NEUROBIOLOGY EXAM QUESTIONS
WITH CORRECT ANSWERS
Neurons - Correct Answers -are nerve cells and the basic building blocks of our entire
nervous systems. The neurons act as sensors for all types of stimuli and communicate
the stimuli throughout the body. They are composed of three main components: the
axon (the tail), the soma (the body), and the dendrites (the branch-like arms that stem
from the soma)
Dendrite - Correct Answers -the branch-like structures of neurons that extend from the
cell body (soma). they receive neural impulses (electrical and chemical signals) from the
axons of other neurons. The signal always travels in the same direction- the signal
comes in this way and in this way, information travels all around your body by going
from neuron to neuron
Axon - Correct Answers -long, spider-thin, tail-like structures found on neurons (nerve
cells). Carries messages between the dendrites and the terminal buttons (the neuron's
terminal output sites that are at the very end)
myelin sheath - Correct Answers -a fatty substance that covers neurons. Helps increase
speed at which information can travel on the neurons.
Synapse - Correct Answers -the entire junction between neurons including the pre-
synaptic neuron's axon terminal, the synaptic cleft, and the dendrite of the post-synaptic
neuron, across which communications flow, usually in the form of neurotransmitter
molecules secreted by the pre-synaptic neuron (on its axon terminal) that travel a short
distance across the synaptic cleft (this is the actual space between the neurons - the
space between the axon terminal of one neuron and the dendrite of the other) to the
post-synaptic neuron. Once at the post-synaptic neuron, some of the neurotransmitters
will attach themselves (bind) to some receptors. It is important to know that the
neurotransmitters and receptors work like a lock and key; that is, they both have certain
shapes and only specific neurotransmitters can fit into certain receptors.
end bulb - Correct Answers -or terminal bulbs, look like tiny bubbles that are located at
the extreme ends of the axon's branches. Each end bulb is like a miniature container
that stores chemicals called neurotransmitters which are used to communicate with
neighboring cells.
, neurotransmitter - Correct Answers -Neural transmission (information being sent from
neuron to neuron) works at both the electrical and chemical levels. When the space
between two neurons is small enough the electrical signal can simply jump the gap and
continue on its way. However, when the gap is too large, the signal must be converted
from electricity to chemicals. These chemicals are neurotransmitters, which can be
defined as chemicals released by neurons which carry information from one neuron to
another. These chemicals are then read or received by a neuron's synapses.
dopamine - Correct Answers -both a neurotransmitter and a neurohormone produced in
multiple areas of the brain. As a hormone it is often associated with pleasant
experiences. Receiving an unexpected reward may cause your heart to speed up and
increase your alertness due to the sudden release of dopamine. As a neurotransmitter it
transmits signals associated with concentration and motor skills. Conditions such
Parkinson's Disease and schizophrenia are associated with an interruption in the brain's
production of this
serotonin - Correct Answers -a neurotransmitter with functions in various systems of the
body. In the central nervous system serotonin works to regulate mood, appetite, sleep,
memory and learning. When present, the neurotransmitter acts as something of a
connector between cells, and is associated with a feeling of happiness or decreased
anxiety.
Acetylcholine - Correct Answers -the most common type of neurotransmitter, and the
most well understood. It's found in parts of the peripheral nervous system, spinal cord,
and areas of the brain. In the peripheral nervous system, ACh activates muscles that
help the body move. When Ach is released to the muscle cells, the muscle contracts. In
the brain, ACh is involved in breathing, attention, arousal, motivation, etc
norepinephrine - Correct Answers -belongs to a family of biological compounds called
catecholamines. These compounds are synthesized in sympathetic neurons and in the
adrenal glands.
all or none principle - Correct Answers -a principle that states that the strength of a
response of a nerve cell or muscle fiber is not dependent upon the strength of the
stimulus. If a stimulus is above a certain threshold, a nerve or muscle fiber will fire.
Essentially, there will either be a full response or there will be no response at all.
Fovea - Correct Answers -the central focal point on the retina in the eye around which
the cones cluster. In fact, the fovea has only cones around it, which are better for
detecting fine detail. So, when trying to really see some fine detail or focus something,
people tend to move the image onto the fovea (although they may be unaware that this
is what they are doing...they just think they are trying to see something better).
cones - Correct Answers -receptor cells that help us see fine details of things and tend
to help us see in situations where there is light or daylight. The majority of cones are in
the center of the retina (we have approximately 6 million cones in each eye). When you
WITH CORRECT ANSWERS
Neurons - Correct Answers -are nerve cells and the basic building blocks of our entire
nervous systems. The neurons act as sensors for all types of stimuli and communicate
the stimuli throughout the body. They are composed of three main components: the
axon (the tail), the soma (the body), and the dendrites (the branch-like arms that stem
from the soma)
Dendrite - Correct Answers -the branch-like structures of neurons that extend from the
cell body (soma). they receive neural impulses (electrical and chemical signals) from the
axons of other neurons. The signal always travels in the same direction- the signal
comes in this way and in this way, information travels all around your body by going
from neuron to neuron
Axon - Correct Answers -long, spider-thin, tail-like structures found on neurons (nerve
cells). Carries messages between the dendrites and the terminal buttons (the neuron's
terminal output sites that are at the very end)
myelin sheath - Correct Answers -a fatty substance that covers neurons. Helps increase
speed at which information can travel on the neurons.
Synapse - Correct Answers -the entire junction between neurons including the pre-
synaptic neuron's axon terminal, the synaptic cleft, and the dendrite of the post-synaptic
neuron, across which communications flow, usually in the form of neurotransmitter
molecules secreted by the pre-synaptic neuron (on its axon terminal) that travel a short
distance across the synaptic cleft (this is the actual space between the neurons - the
space between the axon terminal of one neuron and the dendrite of the other) to the
post-synaptic neuron. Once at the post-synaptic neuron, some of the neurotransmitters
will attach themselves (bind) to some receptors. It is important to know that the
neurotransmitters and receptors work like a lock and key; that is, they both have certain
shapes and only specific neurotransmitters can fit into certain receptors.
end bulb - Correct Answers -or terminal bulbs, look like tiny bubbles that are located at
the extreme ends of the axon's branches. Each end bulb is like a miniature container
that stores chemicals called neurotransmitters which are used to communicate with
neighboring cells.
, neurotransmitter - Correct Answers -Neural transmission (information being sent from
neuron to neuron) works at both the electrical and chemical levels. When the space
between two neurons is small enough the electrical signal can simply jump the gap and
continue on its way. However, when the gap is too large, the signal must be converted
from electricity to chemicals. These chemicals are neurotransmitters, which can be
defined as chemicals released by neurons which carry information from one neuron to
another. These chemicals are then read or received by a neuron's synapses.
dopamine - Correct Answers -both a neurotransmitter and a neurohormone produced in
multiple areas of the brain. As a hormone it is often associated with pleasant
experiences. Receiving an unexpected reward may cause your heart to speed up and
increase your alertness due to the sudden release of dopamine. As a neurotransmitter it
transmits signals associated with concentration and motor skills. Conditions such
Parkinson's Disease and schizophrenia are associated with an interruption in the brain's
production of this
serotonin - Correct Answers -a neurotransmitter with functions in various systems of the
body. In the central nervous system serotonin works to regulate mood, appetite, sleep,
memory and learning. When present, the neurotransmitter acts as something of a
connector between cells, and is associated with a feeling of happiness or decreased
anxiety.
Acetylcholine - Correct Answers -the most common type of neurotransmitter, and the
most well understood. It's found in parts of the peripheral nervous system, spinal cord,
and areas of the brain. In the peripheral nervous system, ACh activates muscles that
help the body move. When Ach is released to the muscle cells, the muscle contracts. In
the brain, ACh is involved in breathing, attention, arousal, motivation, etc
norepinephrine - Correct Answers -belongs to a family of biological compounds called
catecholamines. These compounds are synthesized in sympathetic neurons and in the
adrenal glands.
all or none principle - Correct Answers -a principle that states that the strength of a
response of a nerve cell or muscle fiber is not dependent upon the strength of the
stimulus. If a stimulus is above a certain threshold, a nerve or muscle fiber will fire.
Essentially, there will either be a full response or there will be no response at all.
Fovea - Correct Answers -the central focal point on the retina in the eye around which
the cones cluster. In fact, the fovea has only cones around it, which are better for
detecting fine detail. So, when trying to really see some fine detail or focus something,
people tend to move the image onto the fovea (although they may be unaware that this
is what they are doing...they just think they are trying to see something better).
cones - Correct Answers -receptor cells that help us see fine details of things and tend
to help us see in situations where there is light or daylight. The majority of cones are in
the center of the retina (we have approximately 6 million cones in each eye). When you
