BBS 200 Week 5 Quiz — Practice Exam
2026 with correct answers marked in
bold and rationale
Questions 1–100
1. What is the basic unit of the nervous system?
A. Hormone
B. Neuron
C. Muscle fiber
D. Gland
Rationale: Neurons are specialized cells that transmit information throughout the nervous system.
2. Which part of the neuron receives incoming signals?
A. Dendrites
B. Axon
C. Myelin sheath
D. Synaptic vesicle
Rationale: Dendrites receive signals from other neurons and pass them toward the cell body.
3. The axon primarily functions to:
A. Store neurotransmitters
B. Produce hormones
C. Carry signals away from the cell body
D. Digest cellular waste
Rationale: Axons transmit electrical impulses away from the neuron’s soma.
,4. The fatty covering that speeds neural transmission is called the:
A. Synapse
B. Myelin sheath
C. Dendrite
D. Receptor
Rationale: Myelin insulates axons and increases the speed of action potentials.
5. The tiny gap between neurons is the:
A. Axon hillock
B. Soma
C. Synapse
D. Cerebellum
Rationale: The synapse is the junction where neurons communicate chemically.
6. Neurotransmitters are released from the:
A. Dendrites
B. Axon terminals
C. Nucleus
D. Myelin sheath
Rationale: Neurotransmitters are stored in vesicles and released from axon terminals.
7. Which statement best describes an action potential?
A. A chemical message in the bloodstream
B. A rapid electrical impulse along the axon
C. A long-term memory trace
D. A hormone response
Rationale: Action potentials are electrical signals that travel down the axon.
,8. Resting potential refers to:
A. The neuron’s electrical charge when not firing
B. The neuron’s maximum firing rate
C. The amount of neurotransmitter released
D. The size of the dendrites
Rationale: Resting potential is the baseline electrical state of a neuron.
9. The “all-or-none” principle means:
A. Neurons fire slowly or quickly depending on mood
B. Stronger signals produce larger action potentials
C. A neuron either fires completely or does not fire
D. Only some neurons use electricity
Rationale: Action potentials do not vary in size; they either occur fully or not at all.
10. Which neurotransmitter is strongly associated with pleasure and reward?
A. Acetylcholine
B. Dopamine
C. GABA
D. Serotonin
Rationale: Dopamine plays a central role in reward, motivation, and reinforcement.
11. Low levels of serotonin are often associated with:
A. Increased muscle contraction only
B. Depression and mood changes
C. Loss of vision
D. Faster reflexes
, Rationale: Serotonin influences mood, sleep, appetite, and emotional regulation.
12. GABA is best described as:
A. The main excitatory neurotransmitter
B. The main inhibitory neurotransmitter
C. A stress hormone
D. A visual pigment
Rationale: GABA reduces neural activity and helps regulate nervous system balance.
13. Glutamate is:
A. The main excitatory neurotransmitter
B. A hormone released by the adrenal gland
C. A type of glial cell
D. A sleep disorder
Rationale: Glutamate increases the likelihood that neurons will fire.
14. Acetylcholine is important for:
A. Bone growth
B. Blood clotting
C. Muscle movement and learning
D. Hair growth
Rationale: Acetylcholine helps activate muscles and is involved in memory and learning.
15. Endorphins are associated with:
A. Hunger only
B. Pain relief and pleasure
C. Vision
D. Breathing rate only
2026 with correct answers marked in
bold and rationale
Questions 1–100
1. What is the basic unit of the nervous system?
A. Hormone
B. Neuron
C. Muscle fiber
D. Gland
Rationale: Neurons are specialized cells that transmit information throughout the nervous system.
2. Which part of the neuron receives incoming signals?
A. Dendrites
B. Axon
C. Myelin sheath
D. Synaptic vesicle
Rationale: Dendrites receive signals from other neurons and pass them toward the cell body.
3. The axon primarily functions to:
A. Store neurotransmitters
B. Produce hormones
C. Carry signals away from the cell body
D. Digest cellular waste
Rationale: Axons transmit electrical impulses away from the neuron’s soma.
,4. The fatty covering that speeds neural transmission is called the:
A. Synapse
B. Myelin sheath
C. Dendrite
D. Receptor
Rationale: Myelin insulates axons and increases the speed of action potentials.
5. The tiny gap between neurons is the:
A. Axon hillock
B. Soma
C. Synapse
D. Cerebellum
Rationale: The synapse is the junction where neurons communicate chemically.
6. Neurotransmitters are released from the:
A. Dendrites
B. Axon terminals
C. Nucleus
D. Myelin sheath
Rationale: Neurotransmitters are stored in vesicles and released from axon terminals.
7. Which statement best describes an action potential?
A. A chemical message in the bloodstream
B. A rapid electrical impulse along the axon
C. A long-term memory trace
D. A hormone response
Rationale: Action potentials are electrical signals that travel down the axon.
,8. Resting potential refers to:
A. The neuron’s electrical charge when not firing
B. The neuron’s maximum firing rate
C. The amount of neurotransmitter released
D. The size of the dendrites
Rationale: Resting potential is the baseline electrical state of a neuron.
9. The “all-or-none” principle means:
A. Neurons fire slowly or quickly depending on mood
B. Stronger signals produce larger action potentials
C. A neuron either fires completely or does not fire
D. Only some neurons use electricity
Rationale: Action potentials do not vary in size; they either occur fully or not at all.
10. Which neurotransmitter is strongly associated with pleasure and reward?
A. Acetylcholine
B. Dopamine
C. GABA
D. Serotonin
Rationale: Dopamine plays a central role in reward, motivation, and reinforcement.
11. Low levels of serotonin are often associated with:
A. Increased muscle contraction only
B. Depression and mood changes
C. Loss of vision
D. Faster reflexes
, Rationale: Serotonin influences mood, sleep, appetite, and emotional regulation.
12. GABA is best described as:
A. The main excitatory neurotransmitter
B. The main inhibitory neurotransmitter
C. A stress hormone
D. A visual pigment
Rationale: GABA reduces neural activity and helps regulate nervous system balance.
13. Glutamate is:
A. The main excitatory neurotransmitter
B. A hormone released by the adrenal gland
C. A type of glial cell
D. A sleep disorder
Rationale: Glutamate increases the likelihood that neurons will fire.
14. Acetylcholine is important for:
A. Bone growth
B. Blood clotting
C. Muscle movement and learning
D. Hair growth
Rationale: Acetylcholine helps activate muscles and is involved in memory and learning.
15. Endorphins are associated with:
A. Hunger only
B. Pain relief and pleasure
C. Vision
D. Breathing rate only
