MEDICAL NEUROSCIENCE EXAM
QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE
ANSWERS 2025
The Circle of Willis - Answer-a ring of arteries as the base of the brain, protect the
brain from a clogged carotid or artery because it allows for collateral circulation
Collateral Branches - Answer-link some major cerebral arteries & allow blood to flow
in either direction
Anastomoses - Answer-vessel fusions linking small arterioles at the brain's surface,
allow blood to flow laterally
Penetrating Arterioles - Answer-carry blood from the surface of the brain into deeper
levels
Interneurons - Answer-those that only contact nearby neurons
Projection Neurons - Answer-those that send axons to distant brain regions
Dendrites - Answer-receive electrochemical signals from axon of presynaptic neuron
Axons - Answer-conduct action potentials from cell body to dendrites of postsynaptic
neurons
Myelin Sheath - Answer-prevents the flow of ions through leak channels, allowing the
action potential to flow further down the axon before decaying
Synapse - Answer-gap between neurons at which electrochemical signals are
transmitted
Oligodendrocytes - Answer-produce myelin to insulate axons
Microglia - Answer-act as immune cells of the nervous system by engulfing cellular
debris
Astrocytes - Answer-regulate blood flow, protect the brain, & recycle
neurotransmitters
Neural Circuits - Answer-Pathways of neurons with similar functions that diverge to
transmit information to several neurons & then converge to integrate information
Neurons can't synthesize - Answer-glucose
Neurons can't store - Answer-glycogen
, Astrocytes provide neurons with - Answer-lactate, which they can use to generate
ATP
Resting Potential - Answer-typical voltage difference between the inside & outside of
the neuron
Action Potential - Answer-brief reversals of polarity across the cell membrane
Action Potential Threshold - Answer-point at which the membrane is depolarized
enough to fire an action potential
Spike Rate - Answer-the number of action potentials fired per unit time
Response Profile - Answer-how a neuron responds to a variety of a stimuli
Tetanic Stimulation - Answer-use of high-frequency stimulation to measure if an
EPSP can potentiate after stimulus has ended
Meninges - Answer-lie right below the skull & protect the brain
Dura Mater - Answer-outermost protective membrane (meninges) between the
cranial vault & the brain; allows blood to leave the brain & for CSF to re-enter
circulation
Blood Brain Barrier - Answer-tight junctions between endothelial cells that prevent
toxins & other substances from entering the brain
Arachnoid Mater - Answer-lays over criss-crossing blood vessels
Pia Mater - Answer-innermost meninges; thin membrane covering external surface
of the CNS
Gray Matter - Answer-processes information, controls muscle movement, sensory
perception, memory, emotions & decision making
White Matter - Answer-facilitates transmission of electrical signals between different
brain regions
Gyri - Answer-ridges of folds in the neocortex
Sulci - Answer-valleys between folds in the neocortex
Hindbrain - Answer-includes medulla, cerebellum & pons
Midbrain - Answer-divided into the colliculus & tegmentum
Forebrain - Answer-contains the diencephalon, telencephalon, and cerebral cortex
Central Sulcus - Answer-separates the frontal lobe from the parietal lobe
QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE
ANSWERS 2025
The Circle of Willis - Answer-a ring of arteries as the base of the brain, protect the
brain from a clogged carotid or artery because it allows for collateral circulation
Collateral Branches - Answer-link some major cerebral arteries & allow blood to flow
in either direction
Anastomoses - Answer-vessel fusions linking small arterioles at the brain's surface,
allow blood to flow laterally
Penetrating Arterioles - Answer-carry blood from the surface of the brain into deeper
levels
Interneurons - Answer-those that only contact nearby neurons
Projection Neurons - Answer-those that send axons to distant brain regions
Dendrites - Answer-receive electrochemical signals from axon of presynaptic neuron
Axons - Answer-conduct action potentials from cell body to dendrites of postsynaptic
neurons
Myelin Sheath - Answer-prevents the flow of ions through leak channels, allowing the
action potential to flow further down the axon before decaying
Synapse - Answer-gap between neurons at which electrochemical signals are
transmitted
Oligodendrocytes - Answer-produce myelin to insulate axons
Microglia - Answer-act as immune cells of the nervous system by engulfing cellular
debris
Astrocytes - Answer-regulate blood flow, protect the brain, & recycle
neurotransmitters
Neural Circuits - Answer-Pathways of neurons with similar functions that diverge to
transmit information to several neurons & then converge to integrate information
Neurons can't synthesize - Answer-glucose
Neurons can't store - Answer-glycogen
, Astrocytes provide neurons with - Answer-lactate, which they can use to generate
ATP
Resting Potential - Answer-typical voltage difference between the inside & outside of
the neuron
Action Potential - Answer-brief reversals of polarity across the cell membrane
Action Potential Threshold - Answer-point at which the membrane is depolarized
enough to fire an action potential
Spike Rate - Answer-the number of action potentials fired per unit time
Response Profile - Answer-how a neuron responds to a variety of a stimuli
Tetanic Stimulation - Answer-use of high-frequency stimulation to measure if an
EPSP can potentiate after stimulus has ended
Meninges - Answer-lie right below the skull & protect the brain
Dura Mater - Answer-outermost protective membrane (meninges) between the
cranial vault & the brain; allows blood to leave the brain & for CSF to re-enter
circulation
Blood Brain Barrier - Answer-tight junctions between endothelial cells that prevent
toxins & other substances from entering the brain
Arachnoid Mater - Answer-lays over criss-crossing blood vessels
Pia Mater - Answer-innermost meninges; thin membrane covering external surface
of the CNS
Gray Matter - Answer-processes information, controls muscle movement, sensory
perception, memory, emotions & decision making
White Matter - Answer-facilitates transmission of electrical signals between different
brain regions
Gyri - Answer-ridges of folds in the neocortex
Sulci - Answer-valleys between folds in the neocortex
Hindbrain - Answer-includes medulla, cerebellum & pons
Midbrain - Answer-divided into the colliculus & tegmentum
Forebrain - Answer-contains the diencephalon, telencephalon, and cerebral cortex
Central Sulcus - Answer-separates the frontal lobe from the parietal lobe
