,BIOL 251 Module 7 | Human Anatomy & Physiology I w/Lab
Exam Q&A | Portage Learning
1. What are the two major functional divisions of the peripheral nervous system
(PNS)?
A) Central and peripheral
B) Sensory (afferent) and motor (efferent)
C) Sympathetic and parasympathetic
D) Somatic and autonomic
Correct Answer: Sensory (afferent) and motor (efferent)
Rationale: The PNS is functionally divided into the sensory (afferent) division, which
carries signals toward the CNS, and the motor (efferent) division, which carries
signals away from the CNS to effectors. The sympathetic and parasympathetic
divisions are subdivisions of the autonomic nervous system.
2. Which division of the PNS is further subdivided into the somatic nervous system
and the autonomic nervous system?
A) Sensory (afferent) division
B) Motor (efferent) division
C) Central nervous system
D) Enteric nervous system
Correct Answer: Motor (efferent) division
Rationale: The motor (efferent) division of the PNS is subdivided into the somatic
nervous system, which controls voluntary skeletal muscle, and the autonomic
,nervous system, which controls involuntary functions. The sensory division is not
subdivided in this manner.
3. Which functional division of the nervous system carries sensory information
toward the CNS?
A) Efferent division
B) Motor division
C) Afferent division
D) Somatic division
Correct Answer: Afferent division
Rationale: The afferent (sensory) division carries signals from sensory receptors
toward the CNS. The efferent (motor) division carries motor commands away from
the CNS to muscles and glands.
4. The peripheral nervous system consists of which of the following structures?
A) Brain and spinal cord only
B) Cranial nerves, spinal nerves, and ganglia
C) Cerebrum and cerebellum
D) Gray matter and white matter
Correct Answer: Cranial nerves, spinal nerves, and ganglia
Rationale: The PNS includes all neural tissue outside the CNS: 12 pairs of cranial
nerves, 31 pairs of spinal nerves, and their associated ganglia. The brain and spinal
cord constitute the CNS.
, 5. How many pairs of spinal nerves are there?
A) 12 pairs
B) 24 pairs
C) 31 pairs
D) 33 pairs
Correct Answer: 31 pairs
Rationale: There are 31 pairs of spinal nerves: 8 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5
sacral, and 1 coccygeal. They emerge from the spinal cord and innervate various
parts of the body.
6. How many pairs of cranial nerves are there?
A) 10 pairs
B) 12 pairs
C) 14 pairs
D) 31 pairs
Correct Answer: 12 pairs
Rationale: There are 12 pairs of cranial nerves that emerge from the brain and
brainstem. They are numbered I through XII and have various sensory, motor, and
mixed functions.
7. Which cranial nerve is responsible for the sense of smell?
A) Cranial nerve I (Olfactory)
B) Cranial nerve II (Optic)
Exam Q&A | Portage Learning
1. What are the two major functional divisions of the peripheral nervous system
(PNS)?
A) Central and peripheral
B) Sensory (afferent) and motor (efferent)
C) Sympathetic and parasympathetic
D) Somatic and autonomic
Correct Answer: Sensory (afferent) and motor (efferent)
Rationale: The PNS is functionally divided into the sensory (afferent) division, which
carries signals toward the CNS, and the motor (efferent) division, which carries
signals away from the CNS to effectors. The sympathetic and parasympathetic
divisions are subdivisions of the autonomic nervous system.
2. Which division of the PNS is further subdivided into the somatic nervous system
and the autonomic nervous system?
A) Sensory (afferent) division
B) Motor (efferent) division
C) Central nervous system
D) Enteric nervous system
Correct Answer: Motor (efferent) division
Rationale: The motor (efferent) division of the PNS is subdivided into the somatic
nervous system, which controls voluntary skeletal muscle, and the autonomic
,nervous system, which controls involuntary functions. The sensory division is not
subdivided in this manner.
3. Which functional division of the nervous system carries sensory information
toward the CNS?
A) Efferent division
B) Motor division
C) Afferent division
D) Somatic division
Correct Answer: Afferent division
Rationale: The afferent (sensory) division carries signals from sensory receptors
toward the CNS. The efferent (motor) division carries motor commands away from
the CNS to muscles and glands.
4. The peripheral nervous system consists of which of the following structures?
A) Brain and spinal cord only
B) Cranial nerves, spinal nerves, and ganglia
C) Cerebrum and cerebellum
D) Gray matter and white matter
Correct Answer: Cranial nerves, spinal nerves, and ganglia
Rationale: The PNS includes all neural tissue outside the CNS: 12 pairs of cranial
nerves, 31 pairs of spinal nerves, and their associated ganglia. The brain and spinal
cord constitute the CNS.
, 5. How many pairs of spinal nerves are there?
A) 12 pairs
B) 24 pairs
C) 31 pairs
D) 33 pairs
Correct Answer: 31 pairs
Rationale: There are 31 pairs of spinal nerves: 8 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5
sacral, and 1 coccygeal. They emerge from the spinal cord and innervate various
parts of the body.
6. How many pairs of cranial nerves are there?
A) 10 pairs
B) 12 pairs
C) 14 pairs
D) 31 pairs
Correct Answer: 12 pairs
Rationale: There are 12 pairs of cranial nerves that emerge from the brain and
brainstem. They are numbered I through XII and have various sensory, motor, and
mixed functions.
7. Which cranial nerve is responsible for the sense of smell?
A) Cranial nerve I (Olfactory)
B) Cranial nerve II (Optic)
