,PYC1501
Question 1 – 6 refer to the following scenario: A tutor for the first-
year psychology group is dealing with the topic of impulse
conduction in the human nervous system. The tutor gives the
students the following questions to test their knowledge of the study
material they were asked to prepare for the class.
Question 1
The part(s) of the neuron that (is) are responsible for receiving
information signals, (is) are called . . .
1. dendrites
2. boutons
3. myelin
4. all of the above
Question 2
The part of the neuron that facilitates synaptic transmission of a signal
to another neuron is
...
1. dendrite
2. terminal bouton
3. soma
4. myelin sheath
Question 3
The electrical charge resulting from the difference between the
positive and negative ions outside and inside the cell membrane is
called . . .
1. the action potential
2. a high threshold
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,PYC1501 ASSIGNMENT QUESTION AND ANSWERS 2013 - 2017
3. the resting membrane potential
4. the refractory period
Question 4
Which of the statements about the following diagram is/are correct?
1. In accordance with the all-ornone-law, neurons A, B,
C and D will conduct an impulse at exactly the same
speed, or not at all.
2. In comparison with neurons A, C and D, neuron B can conduct
impulses at the highest
speed and
amplitude.
3. In comparison with neurons A, B and C, neuron D will
conduct impulses at the highest frequency.
4. 1 &3
Question 5
The opening across which one neuron communicates with another
neuron is known as the
...
1. threshold
2. channel
3. synaptic
cleft
4. membrane
Question 6
The tutor asks the group what the term “refractory period” means.
One of the students said that it is a phase when the neuron is not
ready to fire. Evaluate this answer. The statement is . . .
Page 2
, PYC1501
1. not correct because the refractory period refers to the phase
between the action potential and the resting potential
2. not correct because the refractory period refers to the phase when
the neuron is ready to fire
3. partially correct, because the neuron is unable to fire during the
absolute refractory period
4. correct, because the neuron is not ready to fire during the
refractory period.
Question 7
The tutor asks the group to draw up a flow chart to illustrate the
process of synaptic transmission. Is this an appropriate way to
illustrate synaptic transmission?
1. no, because a diagram should be used to represent the process
2. yes, because a flow chart should provide a great deal of detailed
information
3. yes, because a flow chart should provide an overview of the process
it illustrates
4. yes, because the flow of information goes in one direction only
Question 8
Which of the following illustrates the correct sequence of events in
the process of synaptic transmission?
1. nerve impulse stimulates bouton, neurotransmitter diffuses
across synaptic cleft, vesicles attach to presynaptic membrane
2. nerve impulse stimulates bouton, transmitter deactivated by
bouton, electrical changes in receiving cell
3. nerve impulse stimulates bouton, vesicles attach to
membrane, neurotransmitters
Page 3
Question 1 – 6 refer to the following scenario: A tutor for the first-
year psychology group is dealing with the topic of impulse
conduction in the human nervous system. The tutor gives the
students the following questions to test their knowledge of the study
material they were asked to prepare for the class.
Question 1
The part(s) of the neuron that (is) are responsible for receiving
information signals, (is) are called . . .
1. dendrites
2. boutons
3. myelin
4. all of the above
Question 2
The part of the neuron that facilitates synaptic transmission of a signal
to another neuron is
...
1. dendrite
2. terminal bouton
3. soma
4. myelin sheath
Question 3
The electrical charge resulting from the difference between the
positive and negative ions outside and inside the cell membrane is
called . . .
1. the action potential
2. a high threshold
Page 1
,PYC1501 ASSIGNMENT QUESTION AND ANSWERS 2013 - 2017
3. the resting membrane potential
4. the refractory period
Question 4
Which of the statements about the following diagram is/are correct?
1. In accordance with the all-ornone-law, neurons A, B,
C and D will conduct an impulse at exactly the same
speed, or not at all.
2. In comparison with neurons A, C and D, neuron B can conduct
impulses at the highest
speed and
amplitude.
3. In comparison with neurons A, B and C, neuron D will
conduct impulses at the highest frequency.
4. 1 &3
Question 5
The opening across which one neuron communicates with another
neuron is known as the
...
1. threshold
2. channel
3. synaptic
cleft
4. membrane
Question 6
The tutor asks the group what the term “refractory period” means.
One of the students said that it is a phase when the neuron is not
ready to fire. Evaluate this answer. The statement is . . .
Page 2
, PYC1501
1. not correct because the refractory period refers to the phase
between the action potential and the resting potential
2. not correct because the refractory period refers to the phase when
the neuron is ready to fire
3. partially correct, because the neuron is unable to fire during the
absolute refractory period
4. correct, because the neuron is not ready to fire during the
refractory period.
Question 7
The tutor asks the group to draw up a flow chart to illustrate the
process of synaptic transmission. Is this an appropriate way to
illustrate synaptic transmission?
1. no, because a diagram should be used to represent the process
2. yes, because a flow chart should provide a great deal of detailed
information
3. yes, because a flow chart should provide an overview of the process
it illustrates
4. yes, because the flow of information goes in one direction only
Question 8
Which of the following illustrates the correct sequence of events in
the process of synaptic transmission?
1. nerve impulse stimulates bouton, neurotransmitter diffuses
across synaptic cleft, vesicles attach to presynaptic membrane
2. nerve impulse stimulates bouton, transmitter deactivated by
bouton, electrical changes in receiving cell
3. nerve impulse stimulates bouton, vesicles attach to
membrane, neurotransmitters
Page 3
