Practice quiz · by a Quizcard user

Anatomy and Physiology: Nervous System and Special Senses — quiz

13 multiple-choice questions covering Neuron Structure, Glial Cells, Resting Potential, Action Potential, Synaptic Transmission. One answer each; you get a score at the end and the explanation for every question. No account needed.

Updated 2026-11-04. Keys 1–4 pick an answer, Enter moves on. Redo it any time, in order or shuffled.

The questions

Answers and explanations are shown after you finish.

1. Neuron Structure

   A neuron integrates incoming graded potentials at its cell body, but the action potential is actually triggered at a specific region with the highest density of voltage-gated Na+ channels. Which structure is this?

   • Axon terminal
   • Axon hillock
   • Soma (cell body)
   • Dendrite
2. Glial Cells

   After a peripheral nerve injury, the damaged axon is able to regrow and reconnect, but a similar injury in the spinal cord usually results in permanent loss of function. What best explains this difference?

   • CNS oligodendrocytes do not support axon regrowth, whereas Schwann cells in the PNS guide axon regeneration
   • Astrocytes in the CNS promote faster regrowth than Schwann cells do
   • PNS neurons conduct impulses much faster than CNS neurons
   • CNS axons are not myelinated at all, so they cannot conduct signals after injury
3. Resting Potential

   Which mechanism actively uses ATP to help maintain the neuron's resting membrane potential by moving ions against their concentration gradients?

   • The Nernst equilibrium calculation
   • Na+/K+-ATPase pump
   • Large intracellular anions (proteins)
   • K+ leak channels
4. Action Potential

   During the repolarization phase of an action potential, which ionic event is primarily responsible for bringing the membrane potential back down from its peak?

   • K+ channels open and K+ exits the cell
   • The Na+/K+ pump suddenly reverses direction
   • Na+ channels open and Na+ enters the cell
   • Ca2+ enters at the axon terminal
5. Synaptic Transmission

   At a chemical synapse, what event directly causes synaptic vesicles to fuse with the presynaptic membrane and release neurotransmitter?

   • Neurotransmitter binding to presynaptic receptors
   • Ca2+ influx through voltage-gated channels
   • K+ efflux from the terminal
   • Na+ influx at the axon terminal
6. Neurotransmitters

   A drug that enhances this neurotransmitter's activity would be expected to have a calming, inhibitory effect throughout the CNS. Which neurotransmitter is being described?

   • Dopamine
   • GABA
   • Glutamate
   • Acetylcholine
7. CNS vs PNS

   The autonomic nervous system, which controls involuntary functions like heart rate and digestion, is a functional subdivision of which larger structure?

   • Peripheral nervous system
   • Special senses system
   • Somatic nervous system
   • Central nervous system
8. Brain Regions

   A patient can understand spoken language perfectly but struggles to produce fluent, coherent speech. Damage to which brain region is most likely responsible?

   • Wernicke's area (temporal lobe)
   • Parietal lobe
   • Broca's area (frontal lobe)
   • Occipital lobe
9. Brain Regions

   Damage to which brainstem structure would most directly threaten vital autonomic functions such as heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure regulation?

   • Pons
   • Midbrain
   • Thalamus
   • Medulla oblongata
10. Meninges & CSF

    Cerebrospinal fluid is produced in the ventricles and then circulates to cushion the brain before being reabsorbed into venous blood. Where is CSF produced, and through which space does it flow around the brain surface?

    • Dura mater; dural sinuses
    • Pia mater; epidural space
    • Choroid plexus; subarachnoid space
    • Arachnoid granulations; subdural space
11. Cranial Nerves

    A patient develops slowed heart rate and sluggish digestion after a lesion affecting a cranial nerve that also carries sensory and motor fibers for swallowing. Which cranial nerve is most likely involved?

    • Vagus nerve (X)
    • Trigeminal nerve (V)
    • Glossopharyngeal nerve (IX)
    • Accessory nerve (XI)
12. Reflex Arcs

    Touching a hot stove causes you to withdraw your hand through a pathway that involves one or more connecting neurons between the sensory input and motor output. What type of reflex is this?

    • Monosynaptic reflex
    • Polysynaptic reflex
    • Patellar reflex
    • Simple stretch reflex
13. Autonomic Nervous System

    At most target organs (excluding sweat glands), which neurotransmitter-receptor pairing is used by postganglionic sympathetic neurons to produce 'fight-or-flight' effects?

    • Norepinephrine on adrenergic receptors
    • Acetylcholine on muscarinic receptors
    • Dopamine on adrenergic receptors
    • Acetylcholine on nicotinic receptors