PHYS 261 HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY MIDTERM
EXAM 706 COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE
2026 PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND ACCURATE
ANSWERS GRADED A+
◉ the resting membrane potential results from. Answer: uneven
distribution of ions across the cell membrane and differences in
membrane permeability to Na+, K+, and Cl-
◉ which ion is higher in concentration inside the cell compared to
outside. Answer: Potassium
◉ Ion channel inactivation is. Answer: closing of the channel even
when the stimulus continues.
◉ which of the following is the most common location where action
potentials originate. Answer: axon hillock
◉ the falling phase of the action potential is due primarily to.
Answer: K+ flow out of the cell only.
,◉ the point during an action potential when the inside of the cell has
become more positive than the outside is known as the. Answer:
overshoot
◉ inactivation gate. Answer: opens during depolarization
◉ the absolute refractory period of an action potential. Answer:
ensures one-way travel down an axon, allows a neuron to ignore a
second signal sent that closely follows the first, and prevents
summation of action potentials.
◉ the sodium-potassium exchange pump. Answer: reestablishes the
ion gradients across the cell membrane
◉ the all-or-none principle states that. Answer: all stimuli great
enough to bring the membrane to threshold will produce identical
action potential/magnitude
◉ When voltage-gated Na+ channels of a resting neuron open,.
Answer: Na+ enters the neuron and the neuron depolarizes.
◉ when voltage-gated K+ channels of a resting neuron open,.
Answer: K+ leaves the neuron
, ◉ which of the following will best increase the conduction rate of
action potentials ?. Answer: Increase the diameter of the axon,
increase the resistance of the axon membrane to ion leakage.
◉ the major determinant of the resting potential of all cells is.
Answer: K+ gradient between inside and outside of the cell
compared
◉ exocrine glands, smooth muscles, and cardiac muscles are
controlled by the. Answer: autonomic nervous system
◉ the pons develops from the. Answer: hindbrain
◉ the mixed cranial nerve that projects to and from internal organs,
muscles, and glands in the_____ nerve.. Answer: vagus
◉ myelinated axons with very few cell bodies. Answer: white matter
◉ projections that carry sensory information to the brain. Answer:
ascending tracts
◉ specialized immune cells that are confined to the CNS. Answer:
microglia
EXAM 706 COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE
2026 PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND ACCURATE
ANSWERS GRADED A+
◉ the resting membrane potential results from. Answer: uneven
distribution of ions across the cell membrane and differences in
membrane permeability to Na+, K+, and Cl-
◉ which ion is higher in concentration inside the cell compared to
outside. Answer: Potassium
◉ Ion channel inactivation is. Answer: closing of the channel even
when the stimulus continues.
◉ which of the following is the most common location where action
potentials originate. Answer: axon hillock
◉ the falling phase of the action potential is due primarily to.
Answer: K+ flow out of the cell only.
,◉ the point during an action potential when the inside of the cell has
become more positive than the outside is known as the. Answer:
overshoot
◉ inactivation gate. Answer: opens during depolarization
◉ the absolute refractory period of an action potential. Answer:
ensures one-way travel down an axon, allows a neuron to ignore a
second signal sent that closely follows the first, and prevents
summation of action potentials.
◉ the sodium-potassium exchange pump. Answer: reestablishes the
ion gradients across the cell membrane
◉ the all-or-none principle states that. Answer: all stimuli great
enough to bring the membrane to threshold will produce identical
action potential/magnitude
◉ When voltage-gated Na+ channels of a resting neuron open,.
Answer: Na+ enters the neuron and the neuron depolarizes.
◉ when voltage-gated K+ channels of a resting neuron open,.
Answer: K+ leaves the neuron
, ◉ which of the following will best increase the conduction rate of
action potentials ?. Answer: Increase the diameter of the axon,
increase the resistance of the axon membrane to ion leakage.
◉ the major determinant of the resting potential of all cells is.
Answer: K+ gradient between inside and outside of the cell
compared
◉ exocrine glands, smooth muscles, and cardiac muscles are
controlled by the. Answer: autonomic nervous system
◉ the pons develops from the. Answer: hindbrain
◉ the mixed cranial nerve that projects to and from internal organs,
muscles, and glands in the_____ nerve.. Answer: vagus
◉ myelinated axons with very few cell bodies. Answer: white matter
◉ projections that carry sensory information to the brain. Answer:
ascending tracts
◉ specialized immune cells that are confined to the CNS. Answer:
microglia
