BANK|ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND 100% CORRECT
ANSWERS|2026|GUARANTEED PASS|A+ MED 1
PSYCHOLOGICAL, SOCIAL, AND BIOLOGICAL FOUNDATIONS OF
BEHAVIOR MCAT TEST
What are the two types of cells that make up the nervous system? Neurons and gila
Who was the researcher responsible for proving that cells in the nervous system remain
separate? Whose method did he use to prove this? Cajal, He used Golgi's method of staining
What neuron is highly sensitive at one end to a specific type of stimulation? Sensory
_______ nuerons have somas located in the spinal cord Motor
Most of the metabolic work of the cell occurs in which structure? Soma (cell body)
_____ receive information from neighboring neurons, while _____ send information to other
neurons. Dendrites, Axons
What are dendrite spines? Short outgrowths on dendrites that increase surface area allowing
more information to be received
Where do action potentials originate? Axon hillock
What is the insulating material covering axons? Myelin sheath
______ bring information to a structure while _______ axons bring information away
Afferent, efferent
What are interneurons? Neurons that act as a bridge between sensory and motor neurons
Microgila Major actors in our immune systems that help remove viruses, fungi, and other
waste from our brain
Radial Gila assist neurons during embryonic development
Oligodendrocytes Provide axons with the nutrients needed for functioning as well as build
myelin sheaths, located in the brain and spinal cord
Schwann cells Provide axons with the nutrients needed for functioning as well as build myelin
sheaths, located in the periphery of the body
Astrocytes Star-shaped gila cells that help to synchronize axon activity
,What is the blood-brain barrier? A mechanism in the brain that works to block most
chemicals from entering. It's needed because neurons in the brain typically do not regenerate
so our bodies must try to keep as many potentially harmful chemicals out as possible
What is the difference between passive and active transport? Passive transport happens
naturally, while active transport requires energy
What is the primary source of energy for neurons and why is it the primary source?
Glucose is the primary source of energy because it is the only nutrient that can cross the
blood-brain barrier in large quantities
What is the purpose of Vitamin B12, or Thiamine? It's necessary for your body to be able to
use glucose. When thiamine is deficient for long periods of time, the neurons end up dying.
(Krosakoff's syndrome: severe memory impariment)
The _______ is the electrical message that is transmitted down the axon of a neuron Action
potential
Polarization the difference in electrical charge inside and outside the cell
Th resting potential of a cell is _____ mV and the common threshold of excitation is _____ mV
-70, -65
Which is more abundant inside the cell, sodium or potassium? Which is more abundant outside
of the cell? Potassium is more abundant inside the cell while sodium is more abundant
outside
How does the electrical gradient affect sodium and potassium ions? Hows does the
concentration gradient effect them? The electrical gradient pushes sodium and potassium into
the cell while the concentration gradient pushes sodium in and potassium out
What is the difference between depolarization and hyperpolarization? Depolarization is
when the cell is becoming less polarized, less neg more pos. Hyperpolarization is when it is
becoming more polarized
What are the two types of refractory periods and what do they do? Relative refractory
period: another action potential can be produced if a stronger stimulus occurs
Absolute refractory period: another action potential cannot be produced at all
What does the all-or-none law state?No matter how strong the stimulus that caused the action
potential is, the amplitude and velocity will be the same for a given neuron
What is the difference between how myelinated and unmyelinated axons produce action
potentials? Myelinated axons sue salatory conduction to reproduce the action potential at
,the nodes of Renvier. Unmyelinated axons use passive conduction to reproduce the action
potential at each segment of the axon
Do all neurons have axons? Local neurons lack axons. They stay close together and exchange
information without an axon
Who discovered synapses and how did they make this discovery? What were the 3 major
observations this person made? Sherrington discovered that neurons have synapses by
studying the reflexes of a dog.
1. reflexes are slower than conduction along and axon
2. temporal and spatial summation
3. As one set of muscles becomes excited, another set relaxes
What is the difference between the presynaptic membrane and the postsynaptic membrane?
The presynaptic membrane sends information to another neuron, while the postsynaptic
membrane receives information from other neurons
______ summation refers to the combined effect of quickly repeated stimulation at a single
synapse, while _______ summation refers to the combined effect of several nearly
simultaneous stimulations at several synapses onto one neuron Temporal, spatial
Graded potentials differ from action potentials because? Graded potentials can be
hyperpolarizations depending on the stimulus. they also don not follow the all-or-none law
because their amplitude is reliant on the strength of the stimulus. These potentials also lack
refractory periods. Action potentials are only depolarizations, they follow the all-or-none law,
and they have a relative and absolute refractory period
The temporary hyperpolarization of a membrane is called ______, which occurs when _______
gates open. Inhibitory Postsynaptic potential (IPSP), Potassium
The temporary depolarization of a membrane is called ______, which occurs when _____ gates
are open Excitatory Postsynaptic potential (EPSP), sodium
What are antagonistic muscles? Those that work opposite of one another to have a certain
outcome
ex: when a dog flexes one leg, it must extend all three of its other legs to prevent it from falling
over
Who proved that nerves shared information by releasing chemicals and how did they prove
this? Loewi by observing frog hearts. He stimulated the nerves of a frog heart and found that
they had different responses. He found that if he stimulated an excitatory nerve the heart would
, beat faster and produce a fluid. When he transferred that fluid into another frog heart that was
neutral, he saw that the new heart began beating faster as well. This is how he showed that
communication between neurons was mainly chemical.
What are neurotransmitters? Chemicals that are released by neurons that send messages to
other neurons
The process of neurotransmission: 1. An action potential travels down the axon to the
presynaptic terminals
2. The action potential causes calcium channels to open, allowing calcium ions to enter the
presynaptic terminal
3. The calcium ions work to bring the vesicles containing the neurotransmitters down to the
edge of the presynaptic terminal.
4. Once the vesicles are at the edge of the terminal, exocytosis allows the
neurotransmitters to be released from the vesicles into the synapse.
5. The neurotransmitters bind to their respective receptors on the postsynaptic terminal.
6. Once the postsynaptic terminal receives the message the neurotransmitter detaches and
goes back into the synapse.
7. At this point three things can happen: reuptake, diffusion, or inactivation.
What is Nitric oxide and what is its function? A gaseous type of neurotransmitter that is
poisonous in large amounts and very difficult to create in a lab, but out bodies naturally produce
it. It helps more blood low to areas that are highly active by dilating the blood vessels near that
area allowing more blood to get to it
______ are tiny packets located in the presynaptic membrane that hold neurotransmitters
Vesicles
What is MAO and what is its purpose? MAO stands fro monamine oxidase and it's an
enzyme that breaks down excess levels of neurotransmitters into inactive chemicals
Channels that are controlled by neurotransmitters are called Ligand-gated channels
What is the difference between ionotropic and metabotropic effects? Ionotropic effects are
those that happen quickly and are very short lasting. Metabotropic happen slowly and are long
lasting
What is the first messanger and the second messanger? The first messenger for a
metabotropic effect is the neurotransmitter binding to the receptor. The second messenger for
ANSWERS|2026|GUARANTEED PASS|A+ MED 1
PSYCHOLOGICAL, SOCIAL, AND BIOLOGICAL FOUNDATIONS OF
BEHAVIOR MCAT TEST
What are the two types of cells that make up the nervous system? Neurons and gila
Who was the researcher responsible for proving that cells in the nervous system remain
separate? Whose method did he use to prove this? Cajal, He used Golgi's method of staining
What neuron is highly sensitive at one end to a specific type of stimulation? Sensory
_______ nuerons have somas located in the spinal cord Motor
Most of the metabolic work of the cell occurs in which structure? Soma (cell body)
_____ receive information from neighboring neurons, while _____ send information to other
neurons. Dendrites, Axons
What are dendrite spines? Short outgrowths on dendrites that increase surface area allowing
more information to be received
Where do action potentials originate? Axon hillock
What is the insulating material covering axons? Myelin sheath
______ bring information to a structure while _______ axons bring information away
Afferent, efferent
What are interneurons? Neurons that act as a bridge between sensory and motor neurons
Microgila Major actors in our immune systems that help remove viruses, fungi, and other
waste from our brain
Radial Gila assist neurons during embryonic development
Oligodendrocytes Provide axons with the nutrients needed for functioning as well as build
myelin sheaths, located in the brain and spinal cord
Schwann cells Provide axons with the nutrients needed for functioning as well as build myelin
sheaths, located in the periphery of the body
Astrocytes Star-shaped gila cells that help to synchronize axon activity
,What is the blood-brain barrier? A mechanism in the brain that works to block most
chemicals from entering. It's needed because neurons in the brain typically do not regenerate
so our bodies must try to keep as many potentially harmful chemicals out as possible
What is the difference between passive and active transport? Passive transport happens
naturally, while active transport requires energy
What is the primary source of energy for neurons and why is it the primary source?
Glucose is the primary source of energy because it is the only nutrient that can cross the
blood-brain barrier in large quantities
What is the purpose of Vitamin B12, or Thiamine? It's necessary for your body to be able to
use glucose. When thiamine is deficient for long periods of time, the neurons end up dying.
(Krosakoff's syndrome: severe memory impariment)
The _______ is the electrical message that is transmitted down the axon of a neuron Action
potential
Polarization the difference in electrical charge inside and outside the cell
Th resting potential of a cell is _____ mV and the common threshold of excitation is _____ mV
-70, -65
Which is more abundant inside the cell, sodium or potassium? Which is more abundant outside
of the cell? Potassium is more abundant inside the cell while sodium is more abundant
outside
How does the electrical gradient affect sodium and potassium ions? Hows does the
concentration gradient effect them? The electrical gradient pushes sodium and potassium into
the cell while the concentration gradient pushes sodium in and potassium out
What is the difference between depolarization and hyperpolarization? Depolarization is
when the cell is becoming less polarized, less neg more pos. Hyperpolarization is when it is
becoming more polarized
What are the two types of refractory periods and what do they do? Relative refractory
period: another action potential can be produced if a stronger stimulus occurs
Absolute refractory period: another action potential cannot be produced at all
What does the all-or-none law state?No matter how strong the stimulus that caused the action
potential is, the amplitude and velocity will be the same for a given neuron
What is the difference between how myelinated and unmyelinated axons produce action
potentials? Myelinated axons sue salatory conduction to reproduce the action potential at
,the nodes of Renvier. Unmyelinated axons use passive conduction to reproduce the action
potential at each segment of the axon
Do all neurons have axons? Local neurons lack axons. They stay close together and exchange
information without an axon
Who discovered synapses and how did they make this discovery? What were the 3 major
observations this person made? Sherrington discovered that neurons have synapses by
studying the reflexes of a dog.
1. reflexes are slower than conduction along and axon
2. temporal and spatial summation
3. As one set of muscles becomes excited, another set relaxes
What is the difference between the presynaptic membrane and the postsynaptic membrane?
The presynaptic membrane sends information to another neuron, while the postsynaptic
membrane receives information from other neurons
______ summation refers to the combined effect of quickly repeated stimulation at a single
synapse, while _______ summation refers to the combined effect of several nearly
simultaneous stimulations at several synapses onto one neuron Temporal, spatial
Graded potentials differ from action potentials because? Graded potentials can be
hyperpolarizations depending on the stimulus. they also don not follow the all-or-none law
because their amplitude is reliant on the strength of the stimulus. These potentials also lack
refractory periods. Action potentials are only depolarizations, they follow the all-or-none law,
and they have a relative and absolute refractory period
The temporary hyperpolarization of a membrane is called ______, which occurs when _______
gates open. Inhibitory Postsynaptic potential (IPSP), Potassium
The temporary depolarization of a membrane is called ______, which occurs when _____ gates
are open Excitatory Postsynaptic potential (EPSP), sodium
What are antagonistic muscles? Those that work opposite of one another to have a certain
outcome
ex: when a dog flexes one leg, it must extend all three of its other legs to prevent it from falling
over
Who proved that nerves shared information by releasing chemicals and how did they prove
this? Loewi by observing frog hearts. He stimulated the nerves of a frog heart and found that
they had different responses. He found that if he stimulated an excitatory nerve the heart would
, beat faster and produce a fluid. When he transferred that fluid into another frog heart that was
neutral, he saw that the new heart began beating faster as well. This is how he showed that
communication between neurons was mainly chemical.
What are neurotransmitters? Chemicals that are released by neurons that send messages to
other neurons
The process of neurotransmission: 1. An action potential travels down the axon to the
presynaptic terminals
2. The action potential causes calcium channels to open, allowing calcium ions to enter the
presynaptic terminal
3. The calcium ions work to bring the vesicles containing the neurotransmitters down to the
edge of the presynaptic terminal.
4. Once the vesicles are at the edge of the terminal, exocytosis allows the
neurotransmitters to be released from the vesicles into the synapse.
5. The neurotransmitters bind to their respective receptors on the postsynaptic terminal.
6. Once the postsynaptic terminal receives the message the neurotransmitter detaches and
goes back into the synapse.
7. At this point three things can happen: reuptake, diffusion, or inactivation.
What is Nitric oxide and what is its function? A gaseous type of neurotransmitter that is
poisonous in large amounts and very difficult to create in a lab, but out bodies naturally produce
it. It helps more blood low to areas that are highly active by dilating the blood vessels near that
area allowing more blood to get to it
______ are tiny packets located in the presynaptic membrane that hold neurotransmitters
Vesicles
What is MAO and what is its purpose? MAO stands fro monamine oxidase and it's an
enzyme that breaks down excess levels of neurotransmitters into inactive chemicals
Channels that are controlled by neurotransmitters are called Ligand-gated channels
What is the difference between ionotropic and metabotropic effects? Ionotropic effects are
those that happen quickly and are very short lasting. Metabotropic happen slowly and are long
lasting
What is the first messanger and the second messanger? The first messenger for a
metabotropic effect is the neurotransmitter binding to the receptor. The second messenger for
