Worksheet theme 1, MC-questions, answers
Stahl Chapter 1
Which statement(s) is/are true/false?
1. The function of the axon hillock zone is to integrate electrical information.
2. The function of the soma is to receive information and to integrate chemical
encoding.
a. Both statements are true
b. Statement 1 is true, statement 2 is false
c. Statement 1 is false, statement 2 is true
d. Both statements are false
Answer: a. Page 6 for statement 2 and page 8 for statement 1.
At what speed do ‘slow transport motors’ move? (Stahl page 13)
A) 2mm per day
B) 4mm per day
C) 6mm per day
D) 10mm per day
Which kind of transport moves at 200mm per day?
A. Fast anterograde transport
B. Slow anterograde transport
C. Fast retrograde transport
D. Slow retrograde transport
Answer: A.
From the Soma to the Axon terminal = anterograde.
The opposite way would be fast retrograde transport and moves at 100mn per day.
There is only slow transport, not antero- or retrograde.
Which of the following are not inhibitory interneurons?
a. Double bouquet cells
b. Basket cells
c. Pyramid cells
d. Chandelier neurons
Answer: c (p.2)
Which unique neuronal structure has a basal pole
a. Purkinje cell (CORRECT ANSWER)
b. Spiny neuron
c. Double bouquet neuron
, d. Basket cell
→ source: pages 1,2,3 (specifically page 3 where basal pole of Purkinje cell is mentioned)
Dendrites of spiny neurons, double bouquet neurons and basket cells spread out in
all directions from the soma, and thus do not have a basal pole, whereas the Purkinje
cell clearly does – its form resembles a tree, where its dendrites all integrate towards
one point in the soma.
Which part of the neuron does NOT contain a significant number of polysomes and
endoplasmic reticulum?
a. axon
b. dendrites
c. soma
d. cytoplasm
Answer: a
Protein synthesis mainly occurs in the soma and dendrites: “The synthetic machinery
of polysomes and endoplastic reticulum exists in the dendrites as well as the soma,
but not to any great extent in axons.” (Page 10 of Stahl, S.M (2008). Stahl's Essential
Psychopharmacology: neuroscientific basis and practical applications. Cambridge
University Press. Chapter 1: Structure and function of neurons)
Neurons classification into different groups (e.g. basket cells, pyramidal cells, spiny neurons)
has been based on which of the following discriminatory criteria:
a. Function of the cell
b. Morphology of the cell
c. Location in the brain
d. Type of neuronal precursor cell
Answer key:
1)b; Page 1
Which zone of the neuron is where reception takes place?
a. Axonal zone
b. Presynaptic zone
c. Somato-dendritic zone
d. Somatic zone
Answer: C
Page 6-8: This is where the soma and dendrites are. The function of the dendrites is to
receive incoming information from a neighbouring neuron’s presynaptic zone. These signals
are then conveyed to the rest of the neuron.
,Stahl chapter 2
Synapses can be lost in the brain due to stress, aging, and other factors. What is one way by
which a dying neuron can be saved?
A. Learning and exercise to promote the production of endogenous growth
factors
B. Learning and exercise to promote more excitatory neurotransmitters
C. Sleeping to promote consolidation and the production of endogenous growth
factors
D. Sleeping to promote consolidation and more excitatory neurotransmitters
Answer key:
A. Correct answer. Can be found in chapter 2 of Stahl, page 24. They mention that
learning and exercise, along with other means, can promote the production of
endogenous growth factors which can save the dying neuron.
B. Wrong answer. Stahl does not mention learning and exercise as a means to promote
more excitatory neurotransmitters. Even if they did, it is not a strategy that is
mentioned to save a dying neuron due to synaptic loss.
C. Wrong answer. Endogenous growth factors are said to help save a dying neuron,
however neither sleep nor consolidation is mentioned throughout the chapter. They
are also not mentioned with regard to promoting endogenous growth factors.
D. Wrong answer. Sleep and consolidation are not mentioned in the chapter. If they
were, they were not mentioned as means to promote excitatory neurotransmitters,
and excitatory neurotransmitters are not mentioned as a way save a dying neuron.
Which one of the following is not necessarily part of the normal course in
neurodevelopment?
A. Neurogenesis
B. Synaptogenesis
C. Overexcitation
D. Migration
The correct answer is C, since excitotoxicity is a system that mediates pruning of synaptic
connections, which is part of the neurodevelopment (after the age of 6, a lot of synaptic
connections are lost). However, it is possible that this same mechanism gets turned on
inappropriately or goes out of control and ‘overexcitation’ may theoretically be associated
with unwanted psychiatric or neurologic symptoms, like panic, pain, or a seizure (page 42
and 43 in Stahl). The other answers are correct and can be found in figure 2.2 on page 23 of
Stahl.
, Synapses are eliminated over time to facilitate effective connections in the brain. What is
the name of the process that describes this best?
A) Excitotoxicity
B) Synaptic pruning
C) Neurogenesis
D) Synaptogenesis
Even though B seems like a reasonable answer as well, neurons are equipped with a
mechanism called excitotoxicity that uses glutamate to eliminate synapses.
The neuronal death in the development can occur via 2 different processes. Which of the
following explains the death of a neuron without external influence and inflammatory
reaction?
1: Necrosis
2: neurogenetic migration
3: Apoptosis
4: release of CNTF
Answer: The correct answer is “Apoptosis”. The process if explained/mentioned on page 28
in Chapter 2.
Which area of the brain is mostly characterized by neurogenesis at later life stages
(adulthood)?
a. The amygdala
b. The prefrontal cortex
c. The dentate Gyrus
d. The sensory cortex
Correct answer: c; Figure 2-4 at page 24
Which of the following is NOT a possible site for the formation of synapses?
a. Axodendritic location
b. Axosomatic location
c. Axoaxonic location
d. Axoplasmatic location
Correct answer: d; Figure 2-20, page 37
Where can synaptic connections NOT form?
a. Between the axon and dendrites of two neurons
b. Between the axon and soma of two neurons
c. Between the axon and nucleus of two neurons
d. Between the axons of two neurons
Stahl Chapter 1
Which statement(s) is/are true/false?
1. The function of the axon hillock zone is to integrate electrical information.
2. The function of the soma is to receive information and to integrate chemical
encoding.
a. Both statements are true
b. Statement 1 is true, statement 2 is false
c. Statement 1 is false, statement 2 is true
d. Both statements are false
Answer: a. Page 6 for statement 2 and page 8 for statement 1.
At what speed do ‘slow transport motors’ move? (Stahl page 13)
A) 2mm per day
B) 4mm per day
C) 6mm per day
D) 10mm per day
Which kind of transport moves at 200mm per day?
A. Fast anterograde transport
B. Slow anterograde transport
C. Fast retrograde transport
D. Slow retrograde transport
Answer: A.
From the Soma to the Axon terminal = anterograde.
The opposite way would be fast retrograde transport and moves at 100mn per day.
There is only slow transport, not antero- or retrograde.
Which of the following are not inhibitory interneurons?
a. Double bouquet cells
b. Basket cells
c. Pyramid cells
d. Chandelier neurons
Answer: c (p.2)
Which unique neuronal structure has a basal pole
a. Purkinje cell (CORRECT ANSWER)
b. Spiny neuron
c. Double bouquet neuron
, d. Basket cell
→ source: pages 1,2,3 (specifically page 3 where basal pole of Purkinje cell is mentioned)
Dendrites of spiny neurons, double bouquet neurons and basket cells spread out in
all directions from the soma, and thus do not have a basal pole, whereas the Purkinje
cell clearly does – its form resembles a tree, where its dendrites all integrate towards
one point in the soma.
Which part of the neuron does NOT contain a significant number of polysomes and
endoplasmic reticulum?
a. axon
b. dendrites
c. soma
d. cytoplasm
Answer: a
Protein synthesis mainly occurs in the soma and dendrites: “The synthetic machinery
of polysomes and endoplastic reticulum exists in the dendrites as well as the soma,
but not to any great extent in axons.” (Page 10 of Stahl, S.M (2008). Stahl's Essential
Psychopharmacology: neuroscientific basis and practical applications. Cambridge
University Press. Chapter 1: Structure and function of neurons)
Neurons classification into different groups (e.g. basket cells, pyramidal cells, spiny neurons)
has been based on which of the following discriminatory criteria:
a. Function of the cell
b. Morphology of the cell
c. Location in the brain
d. Type of neuronal precursor cell
Answer key:
1)b; Page 1
Which zone of the neuron is where reception takes place?
a. Axonal zone
b. Presynaptic zone
c. Somato-dendritic zone
d. Somatic zone
Answer: C
Page 6-8: This is where the soma and dendrites are. The function of the dendrites is to
receive incoming information from a neighbouring neuron’s presynaptic zone. These signals
are then conveyed to the rest of the neuron.
,Stahl chapter 2
Synapses can be lost in the brain due to stress, aging, and other factors. What is one way by
which a dying neuron can be saved?
A. Learning and exercise to promote the production of endogenous growth
factors
B. Learning and exercise to promote more excitatory neurotransmitters
C. Sleeping to promote consolidation and the production of endogenous growth
factors
D. Sleeping to promote consolidation and more excitatory neurotransmitters
Answer key:
A. Correct answer. Can be found in chapter 2 of Stahl, page 24. They mention that
learning and exercise, along with other means, can promote the production of
endogenous growth factors which can save the dying neuron.
B. Wrong answer. Stahl does not mention learning and exercise as a means to promote
more excitatory neurotransmitters. Even if they did, it is not a strategy that is
mentioned to save a dying neuron due to synaptic loss.
C. Wrong answer. Endogenous growth factors are said to help save a dying neuron,
however neither sleep nor consolidation is mentioned throughout the chapter. They
are also not mentioned with regard to promoting endogenous growth factors.
D. Wrong answer. Sleep and consolidation are not mentioned in the chapter. If they
were, they were not mentioned as means to promote excitatory neurotransmitters,
and excitatory neurotransmitters are not mentioned as a way save a dying neuron.
Which one of the following is not necessarily part of the normal course in
neurodevelopment?
A. Neurogenesis
B. Synaptogenesis
C. Overexcitation
D. Migration
The correct answer is C, since excitotoxicity is a system that mediates pruning of synaptic
connections, which is part of the neurodevelopment (after the age of 6, a lot of synaptic
connections are lost). However, it is possible that this same mechanism gets turned on
inappropriately or goes out of control and ‘overexcitation’ may theoretically be associated
with unwanted psychiatric or neurologic symptoms, like panic, pain, or a seizure (page 42
and 43 in Stahl). The other answers are correct and can be found in figure 2.2 on page 23 of
Stahl.
, Synapses are eliminated over time to facilitate effective connections in the brain. What is
the name of the process that describes this best?
A) Excitotoxicity
B) Synaptic pruning
C) Neurogenesis
D) Synaptogenesis
Even though B seems like a reasonable answer as well, neurons are equipped with a
mechanism called excitotoxicity that uses glutamate to eliminate synapses.
The neuronal death in the development can occur via 2 different processes. Which of the
following explains the death of a neuron without external influence and inflammatory
reaction?
1: Necrosis
2: neurogenetic migration
3: Apoptosis
4: release of CNTF
Answer: The correct answer is “Apoptosis”. The process if explained/mentioned on page 28
in Chapter 2.
Which area of the brain is mostly characterized by neurogenesis at later life stages
(adulthood)?
a. The amygdala
b. The prefrontal cortex
c. The dentate Gyrus
d. The sensory cortex
Correct answer: c; Figure 2-4 at page 24
Which of the following is NOT a possible site for the formation of synapses?
a. Axodendritic location
b. Axosomatic location
c. Axoaxonic location
d. Axoplasmatic location
Correct answer: d; Figure 2-20, page 37
Where can synaptic connections NOT form?
a. Between the axon and dendrites of two neurons
b. Between the axon and soma of two neurons
c. Between the axon and nucleus of two neurons
d. Between the axons of two neurons
