BIOL 252: Module 1 Exam Review Guide
with questions and well verified
answers real!!! 2026
Topic: The Nervous System, Part I - Neural Tissue, Action Potentials, and Synaptic Transmission
This comprehensive review covers the fundamental concepts of nervous tissue organization, cell
physiology, and signal transmission.
Part I: Nervous System Organization and Cell Types (Questions 1-20)
1. A collection of neuron cell bodies located outside the central nervous system is known as a:
a) Nucleus
b) Nerve
c) Ganglia
d) Tract
Answer: c) Ganglia
Rationale: In the peripheral nervous system (PNS), a cluster of neuron cell bodies is called
a ganglion (plural: ganglia). Within the central nervous system (CNS), a similar cluster is called a nucleus .
2. Which branch of the nervous system is responsible for the "rest and digest" response?
a) Somatic nervous system
b) Parasympathetic nervous system
c) Sympathetic nervous system
d) Enteric nervous system
Answer: b) Parasympathetic nervous system
Rationale: The autonomic nervous system (ANS) has two main divisions: the sympathetic (fight or flight)
and the parasympathetic (rest and digest). The parasympathetic system conserves energy and promotes
non-stressful states, like digestion .
3. The ventral root of a spinal nerve contains:
a) Sensory (afferent) neurons
b) Motor (efferent) neurons
c) Interneurons
d) Unmyelinated axons only
Answer: b) Motor (efferent) neurons
Rationale: Spinal nerves are mixed, containing both sensory and motor fibers. The ventral root
(anterior) specifically carries motor information away from the spinal cord to effectors like muscles and
glands .
,4. The part of a neuron that conducts nerve impulses away from the cell body is the:
a) Dendrite
b) Axon
c) Soma
d) Nissl body
Answer: b) Axon
Rationale: This is a core functional distinction. Dendrites receive signals (think "dendrites =
detour/delivery), while the axon transmits signals away from the cell body, often over long distances .
5. An interneuron located entirely within the spinal cord is part of the:
a) Peripheral nervous system
b) Central nervous system
c) Autonomic nervous system
d) Somatic nervous system
Answer: b) Central nervous system
Rationale: The central nervous system (CNS) is defined as the brain and spinal cord. Interneurons, by
definition, are confined to the CNS and act as a bridge between sensory and motor neurons .
6. An afferent neuron carries information:
a) From the peripheral to the central nervous system
b) From the central to the peripheral nervous system
c) Only within the brain
d) Between two motor neurons
Answer: a) From the peripheral to the central nervous system
Rationale: "Afferent" arrives at the CNS. These are sensory neurons that transmit signals from receptors
in the periphery (skin, organs) to the brain or spinal cord for processing .
7. Which neuroglial cell is responsible for forming the myelin sheath in the central nervous system?
a) Schwann cell
b) Satellite cell
c) Oligodendrocyte
d) Astrocyte
Answer: c) Oligodendrocyte
Rationale: Myelination speeds up nerve impulse conduction. Oligodendrocytes perform this function in
the CNS, with one cell able to myelinate multiple axons. Schwann cells perform the same role but in the
PNS .
8. The primary function of astrocytes is to:
a) Phagocytize cellular debris
b) Form the blood-brain barrier and regulate the extracellular environment
c) Produce cerebrospinal fluid
d) Myelinate peripheral nerves
, Answer: b) Form the blood-brain barrier and regulate the extracellular environment
Rationale: Astrocytes are the most abundant glial cells in the CNS. Their "perivascular feet" wrap around
capillaries to form the blood-brain barrier, and they regulate the chemical environment around
neurons .
9. Which glial cells act as phagocytes, cleaning up cellular debris and pathogens in the CNS?
a) Ependymal cells
b) Oligodendrocytes
c) Microglia
d) Satellite cells
Answer: c) Microglia
Rationale: Microglia are the resident immune cells of the central nervous system. They originate from
monocytes and constantly survey the tissue for signs of damage or infection, phagocytizing foreign
matter and dead cells .
10. The ______ fissure separates the right and left cerebral hemispheres.
a) Transverse
b) Longitudinal
c) Central
d) Lateral
Answer: b) Longitudinal
Rationale: The deep groove that divides the cerebrum into its two halves is the longitudinal fissure. This
allows the two sides to operate semi-independently .
11. Which layer of the meninges is tightly attached to the surface of the brain, following its contours?
a) Dura mater
b) Arachnoid mater
c) Pia mater
d) Subarachnoid space
Answer: c) Pia mater
Rationale: The pia mater is the innermost, delicate layer of the meninges. It is highly vascularized and
directly adheres to the brain and spinal cord, providing a protective covering .
12. The primary function of the brain's ventricles is to:
a) Filter sensory information
b) Regulate emotional responses
c) Produce and store cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
d) Connect the two hemispheres
Answer: c) Produce and store cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
Rationale: The ventricles are interconnected, fluid-filled cavities within the brain. They contain choroid
plexus tissue that produces CSF, which cushions the brain and removes waste .
13. The typical resting membrane potential of a neuron is:
a) +30 mV
with questions and well verified
answers real!!! 2026
Topic: The Nervous System, Part I - Neural Tissue, Action Potentials, and Synaptic Transmission
This comprehensive review covers the fundamental concepts of nervous tissue organization, cell
physiology, and signal transmission.
Part I: Nervous System Organization and Cell Types (Questions 1-20)
1. A collection of neuron cell bodies located outside the central nervous system is known as a:
a) Nucleus
b) Nerve
c) Ganglia
d) Tract
Answer: c) Ganglia
Rationale: In the peripheral nervous system (PNS), a cluster of neuron cell bodies is called
a ganglion (plural: ganglia). Within the central nervous system (CNS), a similar cluster is called a nucleus .
2. Which branch of the nervous system is responsible for the "rest and digest" response?
a) Somatic nervous system
b) Parasympathetic nervous system
c) Sympathetic nervous system
d) Enteric nervous system
Answer: b) Parasympathetic nervous system
Rationale: The autonomic nervous system (ANS) has two main divisions: the sympathetic (fight or flight)
and the parasympathetic (rest and digest). The parasympathetic system conserves energy and promotes
non-stressful states, like digestion .
3. The ventral root of a spinal nerve contains:
a) Sensory (afferent) neurons
b) Motor (efferent) neurons
c) Interneurons
d) Unmyelinated axons only
Answer: b) Motor (efferent) neurons
Rationale: Spinal nerves are mixed, containing both sensory and motor fibers. The ventral root
(anterior) specifically carries motor information away from the spinal cord to effectors like muscles and
glands .
,4. The part of a neuron that conducts nerve impulses away from the cell body is the:
a) Dendrite
b) Axon
c) Soma
d) Nissl body
Answer: b) Axon
Rationale: This is a core functional distinction. Dendrites receive signals (think "dendrites =
detour/delivery), while the axon transmits signals away from the cell body, often over long distances .
5. An interneuron located entirely within the spinal cord is part of the:
a) Peripheral nervous system
b) Central nervous system
c) Autonomic nervous system
d) Somatic nervous system
Answer: b) Central nervous system
Rationale: The central nervous system (CNS) is defined as the brain and spinal cord. Interneurons, by
definition, are confined to the CNS and act as a bridge between sensory and motor neurons .
6. An afferent neuron carries information:
a) From the peripheral to the central nervous system
b) From the central to the peripheral nervous system
c) Only within the brain
d) Between two motor neurons
Answer: a) From the peripheral to the central nervous system
Rationale: "Afferent" arrives at the CNS. These are sensory neurons that transmit signals from receptors
in the periphery (skin, organs) to the brain or spinal cord for processing .
7. Which neuroglial cell is responsible for forming the myelin sheath in the central nervous system?
a) Schwann cell
b) Satellite cell
c) Oligodendrocyte
d) Astrocyte
Answer: c) Oligodendrocyte
Rationale: Myelination speeds up nerve impulse conduction. Oligodendrocytes perform this function in
the CNS, with one cell able to myelinate multiple axons. Schwann cells perform the same role but in the
PNS .
8. The primary function of astrocytes is to:
a) Phagocytize cellular debris
b) Form the blood-brain barrier and regulate the extracellular environment
c) Produce cerebrospinal fluid
d) Myelinate peripheral nerves
, Answer: b) Form the blood-brain barrier and regulate the extracellular environment
Rationale: Astrocytes are the most abundant glial cells in the CNS. Their "perivascular feet" wrap around
capillaries to form the blood-brain barrier, and they regulate the chemical environment around
neurons .
9. Which glial cells act as phagocytes, cleaning up cellular debris and pathogens in the CNS?
a) Ependymal cells
b) Oligodendrocytes
c) Microglia
d) Satellite cells
Answer: c) Microglia
Rationale: Microglia are the resident immune cells of the central nervous system. They originate from
monocytes and constantly survey the tissue for signs of damage or infection, phagocytizing foreign
matter and dead cells .
10. The ______ fissure separates the right and left cerebral hemispheres.
a) Transverse
b) Longitudinal
c) Central
d) Lateral
Answer: b) Longitudinal
Rationale: The deep groove that divides the cerebrum into its two halves is the longitudinal fissure. This
allows the two sides to operate semi-independently .
11. Which layer of the meninges is tightly attached to the surface of the brain, following its contours?
a) Dura mater
b) Arachnoid mater
c) Pia mater
d) Subarachnoid space
Answer: c) Pia mater
Rationale: The pia mater is the innermost, delicate layer of the meninges. It is highly vascularized and
directly adheres to the brain and spinal cord, providing a protective covering .
12. The primary function of the brain's ventricles is to:
a) Filter sensory information
b) Regulate emotional responses
c) Produce and store cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
d) Connect the two hemispheres
Answer: c) Produce and store cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
Rationale: The ventricles are interconnected, fluid-filled cavities within the brain. They contain choroid
plexus tissue that produces CSF, which cushions the brain and removes waste .
13. The typical resting membrane potential of a neuron is:
a) +30 mV
