WGU C180 STUDY GUIDE EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) MOST RECENT
EXAM COMPLETE (2026) (LATEST UPDATE 2026)
UPDATE!!
What are the four parts of a neuron and its role in neural communication?
Cell Body (Soma), Dendrites, Axon, Myelin Sheath
Cell Body (Soma)
contains the nucleus of the cell and keeps the cell alive
Dendrites
a branching, treelike fiber which collects information from other cells
and sends the information to the soma
Axon
a long, segmented fiber which transmits information away from the cell
body toward other neurons or to the muscles and glands.
Myelin Sheath
Covers the axon of some neurons and helps speed neural impulses
What is a neurotransmitter? What are a few examples?
Neurochemical messengers that are released by terminal buttons when an
action potential triggers them.
Acetylocholine (ACh), Dopamine, Endorphins, GABA (Gamma Aminobuytric
Acid), Glutamate, Serotonin
Neurotransmitter: Acetylcholine (ACh)
,Used in spinal cord to simulate muscle contractions and in brain to
regulate memory, sleeping and dreaming. Undersupply associated with
Alzheimer's disease.
Neurotransmitter: Dopamine
Used as brains reward system. Involved in movement, motivation, and
emotion. Used in learning. Increase = Schizophrenia. Under supply =
Parkinsons
Neurotransmitter: Endorphins
Released in response to behaviors such as exercise, orgasm, and eating.
Nataural pain reliever. Creates a runners high
Neurotransmitter: GABA (Gamma Aminobutyric Acid)
Major inhibitory neurotransmitter. Linked to seizures. Controls fear or
anxiety, keeps us calm. Too little GABA can lead to anxiety.
Neurotransmitter: Glutamate
cause overstimulation, migraines, and seizures. Most common
neurotransmitter.
Neurotransmitter: Serotonin
Involved in mood, appetite, sleep and aggression. Low levels associated
with depressions.
Where are neurotransmitters stored? How do they communicate between
neurons?
They are stored in the axon terminal at the very end of the terminal in
the very tip of the finger-like branches. The very end is called the
terminal button.
"If the signal reaches the terminal buttons, they are signaled to emit
chemicals known as neurotransmitters, which communicate with other
neurons across the spaces between the cells, known as synapses."
What is the function of the cerebellum?
,Coordination, balance, and posture. Stand, walk, run, dance. Circular and
tucked up underneath the lobes of the brain. Cinderella's cerebellum -
dancing.
What is the function of the hypothalamus?
Body temperature, hunger, thirst, and sex drive. Below the thalamus.
Hypothermostat = body temperature.
What is the function of the thalamus?
Consciousness and sleep. Underneath the corpus callosum right in the
middle of the brain. Thank you thalamus for letting me sleep.
What is the function of the corpus callosum?
Band of nerve fibers joining the two hemispheres of the brain and
allowing them to communicate. Like a mediator reminded the left and
right brain to work together.
What is the function of the hippocampus?
Store long term memory. Looks like horns. If I see a hippo with horns on
the highway, I will never forget because I have a hippocampus.
What is the function of the frontal lobe?
Thinking, planning, judgement. Right behind your forehead. Remember:
scratch your forehead when you are thinking.
What is the function of the parietal lobe?
Processing information about touch like a tickle on your foot. Behind the
frontal lobe. Parietal lobe processes. Remember the P's.
What is the function of the temporal lobe?
Hearing and language. Around the ear region. Headphones would sit
around the temporal lobe.
What is the function of the occipital lobe?
, Visual information. Very back of the head. O like a circle of the eye or
the lens in glasses. "Eyes in the back of my head"
What is the endocrine system?
secretes chemical messengers called hormones that influence our
emotions and behaviors.
What is the function of the pancreas?
Regulates the level of blood sugar in the blood
What is the function of the testes?
produce sperm and testosterone
What is function of the ovaries?
Progesterone/estrogen/egg production.
What is the function of the pituitary gland?
Secretes many different hormones, some of which affect other glands. It's
the master gland. Controls everything.
What is the difference between sensation and perception?
sensation—awareness resulting from the stimulation of a sense organ
perception—the organization and interpretation of sensations
What is the definition for the term absolute threshold?
the intensity of a stimulus that allows an organism to just barely detect it
What is subliminal messaging? How effective is subliminal messaging?
means "below the threshold" and only effective 50% of the time.
A signal or message designed to pass below (sub) the normal limits of
perception. An inaudible to the conscious mind (but audible to the
unconscious or deeper mind)
What is top-down perception? Provide an example
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) MOST RECENT
EXAM COMPLETE (2026) (LATEST UPDATE 2026)
UPDATE!!
What are the four parts of a neuron and its role in neural communication?
Cell Body (Soma), Dendrites, Axon, Myelin Sheath
Cell Body (Soma)
contains the nucleus of the cell and keeps the cell alive
Dendrites
a branching, treelike fiber which collects information from other cells
and sends the information to the soma
Axon
a long, segmented fiber which transmits information away from the cell
body toward other neurons or to the muscles and glands.
Myelin Sheath
Covers the axon of some neurons and helps speed neural impulses
What is a neurotransmitter? What are a few examples?
Neurochemical messengers that are released by terminal buttons when an
action potential triggers them.
Acetylocholine (ACh), Dopamine, Endorphins, GABA (Gamma Aminobuytric
Acid), Glutamate, Serotonin
Neurotransmitter: Acetylcholine (ACh)
,Used in spinal cord to simulate muscle contractions and in brain to
regulate memory, sleeping and dreaming. Undersupply associated with
Alzheimer's disease.
Neurotransmitter: Dopamine
Used as brains reward system. Involved in movement, motivation, and
emotion. Used in learning. Increase = Schizophrenia. Under supply =
Parkinsons
Neurotransmitter: Endorphins
Released in response to behaviors such as exercise, orgasm, and eating.
Nataural pain reliever. Creates a runners high
Neurotransmitter: GABA (Gamma Aminobutyric Acid)
Major inhibitory neurotransmitter. Linked to seizures. Controls fear or
anxiety, keeps us calm. Too little GABA can lead to anxiety.
Neurotransmitter: Glutamate
cause overstimulation, migraines, and seizures. Most common
neurotransmitter.
Neurotransmitter: Serotonin
Involved in mood, appetite, sleep and aggression. Low levels associated
with depressions.
Where are neurotransmitters stored? How do they communicate between
neurons?
They are stored in the axon terminal at the very end of the terminal in
the very tip of the finger-like branches. The very end is called the
terminal button.
"If the signal reaches the terminal buttons, they are signaled to emit
chemicals known as neurotransmitters, which communicate with other
neurons across the spaces between the cells, known as synapses."
What is the function of the cerebellum?
,Coordination, balance, and posture. Stand, walk, run, dance. Circular and
tucked up underneath the lobes of the brain. Cinderella's cerebellum -
dancing.
What is the function of the hypothalamus?
Body temperature, hunger, thirst, and sex drive. Below the thalamus.
Hypothermostat = body temperature.
What is the function of the thalamus?
Consciousness and sleep. Underneath the corpus callosum right in the
middle of the brain. Thank you thalamus for letting me sleep.
What is the function of the corpus callosum?
Band of nerve fibers joining the two hemispheres of the brain and
allowing them to communicate. Like a mediator reminded the left and
right brain to work together.
What is the function of the hippocampus?
Store long term memory. Looks like horns. If I see a hippo with horns on
the highway, I will never forget because I have a hippocampus.
What is the function of the frontal lobe?
Thinking, planning, judgement. Right behind your forehead. Remember:
scratch your forehead when you are thinking.
What is the function of the parietal lobe?
Processing information about touch like a tickle on your foot. Behind the
frontal lobe. Parietal lobe processes. Remember the P's.
What is the function of the temporal lobe?
Hearing and language. Around the ear region. Headphones would sit
around the temporal lobe.
What is the function of the occipital lobe?
, Visual information. Very back of the head. O like a circle of the eye or
the lens in glasses. "Eyes in the back of my head"
What is the endocrine system?
secretes chemical messengers called hormones that influence our
emotions and behaviors.
What is the function of the pancreas?
Regulates the level of blood sugar in the blood
What is the function of the testes?
produce sperm and testosterone
What is function of the ovaries?
Progesterone/estrogen/egg production.
What is the function of the pituitary gland?
Secretes many different hormones, some of which affect other glands. It's
the master gland. Controls everything.
What is the difference between sensation and perception?
sensation—awareness resulting from the stimulation of a sense organ
perception—the organization and interpretation of sensations
What is the definition for the term absolute threshold?
the intensity of a stimulus that allows an organism to just barely detect it
What is subliminal messaging? How effective is subliminal messaging?
means "below the threshold" and only effective 50% of the time.
A signal or message designed to pass below (sub) the normal limits of
perception. An inaudible to the conscious mind (but audible to the
unconscious or deeper mind)
What is top-down perception? Provide an example
