BIO 201 – EXAM 4 – DR. LARSON – ASU
COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE EXAM: 200 QUESTIONS WITH
RATIONALES
Table of Contents
Section Domain Approx. Page
Questions Reference
I Autonomic Nervous System 35 §1
II Brain Anatomy and 35 §2
Function
III Cerebral Lateralization 15 §3
IV Sleep and Consciousness 20 §4
V Sensory Processing and 25 §5
Pain
VI Taste and Smell 20 §6
VII Hearing and Equilibrium 25 §7
VIII Anatomy and Physiology of 25 §8
the Eye
Section I: Autonomic Nervous System
1. Which of the following best describes the primary function of the
autonomic nervous system?
,A. Voluntary control of skeletal muscle
B. Involuntary control of smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, and glands
C. Conscious perception of sensory stimuli
D. Coordination of skeletal muscle reflexes
Rationale: The ANS operates involuntarily to regulate visceral functions
including smooth muscle contraction, cardiac muscle activity, and
glandular secretion. It is distinct from the somatic nervous system,
which controls voluntary skeletal muscle movement.
2. The sympathetic division of the ANS is also known as the:
A. Craniosacral division
B. Thoracolumbar division
C. Sacral division
D. Cranial division
Rationale: Sympathetic fibers originate from the thoracic and lumbar
regions of the spinal cord (T1–L2), hence the term thoracolumbar
division. The parasympathetic division is craniosacral.
3. Which neurotransmitter is released by all preganglionic neurons of
the autonomic nervous system?
A. Norepinephrine
B. Dopamine
C. Acetylcholine
D. Epinephrine
Rationale: All preganglionic neurons—both sympathetic and
parasympathetic—release acetylcholine (ACh) at their synapses.
Postganglionic neurons vary: parasympathetic release ACh, while most
sympathetic release norepinephrine.
,4. The "rest and digest" response is primarily mediated by the:
A. Sympathetic division
B. Somatic nervous system
C. Parasympathetic division
D. Enteric nervous system
Rationale: The parasympathetic division promotes digestion, rest, and
energy conservation. It slows heart rate, stimulates digestive activity,
and constricts pupils.
5. Which of the following effectors is NOT directly controlled by the
autonomic nervous system?
A. Cardiac muscle
B. Skeletal muscle
C. Smooth muscle of the digestive tract
D. Sweat glands
Rationale: Skeletal muscle is innervated by the somatic nervous system,
which controls voluntary movement. The ANS controls cardiac muscle,
smooth muscle, and glands.
6. The adrenal medulla secretes which hormones during sympathetic
stimulation?
A. Acetylcholine and dopamine
B. Epinephrine and norepinephrine
C. Insulin and glucagon
D. Cortisol and aldosterone
Rationale: The adrenal medulla acts as a modified sympathetic ganglion
and secretes epinephrine (80%) and norepinephrine (20%) into the
bloodstream during sympathetic activation.
, 7. Which of the following is a characteristic of the sympathetic nervous
system?
A. Long preganglionic fibers and short postganglionic fibers
B. Short preganglionic fibers and long postganglionic fibers
C. Equally long preganglionic and postganglionic fibers
D. No postganglionic fibers
Rationale: Sympathetic pathways feature short preganglionic fibers
(from the thoracolumbar region) and long postganglionic fibers that
travel to effectors. Parasympathetic pathways have the opposite
arrangement.
8. The vagus nerve (CN X) carries parasympathetic fibers to which of the
following?
A. Only the heart
B. Heart, lungs, and digestive organs
C. Only the digestive organs
D. Skeletal muscles of the head
Rationale: The vagus nerve provides parasympathetic innervation to the
heart, lungs, esophagus, stomach, and most of the abdominal viscera. It
is the major parasympathetic cranial nerve.
9. Which receptor type is found on parasympathetic effector cells?
A. Nicotinic receptors
B. Muscarinic receptors
C. Alpha receptors
D. Beta receptors
Rationale: Parasympathetic postganglionic fibers release ACh, which
binds to muscarinic receptors on effector cells. Nicotinic receptors are
found on postganglionic cell bodies in autonomic ganglia.
COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE EXAM: 200 QUESTIONS WITH
RATIONALES
Table of Contents
Section Domain Approx. Page
Questions Reference
I Autonomic Nervous System 35 §1
II Brain Anatomy and 35 §2
Function
III Cerebral Lateralization 15 §3
IV Sleep and Consciousness 20 §4
V Sensory Processing and 25 §5
Pain
VI Taste and Smell 20 §6
VII Hearing and Equilibrium 25 §7
VIII Anatomy and Physiology of 25 §8
the Eye
Section I: Autonomic Nervous System
1. Which of the following best describes the primary function of the
autonomic nervous system?
,A. Voluntary control of skeletal muscle
B. Involuntary control of smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, and glands
C. Conscious perception of sensory stimuli
D. Coordination of skeletal muscle reflexes
Rationale: The ANS operates involuntarily to regulate visceral functions
including smooth muscle contraction, cardiac muscle activity, and
glandular secretion. It is distinct from the somatic nervous system,
which controls voluntary skeletal muscle movement.
2. The sympathetic division of the ANS is also known as the:
A. Craniosacral division
B. Thoracolumbar division
C. Sacral division
D. Cranial division
Rationale: Sympathetic fibers originate from the thoracic and lumbar
regions of the spinal cord (T1–L2), hence the term thoracolumbar
division. The parasympathetic division is craniosacral.
3. Which neurotransmitter is released by all preganglionic neurons of
the autonomic nervous system?
A. Norepinephrine
B. Dopamine
C. Acetylcholine
D. Epinephrine
Rationale: All preganglionic neurons—both sympathetic and
parasympathetic—release acetylcholine (ACh) at their synapses.
Postganglionic neurons vary: parasympathetic release ACh, while most
sympathetic release norepinephrine.
,4. The "rest and digest" response is primarily mediated by the:
A. Sympathetic division
B. Somatic nervous system
C. Parasympathetic division
D. Enteric nervous system
Rationale: The parasympathetic division promotes digestion, rest, and
energy conservation. It slows heart rate, stimulates digestive activity,
and constricts pupils.
5. Which of the following effectors is NOT directly controlled by the
autonomic nervous system?
A. Cardiac muscle
B. Skeletal muscle
C. Smooth muscle of the digestive tract
D. Sweat glands
Rationale: Skeletal muscle is innervated by the somatic nervous system,
which controls voluntary movement. The ANS controls cardiac muscle,
smooth muscle, and glands.
6. The adrenal medulla secretes which hormones during sympathetic
stimulation?
A. Acetylcholine and dopamine
B. Epinephrine and norepinephrine
C. Insulin and glucagon
D. Cortisol and aldosterone
Rationale: The adrenal medulla acts as a modified sympathetic ganglion
and secretes epinephrine (80%) and norepinephrine (20%) into the
bloodstream during sympathetic activation.
, 7. Which of the following is a characteristic of the sympathetic nervous
system?
A. Long preganglionic fibers and short postganglionic fibers
B. Short preganglionic fibers and long postganglionic fibers
C. Equally long preganglionic and postganglionic fibers
D. No postganglionic fibers
Rationale: Sympathetic pathways feature short preganglionic fibers
(from the thoracolumbar region) and long postganglionic fibers that
travel to effectors. Parasympathetic pathways have the opposite
arrangement.
8. The vagus nerve (CN X) carries parasympathetic fibers to which of the
following?
A. Only the heart
B. Heart, lungs, and digestive organs
C. Only the digestive organs
D. Skeletal muscles of the head
Rationale: The vagus nerve provides parasympathetic innervation to the
heart, lungs, esophagus, stomach, and most of the abdominal viscera. It
is the major parasympathetic cranial nerve.
9. Which receptor type is found on parasympathetic effector cells?
A. Nicotinic receptors
B. Muscarinic receptors
C. Alpha receptors
D. Beta receptors
Rationale: Parasympathetic postganglionic fibers release ACh, which
binds to muscarinic receptors on effector cells. Nicotinic receptors are
found on postganglionic cell bodies in autonomic ganglia.
