Introduction to Behavioral Neuroscience
OpenStax
Chapter 2: Neurophysiology
Multiple Choice
1. Which is a brief electrical change in a postsynaptic neuron that moves it away from firing an
action potential?
A. EPSP
B. IPSP*
C. Temporal summation
D. Spatial summation
Bloom’s Level 1. Remembering
2. Which of these events occurs immediately after the arrival of the action potential at the
presynaptic terminal?
A. Binding of neurotransmitter to postsynaptic receptors
B. Release of neurotransmitter into the synaptic cleft*
C. The generation of EPSPs or IPSPs in the postsynaptic neuron
D. The clearance of neurotransmitter from the synaptic cleft
Bloom’s Level 2. Understanding
3. A neuron is stimulated and fires a single action potential. What would happen if the same
neuron, then received a stronger stimulus?
A. The next action potential would appear narrower.
B. The next action potential would be taller.
C. The neuron would likely fire more than one action potential.*
D. None of the above
Bloom’s Level 2. Understanding
4. The slimy mollusk, Tritonia can swim away from a predator following stimulation of its
sensory neurons. This movement involves rhythmic muscle contraction and periodic trains
of motor neuron firing. Why do these motor neurons display periodic firing, even under
conditions when the sensory neurons that activate them fire continuously?
A. The motor neurons also activate excitatory neurons that provide positive feedback onto
the motor neurons.
B. The back muscles become exhausted with repetitive stimulation.
C. The motor neurons become exhausted and can only fire for short time periods.
D. The motor neurons also activate inhibitory neurons that provide negative feedback onto
the motor neurons.*
Bloom’s Level 2. Understanding
1
, Introduction to Behavioral Neuroscience
OpenStax
5. A neuron activates three separate downstream neurons and causes information to spread
along multiple pathways at the same time. This is an example of:
A. feedback.
B. parallel processing.*
C. rhythmic or cyclical activity.
D. efficiency.
Bloom’s Level 1. Remembering
6. Membrane potential is measured in ________, while current is measured in ________.
A. siemens / amps
B. ohms / siemens
C. amps / ohms
D. volts / amps *
Bloom’s Level 1. Remembering
7. Which is not a correct pairing between an electrical term and its symbol?
A. current = C*
B. conductance = G
C. potential = V
D. resistance = R
Bloom’s Level 1. Remembering
8. According to Ohm’s law, the electrical current that flows in a system is determined by the:
A. membrane potential only.
B. conductance only.
C. product of the conductance and the membrane potential.*
D. None of the above
Bloom’s Level 1. Remembering
9. Extracellular fluid is high in Na+, Cl- and Ca2+. Which of these is responsible for generating
IPSPs?
A. Cl-*
B. Na+
C. Ca2+
D. Na+ and Ca2+
Bloom’s Level 1. Remembering
2
OpenStax
Chapter 2: Neurophysiology
Multiple Choice
1. Which is a brief electrical change in a postsynaptic neuron that moves it away from firing an
action potential?
A. EPSP
B. IPSP*
C. Temporal summation
D. Spatial summation
Bloom’s Level 1. Remembering
2. Which of these events occurs immediately after the arrival of the action potential at the
presynaptic terminal?
A. Binding of neurotransmitter to postsynaptic receptors
B. Release of neurotransmitter into the synaptic cleft*
C. The generation of EPSPs or IPSPs in the postsynaptic neuron
D. The clearance of neurotransmitter from the synaptic cleft
Bloom’s Level 2. Understanding
3. A neuron is stimulated and fires a single action potential. What would happen if the same
neuron, then received a stronger stimulus?
A. The next action potential would appear narrower.
B. The next action potential would be taller.
C. The neuron would likely fire more than one action potential.*
D. None of the above
Bloom’s Level 2. Understanding
4. The slimy mollusk, Tritonia can swim away from a predator following stimulation of its
sensory neurons. This movement involves rhythmic muscle contraction and periodic trains
of motor neuron firing. Why do these motor neurons display periodic firing, even under
conditions when the sensory neurons that activate them fire continuously?
A. The motor neurons also activate excitatory neurons that provide positive feedback onto
the motor neurons.
B. The back muscles become exhausted with repetitive stimulation.
C. The motor neurons become exhausted and can only fire for short time periods.
D. The motor neurons also activate inhibitory neurons that provide negative feedback onto
the motor neurons.*
Bloom’s Level 2. Understanding
1
, Introduction to Behavioral Neuroscience
OpenStax
5. A neuron activates three separate downstream neurons and causes information to spread
along multiple pathways at the same time. This is an example of:
A. feedback.
B. parallel processing.*
C. rhythmic or cyclical activity.
D. efficiency.
Bloom’s Level 1. Remembering
6. Membrane potential is measured in ________, while current is measured in ________.
A. siemens / amps
B. ohms / siemens
C. amps / ohms
D. volts / amps *
Bloom’s Level 1. Remembering
7. Which is not a correct pairing between an electrical term and its symbol?
A. current = C*
B. conductance = G
C. potential = V
D. resistance = R
Bloom’s Level 1. Remembering
8. According to Ohm’s law, the electrical current that flows in a system is determined by the:
A. membrane potential only.
B. conductance only.
C. product of the conductance and the membrane potential.*
D. None of the above
Bloom’s Level 1. Remembering
9. Extracellular fluid is high in Na+, Cl- and Ca2+. Which of these is responsible for generating
IPSPs?
A. Cl-*
B. Na+
C. Ca2+
D. Na+ and Ca2+
Bloom’s Level 1. Remembering
2
