Test Bank For OpenStax Introduction to
Behavioral Neuroscience.
,Chapter 1: Structure and Function of the Nervous System: Cells and
Anatomy
Chapter 2: Neurophysiology
Chapter 3: Basic Neurochemistry
Chapter 4: Comparative Neuroscience
Chapter 5: Neurodevelopment
Chapter 6: Vision
Chapter 7: Hearing and Balance
Chapter 8: The Chemical Senses
Chapter 9: Touch and Pain
Chapter 10: Motor Control
Chapter 11: Sexual Behavior and Development
Chapter 12: Stress
Chapter 13: Emotion and Mood
Chapter 14: Psychopharmacology
Chapter 15: Biological Rhythms and Sleep
Chapter 16: Homeostasis
Chapter 17: Neuroimmunology
Chapter 18: Learning and Memory
Chapter 19: Attention and Executive Function
,Chapter 1: Structure and Function of the Nervous System:
Cells and Anatomy.
QUESTION 1
A 65-year-old male presents with progressive motor weakness and "heaviness" in his legs.
Neurological testing reveals a significant decrease in the velocity of nerve impulse
transmission along the long tracts of his spinal cord. Histopathological analysis would
most likely reveal dysfunction in which of the following cell types responsible for producing
the fatty insulation of these CNS tracts?
A. Astrocytes
B. Microglia
C. Oligodendrocytes
D. Schwann cells
E. Ependymal cells
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Oligodendrocytes are the myelinating glia of the Central Nervous System
(CNS). Myelin serves as an electrical insulator that significantly increases the speed of
action potential propagation via saltatory conduction.
Rationale: While Schwann cells also produce myelin, they do so exclusively in the
Peripheral Nervous System (PNS); astrocytes provide metabolic support, and microglia
serve immune functions.
Key Concept: Oligodendrocytes provide the myelin sheath for multiple axons within the
CNS to ensure rapid neural communication.
QUESTION 2
During a neurosurgery procedure, a surgeon identifies a thick, tough outer membrane
located directly beneath the skull that protects the underlying brain tissue. If this layer
were to be accidentally torn, which specific space would be immediately compromised?
A. Subarachnoid space
B. Subdural space
C. Ventricular system
, D. Central canal
E. Epidural space
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The dura mater is the thickest, outermost layer of the meninges. The
potential space located deep to the dura and superficial to the arachnoid mater is the
subdural space.
Rationale: The subarachnoid space lies between the arachnoid and pia mater and
contains CSF; the epidural space is superficial to the dura.
Key Concept: The meninges consist of three protective layers: the dura mater (outer),
arachnoid mater (middle), and pia mater (inner).
QUESTION 3
A researcher is studying the "Central Dogma" of molecular biology within a hippocampal
neuron. They observe a process where a specific sequence of nucleotides in the nucleus is
converted into a mobile message that can exit the nuclear envelope. What is the direct
product of this specific step?
A. DNA
B. mRNA
C. Polypeptide chain
D. Ribosome
E. Amino acid
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Transcription is the process by which DNA is read and converted into
messenger RNA (mRNA) within the nucleus.
Rationale: Translation is the subsequent step where mRNA is used by ribosomes to create
proteins (polypeptide chains).
Key Concept: Cell identity is determined by gene regulation, specifically which parts of
DNA are transcribed into mRNA.
QUESTION 4
Behavioral Neuroscience.
,Chapter 1: Structure and Function of the Nervous System: Cells and
Anatomy
Chapter 2: Neurophysiology
Chapter 3: Basic Neurochemistry
Chapter 4: Comparative Neuroscience
Chapter 5: Neurodevelopment
Chapter 6: Vision
Chapter 7: Hearing and Balance
Chapter 8: The Chemical Senses
Chapter 9: Touch and Pain
Chapter 10: Motor Control
Chapter 11: Sexual Behavior and Development
Chapter 12: Stress
Chapter 13: Emotion and Mood
Chapter 14: Psychopharmacology
Chapter 15: Biological Rhythms and Sleep
Chapter 16: Homeostasis
Chapter 17: Neuroimmunology
Chapter 18: Learning and Memory
Chapter 19: Attention and Executive Function
,Chapter 1: Structure and Function of the Nervous System:
Cells and Anatomy.
QUESTION 1
A 65-year-old male presents with progressive motor weakness and "heaviness" in his legs.
Neurological testing reveals a significant decrease in the velocity of nerve impulse
transmission along the long tracts of his spinal cord. Histopathological analysis would
most likely reveal dysfunction in which of the following cell types responsible for producing
the fatty insulation of these CNS tracts?
A. Astrocytes
B. Microglia
C. Oligodendrocytes
D. Schwann cells
E. Ependymal cells
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Oligodendrocytes are the myelinating glia of the Central Nervous System
(CNS). Myelin serves as an electrical insulator that significantly increases the speed of
action potential propagation via saltatory conduction.
Rationale: While Schwann cells also produce myelin, they do so exclusively in the
Peripheral Nervous System (PNS); astrocytes provide metabolic support, and microglia
serve immune functions.
Key Concept: Oligodendrocytes provide the myelin sheath for multiple axons within the
CNS to ensure rapid neural communication.
QUESTION 2
During a neurosurgery procedure, a surgeon identifies a thick, tough outer membrane
located directly beneath the skull that protects the underlying brain tissue. If this layer
were to be accidentally torn, which specific space would be immediately compromised?
A. Subarachnoid space
B. Subdural space
C. Ventricular system
, D. Central canal
E. Epidural space
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The dura mater is the thickest, outermost layer of the meninges. The
potential space located deep to the dura and superficial to the arachnoid mater is the
subdural space.
Rationale: The subarachnoid space lies between the arachnoid and pia mater and
contains CSF; the epidural space is superficial to the dura.
Key Concept: The meninges consist of three protective layers: the dura mater (outer),
arachnoid mater (middle), and pia mater (inner).
QUESTION 3
A researcher is studying the "Central Dogma" of molecular biology within a hippocampal
neuron. They observe a process where a specific sequence of nucleotides in the nucleus is
converted into a mobile message that can exit the nuclear envelope. What is the direct
product of this specific step?
A. DNA
B. mRNA
C. Polypeptide chain
D. Ribosome
E. Amino acid
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Transcription is the process by which DNA is read and converted into
messenger RNA (mRNA) within the nucleus.
Rationale: Translation is the subsequent step where mRNA is used by ribosomes to create
proteins (polypeptide chains).
Key Concept: Cell identity is determined by gene regulation, specifically which parts of
DNA are transcribed into mRNA.
QUESTION 4
