SAMPLE QUESTIONS

about

INTRODUCTION to the

NERVOUS SYSTEM

Christine Köppl

ckoeppl@physiol.usyd.edu.au

Run this as a Powerpoint presentation.

First slide is always the question – think about it

Following slide highlights the correct answer

The two divisions of the efferent side

of the peripheral nervous system are

A) somatic motor neurons and voluntary neurons.

B) somatic motor neurons and autonomic neurons.

C) the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions.

D) voluntary nervous system and somatic motor neurons

The two divisions of the efferent side

of the peripheral nervous system are

A) somatic motor neurons and voluntary neurons.

B) somatic motor neurons and autonomic neurons.

C) the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions.

D) voluntary nervous system and somatic motor neurons

Using the following code, indicate which neurons are being described (more than one category may apply)a) afferent neurone

b) efferent neurone

c) interneurone

• has a receptor at a peripheral ending

• lies entirely within the CNS

• lies within the peripheral nervous system

• innervates muscles and glands

• the most predominant neurone type in the central nervous system

Using the following code, indicate which neurons are being described (more than one category may apply)a) afferent neurone

b) efferent neurone

c) interneurone

• (a) has a receptor at a peripheral ending

• (c) lies entirely within the CNS

• (a) lies within the peripheral nervous system

• (b) innervates muscles and glands

• (c) the predominant neurone type in the central nervous system

Which of the following provide(s) direct

input to alpha motor neurones?

a. Primary motor cortex

b. Brain stem

c. Cerebellum

d. Basal nuclei

e. Spinal reflex pathways

Which of the following provide(s) direct

input to alpha motor neurones?

a. Primary motor cortex

b. Brain stem

c. Cerebellum

d. Basal nuclei

e. Spinal reflex pathways

Spinal reflexes may be modulated by input

from higher centers.

A) True

B) False

Spinal reflexes may be modulated by input

from higher centers.

A) True

B) False

The structure that connects

the two cerebral hemispheres is the

A) basal nuclei.

B) suprachiasmatic nucleus.

C) corpus callosum.

D) hippocampus.

E) gray "H."

The structure that connects

the two cerebral hemispheres is the

A) basal nuclei.

B) suprachiasmatic nucleus.

C) corpus callosum.

D) hippocampus.

E) gray "H."

Damage to the left cerebral hemisphere may

bring about paralysis and loss of sensation

in the left side of the body. True or False?

Damage to the left cerebral hemisphere may

bring about paralysis and loss of sensation

in the left side of the body. True or False?

False

Each cerebral hemisphere controls

skeletal muscles mainly on the

contralateral side (descending tracts

decussate)

Fill in the missing terms here:

Afferent fibres enter through the _________

root of the spinal cord and their cell bodies

are contained in the __________.

Fill in the missing terms here:

Afferent fibres enter through the dorsal root

of the spinal cord and their cell bodies are

contained in the dorsal root ganglia.

A deficiency of the neurotransmitter

dopamine in the basal nuclei causes

a. schizophrenia.

b. epilepsy.

c. Parkinson's disease.

d. depression.

e. aphasia.

A deficiency of the neurotransmitter

dopamine in the basal nuclei causes

a. schizophrenia.

b. epilepsy.

c. Parkinson's disease.

d. depression.

e. aphasia.

Consciousness is created in the

a. Cerebellum

b. Cerebral cortex

c. Wernicke’s area of the cortex

d. Hypothalamus

e. Medulla oblongata

Consciousness is created in the

a. Cerebellum

b. Cerebral cortex

c. Wernicke’s area of the cortex

d. Hypothalamus

e. Medulla oblongata

What is the difference between white matter and gray matter in the central nervous system?

o White matter contains white (myelinated) neurones, gray matter contains mostly gray (unmyelinated) neurones.

o White matter is where the synaptic connections are made.

o White matter contains only the axons of neurones, gray matter is a concentration of cell bodies of neurones

What is the difference between white matter and gray matter in the central nervous system?

o FALSE: White matter contains white (myelinated) neurones, gray matter contains mostly gray (unmyelinated) neurones.

o FALSE: White matter is where the synaptic connections are made.

o TRUE: White matter contains only the axons of neurones, gray matter is a concentration of cell bodies of neurones

Match the following with its description.

A. acetylcholine

B. norepinephrine

C. cholinergic nicotinic receptor

D. adrenergic receptor

E. cholinergic muscarinic receptor

6) parasympathetic tissue receptor

7) target receptor for preganglionic neurons

8) released by all autonomic preganglionic neurons

9) primary sympathetic neurotransmitter

10) sympathetic tissue receptor

Match the following with its description.

A. acetylcholine

B. norepinephrine

C. cholinergic nicotinic receptor

D. adrenergic receptor

E. cholinergic muscarinic receptor

6) parasympathetic tissue receptor Answer: E

7) target receptor for preganglionic neurons Answer: C

8) released by all autonomic preganglionic neurons Answer: A

9) primary sympathetic neurotransmitter Answer: B

10) sympathetic tissue receptor Answer: D

The paradoxical sleep phase is

characterised by

a. rapid movements of the eyes

b. an EEG pattern of small, fast oscillations.

c. irregular heart beat and respiration

d. dreaming.

e. All of the above

The paradoxical sleep phase is

characterised by

a. rapid movements of the eyes

b. an EEG pattern of small, fast oscillations.

c. irregular heart beat and respiration

d. dreaming.

e. All of the above

Different areas in the cerebral cortex specialise in different processing tasks. What is the basis for that (more than one characteristic may apply)

o they make different connections with other areas of the brain

o the layers of gray matter differ in relative size and in the types of neurones they contain

o In some areas, gray matter lies deep in the cerebrum and white matter runs on the surface; in other areas it is the reverse

Different areas in the cerebral cortex specialise in different processing tasks. What is the basis for that (more than one characteristic may apply)

o TRUE: they make different connections with other areas of the brain

o TRUE: the layers of gray matter differ in relative size and in the types of neurones they contain

o FALSE: In some areas, gray matter lies deep in the cerebrum and white matter runs on the surface; in other areas it is the reverse

A polysynaptic reflex

a. has more than one synapse between afferent and

efferent pathways

b. involves several muscles

c. gets input from more than one muscle spindle

d. involves higher-order neurones outside the spinal cord

A polysynaptic reflex

a. has more than one synapse between afferent and

efferent pathways

b. involves several muscles

c. gets input from more than one muscle spindle

d. involves higher-order neurones outside the spinal cord

In the spinal cord (more than one option may be correct):

o gray matter lies in the centre, surrounded by white matter.

o efferent neurones lie in the dorsal horn and send their axons out via the ventral root of spinal nerves.

o afferent nerve fibres enter via the dorsal root of spinal nerves and make synaptic connections with interneurones in the dorsal horn.

o preganglionic neurones of the autonomic nervous system lie in the lateral horn and send their axons out via the ventral root of spinal nerves.

In the spinal cord (more than one option may be correct):

o TRUE: gray matter lies in the centre, surrounded by white matter.

o FALSE: efferent neurones lie in the dorsal horn and send their axons out via the ventral root of spinal nerves.

o TRUE: afferent nerve fibres enter via the dorsal root of spinal nerves and make synaptic connections with interneurones in the dorsal horn.

o TRUE: preganglionic neurones of the autonomic nervous system lie in the lateral horn and send their axons out via the ventral root of spinal nerves.

________ motor neurones supply

extrafusal muscle fibres,

whereas intrafusal fibres are innervated by

_________ motor neurones

Alpha motor neurones supply extrafusal

muscle fibres,

whereas intrafusal fibres are innervated by

gamma motor neurones

The brain area acknowledged as the center

for emotions is the

A) amygdala.

B) hypothalamus.

C) suprachiasmatic nucleus.

D) pons.

E) cerebellum.

The brain area acknowledged as the center

for emotions is the

A) amygdala.

B) hypothalamus.

C) suprachiasmatic nucleus.

D) pons.

E) cerebellum.

Which of the following parts of the brain are

unique to or especially enlarged in humans?

a. Cerebellum

b. Basal ganglia

c. Wernicke‘s area

d. Hypothalamus

e. Cerebral cortex

f. Somatosensory cortex

g. Brainstem

Which of the following parts of the brain are

unique to or especially enlarged in humans?

a. Cerebellum

b. Basal ganglia

c. Wernicke‘s area

d. Hypothalamus

e. Cerebral cortex

f. Somatosensory cortex

g. Brainstem

What is a motor unit in skeletal muscle?

a. The individual muscle fibre

b. All muscle fibres innervated by one particular α-motor

neurone

c. That part of each muscle fibre which actually

contracts upon depolarisation

d. All muscle fibres innervated by one particular γ-motor

neurone

e. All muscle fibres whose tension is sensed by one

particular muscle spindle

What is a motor unit in skeletal muscle?

a. The individual muscle fibre

b. All muscle fibres innervated by one particular α-motor

neurone

c. That part of each muscle fibre which actually

contracts upon depolarisation

d. All muscle fibres innervated by one particular γ-motor

neurone

e. All muscle fibres whose tension is sensed by one

particular muscle spindle

Which functions are controlled

through the autonomic nervous system?

1. blood pressure

2. heart rate

3. water balance

4. temperature regulation

Which functions are controlled

through the autonomic nervous system?

1. blood pressure

2. heart rate

3. water balance

4. temperature regulation

Which of the following motor impairments is

characteristic of cerebellar damage?

a. Paraplegia

b. Involuntary, purposeless movements of the upper

extremities

c. Involuntary tremors at rest

d. Increased general muscle tone

e. Ataxia (uncoordinated, inaccurate movements)

Which of the following motor impairments is

characteristic of cerebellar damage?

a. Paraplegia

b. Involuntary, purposeless movements of the upper

extremities

c. Involuntary tremors at rest

d. Increased general muscle tone

e. Ataxia (uncoordinated, inaccurate movements)

The primary motor cortex is somatotopically

mapped. What does that mean?

a. Different areas of the motor cortex initiate different

categories of movement

b. Some areas of motor cortex control voluntary

movements, others maintain balance and posture

c. Different areas in motor cortex control the movements of

different body parts

d. Primary motor cortex gets proprioceptive input from all

over the body

e. Primary motor cortex contains a map of where all body

parts are currently positioned

The primary motor cortex is somatotopically

mapped. What does that mean?

a. Different areas of the motor cortex initiate different

categories of movement

b. Some areas of motor cortex control voluntary

movements, others maintain balance and posture

c. Different areas in motor cortex control the movements of

different body parts

d. Primary motor cortex gets proprioceptive input from all

over the body

e. Primary motor cortex contains a map of where all body

parts are currently positioned

The stretch receptors in the central portion of

the muscle spindle can be activated by

a. passive stretch of the whole muscle, including stretch of

the muscle spindle.

b. contraction of the end portions of the muscle spindle.

c. gamma motor neurone stimulation of the muscle spindle.

d. all of the above.

The stretch receptors in the central portion of

the muscle spindle can be activated by

a. passive stretch of the whole muscle, including stretch of

the muscle spindle.

b. contraction of the end portions of the muscle spindle.

c. gamma motor neurone stimulation of the muscle spindle.

d. all of the above.

The basal ganglia

a. are crucial for executing deliberate movements while

suppressing unwanted movements

b. are the main motor nuclei of the brainstem

c. directly connect to motor neurones involved in complex,

voluntary movements, e.g. grasping

d. are crucial for maintaining gaze via the vestibulo-ocular

reflexes

e. modulate both the pyramidal and extrapyramidal motor

pathways

The basal ganglia

a. are crucial for executing deliberate movements while

suppressing unwanted movements

b. are the main motor nuclei of the brainstem

c. directly connect to motor neurones involved in complex,

voluntary movements, e.g. grasping

d. are crucial for maintaining gaze via the vestibulo-ocular

reflexes

e. modulate both the pyramidal and extrapyramidal motor

pathways

During coactivation

a. all of the muscle fibers in a skeletal muscle are activated

simultaneously.

b. the gamma motor-neurone and alpha motor-neurone

systems to a skeletal muscle are activated

simultaneously.

c. the gamma motorneurones to a particular muscle are all

activated simultaneously.

d. None of the above

During coactivation

a. all of the muscle fibers in a skeletal muscle are activated

simultaneously.

b. the gamma motor-neurone and alpha motor-neurone

systems to a skeletal muscle are activated

simultaneously.

c. the gamma motorneurones to a particular muscle are all

activated simultaneously.

d. None of the above

Which of the following does NOT participate

in the control of skeletal muscle activity?

a. Limbic system

b. Cerebellum

c. Supplementary motor area of the cortex

d. Premotor cortex

e. Posterior parietal cortex

Which of the following does NOT participate

in the control of skeletal muscle activity?

a. Limbic system

b. Cerebellum

c. Supplementary motor area of the cortex

d. Premotor cortex

e. Posterior parietal cortex

A resting tremor

a. is the normal, imperceptible oscillation of muscles when

at rest.

b. occurs when the majority of muscle spindles in a muscle

are dysfunctional.

c. is due to damage of the spinocerebellum.

d. is indicative of neuronal degeneration in the substantia

nigra of the basal ganglia

e. occurs in the majority of elderly people

A resting tremor

a. is the normal, imperceptible oscillation of muscles when

at rest.

b. occurs when the majority of muscle spindles in a muscle

are dysfunctional.

c. is due to damage of the spinocerebellum.

d. is indicative of neuronal degeneration in the substantia

nigra of the basal ganglia

e. occurs in the majority of elderly people

What characterises Slow-wave sleep?

a. EEG activity is paradoxically similar to that of an

awake person.

b. EEG activity slowly alternates between large and

small waves.

c. Rapid eye movements

d. Considerable muscle tone and movement

What characterises Slow-wave sleep?

a. EEG activity is paradoxically similar to that of an

awake person.

b. EEG activity slowly alternates between large and

small waves.

c. Rapid eye movements

d. Considerable muscle tone and movement

An electroencephalogram (EEG)

a. records the summed activity of neurones within

restricted areas of cerebral cortex.

b. shows what a person is broadly thinking of during the

recording.

c. shows large waves when a person sees or hears

something interesting

d. shows small, fast oscillations (beta rhythms) during

wakefulness and large, slow oscillations (delta

rhythms) during sleep.

An electroencephalogram (EEG)

a. records the summed activity of neurones within

restricted areas of cerebral cortex.

b. shows what a person is broadly thinking of during the

recording.

c. shows large waves when a person sees or hears

something interesting

d. shows small, fast oscillations (beta rhythms) during

wakefulness and large, slow oscillations (delta

rhythms) during sleep.

The brain area affected in Parkinson’s disease (more than one option may apply)

o is over-active, causing the characteristic tremors

o lies in the brainstem

o is involved in the control of skeletal muscles

o lies in the basal ganglia of the forebrain

The brain area affected in Parkinson’s

disease (more than one option may apply)

o FALSE: is over-active, causing the

characteristic tremors

o FALSE: lies in the brainstem

o TRUE: is involved in the control of skeletal

muscles

o TRUE: lies in the basal ganglia of the

forebrain

Which of the following statements about glial cells are correct (may be more than one):

o Glial cells wrap around blood capillaries in the brain. This is the basis for the blood-brain barrier.

o One type of glial cell, the oligodendrocyte, wraps insulating layers of cell membrane (called myelin) around the axons of neurones.

o Glial cells have synaptic contacts with each other.

o Microglia are the part of the immune system which resides in the brain.

Which of the following statements about glial cells are correct (may be more than one):

o FALSE: Glial cells wrap around blood capillaries in the brain. This is the basis for the blood-brain barrier.

o TRUE: One type of glial cell, the oligodendrocyte, wraps insulating layers of cell membrane (called myelin) around the axons of neurones.

o FALSE: Glial cells have synaptic contacts with each other.

o TRUE: Microglia are the part of the immune system which resides in the brain.

Match these brain areas with their descriptions.

A. cerebellum

B. hypothalamus

C. thalamus

D. cerebrum

1) composed of many small nuclei, this area integrates as well as relays

sensory information passing through

2) receives sensory input from the inner ear's receptors for equilibrium and

balance

3) composed of distinct regions of gray and white matter, this section of the

brain develops with sulci and gyri

4) playing key roles in homeostasis, this area contains centers for hunger

and thirst, as well as controlling the autonomic nervous systems

Match these brain areas with their descriptions.

A. cerebellum

B. hypothalamus

C. thalamus

D. cerebrum

1) composed of many small nuclei, this area integrates as well as relays

sensory information passing through it Answer: C

2) receives sensory input from the inner ear's receptors for equilibrium and

balance Answer: A

3) composed of distinct regions of gray and white matter, this section of the

brain develops with sulci and gyri Answer: D

4) playing key roles in homeostasis, this area contains centers for hunger

and thirst, as well as controlling the autonomic nervous systems

Answer: B