NERVOUS SYSTEM AND NEURON
FUNCTION: STRUCTURE, TYPES, AND
SYNAPSES. EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS (VERIFIED AND UPDATED)
What are the three overlapping functions of the nervous system? - ANS Sensory input,
integration, and motor output.
What is the central nervous system (CNS) composed of? - ANS The brain and spinal cord.
What does the peripheral nervous system (PNS) consist of? - ANS Nerves that extend from
the brain and spinal cord.
What are the two functional divisions of the peripheral nervous system? - ANS Sensory
(afferent) division and motor (efferent) division.
What is the role of the somatic nervous system? - ANS It controls voluntary movements by
conducting impulses from the CNS to skeletal muscles.
What does the autonomic nervous system (ANS) regulate? - ANS Smooth muscle, cardiac
muscle, and glands.
@2026/2027 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, What are the two subdivisions of the autonomic nervous system? - ANS Sympathetic division
and parasympathetic division.
What are neuroglia? - ANS Supportive cells that surround and wrap delicate neurons.
Name the four main types of neuroglia in the CNS. - ANS Astrocytes, microglial cells,
ependymal cells, and oligodendrocytes.
What is the primary function of astrocytes? - ANS Support and brace neurons, control the
chemical environment, and help form the blood-brain barrier.
What do microglial cells do? - ANS Monitor neurons and can transform to phagocytize
microorganisms and debris.
What is the function of ependymal cells? - ANS Line the central cavities of the brain and
spinal column and circulate cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
What do oligodendrocytes form? - ANS An insulating myelin sheath around CNS nerve fibers.
What are satellite cells in the PNS? - ANS Cells that surround neuron cell bodies and function
similarly to astrocytes in the CNS.
What is the role of Schwann cells? - ANS Surround peripheral nerve fibers and form myelin
sheaths around thicker nerve fibers.
What are the structural units of the nervous system? - ANS Neurons, or nerve cells.
What are the special characteristics of neurons? - ANS Extreme longevity, amitotic, and high
metabolic rate requiring continuous oxygen and glucose supply.
@2026/2027 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
FUNCTION: STRUCTURE, TYPES, AND
SYNAPSES. EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS (VERIFIED AND UPDATED)
What are the three overlapping functions of the nervous system? - ANS Sensory input,
integration, and motor output.
What is the central nervous system (CNS) composed of? - ANS The brain and spinal cord.
What does the peripheral nervous system (PNS) consist of? - ANS Nerves that extend from
the brain and spinal cord.
What are the two functional divisions of the peripheral nervous system? - ANS Sensory
(afferent) division and motor (efferent) division.
What is the role of the somatic nervous system? - ANS It controls voluntary movements by
conducting impulses from the CNS to skeletal muscles.
What does the autonomic nervous system (ANS) regulate? - ANS Smooth muscle, cardiac
muscle, and glands.
@2026/2027 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, What are the two subdivisions of the autonomic nervous system? - ANS Sympathetic division
and parasympathetic division.
What are neuroglia? - ANS Supportive cells that surround and wrap delicate neurons.
Name the four main types of neuroglia in the CNS. - ANS Astrocytes, microglial cells,
ependymal cells, and oligodendrocytes.
What is the primary function of astrocytes? - ANS Support and brace neurons, control the
chemical environment, and help form the blood-brain barrier.
What do microglial cells do? - ANS Monitor neurons and can transform to phagocytize
microorganisms and debris.
What is the function of ependymal cells? - ANS Line the central cavities of the brain and
spinal column and circulate cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
What do oligodendrocytes form? - ANS An insulating myelin sheath around CNS nerve fibers.
What are satellite cells in the PNS? - ANS Cells that surround neuron cell bodies and function
similarly to astrocytes in the CNS.
What is the role of Schwann cells? - ANS Surround peripheral nerve fibers and form myelin
sheaths around thicker nerve fibers.
What are the structural units of the nervous system? - ANS Neurons, or nerve cells.
What are the special characteristics of neurons? - ANS Extreme longevity, amitotic, and high
metabolic rate requiring continuous oxygen and glucose supply.
@2026/2027 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
