FNP 2 Exam Questions with Complete Solutions|
Verified Answers
1. What are glial cells? - ANSWER Non-excitable support cells in the nervous system.
Name comes from "glia", meaning "glue".
Identified by morphology and specific markers (e.g., immunohistochemistry).
2. What is the role of glial cells? - ANSWER Provide structural support.
Aid in neuronal function and homeostasis.
Participate in neurotransmitter regulation.
Form myelin sheaths for faster conduction.
Mediate immune responses in the CNS.
3. What are the myelin-forming cells in the PNS and CNS? - ANSWER Schwann Cells →
Peripheral Nervous System (PNS).
Oligodendrocytes → Central Nervous System (CNS).
4. What is the difference between Schwann Cells and Oligodendrocytes? - ANSWER
Myelination:
PNS: 1 Schwann cell = 1 axon
CNS: 1 oligodendrocyte = multiple axons (up to 30)
Regeneration
PNS: Can support axon regrowth
CNS: No axon regeneration (due to inhibitory CNS signals)
,5. Why is axon regeneration possible in the PNS but not in the CNS? - ANSWER PNS:
Schwann cells form an endoneurial tube that guides axon regrowth.
CNS: Lacks an endoneurial tube & contains inhibitory signals that prevent regrowth.
What are the two major parts of the nervous system? - ANSWER Central Nervous
System (CNS) → Brain & spinal cord.
Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) → Nerves outside the CNS that connect it to the body
What is the function of the CNS? - ANSWER Processes, integrates, and controls body
functions.
Coordinates sensory information, thoughts, and movement.
What is the function of the PNS? - ANSWER Transmits signals between the CNS and the
body.
Controls both voluntary (skeletal muscles) and involuntary (organs, glands) functions.
6. What are ependymal cells and their function? - ANSWER Line the brain's ventricles &
central canal of the spinal cord.
Involved in the production and circulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
Have cilia that help circulate CSF
7. What are astrocytes and what makes them unique? - ANSWER Most numerous glial
cells in the CNS.
Have a stellate (star-shaped) morphology.
Identified by GFAP (glial fibrillary acidic protein).
Can act as stem cells for neurogenesis.
, 8. What are the major functions of astrocytes? - ANSWER Structural support: Provide
scaffolding for neurons.
Homeostasis: Regulate extracellular ions, like K⁺ buffering.
Neurotransmitter regulation: Take up excess neurotransmitters to prevent toxicity.
Energy supply: Convert glucose to lactate and export it to neurons.
Blood flow modulation: Involved in neurovascular coupling and fMRI BOLD signals.
Response to CNS injury: Form glial scars in damaged areas (reactive astrogliosis).
What is neurovascular coupling? - ANSWER A process where neural activity regulates
local blood flow in the brain.
Ensures that active brain regions receive more oxygen and nutrients by dilating nearby
blood vessels.
It provides energy to the neurones
How does neurovascular coupling work? - ANSWER Neurons become active, requiring
more energy.
Glutamate is released at synapses.
Astrocytes detect this activity and release vasoactive molecules.
Blood vessels dilate, increasing blood flow.
More oxygen and glucose reach active neurons to meet their energy demands.
How are astrocytes involved in the neurovascular coupling? - ANSWER Astrocytes detect
neural activity and release signals to dilate blood vessels.
4. Why is neurovascular coupling important? - ANSWER It ensures proper brain function
by delivering nutrients where needed.
It prevents neuronal damage from insufficient blood supply.
Verified Answers
1. What are glial cells? - ANSWER Non-excitable support cells in the nervous system.
Name comes from "glia", meaning "glue".
Identified by morphology and specific markers (e.g., immunohistochemistry).
2. What is the role of glial cells? - ANSWER Provide structural support.
Aid in neuronal function and homeostasis.
Participate in neurotransmitter regulation.
Form myelin sheaths for faster conduction.
Mediate immune responses in the CNS.
3. What are the myelin-forming cells in the PNS and CNS? - ANSWER Schwann Cells →
Peripheral Nervous System (PNS).
Oligodendrocytes → Central Nervous System (CNS).
4. What is the difference between Schwann Cells and Oligodendrocytes? - ANSWER
Myelination:
PNS: 1 Schwann cell = 1 axon
CNS: 1 oligodendrocyte = multiple axons (up to 30)
Regeneration
PNS: Can support axon regrowth
CNS: No axon regeneration (due to inhibitory CNS signals)
,5. Why is axon regeneration possible in the PNS but not in the CNS? - ANSWER PNS:
Schwann cells form an endoneurial tube that guides axon regrowth.
CNS: Lacks an endoneurial tube & contains inhibitory signals that prevent regrowth.
What are the two major parts of the nervous system? - ANSWER Central Nervous
System (CNS) → Brain & spinal cord.
Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) → Nerves outside the CNS that connect it to the body
What is the function of the CNS? - ANSWER Processes, integrates, and controls body
functions.
Coordinates sensory information, thoughts, and movement.
What is the function of the PNS? - ANSWER Transmits signals between the CNS and the
body.
Controls both voluntary (skeletal muscles) and involuntary (organs, glands) functions.
6. What are ependymal cells and their function? - ANSWER Line the brain's ventricles &
central canal of the spinal cord.
Involved in the production and circulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
Have cilia that help circulate CSF
7. What are astrocytes and what makes them unique? - ANSWER Most numerous glial
cells in the CNS.
Have a stellate (star-shaped) morphology.
Identified by GFAP (glial fibrillary acidic protein).
Can act as stem cells for neurogenesis.
, 8. What are the major functions of astrocytes? - ANSWER Structural support: Provide
scaffolding for neurons.
Homeostasis: Regulate extracellular ions, like K⁺ buffering.
Neurotransmitter regulation: Take up excess neurotransmitters to prevent toxicity.
Energy supply: Convert glucose to lactate and export it to neurons.
Blood flow modulation: Involved in neurovascular coupling and fMRI BOLD signals.
Response to CNS injury: Form glial scars in damaged areas (reactive astrogliosis).
What is neurovascular coupling? - ANSWER A process where neural activity regulates
local blood flow in the brain.
Ensures that active brain regions receive more oxygen and nutrients by dilating nearby
blood vessels.
It provides energy to the neurones
How does neurovascular coupling work? - ANSWER Neurons become active, requiring
more energy.
Glutamate is released at synapses.
Astrocytes detect this activity and release vasoactive molecules.
Blood vessels dilate, increasing blood flow.
More oxygen and glucose reach active neurons to meet their energy demands.
How are astrocytes involved in the neurovascular coupling? - ANSWER Astrocytes detect
neural activity and release signals to dilate blood vessels.
4. Why is neurovascular coupling important? - ANSWER It ensures proper brain function
by delivering nutrients where needed.
It prevents neuronal damage from insufficient blood supply.
