ANP 1106 Midterm 2 Study Guide exam
with questions and verified answers
with rationale updated 2026
Topics Covered: Nervous System, Special Senses, Endocrine System, Cardiovascular System, Blood,
and Lymphatic/Immune System.
Section 1: Nervous System & Neurophysiology
Q1. Which part of the neuron receives incoming signals?
A. Axon
B. Myelin Sheath
C. Dendrite
D. Node of Ranvier
E. Dendrite
Rationale: Dendrites are the branched extensions that receive chemical signals from other neurons
and conduct them toward the cell body.
Q2. What is the primary function of the sodium-potassium pump?
A. Depolarizes the membrane
B. Restores ion concentrations after an action potential
C. Allows neurotransmitter release
D. Synthesizes acetylcholine
B. Restores ion concentrations after an action potential
Rationale: It actively transports 3 Na+ out and 2 K+ in against gradients, maintaining the resting
potential and resetting ions post-action potential.
Q3. Which neuroglia form the blood-brain barrier?
A. Oligodendrocytes
B. Astrocytes
,C. Microglia
D. Ependymal cells
B. Astrocytes
Rationale: Astrocyte foot processes wrap around brain capillaries, regulating substance exchange
and forming the BBB.
Q4. Action potentials propagate faster in which type of fibers?
A. Unmyelinated small diameter
B. Unmyelinated large diameter
C. Myelinated small diameter
D. Myelinated large diameter
D. Myelinated large diameter
Rationale: Larger diameter decreases resistance, and myelination allows saltatory conduction, both
increasing speed.
Q5. What occurs during repolarization of the action potential?
A. Sodium channels open
B. Potassium channels open
C. Calcium influx increases
D. Membrane becomes hyperpolarized permanently
B. Potassium channels open
Rationale: Voltage-gated K+ channels open, allowing K+ efflux, which restores the negative internal
charge.
Q6. Which ion is responsible for vesicle fusion at the axon terminal?
A. Sodium
B. Chloride
C. Calcium
D. Magnesium
C. Calcium
Rationale: Ca2+ influx triggers synaptic vesicles to fuse with the presynaptic membrane and release
neurotransmitters.
,Q7. Where does integration of graded potentials occur?
A. Axon hillock
B. Terminal bouton
C. Cell body
D. Nodes of Ranvier
A. Axon hillock
Rationale: This is the trigger zone where summation determines if the threshold for an action
potential is reached.
Q8. What type of synapse involves the release of hormones into the bloodstream?
A. Electrical
B. Axosomatic
C. Neuroendocrine
D. Axodendritic
C. Neuroendocrine
Rationale: Neuroendocrine synapses involve autonomic neurons releasing hormones from nerve
terminals.
Q9. Which glial cell is the resident macrophage of the CNS?
A. Astrocyte
B. Satellite cell
C. Microglia
D. Schwann cell
C. Microglia
Rationale: Microglia phagocytize debris and pathogens; they are immune cells of the central nervous
system.
Q10. Refractory periods exist primarily to:
A. Limit signal frequency
B. Increase signal amplitude
C. Speed up transmission
, D. Allow passive diffusion
A. Limit signal frequency
Rationale: Absolute and relative refractory periods prevent backward propagation and limit firing
rate to ensure directionality.
Q11. A decrease in K+ permeability would cause:
A. Hyperpolarization
B. Repolarization
C. Depolarization
D. Hyperpolarization followed by depolarization
C. Depolarization
Rationale: K+ maintains the negative resting potential; reducing its exit makes the interior less
negative.
Q12. Acetylcholinesterase function is to:
A. Synthesize ACh
B. Transport ACh into the vesicle
C. Break down ACh in the cleft
D. Reabsorb ACh
C. Break down ACh in the cleft
Rationale: Enzyme degradation terminates the signal, preventing continuous muscle contraction.
Q13. Which neurotransmitter is inhibitory in the brain?
A. Glutamate
B. Dopamine
C. GABA
D. Epinephrine
C. GABA
Rationale: Gamma-aminobutyric acid is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the mammalian
CNS.
Q14. The peripheral nervous system is divided into the sensory and what other division?
with questions and verified answers
with rationale updated 2026
Topics Covered: Nervous System, Special Senses, Endocrine System, Cardiovascular System, Blood,
and Lymphatic/Immune System.
Section 1: Nervous System & Neurophysiology
Q1. Which part of the neuron receives incoming signals?
A. Axon
B. Myelin Sheath
C. Dendrite
D. Node of Ranvier
E. Dendrite
Rationale: Dendrites are the branched extensions that receive chemical signals from other neurons
and conduct them toward the cell body.
Q2. What is the primary function of the sodium-potassium pump?
A. Depolarizes the membrane
B. Restores ion concentrations after an action potential
C. Allows neurotransmitter release
D. Synthesizes acetylcholine
B. Restores ion concentrations after an action potential
Rationale: It actively transports 3 Na+ out and 2 K+ in against gradients, maintaining the resting
potential and resetting ions post-action potential.
Q3. Which neuroglia form the blood-brain barrier?
A. Oligodendrocytes
B. Astrocytes
,C. Microglia
D. Ependymal cells
B. Astrocytes
Rationale: Astrocyte foot processes wrap around brain capillaries, regulating substance exchange
and forming the BBB.
Q4. Action potentials propagate faster in which type of fibers?
A. Unmyelinated small diameter
B. Unmyelinated large diameter
C. Myelinated small diameter
D. Myelinated large diameter
D. Myelinated large diameter
Rationale: Larger diameter decreases resistance, and myelination allows saltatory conduction, both
increasing speed.
Q5. What occurs during repolarization of the action potential?
A. Sodium channels open
B. Potassium channels open
C. Calcium influx increases
D. Membrane becomes hyperpolarized permanently
B. Potassium channels open
Rationale: Voltage-gated K+ channels open, allowing K+ efflux, which restores the negative internal
charge.
Q6. Which ion is responsible for vesicle fusion at the axon terminal?
A. Sodium
B. Chloride
C. Calcium
D. Magnesium
C. Calcium
Rationale: Ca2+ influx triggers synaptic vesicles to fuse with the presynaptic membrane and release
neurotransmitters.
,Q7. Where does integration of graded potentials occur?
A. Axon hillock
B. Terminal bouton
C. Cell body
D. Nodes of Ranvier
A. Axon hillock
Rationale: This is the trigger zone where summation determines if the threshold for an action
potential is reached.
Q8. What type of synapse involves the release of hormones into the bloodstream?
A. Electrical
B. Axosomatic
C. Neuroendocrine
D. Axodendritic
C. Neuroendocrine
Rationale: Neuroendocrine synapses involve autonomic neurons releasing hormones from nerve
terminals.
Q9. Which glial cell is the resident macrophage of the CNS?
A. Astrocyte
B. Satellite cell
C. Microglia
D. Schwann cell
C. Microglia
Rationale: Microglia phagocytize debris and pathogens; they are immune cells of the central nervous
system.
Q10. Refractory periods exist primarily to:
A. Limit signal frequency
B. Increase signal amplitude
C. Speed up transmission
, D. Allow passive diffusion
A. Limit signal frequency
Rationale: Absolute and relative refractory periods prevent backward propagation and limit firing
rate to ensure directionality.
Q11. A decrease in K+ permeability would cause:
A. Hyperpolarization
B. Repolarization
C. Depolarization
D. Hyperpolarization followed by depolarization
C. Depolarization
Rationale: K+ maintains the negative resting potential; reducing its exit makes the interior less
negative.
Q12. Acetylcholinesterase function is to:
A. Synthesize ACh
B. Transport ACh into the vesicle
C. Break down ACh in the cleft
D. Reabsorb ACh
C. Break down ACh in the cleft
Rationale: Enzyme degradation terminates the signal, preventing continuous muscle contraction.
Q13. Which neurotransmitter is inhibitory in the brain?
A. Glutamate
B. Dopamine
C. GABA
D. Epinephrine
C. GABA
Rationale: Gamma-aminobutyric acid is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the mammalian
CNS.
Q14. The peripheral nervous system is divided into the sensory and what other division?
