Q&A Hero

Q: Autoreceptors monitor the: a. number of action potentials. b. extracellular sodium concentration. c. amount of neurotransmitter released. d. amount of reuptake.

Q: Activation of autoreceptors tends to: a. increase further neurotransmitter release. b. stimulate GABA release. c. increase sodium-potassium pump activity. d. decrease further neurotransmitter release.

Q: The primary method for disposal of peptide neurotransmitters is: a. inactivation by the enzymes MAO and COMT. b. reuptake by the presynaptic neuron. c. diffusion. d. reuptake by the postsynaptic neuron.

Q: COMT and MAO are: a. enzymes that convert catecholamines into inactive chemicals. b. enzymes that make catecholamines. c. neurotransmitters in the same group as serotonin. d. the inactive fragments of catecholamines.

Q: "Transporter" proteins transport neurotransmitters: a. back into the presynaptic neuron. b. across the synapse to the postsynaptic neuron. c. across the synapse back to the presynaptic neuron. d. to the appropriate receptor sites.

Q: Reuptake is an alternative to which other process? a. recycling of neurotransmitters b. enzymatic breakdown of neurotransmitters c. absorption of neurotransmitter by the postsynaptic neuron d. re-release of neurotransmitters from postsynaptic neurons

Q: Reuptake is the absorption of: a. neurotransmitters by the postsynaptic neuron. b. neurotransmitters by the presynaptic neuron. c. nutrients and waste products by glial cells. d. neurotransmitters by glial cells.

Q: After serotonin or one of the catecholamine transmitters stimulates the postsynaptic receptor, most of the transmitter molecules: a. remain on the receptor until other neurotransmitters replace them. b. are broken into components while still attached to the postsynaptic cell. c. are metabolized by the postsynaptic cell as a source of energy. d. are reabsorbed by the presynaptic cell.

Q: What would be the effect of a drug that inhibits the action of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase? a. prolonged action of acetylcholine at its synapses b. decreased duration of action of acetylcholine at its synapses c. decreased synthesis of acetylcholine by the presynaptic cell d. increased synthesis of acetylcholine by the presynaptic cell

Q: What happens to acetylcholine after it attaches to a receptor on the postsynaptic cell? a. It is broken down into two components. b. It is reabsorbed intact by the presynaptic cell. c. The postsynaptic cell metabolizes it as a source of energy. d. It continues to stimulate the postsynaptic neuron until replaced by another neurotransmitter.

Q: Suppose you were bitten by a black widow spider whose venom increases the release of acetylcholine from the presynaptic terminal. Which of the following treatments would be most effective? a. Bite the spider back. b. Increase the activity of acetylcholinesterase. c. Decrease reuptake. d. Increase the activity of COMT.

Q: What is the function of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase? a. It synthesizes acetylcholine from the diet. b. It increases the sensitivity of the postsynaptic cell to acetylcholine. c. It blocks further release of the transmitter acetylcholine. d. It breaks acetylcholine down into components for recycling.

Q: Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) controls: a. secretions of the gonads. b. secretions of the mammary glands. c. secretions of the thyroid gland. d. secretions of the adrenal cortex.

Q: Releasing hormones are synthesized in the ____ and released in the ____. a. anterior pituitary; bloodstream b. hypothalamus; anterior pituitary c. hypothalamus; posterior pituitary d. posterior pituitary; hypothalamus

Q: The anterior pituitary is composed of ____ and the posterior pituitary is composed of ____. a. glandular tissue; neural tissue b. neural tissue; glandular tissue c. neural tissue; neural tissue d. glandular tissue; glandular tissue

Q: The anterior pituitary is composed of: a. glandular tissue. b. neural tissue. c. vaso tissue. d. lymph tissue.

Q: Hormones exert their effects: a. similarly to metabotropic neurotransmitters. b. similarly to ionotropic neurotransmitters. c. by attaching to special receptors on muscle fibers. d. by being metabolized by presynaptic cells and thus converted into neurotransmitters.

Q: A chemical is called a(n) ____ when it flows through the blood to targets throughout the body. a. hormone b. neurotransmitter c. neuromodulator d. endocrine

Q: A hormone is a chemical that is: a. secreted by a gland to the outside world. b. conveyed by the blood to other organs, whose activity it influences. c. capable of activating or inhibiting muscle fibers. d. a feedback message from the postsynaptic neuron to the presynaptic neuron.

Q: Many neurons release neuropeptides mostly from the: a. vesicles b. nodes c. axons d. dendrites

Q: Suppose a new neurotransmitter is identified that does not excite or inhibit postsynaptic cells, but affects the release of other neurotransmitters or the sensitivity of postsynaptic cells. This neurotransmitter would most likely be categorized as a(n): a. neuromodulator. b. ionotropic modulator. c. hormone. d. gas.

Q: A metabotropic synapse, by way of its second messenger, ____. a. has effects localized to one point on the membrane b. can influence activity in much of the presynaptic cell c. can influence activity in much or all of the postsynaptic cell d. has minimal effect on the postsynaptic cell

Q: "Second messengers" carry their messages to: a. the presynaptic membrane. b. areas within the postsynaptic cell. c. areas within the presynaptic cell. d. the surrounding glia.

Q: The second messenger communicates to areas: a. outside the cleft b. in the cleft c. within the cell d. outside the cell

Q: Receptor molecules for neurotransmitters that exert metabotropic effects are proteins that bind to ____ outside the membrane, and attach to ____ inside the membrane. a. calcium; potassium b. neurotransmitters; nicotine c. neurotransmitters; G-proteins d. adenosine; nitric oxide

Q: Which effect is consistently associated with a "second messenger"? a. ionotropic b. metabotropic c. inhibitory d. excitatory

Q: Neurotransmitter is to ____ as cyclic AMP is to ____. a. first messenger, second messenger b. second messenger, first messenger c. metabotropic, ionotropic d. receptor, neuromodulator

Q: Which of the following is more typical of a metabotropic effect than an ionotropic effect? a. produces inhibitory effects on the postsynaptic cell b. influences the speed of conduction by the postsynaptic cell c. produces long-lasting effects on the post-synaptic cell d. controls sensory processes

Q: Compared to ionotropic effects, metabotropic effects are: a. quicker and briefer. b. slower and briefer. c. quicker and longer-lasting. d. slower and longer-lasting.

Q: Few pianists can play quickly enough to play the Minute Waltz in a minute. The finger movements that are required are likely to involve which type of neurotransmitter effects? a. ionotropic effects b. metabotropic effects c. second messenger effects d. neuromodulator effects

Q: Which of the following characterizes ionotropic effects? a. rapid, short-lived effects b. rapid, long lasting effects c. excitatory only d. inhibitory only

Q: Ionotropic effects are characterized by: a. rapid, short-lived effects. b. rapid, long lasting effects. c. excitatory only. d. inhibitory only.

Q: Ionotropic effects: a. depolarize the postsynaptic membrane. b. hyperpolarize the postsynaptic membrane. c. may depolarize or hyperpolarize the postsynaptic membrane. d. enhance the reabsorption of neurotransmitters.

Q: The neurotransmitter GABA exerts ____ effects, and its effects are almost always ____. a. ionotropic; excitatory b. ionotropic; inhibitory c. metabotropic; excitatory d. metabotropic; inhibitory

Q: Radial glia: a. guide the migration of neurons during embryonic development. b. synchronize the activity of axons. c. wrap around the presynaptic terminals of several axons. d. build the myelin sheaths that surround and insulate certain axons.

Q: Glial cells whose function most closely resembles that of the immune system are called: a. oligodendrocytes. b. Schwann cells. c. microglia. d. radial glia.

Q: ____ in the brain and spinal cord and ____ in the periphery are specialized types of glia that build the myelin sheaths that surround neurons. a. Oligodendrocytes; Schwann cells b. Schwann cells; oligodendrocytes c. Microglia; oligodendrocytes d. Radial glia; Schwann cells

Q: Which type of glia builds myelin sheaths around axons in the periphery of the body? a. astrocytes b. Schwann cells c. oligodendrocytes d. radial glia

Q: Which type of glia release chemicals that modify the activity of neighboring neurons? a. astrocytes b. Schwann cells c. oligodendrocytes d. radial glia

Q: What type of glial cells myelinate axons in the brain and spinal cord? a. oligodendrocytes b. Schwann cells c. radial glia d. astrocytes

Q: Which type of glia remove waste material in the nervous system? a. astrocytes b. Schwann cells c. oligodendrocytes d. radial glia

Q: Which of the following is NOT true of astrocytes? a. They wrap around the presynaptic terminals of several axons. b. They help synchronize the activity of the axons. c. They remove waste material. d. They make up the myelin sheaths in the periphery of the body.

Q: One type of glia helps synchronize the activity of axons. They are called: a. oligodendrocytes. b. astrocytes. c. radial glia. d. Schwann cells.

Q: Which function is NOT performed by glia? a. removing waste materials b. building myelin sheaths c. transmitting information d. guiding the growth of axons and dendrites

Q: Glial cells: a. are less numerous than neurons in the human brain. b. transmit information over long distances within the central nervous system. c. occupy about ten times more space in the brain than do neurons. d. occupy about the same total space as do neurons.

Q: Which of the following is a characteristic of glial cells in the human brain? a. They are larger than neurons. b. They are capable of transmitting impulses when neurons fail to do so. c. They are more numerous than neurons. d. They are like neurons, except that they lack axons.

Q: Which of these is true of glial cells? a. They are larger than neurons b. They transmit information over long distances. c. They do not transmit information over long distances. d. They are less numerous then neurons.

Q: What would a neuron in the pons be called that receives information only from other cells in the pons and sends information only to other cells in the pons? a. afferent b. efferent c. intrinsic d. inter-synaptic

Q: If all of a neuron's dendrites or axons were contained within the spinal cord, it would be considered a(n) ____ neuron. a. efferent b. afferent c. intrinsic d. Purkinje

Q: If you were to accidentally touch a hot stove with your hand, you would quickly pull your hand away. The information carried to the muscles in your arm to make them contract was carried by: a. efferent neurons. b. afferent neurons. c. intrinsic neurons. d. sensory neurons.

Q: As a general rule, where do axons convey information? a. toward dendrites of their own cell b. toward their own cell body c. away from their own cell body d. to surrounding glia

Q: Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of an axon? a. It can be up to a meter long. b. It has a constant diameter. c. It carries information toward the cell body. d. It may be covered with a myelin sheath.

Q: Neurons typically have one ____, but many ____. a. dendrite; axons b. axon; dendrites c. cell body; axons d. dendrite; cell bodies

Q: A neuron can have any number of ____, but no more than one ____. a. dendrites; axon b. axons; dendrite c. cell bodies; axon d. cell bodies; dendrite

Q: An axon releases chemicals: a. into the presynaptic terminal. b. into the junction between neurons. c. through the efferent terminals. d. to the mitochondria.

Q: Chemicals are released by axons: a. into the presynaptic terminal. b. into the junction between neurons. c. through the efferent terminals. d. to the mitochondria.

Q: An axon has many branches, each of which swells at its tip. These are known as: a. presynaptic terminals. b. efferent axons. c. afferent axons. d. intrinsic neurons.

Q: What is the point from which an axon releases chemicals into the synapse? a. the myelin sheath b. the presynaptic terminal c. a dendritic spine d. the endoplasmic reticulum

Q: Which of the following is NOT true of axons? a. They can vary greatly in length. b. They carry information toward the soma. c. They release chemicals that cross the synapse. d. Some of them are covered with myelin sheaths.

Q: A presynaptic terminal is also known as: a. an end bulb b. a node of Ranvier c. myelin d. a spine

Q: Gaps in the insulating material that surrounds axons are known as: a. interpeduncular nuclei. b. nodes of Ranvier. c. myelin synapses. d. presynaptic terminals.

Q: Nodes of Ranvier are: a. gaps in the myelin of axons. b. the same as the myelin sheath. c. the spiny outgrowths on dendrites. d. responsible for cell metabolism.

Q: What does myelin cover? a. all axons b. most dendrites c. some axons in vertebrates and none in invertebrates d. all vertebrate axons and some invertebrate axons

Q: Myelin covers: a. all axons b. most dendrites c. some axons in vertebrates and none in invertebrates d. all vertebrate axons and some invertebrate axons

Q: The insulating material which covers many vertebrate axons is called the: a. dendrite. b. myelin sheath. c. cell body or soma. d. presynaptic terminal.

Q: Compared to dendrites, axons usually: a. form the information-receiving pole of the neuron. b. are shorter than the dendrites. c. are covered with myelin. d. taper in diameter toward their periphery.

Q: Which of the following is the correct order of transmission of information within a neuron? a. cell body, dendrite, axon b. dendrite, axon, cell body c. axon, cell body, dendrite d. dendrite, cell body, axon

Q: The information sender of the neuron, which conveys an impulse toward either other neurons or a gland or muscle, is called the: a. axon. b. dendrite. c. soma. d. myelin.

Q: Incoming synapses are primarily found on: a. dendrites only. b. cell bodies only. c. axons only. d. dendrites and cell bodies.

Q: A greater amount of branching on dendrites allows them to: a. manufacture more mitochondria. b. have a larger surface area available for receiving information from other neurons. c. increase their membrane permeability. d. lower their resting potential.

Q: Dendrites often contain additional short outgrowths. These are believed to: a. increase the surface area available for synapses. b. increase the speed of transmission. c. eliminate cell waste products. d. help the cell maintain its shape.

Q: Many dendrites contain short outgrowths called spines that: a. increase the surface area available for synapses. b. increase the speed of transmission. c. eliminate cell waste products. d. increase the symmetry of the cell.

Q: Some dendrites contain additional short outgrowths. What are these outgrowths called? a. hillocks b. dendritic spines c. dendritic roots d. myelin sheaths

Q: The tree-like branches of a neuron that receive information from other neurons are called: a. axons. b. dendrites. c. soma. d. myelin.

Q: Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a dendrite? a. It tapers as it gets further from the cell body. b. It is in contact with the dendrites of other neurons. c. Its surface may be lined with synaptic receptors. d. It receives information from other neurons or the environment.

Q: The surface of a dendrite is lined with specialized junctions through which the dendrite receives information from other neurons. What are these junctions called? a. synaptic receptors b. axons c. synaptic hillocks d. glia

Q: The branching fibers that form the information-receiving pole of the nerve cells are called: a. motor neurons. b. dendrites. c. sensory neurons. d. axons.

Q: Dendrites ____. a. contain the nucleus, ribosomes, and other structures found in most cells b. are branching fibers that get narrower near their ends c. is a thin fiber of constant diameter d. are an insulating material that cover an axon

Q: What receives excitation from other neurons and conducts impulses to muscle or gland cells? a. sensory neurons b. motor neurons c. dendrites d. dendritic spines

Q: One of the most distinctive features of neurons compared to other types of cells is their: a. shape. b. number of mitochondria. c. lack of a cell membrane. d. size.