,BIOL251/BIOL 251 Human Anatomy & Physiology I w/Lab
Module 6 Exam | Portage Learning | 2026 Edition (PDF)
1. Which of the following correctly describes the two primary structural divisions of the human nervous
system?
A) Somatic and Autonomic
B) Central and Peripheral
C) Sympathetic and Parasympathetic
D) Afferent and Efferent
Correct Answer: Central and Peripheral
Rationale: The nervous system is structurally divided into the Central Nervous System (CNS)—which
includes the brain and spinal cord—and the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)—which includes all neural
tissue outside the CNS, such as cranial nerves, spinal nerves, and ganglia. The other options describe
functional subdivisions, not structural ones.
2. The afferent division of the peripheral nervous system is responsible for:
A) Carrying motor commands from the CNS to muscles and glands
B) Transmitting sensory information from receptors to the CNS
C) Controlling voluntary skeletal muscle movements
D) Regulating the "fight-or-flight" response
Correct Answer: Transmitting sensory information from receptors to the CNS
Rationale: The afferent (sensory) division conducts nerve impulses from sensory receptors toward the
central nervous system. The efferent (motor) division conducts impulses away from the CNS to effectors
such as muscles and glands.
3. Which of the following is NOT a function of the nervous system?
A) Receiving sensory input
,B) Integrating information
C) Producing red blood cells
D) Responding to stimuli with motor output
Correct Answer: Producing red blood cells
Rationale: The nervous system is responsible for receiving sensory input, integrating that information,
and generating motor output responses. The production of red blood cells (hematopoiesis) is a function
of the skeletal system, not the nervous system.
4. Which division of the autonomic nervous system is responsible for the "rest and digest" response?
A) Sympathetic division
B) Somatic division
C) Parasympathetic division
D) Enteric division
Correct Answer: Parasympathetic division
Rationale: The parasympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system is responsible for the "rest
and digest" response, which conserves energy and promotes routine maintenance activities such as
digestion and salivation. The sympathetic division controls the "fight-or-flight" response.
5. The somatic sensory subdivision is responsible for:
A) Sensations of viscera and blood vessels
B) Involuntary sensations from internal organs
C) General somatic senses and special senses
D) Motor output to smooth muscle
Correct Answer: General somatic senses and special senses
, Rationale: The somatic sensory subdivision conveys information from general somatic senses (touch,
pain, temperature, proprioception) and special senses (vision, hearing, taste, smell). The visceral sensory
subdivision is responsible for sensations from internal organs.
6. What is the primary function of neuroglia (glial cells) in the nervous system?
A) To transmit electrical impulses
B) To support, protect, and nourish neurons
C) To generate action potentials
D) To synthesize neurotransmitters
Correct Answer: To support, protect, and nourish neurons
Rationale: Neuroglia, or glial cells, are non-neuronal cells that provide essential support functions for
neurons, including structural support, nourishment, insulation, and immune defense. They do not
transmit electrical impulses; that is the function of neurons.
7. Which type of neuroglial cell is responsible for forming the myelin sheath in the central nervous
system?
A) Schwann cell
B) Oligodendrocyte
C) Astrocyte
D) Microglia
Correct Answer: Oligodendrocyte
Rationale: Oligodendrocytes are the myelinating cells of the central nervous system, producing myelin
sheaths that insulate axons and increase the speed of nerve impulse conduction. Schwann cells perform
this function in the peripheral nervous system.
8. Which of the following neuroglial cells acts as the resident immune cells of the central nervous
system?
A) Astrocytes
Module 6 Exam | Portage Learning | 2026 Edition (PDF)
1. Which of the following correctly describes the two primary structural divisions of the human nervous
system?
A) Somatic and Autonomic
B) Central and Peripheral
C) Sympathetic and Parasympathetic
D) Afferent and Efferent
Correct Answer: Central and Peripheral
Rationale: The nervous system is structurally divided into the Central Nervous System (CNS)—which
includes the brain and spinal cord—and the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)—which includes all neural
tissue outside the CNS, such as cranial nerves, spinal nerves, and ganglia. The other options describe
functional subdivisions, not structural ones.
2. The afferent division of the peripheral nervous system is responsible for:
A) Carrying motor commands from the CNS to muscles and glands
B) Transmitting sensory information from receptors to the CNS
C) Controlling voluntary skeletal muscle movements
D) Regulating the "fight-or-flight" response
Correct Answer: Transmitting sensory information from receptors to the CNS
Rationale: The afferent (sensory) division conducts nerve impulses from sensory receptors toward the
central nervous system. The efferent (motor) division conducts impulses away from the CNS to effectors
such as muscles and glands.
3. Which of the following is NOT a function of the nervous system?
A) Receiving sensory input
,B) Integrating information
C) Producing red blood cells
D) Responding to stimuli with motor output
Correct Answer: Producing red blood cells
Rationale: The nervous system is responsible for receiving sensory input, integrating that information,
and generating motor output responses. The production of red blood cells (hematopoiesis) is a function
of the skeletal system, not the nervous system.
4. Which division of the autonomic nervous system is responsible for the "rest and digest" response?
A) Sympathetic division
B) Somatic division
C) Parasympathetic division
D) Enteric division
Correct Answer: Parasympathetic division
Rationale: The parasympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system is responsible for the "rest
and digest" response, which conserves energy and promotes routine maintenance activities such as
digestion and salivation. The sympathetic division controls the "fight-or-flight" response.
5. The somatic sensory subdivision is responsible for:
A) Sensations of viscera and blood vessels
B) Involuntary sensations from internal organs
C) General somatic senses and special senses
D) Motor output to smooth muscle
Correct Answer: General somatic senses and special senses
, Rationale: The somatic sensory subdivision conveys information from general somatic senses (touch,
pain, temperature, proprioception) and special senses (vision, hearing, taste, smell). The visceral sensory
subdivision is responsible for sensations from internal organs.
6. What is the primary function of neuroglia (glial cells) in the nervous system?
A) To transmit electrical impulses
B) To support, protect, and nourish neurons
C) To generate action potentials
D) To synthesize neurotransmitters
Correct Answer: To support, protect, and nourish neurons
Rationale: Neuroglia, or glial cells, are non-neuronal cells that provide essential support functions for
neurons, including structural support, nourishment, insulation, and immune defense. They do not
transmit electrical impulses; that is the function of neurons.
7. Which type of neuroglial cell is responsible for forming the myelin sheath in the central nervous
system?
A) Schwann cell
B) Oligodendrocyte
C) Astrocyte
D) Microglia
Correct Answer: Oligodendrocyte
Rationale: Oligodendrocytes are the myelinating cells of the central nervous system, producing myelin
sheaths that insulate axons and increase the speed of nerve impulse conduction. Schwann cells perform
this function in the peripheral nervous system.
8. Which of the following neuroglial cells acts as the resident immune cells of the central nervous
system?
A) Astrocytes
