PSYCH 260 EXAM 1 COMPREHENSIVE EXAM QUESTIONS
COMPLETE WITH 100% VERIFIED ANSWERS
1. What is the primary function of the dendrites?
A. Transmit signals away from the cell body
B. Insulate the axon
C. Receive signals from other neurons
D. Produce myelin
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Dendrites are the branching extensions of the soma (cell
body) specifically designed to receive synaptic inputs from other
neurons.
2. Which type of glial cell is responsible for producing myelin in the
central nervous system?
A. Oligodendrocytes
B. Schwann cells
C. Astrocytes
D. Microglia
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Oligodendrocytes myelinate axons in the CNS, whereas
Schwann cells perform this function in the peripheral nervous system.
3. What is the resting membrane potential of a typical neuron?
A. +40 mV
B. -55 mV
C. 0 mV
,D. -70 mV
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The resting membrane potential is approximately -70
millivolts, maintained by the differential distribution of ions across the
membrane.
4. During the rising phase of an action potential, which ion rushes into
the cell?
A. Potassium (K+)
B. Sodium (Na+)
C. Chloride (Cl-)
D. Calcium (Ca2+)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Depolarization is caused by the rapid influx of sodium ions
through voltage-gated sodium channels.
5. What is the term for the gap between the presynaptic terminal and
the postsynaptic membrane?
A. Node of Ranvier
B. Axon hillock
C. Synaptic cleft
D. Dendritic spine
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The synaptic cleft is the microscopic gap where
neurotransmitters are released to communicate with the next neuron.
6. Which brain structure is primarily responsible for regulating hunger,
thirst, and body temperature?
A. Thalamus
B. Amygdala
,C. Hippocampus
D. Hypothalamus
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The hypothalamus acts as the body's thermostat and
controls basic survival behaviors like eating and drinking.
7. What does the term "dorsal" mean in neuroanatomy?
A. Towards the back or top
B. Towards the belly or bottom
C. Towards the side
D. Towards the middle
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Dorsal refers to the back or top of an organism, while ventral
refers to the front or bottom.
8. Which lobe of the brain is primarily dedicated to visual processing?
A. Frontal lobe
B. Occipital lobe
C. Temporal lobe
D. Parietal lobe
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The occipital lobe, located at the back of the brain, contains
the primary visual cortex.
9. What is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the mammalian
brain?
A. Glutamate
B. Acetylcholine
C. GABA
D. Dopamine
, Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the main inhibitory
neurotransmitter, reducing neuronal excitability.
10. What is the function of the sodium-potassium pump?
A. Generate action potentials
B. Maintain the resting potential by moving 3 Na+ out and 2 K+ in
C. Release neurotransmitters
D. Break down acetylcholine
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The pump actively transports three sodium ions out of the
cell and two potassium ions in, maintaining the electrochemical
gradient.
11. Which plane of section divides the brain into left and right
hemispheres?
A. Coronal
B. Horizontal
C. Sagittal
D. Transverse
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A sagittal section runs parallel to the midline, separating the
brain into left and right halves.
12. What is an agonist?
A. A drug that blocks a neurotransmitter's effects
B. A drug that mimics or enhances a neurotransmitter's effects
C. A drug that destroys synaptic vesicles
D. A drug that inhibits reuptake
Correct Answer: B
COMPLETE WITH 100% VERIFIED ANSWERS
1. What is the primary function of the dendrites?
A. Transmit signals away from the cell body
B. Insulate the axon
C. Receive signals from other neurons
D. Produce myelin
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Dendrites are the branching extensions of the soma (cell
body) specifically designed to receive synaptic inputs from other
neurons.
2. Which type of glial cell is responsible for producing myelin in the
central nervous system?
A. Oligodendrocytes
B. Schwann cells
C. Astrocytes
D. Microglia
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Oligodendrocytes myelinate axons in the CNS, whereas
Schwann cells perform this function in the peripheral nervous system.
3. What is the resting membrane potential of a typical neuron?
A. +40 mV
B. -55 mV
C. 0 mV
,D. -70 mV
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The resting membrane potential is approximately -70
millivolts, maintained by the differential distribution of ions across the
membrane.
4. During the rising phase of an action potential, which ion rushes into
the cell?
A. Potassium (K+)
B. Sodium (Na+)
C. Chloride (Cl-)
D. Calcium (Ca2+)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Depolarization is caused by the rapid influx of sodium ions
through voltage-gated sodium channels.
5. What is the term for the gap between the presynaptic terminal and
the postsynaptic membrane?
A. Node of Ranvier
B. Axon hillock
C. Synaptic cleft
D. Dendritic spine
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The synaptic cleft is the microscopic gap where
neurotransmitters are released to communicate with the next neuron.
6. Which brain structure is primarily responsible for regulating hunger,
thirst, and body temperature?
A. Thalamus
B. Amygdala
,C. Hippocampus
D. Hypothalamus
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The hypothalamus acts as the body's thermostat and
controls basic survival behaviors like eating and drinking.
7. What does the term "dorsal" mean in neuroanatomy?
A. Towards the back or top
B. Towards the belly or bottom
C. Towards the side
D. Towards the middle
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Dorsal refers to the back or top of an organism, while ventral
refers to the front or bottom.
8. Which lobe of the brain is primarily dedicated to visual processing?
A. Frontal lobe
B. Occipital lobe
C. Temporal lobe
D. Parietal lobe
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The occipital lobe, located at the back of the brain, contains
the primary visual cortex.
9. What is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the mammalian
brain?
A. Glutamate
B. Acetylcholine
C. GABA
D. Dopamine
, Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the main inhibitory
neurotransmitter, reducing neuronal excitability.
10. What is the function of the sodium-potassium pump?
A. Generate action potentials
B. Maintain the resting potential by moving 3 Na+ out and 2 K+ in
C. Release neurotransmitters
D. Break down acetylcholine
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The pump actively transports three sodium ions out of the
cell and two potassium ions in, maintaining the electrochemical
gradient.
11. Which plane of section divides the brain into left and right
hemispheres?
A. Coronal
B. Horizontal
C. Sagittal
D. Transverse
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A sagittal section runs parallel to the midline, separating the
brain into left and right halves.
12. What is an agonist?
A. A drug that blocks a neurotransmitter's effects
B. A drug that mimics or enhances a neurotransmitter's effects
C. A drug that destroys synaptic vesicles
D. A drug that inhibits reuptake
Correct Answer: B
