of the Nervous System
TRUE/FALSE
1. The cell body of a neuron contains the same machinery found in most cells, including a nucleus,
ribosomes, and mitochondria.
ANS: T
OBJ: 2.1
DIF: Easy
REF: 2.1 The Cells of the Nervous System
MSC: Remembering
2. Dendrites, which are large treelike processes extending from a neuron, are said to be presynaptic.
ANS: F
OBJ: 2.1
DIF: Easy
REF: 2.1 The Cells of the Nervous System
MSC: Remembering
3. Action potentials are electrical signals that are conducted down the axon of a neuron.
ANS: T
OBJ: 2.1 | 2.3
DIF: Easy
REF: 2.1 The Cells of the Nervous System
MSC: Remembering
4. The term selective permeability refers to the fact that a cell membrane will allow some ions to pass
through more readily than others.
ANS: T
DIF: Easy
REF: 2.1 The Cells of the Nervous System
OBJ: 2.1 | 2.2
MSC: Remembering
5. The resting potential of a neuron is typically +40 to +90 millivolts (mV).
ANS: F
OBJ: 2.1 | 2.3
DIF: Easy
REF: 2.1 The Cells of the Nervous System
MSC: Remembering
6. The equilibrium potential is the membrane voltage at which there is no net flow of ions in or out.
ANS: T
DIF: Easy
REF: 2.1 The Cells of the Nervous System
OBJ: 2.1 | 2.2 | 2.3 MSC: Remembering
7. Hyperpolarization makes the inside of a cell more positive and more likely to generate an action
potential.
ANS: F
DIF: Easy
REF: 2.1 The Cells of the Nervous System
OBJ: 2.2 | 2.3 | 2.4 MSC: Remembering
8. The amplitude of an action potential is directly proportional to the size of the initial depolarization
that produced it.
ANS: F
OBJ: 2.2 | 2.3
DIF: Easy
REF: 2.1 The Cells of the Nervous System
MSC: Remembering
9. If the sum of the excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) causes a postsynaptic neuron to reach its
threshold, then the postsynaptic neuron will generate an action potential.
ANS: T
OBJ: 2.3
DIF: Easy
REF: 2.1 The Cells of the Nervous System
MSC: Understanding
10. Communication between two neurons is always achieved through chemical, and not electrical,
mechanisms.
ANS: F
OBJ: 2.5
DIF: Easy
REF: 2.2 Synaptic Transmission
MSC: Remembering
11. The term commissure refers to the white matter tracts that connect the brain and spinal cord.
ANS: F
OBJ: 2.7
DIF: Easy
REF: 2.3 Overview of Nervous System Structure
MSC: Remembering
12. Neural inputs that target the cortex and originate in the thalamus are referred to as corticothalamic.
ANS: F
OBJ: 2.11
DIF: Easy
REF: 2.3 Overview of Nervous System Structure
MSC: Remembering
13. The hippocampus is considered part of the neocortex.
ANS: F
OBJ: 2.10
DIF: Easy
REF: 2.4 A Guided Tour of the Brain
MSC: Remembering
14. Sulci are the protruding rounded surfaces of the cortex, and gyri are the fissures and invaginations
between the sulci.
ANS: F
DIF: Easy
REF: 2.5 The Cerebral Cortex
OBJ: 2.11
MSC: Remembering
15. During development, a structure called the blastula begins to form when the neural plate invaginates
via neural folds being pushed up at its border.
ANS: F
OBJ: 2.12
DIF: Easy
REF: 2.7 Development of the Nervous System
MSC: Remembering
SHORT ANSWER
1. Describe the structure of a prototypical neuron. In your answer, provide definitions for the following
terms: soma, axon, dendrite, myelin, and synapse.
ANS:
Answers will vary.
DIF: Medium
OBJ: 2.1
REF: 2.1 The Cells of the Nervous System
MSC: Analyzing
2. Describe the chemical and electrical properties of an action potential. In your answer, describe the
movement of Na+ ions and K+ ions across the cell membrane and the resulting changes in electrical
potential.
ANS:
Answers will vary.
DIF: Difficult
REF: 2.1 The Cells of the Nervous System
OBJ: 2.2 | 2.3 | 2.4 MSC: Analyzing
3. Explain the concept of electrochemical equilibrium. How does this concept allow us to understand the
transmembrane potentials in neurons?
ANS:
Answers will vary.
DIF: Medium
OBJ: 2.2 | 2.3
REF: 2.1 The Cells of the Nervous System
MSC: Analyzing
4. What are the major differences between electrotonic conduction and the action potential? Describe
how these two processes play out in neural transmission.
ANS:
Answers will vary.
DIF: Medium
OBJ: 2.2 | 2.3
REF: 2.1 The Cells of the Nervous System
MSC: Analyzing
5. Describe the structure, and explain the function, of three types of glial cells.
ANS:
Answers will vary.
DIF: Medium
OBJ: 2.6
REF: 2.1 The Cells of the Nervous System
MSC: Analyzing
6. How do two neurons communicate with each other? Describe the process of synaptic transmission,
including both chemical and electrical synapses.
ANS:
Answers will vary.
DIF: Medium
MSC: Analyzing
REF: 2.2 Synaptic Transmission
OBJ: 2.5
7. Choose six of the following eight brain regions. For each region, briefly describe its location in the
brain and one of its functions. Draw a picture to accompany your answer.
โข frontal lobe
โข parietal lobe
โข temporal lobe
โข occipital lobe
โข basal ganglia
โข hypothalamus
โข thalamus
โข cerebellum
ANS:
Answers will vary.
DIF: Medium
MSC: Analyzing
REF: 2.4 A Guided Tour of the Brain
OBJ: 2.8 | 2.9 | 2.10 | 2.11
8. What are the advantages of a cerebral cortex with gyri and sulci? Why might the human cerebral
cortex be more heavily folded than those of other mammals?
ANS:
Answers will vary.
DIF: Difficult
MSC: Evaluating
REF: 2.4 A Guided Tour of the Brain
OBJ: 2.11
9. Histological methods have been used to classify the cerebral cortex into different cytoarchitectonic
divisions, such as the Brodmann areas. Can we predict the function of a brain region based on
cytoarchitectonics? Why or why not?
ANS:
Answers will vary.
DIF: Difficult
MSC: Evaluating
REF: 2.5 The Cerebral Cortex
OBJ: 2.11
10. Describe the events following the fertilization of an egg that pertain to the development of the nervous
system. In your answer, name the three main types of cell lines found in the blastula and describe
what parts of the organism these cells become.
ANS:
Answers will vary.
DIF: Medium
REF: 2.7 Development of the Nervous System
OBJ: 2.12
MSC: Analyzing
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