NU 545 Advance Pathophysiology Unit 2
Exam- Nervous System & Neuro-
Pathophysiology
Nervous System & Neuropathophysiology Practice Questions
1.
Which structure is primarily responsible for maintaining homeostasis, regulating autonomic
functions, and controlling endocrine activity?
A. Cerebellum
B. Hypothalamus
C. Medulla oblongata
D. Basal ganglia
Answer: B. Hypothalamus
Rationale: The hypothalamus regulates temperature, hunger, thirst, autonomic activity, and
endocrine function through its interaction with the pituitary gland.
2.
Which neurotransmitter is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous
system?
A. Glutamate
B. Dopamine
C. GABA
D. Acetylcholine
Answer: C. GABA
Rationale: Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the
CNS. Reduced GABA activity can contribute to neuronal hyperexcitability and seizures.
3.
,Which neurotransmitter is the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the CNS?
A. Glutamate
B. GABA
C. Serotonin
D. Glycine
Answer: A. Glutamate
Rationale: Glutamate is the principal excitatory neurotransmitter. Excessive glutamate activity
can cause excitotoxic neuronal injury.
4.
What is the primary function of myelin?
A. Produce cerebrospinal fluid
B. Increase the speed of nerve impulse conduction
C. Destroy damaged neurons
D. Regulate cerebral blood flow
Answer: B. Increase the speed of nerve impulse conduction
Rationale: Myelin electrically insulates axons and allows rapid saltatory conduction between
nodes of Ranvier.
5.
Which cells produce myelin in the central nervous system?
A. Schwann cells
B. Astrocytes
C. Oligodendrocytes
D. Microglia
Answer: C. Oligodendrocytes
Rationale: Oligodendrocytes myelinate axons in the CNS, whereas Schwann cells provide
myelination in the peripheral nervous system.
6.
,Which cells produce myelin in the peripheral nervous system?
A. Schwann cells
B. Oligodendrocytes
C. Microglia
D. Astrocytes
Answer: A. Schwann cells
Rationale: Schwann cells form myelin around peripheral nerve axons.
7.
What is the blood-brain barrier primarily responsible for?
A. Preventing all substances from entering the brain
B. Regulating movement of substances between blood and CNS tissue
C. Producing neurotransmitters
D. Generating action potentials
Answer: B. Regulating movement of substances between blood and CNS tissue
Rationale: The blood-brain barrier selectively controls passage of substances into CNS tissue
and helps maintain the neural environment.
8.
Which glial cell contributes significantly to maintenance of the blood-brain barrier?
A. Astrocyte
B. Schwann cell
C. Microglial cell
D. Oligodendrocyte
Answer: A. Astrocyte
Rationale: Astrocytes support neurons and contribute to blood-brain barrier maintenance and
regulation of the extracellular environment.
9.
, Which cells serve as the primary immune cells of the CNS?
A. Astrocytes
B. Microglia
C. Oligodendrocytes
D. Ependymal cells
Answer: B. Microglia
Rationale: Microglia are resident immune cells that participate in surveillance, phagocytosis,
and inflammatory responses within the CNS.
10.
Which cells line the ventricles and are associated with cerebrospinal fluid?
A. Ependymal cells
B. Schwann cells
C. Microglia
D. Astrocytes
Answer: A. Ependymal cells
Rationale: Ependymal cells line the ventricular system and are associated with CSF production
and circulation.
Cerebrovascular Disorders
11.
What is the fundamental pathophysiologic event in an ischemic stroke?
A. Rupture of a cerebral aneurysm
B. Interruption of cerebral blood flow
C. Excessive CSF production
D. Increased neurotransmitter synthesis
Answer: B. Interruption of cerebral blood flow
Rationale: Ischemic stroke results from obstruction of cerebral blood flow, producing
inadequate oxygen and glucose delivery to brain tissue.
Exam- Nervous System & Neuro-
Pathophysiology
Nervous System & Neuropathophysiology Practice Questions
1.
Which structure is primarily responsible for maintaining homeostasis, regulating autonomic
functions, and controlling endocrine activity?
A. Cerebellum
B. Hypothalamus
C. Medulla oblongata
D. Basal ganglia
Answer: B. Hypothalamus
Rationale: The hypothalamus regulates temperature, hunger, thirst, autonomic activity, and
endocrine function through its interaction with the pituitary gland.
2.
Which neurotransmitter is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous
system?
A. Glutamate
B. Dopamine
C. GABA
D. Acetylcholine
Answer: C. GABA
Rationale: Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the
CNS. Reduced GABA activity can contribute to neuronal hyperexcitability and seizures.
3.
,Which neurotransmitter is the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the CNS?
A. Glutamate
B. GABA
C. Serotonin
D. Glycine
Answer: A. Glutamate
Rationale: Glutamate is the principal excitatory neurotransmitter. Excessive glutamate activity
can cause excitotoxic neuronal injury.
4.
What is the primary function of myelin?
A. Produce cerebrospinal fluid
B. Increase the speed of nerve impulse conduction
C. Destroy damaged neurons
D. Regulate cerebral blood flow
Answer: B. Increase the speed of nerve impulse conduction
Rationale: Myelin electrically insulates axons and allows rapid saltatory conduction between
nodes of Ranvier.
5.
Which cells produce myelin in the central nervous system?
A. Schwann cells
B. Astrocytes
C. Oligodendrocytes
D. Microglia
Answer: C. Oligodendrocytes
Rationale: Oligodendrocytes myelinate axons in the CNS, whereas Schwann cells provide
myelination in the peripheral nervous system.
6.
,Which cells produce myelin in the peripheral nervous system?
A. Schwann cells
B. Oligodendrocytes
C. Microglia
D. Astrocytes
Answer: A. Schwann cells
Rationale: Schwann cells form myelin around peripheral nerve axons.
7.
What is the blood-brain barrier primarily responsible for?
A. Preventing all substances from entering the brain
B. Regulating movement of substances between blood and CNS tissue
C. Producing neurotransmitters
D. Generating action potentials
Answer: B. Regulating movement of substances between blood and CNS tissue
Rationale: The blood-brain barrier selectively controls passage of substances into CNS tissue
and helps maintain the neural environment.
8.
Which glial cell contributes significantly to maintenance of the blood-brain barrier?
A. Astrocyte
B. Schwann cell
C. Microglial cell
D. Oligodendrocyte
Answer: A. Astrocyte
Rationale: Astrocytes support neurons and contribute to blood-brain barrier maintenance and
regulation of the extracellular environment.
9.
, Which cells serve as the primary immune cells of the CNS?
A. Astrocytes
B. Microglia
C. Oligodendrocytes
D. Ependymal cells
Answer: B. Microglia
Rationale: Microglia are resident immune cells that participate in surveillance, phagocytosis,
and inflammatory responses within the CNS.
10.
Which cells line the ventricles and are associated with cerebrospinal fluid?
A. Ependymal cells
B. Schwann cells
C. Microglia
D. Astrocytes
Answer: A. Ependymal cells
Rationale: Ependymal cells line the ventricular system and are associated with CSF production
and circulation.
Cerebrovascular Disorders
11.
What is the fundamental pathophysiologic event in an ischemic stroke?
A. Rupture of a cerebral aneurysm
B. Interruption of cerebral blood flow
C. Excessive CSF production
D. Increased neurotransmitter synthesis
Answer: B. Interruption of cerebral blood flow
Rationale: Ischemic stroke results from obstruction of cerebral blood flow, producing
inadequate oxygen and glucose delivery to brain tissue.
