,BIOL 322 Module 8 | Neuroscience Exam Q&A |
Portage Learning
1. Which statement best defines a neurodegenerative disease?
A) An acute infection of the nervous system
B) A traumatic injury to the brain or spinal cord
C) A developmental disorder present from birth
D) A disorder characterized by progressive loss of neurons and neural function
Correct Answer: A disorder characterized by progressive loss of neurons and
neural function
Rationale: Neurodegenerative diseases involve the progressive degeneration and
loss of neurons, leading to a decline in neural function. Alzheimer’s disease,
Parkinson’s disease, and ALS are examples. Acute infections, traumatic injuries,
and developmental disorders are distinct categories of neurological conditions.
2. Which protein accumulates abnormally in Alzheimer’s disease?
A) Alpha-synuclein
B) Huntingtin protein
C) Beta-amyloid plaques and tau tangles
D) SOD1 protein
Correct Answer: Beta-amyloid plaques and tau tangles
,Rationale: Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by the accumulation of beta-
amyloid plaques outside neurons and tau tangles inside neurons. Alpha-synuclein
is associated with Parkinson’s disease, huntingtin with Huntington’s disease, and
SOD1 with some forms of ALS.
3. Which brain region is affected earliest and most prominently in Alzheimer’s
disease?
A) Substantia nigra
B) Striatum
C) Cerebellum
D) Hippocampus
Correct Answer: Hippocampus
Rationale: The hippocampus, critical for memory formation, is one of the first
brain regions affected in Alzheimer’s disease. This explains why memory loss,
especially for recent events, is an early and prominent symptom. The substantia
nigra is affected in Parkinson’s disease, and the striatum in Huntington’s disease.
4. Which neurotransmitter is significantly reduced in Alzheimer’s disease due to
degeneration of cholinergic neurons?
A) Dopamine
B) Acetylcholine
C) GABA
D) Glutamate
Correct Answer: Acetylcholine
, Rationale: Acetylcholine is significantly reduced in Alzheimer’s disease due to
degeneration of cholinergic neurons in the basal forebrain. This deficit contributes
to memory and cognitive impairment. Dopamine is reduced in Parkinson’s disease,
and serotonin and norepinephrine are associated with depression.
5. What is Parkinson’s disease characterized by?
A) Loss of acetylcholine-producing neurons in the basal forebrain
B) Loss of GABA-producing neurons in the striatum
C) Loss of dopamine-producing neurons in the substantia nigra
D) Loss of motor neurons in the spinal cord
Correct Answer: Loss of dopamine-producing neurons in the substantia nigra
Rationale: Parkinson’s disease is characterized by the degeneration of
dopamine-producing neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. This loss of
dopamine disrupts the basal ganglia’s role in motor control, leading to the
characteristic motor symptoms. ALS involves motor neuron loss.
6. Which motor symptom is a hallmark of Parkinson’s disease?
A) Intention tremor
B) Resting tremor
C) Ataxia
D) Hemiballismus
Correct Answer: Resting tremor
Portage Learning
1. Which statement best defines a neurodegenerative disease?
A) An acute infection of the nervous system
B) A traumatic injury to the brain or spinal cord
C) A developmental disorder present from birth
D) A disorder characterized by progressive loss of neurons and neural function
Correct Answer: A disorder characterized by progressive loss of neurons and
neural function
Rationale: Neurodegenerative diseases involve the progressive degeneration and
loss of neurons, leading to a decline in neural function. Alzheimer’s disease,
Parkinson’s disease, and ALS are examples. Acute infections, traumatic injuries,
and developmental disorders are distinct categories of neurological conditions.
2. Which protein accumulates abnormally in Alzheimer’s disease?
A) Alpha-synuclein
B) Huntingtin protein
C) Beta-amyloid plaques and tau tangles
D) SOD1 protein
Correct Answer: Beta-amyloid plaques and tau tangles
,Rationale: Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by the accumulation of beta-
amyloid plaques outside neurons and tau tangles inside neurons. Alpha-synuclein
is associated with Parkinson’s disease, huntingtin with Huntington’s disease, and
SOD1 with some forms of ALS.
3. Which brain region is affected earliest and most prominently in Alzheimer’s
disease?
A) Substantia nigra
B) Striatum
C) Cerebellum
D) Hippocampus
Correct Answer: Hippocampus
Rationale: The hippocampus, critical for memory formation, is one of the first
brain regions affected in Alzheimer’s disease. This explains why memory loss,
especially for recent events, is an early and prominent symptom. The substantia
nigra is affected in Parkinson’s disease, and the striatum in Huntington’s disease.
4. Which neurotransmitter is significantly reduced in Alzheimer’s disease due to
degeneration of cholinergic neurons?
A) Dopamine
B) Acetylcholine
C) GABA
D) Glutamate
Correct Answer: Acetylcholine
, Rationale: Acetylcholine is significantly reduced in Alzheimer’s disease due to
degeneration of cholinergic neurons in the basal forebrain. This deficit contributes
to memory and cognitive impairment. Dopamine is reduced in Parkinson’s disease,
and serotonin and norepinephrine are associated with depression.
5. What is Parkinson’s disease characterized by?
A) Loss of acetylcholine-producing neurons in the basal forebrain
B) Loss of GABA-producing neurons in the striatum
C) Loss of dopamine-producing neurons in the substantia nigra
D) Loss of motor neurons in the spinal cord
Correct Answer: Loss of dopamine-producing neurons in the substantia nigra
Rationale: Parkinson’s disease is characterized by the degeneration of
dopamine-producing neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. This loss of
dopamine disrupts the basal ganglia’s role in motor control, leading to the
characteristic motor symptoms. ALS involves motor neuron loss.
6. Which motor symptom is a hallmark of Parkinson’s disease?
A) Intention tremor
B) Resting tremor
C) Ataxia
D) Hemiballismus
Correct Answer: Resting tremor
