ANSWERS
Acetylcholine esterase breaks acetylcholine into muscarinic acid - Answer-False
Acetylcholine exocytosed from the presynaptic cell travels to the postsynaptic cell to
start the action potential in the postsynaptic cell. - Answer-True
Blood moves very rapidly in the capillaries. - Answer-False
Blood pressure drives red blood cells and plasma proteins out of the glomerulus. -
Answer-False
Blood pressure is the force that drives molecules out of the glomerulus into the
Bowman's capsule. - Answer-True
Briefly explain why the action potential flows only from the axon hillock to the terminal
web. - Answer-The action potential originates from the axon hillock which initiates the
flow of the action potential because of the presence of higher density voltage-gated ion
channels.
Difference Between Veins and Arteries - Answer-Veins carry blood towards the heart
and have valves to prevent backflow, while arteries carry blood away from the heart and
do not have valves.
Draw a cross-section of an artery or arteriole and label the layers. - Answer-
Draw a neuron, and label all the parts as described in lecture. - Answer-
Draw an action potential in the axon of a neuron and indicate which ions flow into the
neuron and out of the neuron as the action potential passes at the point where the
electrodes are in the cell. Be sure to assign on the Y-axis the mV of each of these
areas. This should be as described in my lectures. - Answer-
Each kidney contains about one million nephrons. - Answer-True
Efferent arterioles enter the Bowman's capsule and afferent arterioles leave the
Bowman' s capsule. - Answer-False
Excitatory synapses cause depolarization of the post-synaptic cell. - Answer-True
Excitatory synapses cause hyperpolarization of post-synaptic cells. - Answer-False
Excitatory synapses make the post-synaptic cell less likely to fire. - Answer-False
, Explain how insulin and glucagon regulate the balance (i.e, homeostasis) between
glycogen and glucose when epinephrine (i.e., adrenalin) is not involved. - Answer--
blood glucose rises
-> b-cells of pancreas release insulin
-> insulin stimulates cells to use glucose and convert glucose to glycogen and fat
- blood glucose falls
-> pancreas stops releasing insulin
-> cells use glycogen and fat for energy
- blood glucose falls too low
-> a-cells release glucagon
-> glucagon stimulates liver to convert glycogen back to glucose
Fast neurons as described in lecture are fast because they are surrounded by a type of
glial cell that results in a myelin coating. - Answer-False
Fast neurons as described in lecture require cytoplasmic signal transduction to open an
ion channel. - Answer-False
Functions of the Sinoatrial Node - Answer-The sinoatrial node is responsible for
generating electrical impulses in the heart, initiating the heartbeat and setting the pace
for the heart rate.
Give an example of homeostasis in the kidney. - Answer-Kidneys will release an
enzyme called renin which activates a circulating hormone angiotensin. This hormone
does things to get blood pressure back up so the pressure remains high for proper
function.
How do the glial cells (i.e., myelin sheath) speed up the firing of neurons? - Answer-The
cell wraps extensions of a fatty insulating substance (myelin) around the axons of
neurons.
Importance of Surfactant in Lung Function - Answer-Surfactant is a substance produced
by type II alveolar cells in the lungs that reduces surface tension, preventing alveoli from
collapsing and aiding in efficient gas exchange.
In capillaries the blood pressure pushes nutrients out of the capillaries towards the cells.
- Answer-True
In mammals ventilation is tidal. - Answer-True
In the motor end plate, the event that is the immediate trigger for exocytosis is: -
Answer-Calcium ions