BIOD 322 Neuroscience | Comprehensive Final Exam Questions
With Answers and detailed Rationales
Question 1.
Which type of glial cell is responsible for forming the myelin sheath in the Central Nervous
System (CNS)?
A. Schwann cells
B. Microglia
C. Oligodendrocytes
D. Astrocytes
Correct Answer: C. Oligodendrocytes
Explanation: Oligodendrocytes myelinate multiple axons in the CNS, whereas Schwann
cells perform this function in the Peripheral Nervous System.
Question 2.
During an action potential, which event is primarily responsible for depolarization?
A. Activation of the Sodium-Potassium pump
B. Efflux of Potassium (K+) ions
C. Influx of Calcium (Ca2+) ions
D. Influx of Sodium (Na+) ions
Correct Answer: D. Influx of Sodium (Na+) ions
Explanation: Depolarization occurs when voltage-gated sodium channels open, allowing
Na+ to rush into the cell, making the membrane potential more positive.
Question 3.
Damage to Broca’s area, located in the frontal lobe, typically results in what condition?
A. Inability to understand spoken language
B. Inability to recognize faces
C. Loss of vision in the left field
D. Difficulty producing speech (non-fluent aphasia)
Correct Answer: D. Difficulty producing speech (non-fluent aphasia)
Explanation: Broca’s area is crucial for speech production. Damage results in Broca’s
aphasia, where the patient understands language but struggles to speak.
, Question 4.
Which structure acts as the primary relay station for sensory information traveling to the
cerebral cortex?
A. Thalamus
B. Basal Ganglia
C. Hypothalamus
D. Hippocampus
Correct Answer: A. Thalamus
Explanation: The thalamus filters and directs almost all sensory input (except smell) to
the appropriate areas of the cortex.
Question 5.
The ‘Fight or Flight’ response is mediated by which division of the nervous system?
A. Parasympathetic Nervous System
B. Somatic Nervous System
C. Central Nervous System
D. Sympathetic Nervous System
Correct Answer: D. Sympathetic Nervous System
Explanation: The Sympathetic Nervous System prepares the body for stressful or
emergency situations by increasing heart rate and diverting blood to muscles.
Question 6.
Which lobe of the brain is primarily responsible for processing visual information?
A. Temporal Lobe
B. Parietal Lobe
C. Frontal Lobe
D. Occipital Lobe
Correct Answer: D. Occipital Lobe
Explanation: The occipital lobe contains the primary visual cortex, which processes data
from the eyes.
Question 7.
What is the primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the mammalian central nervous
system?
A. GABA
B. Serotonin
C. Dopamine
D. Glutamate
Correct Answer: D. Glutamate
With Answers and detailed Rationales
Question 1.
Which type of glial cell is responsible for forming the myelin sheath in the Central Nervous
System (CNS)?
A. Schwann cells
B. Microglia
C. Oligodendrocytes
D. Astrocytes
Correct Answer: C. Oligodendrocytes
Explanation: Oligodendrocytes myelinate multiple axons in the CNS, whereas Schwann
cells perform this function in the Peripheral Nervous System.
Question 2.
During an action potential, which event is primarily responsible for depolarization?
A. Activation of the Sodium-Potassium pump
B. Efflux of Potassium (K+) ions
C. Influx of Calcium (Ca2+) ions
D. Influx of Sodium (Na+) ions
Correct Answer: D. Influx of Sodium (Na+) ions
Explanation: Depolarization occurs when voltage-gated sodium channels open, allowing
Na+ to rush into the cell, making the membrane potential more positive.
Question 3.
Damage to Broca’s area, located in the frontal lobe, typically results in what condition?
A. Inability to understand spoken language
B. Inability to recognize faces
C. Loss of vision in the left field
D. Difficulty producing speech (non-fluent aphasia)
Correct Answer: D. Difficulty producing speech (non-fluent aphasia)
Explanation: Broca’s area is crucial for speech production. Damage results in Broca’s
aphasia, where the patient understands language but struggles to speak.
, Question 4.
Which structure acts as the primary relay station for sensory information traveling to the
cerebral cortex?
A. Thalamus
B. Basal Ganglia
C. Hypothalamus
D. Hippocampus
Correct Answer: A. Thalamus
Explanation: The thalamus filters and directs almost all sensory input (except smell) to
the appropriate areas of the cortex.
Question 5.
The ‘Fight or Flight’ response is mediated by which division of the nervous system?
A. Parasympathetic Nervous System
B. Somatic Nervous System
C. Central Nervous System
D. Sympathetic Nervous System
Correct Answer: D. Sympathetic Nervous System
Explanation: The Sympathetic Nervous System prepares the body for stressful or
emergency situations by increasing heart rate and diverting blood to muscles.
Question 6.
Which lobe of the brain is primarily responsible for processing visual information?
A. Temporal Lobe
B. Parietal Lobe
C. Frontal Lobe
D. Occipital Lobe
Correct Answer: D. Occipital Lobe
Explanation: The occipital lobe contains the primary visual cortex, which processes data
from the eyes.
Question 7.
What is the primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the mammalian central nervous
system?
A. GABA
B. Serotonin
C. Dopamine
D. Glutamate
Correct Answer: D. Glutamate
