BIOD 152: Module 1 Exam Portage Learning Questions and
Answers 2026 Practice Set
BIOD 152: Module 1 Nervous System Test Bank
1. Which neuroglial cell is responsible for forming the blood-brain barrier (BBB)?
A. Microglia
B. Astrocytes
C. Ependymal cells
D. Schwann cells
Answer: B
Rationale: Astrocytes wrap their "feet" around capillaries in the brain, creating a
selective barrier that protects neurons from fluctuations in blood chemistry.
2. The resting membrane potential of a typical neuron is maintained at
approximately:
A. +30 mV
B. 0 mV
C. -70 mV
D. -55 mV
Answer: C
Rationale: -70 mV is the standard electrical charge across the plasma membrane when
the neuron is not actively sending a signal, maintained by the Na+/K+ pump.
3. Which part of the brain is the primary site for the regulation of body
temperature and hunger?
A. Thalamus
B. Hypothalamus
C. Cerebellum
D. Medulla Oblongata
Answer: B
Rationale: The hypothalamus acts as the body's thermostat and hunger center,
maintaining overall homeostasis.
4. Saltatory conduction refers to the "jumping" of an impulse across:
A. Synaptic clefts
B. Dendrites
C. Nodes of Ranvier
,D. Axon terminals
Answer: C
Rationale: In myelinated axons, the electrical signal skips the insulated myelin sections
and jumps between the exposed gaps known as Nodes of Ranvier.
5. Which division of the nervous system is often called the "Thoracolumbar"
division?
A. Parasympathetic
B. Sympathetic
C. Somatic
D. Central
Answer: B
Rationale: The sympathetic nervous system's preganglionic fibers originate from the
thoracic and lumbar segments of the spinal cord (T1-L2).
6. Which cranial nerve (CN) is responsible for facial expression?
A. CN V (Trigeminal)
B. CN VII (Facial)
C. CN X (Vagus)
D. CN XII (Hypoglossal)
Answer: B
Rationale: While CN V handles facial sensation, CN VII provides motor control for the
muscles of facial expression.
7. A multipolar neuron is characterized by having:
A. One axon and one dendrite
B. Many axons and one dendrite
C. One axon and many dendrites
D. No axon and many dendrites
Answer: C
Rationale: Multipolar neurons are the most common type and feature a single axon with
a high volume of branching dendrites.
8. During depolarization, which of the following occurs?
A. Potassium channels open and K+ leaves the cell
B. Sodium channels open and Na+ enters the cell
C. The membrane becomes more negative
D. The Sodium-Potassium pump shuts off
Answer: B
, Rationale: Depolarization is caused by the rapid influx of positive sodium ions, making
the interior of the cell less negative.
9. The "Arbor Vitae" is a structural feature of which organ?
A. Cerebrum
B. Brainstem
C. Cerebellum
D. Spinal Cord
Answer: C
Rationale: The "tree of life" refers to the distinct branching pattern of white matter found
deep within the cerebellum.
10. Which neurotransmitter is released at the neuromuscular junction to stimulate
muscle contraction?
A. Dopamine
B. Norepinephrine
C. Acetylcholine
D. Serotonin
Answer: C
Rationale: Acetylcholine (ACh) is the primary excitatory neurotransmitter for skeletal
muscle fibers.
11. The visual cortex is located in which lobe of the cerebrum?
A. Frontal
B. Temporal
C. Occipital
D. Parietal
Answer: C
Rationale: The occipital lobe, located at the back of the brain, is dedicated to processing
visual stimuli.
12. Which meningeal layer is the outermost, toughest, and "leathery"?
A. Pia Mater
B. Arachnoid Mater
C. Dura Mater
D. Subdural Space
Answer: C
Rationale: The Dura Mater (meaning "tough mother") provides the strongest layer of
protection for the brain and spinal cord.
Answers 2026 Practice Set
BIOD 152: Module 1 Nervous System Test Bank
1. Which neuroglial cell is responsible for forming the blood-brain barrier (BBB)?
A. Microglia
B. Astrocytes
C. Ependymal cells
D. Schwann cells
Answer: B
Rationale: Astrocytes wrap their "feet" around capillaries in the brain, creating a
selective barrier that protects neurons from fluctuations in blood chemistry.
2. The resting membrane potential of a typical neuron is maintained at
approximately:
A. +30 mV
B. 0 mV
C. -70 mV
D. -55 mV
Answer: C
Rationale: -70 mV is the standard electrical charge across the plasma membrane when
the neuron is not actively sending a signal, maintained by the Na+/K+ pump.
3. Which part of the brain is the primary site for the regulation of body
temperature and hunger?
A. Thalamus
B. Hypothalamus
C. Cerebellum
D. Medulla Oblongata
Answer: B
Rationale: The hypothalamus acts as the body's thermostat and hunger center,
maintaining overall homeostasis.
4. Saltatory conduction refers to the "jumping" of an impulse across:
A. Synaptic clefts
B. Dendrites
C. Nodes of Ranvier
,D. Axon terminals
Answer: C
Rationale: In myelinated axons, the electrical signal skips the insulated myelin sections
and jumps between the exposed gaps known as Nodes of Ranvier.
5. Which division of the nervous system is often called the "Thoracolumbar"
division?
A. Parasympathetic
B. Sympathetic
C. Somatic
D. Central
Answer: B
Rationale: The sympathetic nervous system's preganglionic fibers originate from the
thoracic and lumbar segments of the spinal cord (T1-L2).
6. Which cranial nerve (CN) is responsible for facial expression?
A. CN V (Trigeminal)
B. CN VII (Facial)
C. CN X (Vagus)
D. CN XII (Hypoglossal)
Answer: B
Rationale: While CN V handles facial sensation, CN VII provides motor control for the
muscles of facial expression.
7. A multipolar neuron is characterized by having:
A. One axon and one dendrite
B. Many axons and one dendrite
C. One axon and many dendrites
D. No axon and many dendrites
Answer: C
Rationale: Multipolar neurons are the most common type and feature a single axon with
a high volume of branching dendrites.
8. During depolarization, which of the following occurs?
A. Potassium channels open and K+ leaves the cell
B. Sodium channels open and Na+ enters the cell
C. The membrane becomes more negative
D. The Sodium-Potassium pump shuts off
Answer: B
, Rationale: Depolarization is caused by the rapid influx of positive sodium ions, making
the interior of the cell less negative.
9. The "Arbor Vitae" is a structural feature of which organ?
A. Cerebrum
B. Brainstem
C. Cerebellum
D. Spinal Cord
Answer: C
Rationale: The "tree of life" refers to the distinct branching pattern of white matter found
deep within the cerebellum.
10. Which neurotransmitter is released at the neuromuscular junction to stimulate
muscle contraction?
A. Dopamine
B. Norepinephrine
C. Acetylcholine
D. Serotonin
Answer: C
Rationale: Acetylcholine (ACh) is the primary excitatory neurotransmitter for skeletal
muscle fibers.
11. The visual cortex is located in which lobe of the cerebrum?
A. Frontal
B. Temporal
C. Occipital
D. Parietal
Answer: C
Rationale: The occipital lobe, located at the back of the brain, is dedicated to processing
visual stimuli.
12. Which meningeal layer is the outermost, toughest, and "leathery"?
A. Pia Mater
B. Arachnoid Mater
C. Dura Mater
D. Subdural Space
Answer: C
Rationale: The Dura Mater (meaning "tough mother") provides the strongest layer of
protection for the brain and spinal cord.
