NEU 201 FINAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 2026 - 2027
True or False. Stimulating just the brain stem can change the rate of
locomotion. - ANSWERS-True
Where do inputs from the motor cortex arrive? - ANSWERS-
Corticospinal tract (lateral pathway)
Sources of input to an alpha motor neuron - ANSWERS-dorsal root
ganglion cells with axons that innervate a specialized sensory
apparatus embedded with the muscle known as a muscle spindle,
upper motor neurons, interneurons in the spinal cord
excitation-contraction coupling - ANSWERS-this physiological
process by which the excitation of a muscle cell leads to its
contraction
Where are the motor neurons that innervate the skeletal muscles
located? - ANSWERS-The ventral horn of the spinal cord
Which source of input to the alpha motor neurons of the spinal cord is
responsible for the initiation and control of voluntary movements? -
ANSWERS-Upper motor neurons in motor cortex and brain stem
,Why do ventral horns appear swollen in the cervical and lumbar
enlargements? - ANSWERS-Larger number of motor neurons are
needed in these regions to innervate the muscle of the limbs
Where is the motor cortex located? - ANSWERS-In the pre central
gyrus
Does opening K+ channels depolarize or hyperpolarize hair cells? -
ANSWERS-Depolarize
Otolith organs - ANSWERS-gravity, head tilt, linear acceleration
Semicircular canals - ANSWERS-head rotation, angular acceleration
Which system in the body helps coordinate head and eye movements?
- ANSWERS-Vestibular system
How is sound localized in the vertical plane? - ANSWERS-By
differential reflections of the sound by the curves, bumps, and ridges
of the pinna
Which of the following is a definition of phase locking? -
ANSWERS-Firing of a cell at the same phase as that of a sound wave
, What is the primary function of the vestibulo-ocular reflex? -
ANSWERS-Keeps the eyes pointed in a particular direction when the
head is moving
Where do magnocellular secretory cells project to? - ANSWERS-
posterior pituarity
Where do parvocellular secretory cells project to? - ANSWERS-
Anterior pituitary
Most neurons are post mitotic. True or False? - ANSWERS-True
Golgi's reticular theory contends that - ANSWERS-Neurons are not
individual, separate cells
Where do action potentials start? - ANSWERS-Axon initial segment
What type of cells make myelin in the CNS? - ANSWERS-
Oligodendrocyte cells
What contributes to the direction of action potential propagation? -
ANSWERS-Site of action potential initiation and sodium channel
kinetics
Potassium flowing out of a cell would have what effect on the
membrane potential? - ANSWERS-Make it more negative
QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 2026 - 2027
True or False. Stimulating just the brain stem can change the rate of
locomotion. - ANSWERS-True
Where do inputs from the motor cortex arrive? - ANSWERS-
Corticospinal tract (lateral pathway)
Sources of input to an alpha motor neuron - ANSWERS-dorsal root
ganglion cells with axons that innervate a specialized sensory
apparatus embedded with the muscle known as a muscle spindle,
upper motor neurons, interneurons in the spinal cord
excitation-contraction coupling - ANSWERS-this physiological
process by which the excitation of a muscle cell leads to its
contraction
Where are the motor neurons that innervate the skeletal muscles
located? - ANSWERS-The ventral horn of the spinal cord
Which source of input to the alpha motor neurons of the spinal cord is
responsible for the initiation and control of voluntary movements? -
ANSWERS-Upper motor neurons in motor cortex and brain stem
,Why do ventral horns appear swollen in the cervical and lumbar
enlargements? - ANSWERS-Larger number of motor neurons are
needed in these regions to innervate the muscle of the limbs
Where is the motor cortex located? - ANSWERS-In the pre central
gyrus
Does opening K+ channels depolarize or hyperpolarize hair cells? -
ANSWERS-Depolarize
Otolith organs - ANSWERS-gravity, head tilt, linear acceleration
Semicircular canals - ANSWERS-head rotation, angular acceleration
Which system in the body helps coordinate head and eye movements?
- ANSWERS-Vestibular system
How is sound localized in the vertical plane? - ANSWERS-By
differential reflections of the sound by the curves, bumps, and ridges
of the pinna
Which of the following is a definition of phase locking? -
ANSWERS-Firing of a cell at the same phase as that of a sound wave
, What is the primary function of the vestibulo-ocular reflex? -
ANSWERS-Keeps the eyes pointed in a particular direction when the
head is moving
Where do magnocellular secretory cells project to? - ANSWERS-
posterior pituarity
Where do parvocellular secretory cells project to? - ANSWERS-
Anterior pituitary
Most neurons are post mitotic. True or False? - ANSWERS-True
Golgi's reticular theory contends that - ANSWERS-Neurons are not
individual, separate cells
Where do action potentials start? - ANSWERS-Axon initial segment
What type of cells make myelin in the CNS? - ANSWERS-
Oligodendrocyte cells
What contributes to the direction of action potential propagation? -
ANSWERS-Site of action potential initiation and sodium channel
kinetics
Potassium flowing out of a cell would have what effect on the
membrane potential? - ANSWERS-Make it more negative
