,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
3. the resting membrane potential
4. the refractory period
Question 4
Page 1
,PYC1501 ASSIGNMENT QUESTION AND ANSWERS 2013 - 2017
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 . . .
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
Page 2
, PYC1501
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
released and attach to receptors on postsynaptic
membrane
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
3. the resting membrane potential
4. the refractory period
Question 4
Page 1
,PYC1501 ASSIGNMENT QUESTION AND ANSWERS 2013 - 2017
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 . . .
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
Page 2
, PYC1501
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
released and attach to receptors on postsynaptic
membrane
Page 3
