PRACTICE EXAM 1: NEUROSCIENCE
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED
ANSWERS
The axon hillock is generally responsible for initiating action potentials in neurons.
What special
characteristic is displayed by this region, allowing it to "trigger" action potentials?
A) it has a relatively high concentration of voltage-gated calcium channels.
B) it contains the endoplasmic reticulum, which is sensitive to sodium ions
concentration.
C) it is the most sensitive region to potassium ions concentration.
D) it has a relatively high concentration of voltage-gated sodium and potassium
channels.
E) it is the only region in neurons receiving synaptic terminals. - Answer-D
Which of the following is the major charge carrier involved in the conduction of
electricity in neurons?
A) Charged proteins.
B) Cations.
C) Ions.
D) Both A) and B)
E) Both A) and C) - Answer-C
In which organelles would you be most likely to find the mature enzyme NADH
dehydrogenase, an
important component of the cell's machinery responsible for cellular "respiration"?
A) The nucleus.
B) The Golgi apparatus.
C) The endoplasmic reticulum.
D) The mitochondria.
E) The microtubules. - Answer-D
Which of the following cell types typically reduces energy demands/requirements in
neurons?
A) astrocytes.
B) granule cells.
C) oligodendrocytes.
D) microglia.
E) Both A) and C) - Answer-C
The forces on the different ions in and out of neurons are responsible for the
electrochemical properties
that provide information in the nervous system. Which ion, in the resting state
(resting membrane
potential), has the strongest force either pulling it inside or pushing it outside nerve
cells (hint -
remember how to compute the force acting on ions)?
, A) Negatively charged proteins.
B) Chloride.
C) Potassium.
D) Positively charged proteins.
E) Sodium. - Answer-E
Which of the following protein properties determines the ion selectivity of specific ion
channels?
A) Number of protein molecules assembling to form a pore.
B) Number of independent ion channels in the membrane.
C) Nature of the amino acid R groups lining the ion channel.
D) The thickness of the membrane-spanning domains of the channel proteins.
E) The sphere of hydration of different ions. - Answer-C
What is the function of a neurotransmitter receptor in the dendritic membrane?
A) Respond to the action potential.
B) Detect neurotransmitters.
C) Destroy extra neurotransmitter left in the synaptic cleft.
D) Form gap junctions.
E) Release synaptic vesicles. - Answer-B
An axon terminal of a glutamate-containing neuron contacts the cell soma of another
neuron. What
would be the most appropriate name for this type of connection?
A) An inhibitory axo-dendritic synapse.
B) An excitatory gap junction.
C) An inhibitory axo-somatic synapse.
D) An excitatory axo-dendritic synapse.
E) An excitatory axo-somatic synapse. - Answer-E
For what purpose did Franz Joseph Gall study the dimensions of the human
cranium?
A) To understand the propensity for certain personality traits.
B) To demonstrate equal participation of all regions of the brain in all cerebral
functions.
C) To show that nerves conduct electrical signals to and from the brain.
D) To show that unique human mental capabilities exist outside the brain.
E) To correlate human cognitive functions to ventricular size. - Answer-A
Which ion is mostly responsible for the value of the membrane potential at rest, and
why?
A) Potassium, because it's conductance is higher than that of other ions at rest.
B) Potassium, because it's concentration inside neurons is much greater than
outside neurons.
C) Chloride, because it's concentration outside neurons is much greater than inside
neurons.
D) Sodium, because it's conductance is much smaller than that of other ions at rest.
E) Sodium, because it's concentration outside neurons is much higher than inside
neurons. - Answer-A
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED
ANSWERS
The axon hillock is generally responsible for initiating action potentials in neurons.
What special
characteristic is displayed by this region, allowing it to "trigger" action potentials?
A) it has a relatively high concentration of voltage-gated calcium channels.
B) it contains the endoplasmic reticulum, which is sensitive to sodium ions
concentration.
C) it is the most sensitive region to potassium ions concentration.
D) it has a relatively high concentration of voltage-gated sodium and potassium
channels.
E) it is the only region in neurons receiving synaptic terminals. - Answer-D
Which of the following is the major charge carrier involved in the conduction of
electricity in neurons?
A) Charged proteins.
B) Cations.
C) Ions.
D) Both A) and B)
E) Both A) and C) - Answer-C
In which organelles would you be most likely to find the mature enzyme NADH
dehydrogenase, an
important component of the cell's machinery responsible for cellular "respiration"?
A) The nucleus.
B) The Golgi apparatus.
C) The endoplasmic reticulum.
D) The mitochondria.
E) The microtubules. - Answer-D
Which of the following cell types typically reduces energy demands/requirements in
neurons?
A) astrocytes.
B) granule cells.
C) oligodendrocytes.
D) microglia.
E) Both A) and C) - Answer-C
The forces on the different ions in and out of neurons are responsible for the
electrochemical properties
that provide information in the nervous system. Which ion, in the resting state
(resting membrane
potential), has the strongest force either pulling it inside or pushing it outside nerve
cells (hint -
remember how to compute the force acting on ions)?
, A) Negatively charged proteins.
B) Chloride.
C) Potassium.
D) Positively charged proteins.
E) Sodium. - Answer-E
Which of the following protein properties determines the ion selectivity of specific ion
channels?
A) Number of protein molecules assembling to form a pore.
B) Number of independent ion channels in the membrane.
C) Nature of the amino acid R groups lining the ion channel.
D) The thickness of the membrane-spanning domains of the channel proteins.
E) The sphere of hydration of different ions. - Answer-C
What is the function of a neurotransmitter receptor in the dendritic membrane?
A) Respond to the action potential.
B) Detect neurotransmitters.
C) Destroy extra neurotransmitter left in the synaptic cleft.
D) Form gap junctions.
E) Release synaptic vesicles. - Answer-B
An axon terminal of a glutamate-containing neuron contacts the cell soma of another
neuron. What
would be the most appropriate name for this type of connection?
A) An inhibitory axo-dendritic synapse.
B) An excitatory gap junction.
C) An inhibitory axo-somatic synapse.
D) An excitatory axo-dendritic synapse.
E) An excitatory axo-somatic synapse. - Answer-E
For what purpose did Franz Joseph Gall study the dimensions of the human
cranium?
A) To understand the propensity for certain personality traits.
B) To demonstrate equal participation of all regions of the brain in all cerebral
functions.
C) To show that nerves conduct electrical signals to and from the brain.
D) To show that unique human mental capabilities exist outside the brain.
E) To correlate human cognitive functions to ventricular size. - Answer-A
Which ion is mostly responsible for the value of the membrane potential at rest, and
why?
A) Potassium, because it's conductance is higher than that of other ions at rest.
B) Potassium, because it's concentration inside neurons is much greater than
outside neurons.
C) Chloride, because it's concentration outside neurons is much greater than inside
neurons.
D) Sodium, because it's conductance is much smaller than that of other ions at rest.
E) Sodium, because it's concentration outside neurons is much higher than inside
neurons. - Answer-A
