FNP 2 Exam Questions with Complete
Solutions| Verified Answers
What is neurovascular coupling? - ANSWER A process where neural activity
regulates local blood flow in the brain.
Ensures that active brain regions receive more oxygen and nutrients by dilating
nearby blood vessels.
It provides energy to the neurones
How does neurovascular coupling work? - ANSWER Neurons become active,
requiring more energy.
Glutamate is released at synapses.
Astrocytes detect this activity and release vasoactive molecules.
Blood vessels dilate, increasing blood flow.
More oxygen and glucose reach active neurons to meet their energy demands.
How are astrocytes involved in the neurovascular coupling? - ANSWER Astrocytes detect
neural activity and release signals to dilate blood vessels.
4. Why is neurovascular coupling important? - ANSWER It ensures proper brain function
by delivering nutrients where needed.
It prevents neuronal damage from insufficient blood supply.
,It plays a key role in functional MRI (fMRI), which measures brain activity based
on blood flow changes.
How is neurovascular coupling measured? - ANSWER Functional Magnetic
Resonance Imaging (fMRI) detects changes in blood oxygen levels.
Uses the BOLD (Blood-Oxygen-Level Dependent) signal to highlight active brain regions.
What are microglia? - ANSWER Smallest glial cells, comprising 10% of glial cells.
Act as resident immune cells of the CNS.
Originate from bone marrow monocytes and migrate into the CNS during development.
What are the different functional states of microglia? - ANSWER Resting Microglia -
Monitor environment for danger signals.
Activated Microglia - Respond to injury/disease by releasing cytokines.
Phagocytic Microglia - Remove dead neurons and debris.
How do microglia respond to danger? - ANSWER Detect injury or infection
and transform into an active state.
Release inflammatory molecules (cytokines, reactive oxygen species).
Can become neurotoxic if activation is prolonged.
How do microglia contribute to neurodegenerative diseases? - ANSWER Chronic
microglial activation is linked to Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and ischemic brain damage.
Can trigger astrocyte activation, disrupting homeostasis.
What happens when the CNS is injured? - ANSWER Astrocytes increase in
size (hypertrophy) and number (proliferation) → Reactive astrogliosis.
Microglia activate and remove damaged cells.
, Astrocytes form glial scars, which inhibit axon regrowth in the CNS.
Q: How does the nervous system express its actions? - ANSWER Somatic Nervous
system: Controls Skeletal muscles
Autonomic Nervous System: Controls Smooth muscles and glands
Q: What is the role of sensory and motor pathways in the nervous system? -
ANSWER Sensory (afferent) pathways: Carry information from the periphery (e.g.,
skin, special sense organs) to the brain
Motor (efferent) pathways: Carry responses from the brain to effectors
(muscles, glands)
Q: What are the major causes of nerve degeneration? - ANSWER Genetics - Inherited
disorders affecting nerve function
Aging - Natural decline in neuronal function over time
Acquired injuries - Trauma such as lacerations, compression, or crushing
Q: How do the CNS and PNS respond differently to nerve injuries? - ANSWER CNS
- neurons do not regenerate after injury
PNS - neurons can regenerate and re-innervate effectors
Q: What are the key structural features of a nerve that may be affected by injury? -
ANSWER Epineurium - Outermost connective tissue, surrounds the entire nerve
Perineurium - Surrounds a fascicle (a bundle of axons)
Endoneurium - Surrounds an individual axon
Myelin sheath - Insulates axons to speed up signal transmission
Axon - The nerve fibre that transmits signals
Solutions| Verified Answers
What is neurovascular coupling? - ANSWER A process where neural activity
regulates local blood flow in the brain.
Ensures that active brain regions receive more oxygen and nutrients by dilating
nearby blood vessels.
It provides energy to the neurones
How does neurovascular coupling work? - ANSWER Neurons become active,
requiring more energy.
Glutamate is released at synapses.
Astrocytes detect this activity and release vasoactive molecules.
Blood vessels dilate, increasing blood flow.
More oxygen and glucose reach active neurons to meet their energy demands.
How are astrocytes involved in the neurovascular coupling? - ANSWER Astrocytes detect
neural activity and release signals to dilate blood vessels.
4. Why is neurovascular coupling important? - ANSWER It ensures proper brain function
by delivering nutrients where needed.
It prevents neuronal damage from insufficient blood supply.
,It plays a key role in functional MRI (fMRI), which measures brain activity based
on blood flow changes.
How is neurovascular coupling measured? - ANSWER Functional Magnetic
Resonance Imaging (fMRI) detects changes in blood oxygen levels.
Uses the BOLD (Blood-Oxygen-Level Dependent) signal to highlight active brain regions.
What are microglia? - ANSWER Smallest glial cells, comprising 10% of glial cells.
Act as resident immune cells of the CNS.
Originate from bone marrow monocytes and migrate into the CNS during development.
What are the different functional states of microglia? - ANSWER Resting Microglia -
Monitor environment for danger signals.
Activated Microglia - Respond to injury/disease by releasing cytokines.
Phagocytic Microglia - Remove dead neurons and debris.
How do microglia respond to danger? - ANSWER Detect injury or infection
and transform into an active state.
Release inflammatory molecules (cytokines, reactive oxygen species).
Can become neurotoxic if activation is prolonged.
How do microglia contribute to neurodegenerative diseases? - ANSWER Chronic
microglial activation is linked to Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and ischemic brain damage.
Can trigger astrocyte activation, disrupting homeostasis.
What happens when the CNS is injured? - ANSWER Astrocytes increase in
size (hypertrophy) and number (proliferation) → Reactive astrogliosis.
Microglia activate and remove damaged cells.
, Astrocytes form glial scars, which inhibit axon regrowth in the CNS.
Q: How does the nervous system express its actions? - ANSWER Somatic Nervous
system: Controls Skeletal muscles
Autonomic Nervous System: Controls Smooth muscles and glands
Q: What is the role of sensory and motor pathways in the nervous system? -
ANSWER Sensory (afferent) pathways: Carry information from the periphery (e.g.,
skin, special sense organs) to the brain
Motor (efferent) pathways: Carry responses from the brain to effectors
(muscles, glands)
Q: What are the major causes of nerve degeneration? - ANSWER Genetics - Inherited
disorders affecting nerve function
Aging - Natural decline in neuronal function over time
Acquired injuries - Trauma such as lacerations, compression, or crushing
Q: How do the CNS and PNS respond differently to nerve injuries? - ANSWER CNS
- neurons do not regenerate after injury
PNS - neurons can regenerate and re-innervate effectors
Q: What are the key structural features of a nerve that may be affected by injury? -
ANSWER Epineurium - Outermost connective tissue, surrounds the entire nerve
Perineurium - Surrounds a fascicle (a bundle of axons)
Endoneurium - Surrounds an individual axon
Myelin sheath - Insulates axons to speed up signal transmission
Axon - The nerve fibre that transmits signals
