,BIOL331/BIOL 331 Pathophysiology Module 6
Exam | Portage Learning |Q&A | 26/27 Edition
(PDF)
1. Which of the following best describes the primary function of the nervous system?
A) To regulate body temperature through hormone release
B) To receive sensory input, integrate information, and produce motor responses
C) To filter waste products from the bloodstream
D) To produce red blood cells in response to hypoxia
Correct Answer: To receive sensory input, integrate information, and produce motor responses
Rationale: The nervous system acts as the body's control center. It receives sensory input from internal
and external environments, integrates this information, and coordinates an appropriate motor or
behavioral response. Hormonal regulation is primarily an endocrine function, filtration occurs in the
kidneys, and red blood cell production is stimulated by erythropoietin.
2. What are the two major anatomical divisions of the 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 divided into the central nervous system (CNS), comprising the brain
and spinal cord, and the peripheral nervous system (PNS), which includes spinal nerves, cranial nerves,
and ganglia. The somatic and autonomic divisions are subdivisions of the PNS, and afferent/efferent
describe functional directions of nerve impulses.
3. Which structures are found within the central nervous system (CNS)?
,A) Spinal nerves and cranial nerves
B) Ganglia and peripheral nerves
C) The brain and spinal cord
D) Sensory receptors and motor endings
Correct Answer: The brain and spinal cord
Rationale: The CNS is composed of the brain and spinal cord, which serve as the integration and
command centers. Spinal nerves, cranial nerves, and ganglia are part of the peripheral nervous system.
Sensory receptors and motor endings are also peripheral structures.
4. What structures are found in the peripheral nervous system (PNS)?
A) The brain and spinal cord
B) Spinal nerves, cranial nerves, and ganglia
C) The thalamus and hypothalamus
D) The cerebellum and brainstem
Correct Answer: Spinal nerves, cranial nerves, and ganglia
Rationale: The PNS consists of all neural tissue outside the CNS, including spinal nerves, cranial nerves,
and ganglia. The brain, spinal cord, thalamus, hypothalamus, cerebellum, and brainstem are all
components of the CNS.
5. What is the functional difference between afferent and efferent neurons?
A) Afferent neurons carry motor output; efferent neurons carry sensory input
B) Afferent neurons carry sensory input to the CNS; efferent neurons carry motor output from the CNS
C) Afferent neurons are only in the CNS; efferent neurons are only in the PNS
D) There is no functional difference
, Correct Answer: Afferent neurons carry sensory input to the CNS; efferent neurons carry motor output
from the CNS
Rationale: Afferent (sensory) neurons transmit impulses from sensory receptors toward the CNS.
Efferent (motor) neurons carry motor commands from the CNS to muscles and glands. Both are found in
the PNS, and their functions are distinct and complementary.
6. The somatic nervous system can be further divided into which two subdivisions?
A) Afferent and efferent
B) Sympathetic and parasympathetic
C) Central and peripheral
D) Sensory and motor
Correct Answer: Sympathetic and parasympathetic
Rationale: The autonomic nervous system, a division of the PNS, is subdivided into the sympathetic and
parasympathetic divisions. The somatic nervous system controls voluntary movements.
Afferent/efferent describe directional flow, not subdivisions of the somatic system.
7. Which layer of the meninges is the innermost, thin, and delicate layer that contains surface blood
vessels?
A) Dura mater
B) Arachnoid mater
C) Pia mater
D) Subarachnoid space
Correct Answer: Pia mater
Rationale: The pia mater is the innermost meningeal layer; it is thin, delicate, and adheres closely to the
brain and spinal cord, containing surface-level blood vessels that perfuse neural tissue. The dura mater
is the tough outer layer, the arachnoid is the middle layer, and the subarachnoid space is not a
meningeal layer.
Exam | Portage Learning |Q&A | 26/27 Edition
(PDF)
1. Which of the following best describes the primary function of the nervous system?
A) To regulate body temperature through hormone release
B) To receive sensory input, integrate information, and produce motor responses
C) To filter waste products from the bloodstream
D) To produce red blood cells in response to hypoxia
Correct Answer: To receive sensory input, integrate information, and produce motor responses
Rationale: The nervous system acts as the body's control center. It receives sensory input from internal
and external environments, integrates this information, and coordinates an appropriate motor or
behavioral response. Hormonal regulation is primarily an endocrine function, filtration occurs in the
kidneys, and red blood cell production is stimulated by erythropoietin.
2. What are the two major anatomical divisions of the 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 divided into the central nervous system (CNS), comprising the brain
and spinal cord, and the peripheral nervous system (PNS), which includes spinal nerves, cranial nerves,
and ganglia. The somatic and autonomic divisions are subdivisions of the PNS, and afferent/efferent
describe functional directions of nerve impulses.
3. Which structures are found within the central nervous system (CNS)?
,A) Spinal nerves and cranial nerves
B) Ganglia and peripheral nerves
C) The brain and spinal cord
D) Sensory receptors and motor endings
Correct Answer: The brain and spinal cord
Rationale: The CNS is composed of the brain and spinal cord, which serve as the integration and
command centers. Spinal nerves, cranial nerves, and ganglia are part of the peripheral nervous system.
Sensory receptors and motor endings are also peripheral structures.
4. What structures are found in the peripheral nervous system (PNS)?
A) The brain and spinal cord
B) Spinal nerves, cranial nerves, and ganglia
C) The thalamus and hypothalamus
D) The cerebellum and brainstem
Correct Answer: Spinal nerves, cranial nerves, and ganglia
Rationale: The PNS consists of all neural tissue outside the CNS, including spinal nerves, cranial nerves,
and ganglia. The brain, spinal cord, thalamus, hypothalamus, cerebellum, and brainstem are all
components of the CNS.
5. What is the functional difference between afferent and efferent neurons?
A) Afferent neurons carry motor output; efferent neurons carry sensory input
B) Afferent neurons carry sensory input to the CNS; efferent neurons carry motor output from the CNS
C) Afferent neurons are only in the CNS; efferent neurons are only in the PNS
D) There is no functional difference
, Correct Answer: Afferent neurons carry sensory input to the CNS; efferent neurons carry motor output
from the CNS
Rationale: Afferent (sensory) neurons transmit impulses from sensory receptors toward the CNS.
Efferent (motor) neurons carry motor commands from the CNS to muscles and glands. Both are found in
the PNS, and their functions are distinct and complementary.
6. The somatic nervous system can be further divided into which two subdivisions?
A) Afferent and efferent
B) Sympathetic and parasympathetic
C) Central and peripheral
D) Sensory and motor
Correct Answer: Sympathetic and parasympathetic
Rationale: The autonomic nervous system, a division of the PNS, is subdivided into the sympathetic and
parasympathetic divisions. The somatic nervous system controls voluntary movements.
Afferent/efferent describe directional flow, not subdivisions of the somatic system.
7. Which layer of the meninges is the innermost, thin, and delicate layer that contains surface blood
vessels?
A) Dura mater
B) Arachnoid mater
C) Pia mater
D) Subarachnoid space
Correct Answer: Pia mater
Rationale: The pia mater is the innermost meningeal layer; it is thin, delicate, and adheres closely to the
brain and spinal cord, containing surface-level blood vessels that perfuse neural tissue. The dura mater
is the tough outer layer, the arachnoid is the middle layer, and the subarachnoid space is not a
meningeal layer.
