WGU C784 NeUrosCieNCe – WesterN GoverNors UNiversity – 2026/2027 ACAdemiC yeAr – 100 QUestioNs ANd ANsWers CoveriNG FoUr Core domAiNs || BrANd NeW .

WGU C784 NeUrosCieNCe – WesterN GoverNors UNiversity –
2026/2027 ACAdemiC yeAr – 100 QUestioNs ANd ANsWers CoveriNG
FoUr Core domAiNs || BrANd NeW .



Domain 1: Foundations of Neuroscience – The Neuron Doctrine & History (Questions 1–
12)


Question 1: Who is credited with formulating the Neuron Doctrine, which established that
neurons are discrete, individual cells rather than a continuous network?
• A) Camillo Golgi
• B) Santiago Ramón y Cajal
• C) Charles Sherrington
• D) Otto Loewi

CorreCt ANsWer: B

rAtioNAle: Santiago Ramón y Cajal used Golgi's staining method to demonstrate that
neurons are individual, discrete cells with distinct boundaries, forming the basis of the Neuron
Doctrine. Golgi developed the staining technique but believed in the reticular theory (continuous
network). Sherrington coined the term "synapse," and Loewi discovered neurotransmitter
signaling.


Question 2: The Neuron Doctrine establishes that neurons communicate at specialized
junctions called:
• A) Nodes of Ranvier
• B) Synapses
• C) Axon hillocks
• D) Dendritic spines

CorreCt ANsWer: B

rAtioNAle: The Neuron Doctrine posits that neurons are discrete cells that communicate at
specialized junctions called synapses. Nodes of Ranvier are gaps in the myelin sheath, axon
hillocks are where action potentials are initiated, and dendritic spines are sites of synaptic input.

,Question 3: Which histological staining method labels the entire neuron, including dendrites
and axons, but only stains a small fraction of cells in a sample?
• A) Nissl stain
• B) Golgi stain
• C) Hematoxylin and eosin
• D) Immunohistochemistry

CorreCt ANsWer: B

rAtioNAle: The Golgi stain (silver stain) labels the entire neuron, including all processes, but
stains only a small percentage of cells randomly. Nissl stain labels cell bodies only. Golgi's
method was crucial for Cajal's work.


Question 4: What is the primary function of the axon hillock?
• A) Receiving synaptic input
• B) Integrating synaptic signals and initiating action potentials
• C) Releasing neurotransmitters
• D) Providing structural support

CorreCt ANsWer: B

rAtioNAle: The axon hillock is the region where the axon joins the cell body and is the site of
action potential initiation. It integrates incoming synaptic signals and, if the threshold is reached,
triggers an action potential.


Question 5: Which scientist coined the term "synapse" to describe the junction between
neurons?
• A) Santiago Ramón y Cajal
• B) Camillo Golgi
• C) Charles Sherrington
• D) Otto Loewi

CorreCt ANsWer: C

rAtioNAle: Charles Sherrington coined the term "synapse" and provided evidence for
chemical transmission at the synapse. Cajal established the Neuron Doctrine, Golgi developed
the staining method, and Loewi discovered neurotransmitter signaling.

,Question 6: The Nissl stain primarily labels which cellular component?
• A) Axons
• B) Dendrites
• C) Cell bodies and rough endoplasmic reticulum
• D) Synaptic vesicles

CorreCt ANsWer: C

rAtioNAle: Nissl stain labels cell bodies by staining rough endoplasmic reticulum and
ribosomes. It does not label axons or dendrites well, making it useful for identifying neuronal cell
bodies.


Question 7: What is the fundamental principle established by the Neuron Doctrine?
• A) Neurons form a continuous network
• B) The nervous system is composed of separate, individual cells
• C) Neurons communicate through electrical signals only
• D) All neurons are identical in structure

CorreCt ANsWer: B

rAtioNAle: The Neuron Doctrine established that the nervous system is composed of
separate, individual cells (neurons). This contradicted the reticular theory, which held that
neurons form a continuous network.


Question 8: Which structure is responsible for receiving synaptic input from other neurons?
• A) Axon
• B) Axon hillock
• C) Dendrite
• D) Synaptic bouton

CorreCt ANsWer: C

rAtioNAle: Dendrites are the primary structures for receiving synaptic input from other
neurons. They contain numerous dendritic spines that serve as sites of synaptic contact.


Question 9: Which of the following correctly describes the flow of information in a neuron?
• A) Dendrite → Axon → Cell body → Synaptic bouton

, • B) Dendrite → Cell body → Axon → Synaptic bouton
• C) Axon → Cell body → Dendrite → Synaptic bouton
• D) Synaptic bouton → Axon → Cell body → Dendrite

CorreCt ANsWer: B

rAtioNAle: Information flows from dendrites (receiving input) to the cell body (integration) to
the axon (conduction) to the synaptic bouton (transmission). This is the fundamental principle of
neuronal communication.


Question 10: The reticular theory, which the Neuron Doctrine disproved, proposed that:
• A) Neurons are individual cells
• B) The nervous system is a continuous network of interconnected fibers
• C) Synapses are the site of communication
• D) Neurons communicate chemically

CorreCt ANsWer: B

rAtioNAle: The reticular theory held that the nervous system is a continuous, interconnected
network of fibers, rather than discrete cells. The Neuron Doctrine established that neurons are
separate individual cells.


Question 11: Golgi's staining method was revolutionary because it:
• A) Stained all cells in a sample completely
• B) Stained a random subset of neurons in their entirety
• C) Allowed visualization of living neurons
• D) Stained only cell bodies

CorreCt ANsWer: B

rAtioNAle: Golgi's method stained a random small fraction of neurons in their entirety,
allowing visualization of the complete cell structure including dendrites and axons. This enabled
Cajal to demonstrate that neurons are discrete cells.


Question 12: The term "neuron" was coined by:
• A) Santiago Ramón y Cajal
• B) Camillo Golgi
• C) Wilhelm von Waldeyer