PORTAGE LEARNING ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY II
FINAL EXAM – COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW AND
PRACTICE QUESTIONS, ACADEMIC YEAR 2026/2027 –
STUDY GUIDE (GRADED A+)
Collection of cell bodies found in the peripheral nervous system:
- ANSWER: Ganglia
Fill-in-the-blanks: _______ matter is composed of a mixture of the cell bodies of
neurons. _______ matter is composed of myelinated and unmyelinated nerve
fibers
- ANSWER: gray, white
Which vessels are constricted and dilated by muscles controlled by the sympathetic and
parasympathetic nervous system?
- ANSWER: arterioles
True or False: If false, explain why the statement is false. The kidney and nervous system
communicate via the myenteric plexus, whose fibers follow the renal arteries to reach
each kidney.
- ANSWER: This statement is false. The kidney and nervous system communicate via
the renal plexus.
List the 3 inner regions of the kidney seen on cross-section (deepest to most superficial).
In which section would you find the glomerular capsule and the distal and proximal
convoluted tubule sections of the nephron?
- ANSWER: The three inner regions of the kidneys include the renal pelvis, renal
medulla, and the renal cortex. The cortex houses the glomerular capsules, the distal
convoluted tubule, and the proximal convoluted tubule.
Urinary incontinence and urinary retention are two common types of micturition
dysfunction. Briefly discuss each, including what demographic is commonly affected in
each.
- ANSWER: Incontinence is the inability to control micturition voluntarily. It is a
condition typically seen in infants and the elderly with diagnoses such as end-stage
,dementia. Incontinence can also occur due to emotional trauma, pregnancy, or nervous
system injuries, such as a stroke or spinal cord injury.
Urinary retention is the inability to expel stored urine. This is a common condition after
general anesthesia since the detrusor muscle is slow to regain muscular activity. Male
urinary retention can also occur due to the overgrowth of the prostate gland, which
narrows the urethra, making micturition difficult. Insertion of a catheter into the urethra is
necessary to allow the urine to empty from the bladder.
True or False: Action potentials travel in multiple directions within the same neuron.
- ANSWER: False (only one direction in the same neuron)
Fill in the blanks: The _____________ root contains the axons of sensory neurons, while
the _____________ root contains the axons of motor neurons.
- ANSWER: dorsal, ventral
This is a bundle of axons found in the peripheral nervous system.
- ANSWER: Nerve
Describe the function of the sympathetic nervous system when a threat is present.
- ANSWER: The sympathetic nervous system (SNS) is often referred to as the "fight or
flight" system. When in immediate danger, muscles require a steady, increased supply of
glucose and oxygen for muscular contraction. The SNS accelerates the heartbeat, dilates
the bronchi, and increases the respiratory rate. This supplies the increased need for
oxygen throughout the body. The SNS also causes the liver to deliver more glucose for
the body's increased metabolic needs. Sympathetic activation inhibits the digestive tract
because digestion is not an immediate necessity when in danger or under attack.
Which cell serves as stem cells in the gustatory system that divide and differentiate into
new supporting cells then form new gustatory cells.
- ANSWER: Basal Cells
This part of the autonomic system increases digestion.
- ANSWER: parasympathetic
describe the function of the parasympathetic nervous system
- ANSWER: Promotes all of the relaxing internal responses. Causes the pupil of the eye
,to get smaller, aids the lenses of the eyes to focus on close items, helps with the digestion
of food, and also helps with slowing the heart beat.
The ventral root of a nerve contains what type of neurons
- ANSWER: motor (efferent)
Part of neuron that conducts nerve impulse away from cell body
- ANSWER: Axon
A neuron going to bicep of the forearm is part of the:
A. central nervous system
B. peripheral nervous system
C. Autonomic system
D. Somatic system
E. A&CF. B&D
- ANSWER: F. B&D
T/F: Neurons come into direct physical contact w/ one another.
- ANSWER: False: don't physically touch.
Describe function and release of neurotransmitters
- ANSWER: Neurotransmitters are chemicals stored inside secretory vesicles (axon
terminal vesicles) at the end of the axon terminals.
When neurotransmitters are released by the axon terminal vesicles, they carry the
transmission of the nerve impulse from one neuron to another.
Describe the synthesis and storage of neurotransmitters.
- ANSWER: The neuron cell body manufactures neurotransmitters, which are stored in
secretory vesicles at the end of axon terminals
An efferent neuron carries information:
A. From the central to the peripheral nervous system B. From the peripheral to the central
nervous system C. Within the central nervous system
D. Within the peripheral nervous system
- ANSWER: A
, An afferent neuron carries information:
- ANSWER: From the peripheral to the central nervous system.
True or false, if false explain why the statement is false: the central nervous system
consists of the brain and spinal cord
- ANSWER: True
An interneuron inside the spinal cord is part of the:
- ANSWER: central nervous system
Describe the synthesis and storage of neurotransmitters:
- ANSWER: The neuron cell body manufactures neurotransmitters, which are stored in
secretory vesicles at the end of axon terminals.
A postsynaptic neuron would be found
- ANSWER: after the synapse
What is the disease for mpaired motor functioning?
- ANSWER: apraxia
impaired motor functioning
what is the location and function of satellite cells
- ANSWER: location: peripheral nervous system
function: regulate the environment of neuron cell bodies.
what is the location and function of astrocytes
- ANSWER: location: central nervous system, the brain
function: forms the blood, brain barrier
What is the purpose of the blood-brain barrier? describe its maintenance from a cellular
level.
- ANSWER: it is a barrier of astrocytes wrapped around capillaries that helps prevent
unneeded materials from entering the CNS. Keeps the chemical environment of the
neurons just right.
list the 4 parts of the human brain
- ANSWER: diencephalon, cerebellum, cerebral hemispheres, and brain stem.
FINAL EXAM – COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW AND
PRACTICE QUESTIONS, ACADEMIC YEAR 2026/2027 –
STUDY GUIDE (GRADED A+)
Collection of cell bodies found in the peripheral nervous system:
- ANSWER: Ganglia
Fill-in-the-blanks: _______ matter is composed of a mixture of the cell bodies of
neurons. _______ matter is composed of myelinated and unmyelinated nerve
fibers
- ANSWER: gray, white
Which vessels are constricted and dilated by muscles controlled by the sympathetic and
parasympathetic nervous system?
- ANSWER: arterioles
True or False: If false, explain why the statement is false. The kidney and nervous system
communicate via the myenteric plexus, whose fibers follow the renal arteries to reach
each kidney.
- ANSWER: This statement is false. The kidney and nervous system communicate via
the renal plexus.
List the 3 inner regions of the kidney seen on cross-section (deepest to most superficial).
In which section would you find the glomerular capsule and the distal and proximal
convoluted tubule sections of the nephron?
- ANSWER: The three inner regions of the kidneys include the renal pelvis, renal
medulla, and the renal cortex. The cortex houses the glomerular capsules, the distal
convoluted tubule, and the proximal convoluted tubule.
Urinary incontinence and urinary retention are two common types of micturition
dysfunction. Briefly discuss each, including what demographic is commonly affected in
each.
- ANSWER: Incontinence is the inability to control micturition voluntarily. It is a
condition typically seen in infants and the elderly with diagnoses such as end-stage
,dementia. Incontinence can also occur due to emotional trauma, pregnancy, or nervous
system injuries, such as a stroke or spinal cord injury.
Urinary retention is the inability to expel stored urine. This is a common condition after
general anesthesia since the detrusor muscle is slow to regain muscular activity. Male
urinary retention can also occur due to the overgrowth of the prostate gland, which
narrows the urethra, making micturition difficult. Insertion of a catheter into the urethra is
necessary to allow the urine to empty from the bladder.
True or False: Action potentials travel in multiple directions within the same neuron.
- ANSWER: False (only one direction in the same neuron)
Fill in the blanks: The _____________ root contains the axons of sensory neurons, while
the _____________ root contains the axons of motor neurons.
- ANSWER: dorsal, ventral
This is a bundle of axons found in the peripheral nervous system.
- ANSWER: Nerve
Describe the function of the sympathetic nervous system when a threat is present.
- ANSWER: The sympathetic nervous system (SNS) is often referred to as the "fight or
flight" system. When in immediate danger, muscles require a steady, increased supply of
glucose and oxygen for muscular contraction. The SNS accelerates the heartbeat, dilates
the bronchi, and increases the respiratory rate. This supplies the increased need for
oxygen throughout the body. The SNS also causes the liver to deliver more glucose for
the body's increased metabolic needs. Sympathetic activation inhibits the digestive tract
because digestion is not an immediate necessity when in danger or under attack.
Which cell serves as stem cells in the gustatory system that divide and differentiate into
new supporting cells then form new gustatory cells.
- ANSWER: Basal Cells
This part of the autonomic system increases digestion.
- ANSWER: parasympathetic
describe the function of the parasympathetic nervous system
- ANSWER: Promotes all of the relaxing internal responses. Causes the pupil of the eye
,to get smaller, aids the lenses of the eyes to focus on close items, helps with the digestion
of food, and also helps with slowing the heart beat.
The ventral root of a nerve contains what type of neurons
- ANSWER: motor (efferent)
Part of neuron that conducts nerve impulse away from cell body
- ANSWER: Axon
A neuron going to bicep of the forearm is part of the:
A. central nervous system
B. peripheral nervous system
C. Autonomic system
D. Somatic system
E. A&CF. B&D
- ANSWER: F. B&D
T/F: Neurons come into direct physical contact w/ one another.
- ANSWER: False: don't physically touch.
Describe function and release of neurotransmitters
- ANSWER: Neurotransmitters are chemicals stored inside secretory vesicles (axon
terminal vesicles) at the end of the axon terminals.
When neurotransmitters are released by the axon terminal vesicles, they carry the
transmission of the nerve impulse from one neuron to another.
Describe the synthesis and storage of neurotransmitters.
- ANSWER: The neuron cell body manufactures neurotransmitters, which are stored in
secretory vesicles at the end of axon terminals
An efferent neuron carries information:
A. From the central to the peripheral nervous system B. From the peripheral to the central
nervous system C. Within the central nervous system
D. Within the peripheral nervous system
- ANSWER: A
, An afferent neuron carries information:
- ANSWER: From the peripheral to the central nervous system.
True or false, if false explain why the statement is false: the central nervous system
consists of the brain and spinal cord
- ANSWER: True
An interneuron inside the spinal cord is part of the:
- ANSWER: central nervous system
Describe the synthesis and storage of neurotransmitters:
- ANSWER: The neuron cell body manufactures neurotransmitters, which are stored in
secretory vesicles at the end of axon terminals.
A postsynaptic neuron would be found
- ANSWER: after the synapse
What is the disease for mpaired motor functioning?
- ANSWER: apraxia
impaired motor functioning
what is the location and function of satellite cells
- ANSWER: location: peripheral nervous system
function: regulate the environment of neuron cell bodies.
what is the location and function of astrocytes
- ANSWER: location: central nervous system, the brain
function: forms the blood, brain barrier
What is the purpose of the blood-brain barrier? describe its maintenance from a cellular
level.
- ANSWER: it is a barrier of astrocytes wrapped around capillaries that helps prevent
unneeded materials from entering the CNS. Keeps the chemical environment of the
neurons just right.
list the 4 parts of the human brain
- ANSWER: diencephalon, cerebellum, cerebral hemispheres, and brain stem.
