BIOD 152: Essential Human Anatomy
& Physiology II Final Exam Question
and Answer portage learning
SECTION I: Nervous System — Organization & Neuron Physiology (Questions 1–22)
1. The two main divisions of the nervous system are:
A) Somatic and autonomic
B) Central and peripheral
C) Sympathetic and parasympathetic
D) Sensory and motor
B) Central and peripheral
The nervous system is anatomically divided into the central nervous system (CNS),
consisting of the brain and spinal cord, and the peripheral nervous system (PNS), consisting of
all neural tissue outside the CNS. The other options represent functional subdivisions rather than
the primary anatomical division.
2. The functional division of the PNS that controls voluntary movements is the:
A) Autonomic nervous system
B) Somatic nervous system
C) Sympathetic nervous system
D) Parasympathetic nervous system
B) Somatic nervous system
The somatic nervous system innervates skeletal muscles and mediates voluntary motor
control. The autonomic nervous system controls involuntary functions of smooth muscle, cardiac
muscle, and glands. The sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions are branches of the
autonomic nervous system.
3. A ganglion is best defined as:
A) A bundle of axons in the CNS
B) A bundle of axons in the PNS
,C) A cluster of cell bodies in the CNS
D) A cluster of cell bodies in the PNS
D) A cluster of cell bodies in the PNS
In the peripheral nervous system, a cluster of neuron cell bodies is called a ganglion. In the
CNS, the equivalent structure is called a nucleus. A bundle of axons in the PNS is a nerve; in the
CNS, it is a tract.
4. The part of the neuron that receives signals from other neurons is the:
A) Axon
B) Dendrite
C) Cell body
D) Synaptic terminal
B) Dendrite
Dendrites are branched extensions that receive synaptic input from other neurons and
conduct electrical signals toward the cell body. The axon conducts impulses away from the cell
body toward synaptic terminals.
5. Which of the following statements about neurons is TRUE?
A) Neurons physically touch one another at synapses.
B) Neurons are separated by a synaptic cleft.
C) Neuroglia transmit action potentials.
D) Dendrites conduct impulses away from the cell body.
B) Neurons are separated by a synaptic cleft.
Neurons do not physically touch; they communicate across a small gap called the synaptic
cleft via chemical neurotransmitters. Neuroglia support and protect neurons but do not generate
action potentials. Dendrites conduct impulses toward the cell body, not away from it.
6. The resting membrane potential of a typical neuron is approximately:
A) +40 mV
B) 0 mV
C) −70 mV
D) −90 mV
, C) −70 mV
The resting membrane potential of a neuron is approximately −70 mV, maintained primarily
by the sodium-potassium pump and differential membrane permeability (more permeable to K⁺
than Na⁺). During depolarization, the membrane potential rises toward +40 mV.
7. During depolarization of a neuron, which ion influx is primarily responsible for the
change in membrane potential?
A) Potassium (K⁺)
B) Chloride (Cl⁻)
C) Calcium (Ca²⁺)
D) Sodium (Na⁺)
D) Sodium (Na⁺)
Depolarization is caused by the opening of voltage-gated Na⁺ channels, allowing Na⁺ to rush
into the cell. This influx reverses the membrane polarity, raising the potential from −70 mV
toward +40 mV. Potassium efflux is responsible for repolarization.
8. Which part of the neuron conducts nerve impulses AWAY from the cell body?
A) Dendrites
B) Axon
C) Nissl bodies
D) Soma
B) Axon
The axon is a single long process that conducts action potentials away from the cell body
toward the axon terminals, where neurotransmitters are released. Dendrites conduct signals
toward the cell body.
9. An afferent neuron carries information:
A) From the CNS to the periphery
B) From the periphery to the CNS
C) Between two neurons within the CNS
D) From the autonomic ganglia to target organs
B) From the periphery to the CNS
, Afferent (sensory) neurons carry sensory information from receptors in the periphery toward
the central nervous system. Efferent (motor) neurons carry commands from the CNS to effectors.
Interneurons connect neurons within the CNS.
10. The dorsal root of a spinal nerve contains which type of neurons?
A) Motor / efferent
B) Sensory / afferent
C) Interneurons only
D) Autonomic motor neurons only
B) Sensory / afferent
The dorsal root contains sensory (afferent) neurons bringing information from the periphery
into the spinal cord. The ventral root contains motor (efferent) neurons sending signals from the
spinal cord to muscles and glands.
11. A postsynaptic neuron is located:
A) Before the synapse
B) At the axon hillock
C) After the synapse
D) Only in the peripheral nervous system
C) After the synapse
"Postsynaptic" refers to the neuron or target cell that receives the signal after
neurotransmitters cross the synaptic cleft. The presynaptic neuron is the one releasing
neurotransmitters.
12. Neurotransmitters are stored in which structures within the axon terminal?
A) Nuclei
B) Synaptic vesicles
C) Mitochondria
D) Nissl bodies
B) Synaptic vesicles
Neurotransmitters are synthesized in the cell body, transported down the axon, and stored in
synaptic vesicles within the axon terminal. When an action potential arrives, calcium influx
& Physiology II Final Exam Question
and Answer portage learning
SECTION I: Nervous System — Organization & Neuron Physiology (Questions 1–22)
1. The two main divisions of the nervous system are:
A) Somatic and autonomic
B) Central and peripheral
C) Sympathetic and parasympathetic
D) Sensory and motor
B) Central and peripheral
The nervous system is anatomically divided into the central nervous system (CNS),
consisting of the brain and spinal cord, and the peripheral nervous system (PNS), consisting of
all neural tissue outside the CNS. The other options represent functional subdivisions rather than
the primary anatomical division.
2. The functional division of the PNS that controls voluntary movements is the:
A) Autonomic nervous system
B) Somatic nervous system
C) Sympathetic nervous system
D) Parasympathetic nervous system
B) Somatic nervous system
The somatic nervous system innervates skeletal muscles and mediates voluntary motor
control. The autonomic nervous system controls involuntary functions of smooth muscle, cardiac
muscle, and glands. The sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions are branches of the
autonomic nervous system.
3. A ganglion is best defined as:
A) A bundle of axons in the CNS
B) A bundle of axons in the PNS
,C) A cluster of cell bodies in the CNS
D) A cluster of cell bodies in the PNS
D) A cluster of cell bodies in the PNS
In the peripheral nervous system, a cluster of neuron cell bodies is called a ganglion. In the
CNS, the equivalent structure is called a nucleus. A bundle of axons in the PNS is a nerve; in the
CNS, it is a tract.
4. The part of the neuron that receives signals from other neurons is the:
A) Axon
B) Dendrite
C) Cell body
D) Synaptic terminal
B) Dendrite
Dendrites are branched extensions that receive synaptic input from other neurons and
conduct electrical signals toward the cell body. The axon conducts impulses away from the cell
body toward synaptic terminals.
5. Which of the following statements about neurons is TRUE?
A) Neurons physically touch one another at synapses.
B) Neurons are separated by a synaptic cleft.
C) Neuroglia transmit action potentials.
D) Dendrites conduct impulses away from the cell body.
B) Neurons are separated by a synaptic cleft.
Neurons do not physically touch; they communicate across a small gap called the synaptic
cleft via chemical neurotransmitters. Neuroglia support and protect neurons but do not generate
action potentials. Dendrites conduct impulses toward the cell body, not away from it.
6. The resting membrane potential of a typical neuron is approximately:
A) +40 mV
B) 0 mV
C) −70 mV
D) −90 mV
, C) −70 mV
The resting membrane potential of a neuron is approximately −70 mV, maintained primarily
by the sodium-potassium pump and differential membrane permeability (more permeable to K⁺
than Na⁺). During depolarization, the membrane potential rises toward +40 mV.
7. During depolarization of a neuron, which ion influx is primarily responsible for the
change in membrane potential?
A) Potassium (K⁺)
B) Chloride (Cl⁻)
C) Calcium (Ca²⁺)
D) Sodium (Na⁺)
D) Sodium (Na⁺)
Depolarization is caused by the opening of voltage-gated Na⁺ channels, allowing Na⁺ to rush
into the cell. This influx reverses the membrane polarity, raising the potential from −70 mV
toward +40 mV. Potassium efflux is responsible for repolarization.
8. Which part of the neuron conducts nerve impulses AWAY from the cell body?
A) Dendrites
B) Axon
C) Nissl bodies
D) Soma
B) Axon
The axon is a single long process that conducts action potentials away from the cell body
toward the axon terminals, where neurotransmitters are released. Dendrites conduct signals
toward the cell body.
9. An afferent neuron carries information:
A) From the CNS to the periphery
B) From the periphery to the CNS
C) Between two neurons within the CNS
D) From the autonomic ganglia to target organs
B) From the periphery to the CNS
, Afferent (sensory) neurons carry sensory information from receptors in the periphery toward
the central nervous system. Efferent (motor) neurons carry commands from the CNS to effectors.
Interneurons connect neurons within the CNS.
10. The dorsal root of a spinal nerve contains which type of neurons?
A) Motor / efferent
B) Sensory / afferent
C) Interneurons only
D) Autonomic motor neurons only
B) Sensory / afferent
The dorsal root contains sensory (afferent) neurons bringing information from the periphery
into the spinal cord. The ventral root contains motor (efferent) neurons sending signals from the
spinal cord to muscles and glands.
11. A postsynaptic neuron is located:
A) Before the synapse
B) At the axon hillock
C) After the synapse
D) Only in the peripheral nervous system
C) After the synapse
"Postsynaptic" refers to the neuron or target cell that receives the signal after
neurotransmitters cross the synaptic cleft. The presynaptic neuron is the one releasing
neurotransmitters.
12. Neurotransmitters are stored in which structures within the axon terminal?
A) Nuclei
B) Synaptic vesicles
C) Mitochondria
D) Nissl bodies
B) Synaptic vesicles
Neurotransmitters are synthesized in the cell body, transported down the axon, and stored in
synaptic vesicles within the axon terminal. When an action potential arrives, calcium influx
