LIU CVM - Veterinary Physiology Week 4
UPDATED ACTUAL Exam Questions and
CORRECT Answers
Learning Objectives for Neurophysiology part 1. - CORRECT ANSWER - 1. Define a
reflex and describe the components of a reflex arc
2. Explain the differences between segmental, intersegmental, and suprasegmental reflexes
3. Explain how the muscle spindle stretch receptor works
4. Explain the function of the Golgi tendon organ
5. Explain the concept of lower motor neuron and recognize the clinical signs associated with
lower motor neuron failure
6. Explain the concept of upper motor neuron and recognize the clinical signs associated with
upper motor neuron failure
What is a reflex? Define it. - CORRECT ANSWER - A reflex is an involuntary,
qualitatively unvarying response of the nervous system to a stimulus
What are the fundamental components of a reflex arc? There are 5 parts. - CORRECT
ANSWER - 1. A receptor
2. A sensory neuron
3. One (monosynaptic) or more synapses (polysynaptic reflexes) in the CNS
4. A motor neuron
5. A target organ
Reflexes can be three different types. What are they? - CORRECT ANSWER - 1.
Segmental - same spinal segment has the stimulus and action
2. Intersegmental - when there is a stimulus, the information travels to another segment of the
spine to perform the action; like touching the lower back of a dog and then they flex between
their shoulders
3. Suprasegmental - information goes to the brain and then back to the spine
, Sensory receptors collect ______________________________ _________________ and turn
them into a cellular response (action potential). - CORRECT ANSWER - Environmental
signals
What is the difference between a primary and secondary receptor? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Primary: a neuron with a peripheral ending specialized for stimulus
transduction
Secondary: a non-neuronal cell designed for stimulus transduction that affects an adjacent neuron
What are the 3 ways that the CNS controls body movement with skeletal muscle? What two
differentially located skeletal muscle receptors provide the CNS with the information? -
CORRECT ANSWER - 1. Assessing the effect of gravity on body muscles
2. Determining the initial position of the body parts to be moved
3. Detecting any discrepancy between the intended movement and the movement that actually
occurs
- muscle spindle and Golgi tendon organ
In skeletal muscle, how is the muscle spindle arranged? What does it detect? How is the Golgi
tendon organ arranged? Where is it located? What does it detect? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Muscle spindle is arranged in parallel with the extrafusal muscle fibers and detects stretching
The Golgi tendon organ is arranged in series with the extrafusal muscle fibers; it is located in the
tendon of muscles and detects muscle tension produced by contraction
What are the 2 types of neurons that innervate the skeletal muscle spindle? - CORRECT
ANSWER - 1. Sensory: Ia and II afferent fibers
2. Motor: gamma motor neuron to the intrafusal fibers; alpha motor neuron to the same muscle
and to an antagonistic muscle
Skeletal muscle spindle receptor activation has three effects in the spinal cord. What are they? -
CORRECT ANSWER - 1. An EPSP on the alpha motor neuron returning to the same
muscle -> muscle contraction
UPDATED ACTUAL Exam Questions and
CORRECT Answers
Learning Objectives for Neurophysiology part 1. - CORRECT ANSWER - 1. Define a
reflex and describe the components of a reflex arc
2. Explain the differences between segmental, intersegmental, and suprasegmental reflexes
3. Explain how the muscle spindle stretch receptor works
4. Explain the function of the Golgi tendon organ
5. Explain the concept of lower motor neuron and recognize the clinical signs associated with
lower motor neuron failure
6. Explain the concept of upper motor neuron and recognize the clinical signs associated with
upper motor neuron failure
What is a reflex? Define it. - CORRECT ANSWER - A reflex is an involuntary,
qualitatively unvarying response of the nervous system to a stimulus
What are the fundamental components of a reflex arc? There are 5 parts. - CORRECT
ANSWER - 1. A receptor
2. A sensory neuron
3. One (monosynaptic) or more synapses (polysynaptic reflexes) in the CNS
4. A motor neuron
5. A target organ
Reflexes can be three different types. What are they? - CORRECT ANSWER - 1.
Segmental - same spinal segment has the stimulus and action
2. Intersegmental - when there is a stimulus, the information travels to another segment of the
spine to perform the action; like touching the lower back of a dog and then they flex between
their shoulders
3. Suprasegmental - information goes to the brain and then back to the spine
, Sensory receptors collect ______________________________ _________________ and turn
them into a cellular response (action potential). - CORRECT ANSWER - Environmental
signals
What is the difference between a primary and secondary receptor? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Primary: a neuron with a peripheral ending specialized for stimulus
transduction
Secondary: a non-neuronal cell designed for stimulus transduction that affects an adjacent neuron
What are the 3 ways that the CNS controls body movement with skeletal muscle? What two
differentially located skeletal muscle receptors provide the CNS with the information? -
CORRECT ANSWER - 1. Assessing the effect of gravity on body muscles
2. Determining the initial position of the body parts to be moved
3. Detecting any discrepancy between the intended movement and the movement that actually
occurs
- muscle spindle and Golgi tendon organ
In skeletal muscle, how is the muscle spindle arranged? What does it detect? How is the Golgi
tendon organ arranged? Where is it located? What does it detect? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Muscle spindle is arranged in parallel with the extrafusal muscle fibers and detects stretching
The Golgi tendon organ is arranged in series with the extrafusal muscle fibers; it is located in the
tendon of muscles and detects muscle tension produced by contraction
What are the 2 types of neurons that innervate the skeletal muscle spindle? - CORRECT
ANSWER - 1. Sensory: Ia and II afferent fibers
2. Motor: gamma motor neuron to the intrafusal fibers; alpha motor neuron to the same muscle
and to an antagonistic muscle
Skeletal muscle spindle receptor activation has three effects in the spinal cord. What are they? -
CORRECT ANSWER - 1. An EPSP on the alpha motor neuron returning to the same
muscle -> muscle contraction
