Midterm Success Starts Here: BMSC 207 Modules 1–6 – Verified Q&A Edition | 2025
UPDATES.
About This Guide:
This all-in-one resource covers Modules 1 through 6 of BMSC 207 and is built to help you crush your
midterm exam. With verified, exam-style questions and detailed answers, this guide focuses on the key
concepts and tricky topics that actually show up on tests—so you can study smarter, not harder.
Are Myelinated axons larger or smaller diameter axons than unmyelinated? - ✔✔-- Myelinated axons are
larger diameter axons (10um about 120 m/sec)
- Unmyelinated axons are smaller diameter axons (1.5um about 2 m/sec)
Can a neurocrine act as a neurotransmitter at one synapse and a neuromodulator at another? - ✔✔-yes, the
same neurocrine can act as a neurotransmitter at one synapse and a neuromodulator at another depending
on the receptors present
Can neuromodulators and neurotransmitters act as autocrine and paracrine signals? What does that mean?
- ✔✔-Yes, neuromodulators and neurotransmitters can act of cell nearby (paracrine) or on self in the
presynaptic terminal (autocrine)
do Na+ or K+ channels open and close faster? - ✔✔-Na+ channels open faster then K+ channels
do sensory neurons need to be activated by specific stimuli? - ✔✔-yes, sensory neurons are activated by
stimuli that fall within a specific physical area
does a strong or weak stimulus release more neurotransmitters? Why? - ✔✔-Strong stimulus releases
more neurotransmitters. Increased AP firing = greater influx of Ca2+ = increased neurotransmitter release
Does diffusion require an energy source? - ✔✔-no, diffusion uses the kinetic energy of molecular
movement
does endocytosis need ATP? - ✔✔-yes
does Physiology focus on mechanism or teleological approach? - ✔✔-mechanism
,does the brainstem contain nuclei? - ✔✔-yes, contain many nuclei
Does the cell membrane consist of a single or double layer and what is it made of? - ✔✔-bilayer made of
phospholipids with protein molecules inserted in them
Explain the anatomy of each spinal segment - ✔✔-each segment gives rise to a bilateral pair of spinal
nerves, each nerve splist into roots
Functions of astrocytes? - ✔✔-- take up and release chemicals at synapses
- proved neurons with substrates for ATP
- help maintain homeostasis in the extracellualr fluid (take up K+ and H2O)
- surround vessels
- part of the blood brain barrier
- influence vascular dynamics
how are enzymes for synthesis brought to the terminal? - ✔✔-via slow axonal transport
how are lipid anchored proteins attached to the cell membrane? - ✔✔-directly to fatty acid
How are peripheral proteins attached to the membrane? - ✔✔-- attach to integral proteins in ICF or ECF
- loosely attached to phospholipid head
how can osmotic movement of water be predicted? - ✔✔-by knowing the solute particle concentrations of
each solution
how can synaptic activity be altered? - ✔✔-by changing the target (postsynaptic) cell's responsiveness to
neurotransmitter (typically structure, affinity, or number of neurotransmitters receptors)
how do autonomic varicosities release neurotransmitters? - ✔✔-1. vesicle containing neurotransmitter
within varicosity
,2. axon of postganglionic autonomic neuron synapses with target tissue = neuroeffector junction
3. neurotransmitter diffuses to receptors
how do fine touch, proprioception, vibration stimuli bring information to CNS? - ✔✔-1. stimuli enters
dorsal root ganglion and horn
2. primary sensory neuron synapses in medulla
3. secondary sensory neuron crosses midline of body in medulla
4. synapses with tertiary sensory neuron in thalamus
5. tertiary sensory neuron terminates in somatosensory cortex
How do ionotropic receptors work? - ✔✔-- ligand binding to ionotropic receptors causes a
conformational change leading to the opening of channel
- can be specific for one ion (Na+, Ca2+, K+, Cl-)
- mediate fast postsynaptic responses (neurotransmitter)
how do irritants, temperatures and coarse touch stimuli bring information to CNS? - ✔✔-1. stimuli enters
dorsal root ganglion and horn
2. primary sensory neuron synapses in dorsal horn
3. secondary sensory neuron crosses midline of body in medulla
4. synapses with tertiary sensory neuron in thalamus
5. tertiary sensory neuron terminates in somatosensory cortex
how do neurons communicate at synapses? - ✔✔-presynaptic cell (neuron) to postsynaptic cell (neuron,
muscle, target cell)
How do the gates return to resting states? - ✔✔-During repolarization caused by K+ leaving cell, gates
reset.
How do the metabotropic receptors work? - ✔✔-- slower responses (neuromodulators)
- cytoplasmic tail of receptor is linked to three part membrane transducer protein (G-protein)
, - ligand binding to metabotropic receptor leads to a g-protein mediated cellular response (interact directly
with ion channels or activate membrane bound enzymes)
How do voltage gated Na+ channels suddenly close at peak of an AP? - ✔✔-Inactivation gate closes at
+30mV, which blocks Na+ from entering
how do you maintain constant level of mass balance? - ✔✔-input and output must be equal
how does endocytosis differ from phagocytosis? - ✔✔-- membrane indents (indent inwards)
- vesicles are much smaller
How does neurotransmitter action terminate? - ✔✔-1. small neurotransmitters can be returned to axon
terminals fro reuse or transported into glial cells
2. enzymes within cleft or cell inactivate neurotransmitters, substrate transported back into presynaptic
cell
3. neurotransmitters diffuse out of synaptic cleft
How does neurotransmitter release occur? - ✔✔-1. AP depolarizes axon terminal
2. depolarization opens voltage gated Ca2+ channels, Ca2+ enters cell
3. Ca2+ triggers exocytosis of synaptic vesicles
4. Neurotransmiters diffuse across synaptic cleft, bind receptors on postsynaptic cell
how does peripheral neuron injury work? - ✔✔-growth cones form to restablish connection to soma,
schwann cells create tube to guide regenerating axon to reform synapse
How does the activation gate work? - ✔✔-- Located in pore
- opens in response to depolarization (-55mV threshold reached)
- resting state is closed
how does the diameter of the axon affect the velocity of action potentials? - ✔✔-- a large diameter axon
will offer less internal resistance to current flow
UPDATES.
About This Guide:
This all-in-one resource covers Modules 1 through 6 of BMSC 207 and is built to help you crush your
midterm exam. With verified, exam-style questions and detailed answers, this guide focuses on the key
concepts and tricky topics that actually show up on tests—so you can study smarter, not harder.
Are Myelinated axons larger or smaller diameter axons than unmyelinated? - ✔✔-- Myelinated axons are
larger diameter axons (10um about 120 m/sec)
- Unmyelinated axons are smaller diameter axons (1.5um about 2 m/sec)
Can a neurocrine act as a neurotransmitter at one synapse and a neuromodulator at another? - ✔✔-yes, the
same neurocrine can act as a neurotransmitter at one synapse and a neuromodulator at another depending
on the receptors present
Can neuromodulators and neurotransmitters act as autocrine and paracrine signals? What does that mean?
- ✔✔-Yes, neuromodulators and neurotransmitters can act of cell nearby (paracrine) or on self in the
presynaptic terminal (autocrine)
do Na+ or K+ channels open and close faster? - ✔✔-Na+ channels open faster then K+ channels
do sensory neurons need to be activated by specific stimuli? - ✔✔-yes, sensory neurons are activated by
stimuli that fall within a specific physical area
does a strong or weak stimulus release more neurotransmitters? Why? - ✔✔-Strong stimulus releases
more neurotransmitters. Increased AP firing = greater influx of Ca2+ = increased neurotransmitter release
Does diffusion require an energy source? - ✔✔-no, diffusion uses the kinetic energy of molecular
movement
does endocytosis need ATP? - ✔✔-yes
does Physiology focus on mechanism or teleological approach? - ✔✔-mechanism
,does the brainstem contain nuclei? - ✔✔-yes, contain many nuclei
Does the cell membrane consist of a single or double layer and what is it made of? - ✔✔-bilayer made of
phospholipids with protein molecules inserted in them
Explain the anatomy of each spinal segment - ✔✔-each segment gives rise to a bilateral pair of spinal
nerves, each nerve splist into roots
Functions of astrocytes? - ✔✔-- take up and release chemicals at synapses
- proved neurons with substrates for ATP
- help maintain homeostasis in the extracellualr fluid (take up K+ and H2O)
- surround vessels
- part of the blood brain barrier
- influence vascular dynamics
how are enzymes for synthesis brought to the terminal? - ✔✔-via slow axonal transport
how are lipid anchored proteins attached to the cell membrane? - ✔✔-directly to fatty acid
How are peripheral proteins attached to the membrane? - ✔✔-- attach to integral proteins in ICF or ECF
- loosely attached to phospholipid head
how can osmotic movement of water be predicted? - ✔✔-by knowing the solute particle concentrations of
each solution
how can synaptic activity be altered? - ✔✔-by changing the target (postsynaptic) cell's responsiveness to
neurotransmitter (typically structure, affinity, or number of neurotransmitters receptors)
how do autonomic varicosities release neurotransmitters? - ✔✔-1. vesicle containing neurotransmitter
within varicosity
,2. axon of postganglionic autonomic neuron synapses with target tissue = neuroeffector junction
3. neurotransmitter diffuses to receptors
how do fine touch, proprioception, vibration stimuli bring information to CNS? - ✔✔-1. stimuli enters
dorsal root ganglion and horn
2. primary sensory neuron synapses in medulla
3. secondary sensory neuron crosses midline of body in medulla
4. synapses with tertiary sensory neuron in thalamus
5. tertiary sensory neuron terminates in somatosensory cortex
How do ionotropic receptors work? - ✔✔-- ligand binding to ionotropic receptors causes a
conformational change leading to the opening of channel
- can be specific for one ion (Na+, Ca2+, K+, Cl-)
- mediate fast postsynaptic responses (neurotransmitter)
how do irritants, temperatures and coarse touch stimuli bring information to CNS? - ✔✔-1. stimuli enters
dorsal root ganglion and horn
2. primary sensory neuron synapses in dorsal horn
3. secondary sensory neuron crosses midline of body in medulla
4. synapses with tertiary sensory neuron in thalamus
5. tertiary sensory neuron terminates in somatosensory cortex
how do neurons communicate at synapses? - ✔✔-presynaptic cell (neuron) to postsynaptic cell (neuron,
muscle, target cell)
How do the gates return to resting states? - ✔✔-During repolarization caused by K+ leaving cell, gates
reset.
How do the metabotropic receptors work? - ✔✔-- slower responses (neuromodulators)
- cytoplasmic tail of receptor is linked to three part membrane transducer protein (G-protein)
, - ligand binding to metabotropic receptor leads to a g-protein mediated cellular response (interact directly
with ion channels or activate membrane bound enzymes)
How do voltage gated Na+ channels suddenly close at peak of an AP? - ✔✔-Inactivation gate closes at
+30mV, which blocks Na+ from entering
how do you maintain constant level of mass balance? - ✔✔-input and output must be equal
how does endocytosis differ from phagocytosis? - ✔✔-- membrane indents (indent inwards)
- vesicles are much smaller
How does neurotransmitter action terminate? - ✔✔-1. small neurotransmitters can be returned to axon
terminals fro reuse or transported into glial cells
2. enzymes within cleft or cell inactivate neurotransmitters, substrate transported back into presynaptic
cell
3. neurotransmitters diffuse out of synaptic cleft
How does neurotransmitter release occur? - ✔✔-1. AP depolarizes axon terminal
2. depolarization opens voltage gated Ca2+ channels, Ca2+ enters cell
3. Ca2+ triggers exocytosis of synaptic vesicles
4. Neurotransmiters diffuse across synaptic cleft, bind receptors on postsynaptic cell
how does peripheral neuron injury work? - ✔✔-growth cones form to restablish connection to soma,
schwann cells create tube to guide regenerating axon to reform synapse
How does the activation gate work? - ✔✔-- Located in pore
- opens in response to depolarization (-55mV threshold reached)
- resting state is closed
how does the diameter of the axon affect the velocity of action potentials? - ✔✔-- a large diameter axon
will offer less internal resistance to current flow
