Chapter 15: Structure and Function of the Neurologic System
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Which pathway carries sensory information toward the central nervous system (CNS)?
a. Ascending c. Somatic
b. Descending d. Efferent
ANS: A
Peripheral nerve pathways can be afferent (ascending) pathways that carry sensory impulses
toward the CNS. The remaining options do not carry sensory information to the CNS.
PTS: 1 REF: Page 448
2. Which type of axon transmits a nerve impulse at the highest rate?
a. Large nonmyelinated c. Small nonmyelinated
b. Large myelinated d. Small myelinated
ANS: B
If the myelin layer is tightly wrapped many times around the axon and is forming the nodes of
Ranvier, then conduction velocity increases and the neuron is referred to as myelinated. The
increased diameter of the myelinated axons allows for the transmission of impulses at a faster
rate. The other options do not affect nervous impulse transmission rates.
PTS: 1 REF: Pages 448-450
3. Which nerves are capable of regeneration?
a. Nerves within the brain and spinal cord
b. Peripheral nerves that are cut or severed
c. Myelinated nerves in the peripheral nervous system
d. Unmyelinated nerves of the peripheral nervous system
ANS: C
Nerve regeneration is limited to only myelinated fibers and generally occurs only in the pe-
ripheral nervous system.
PTS: 1 REF: Pages 450-451
4. The neurotransmitter, norepinephrine, is secreted in the:
a. Somatic nervous system c. Sympathetic postganglion
b. Parasympathetic preganglion d. Parasympathetic postganglion
ANS: C
Most postganglionic sympathetic fibers release norepinephrine (adrenaline). The remaining
options do not reflect the correct site of norepinephrine secretion.
PTS: 1 REF: Pages 473-474
5. Both oligodendroglia and Schwann cells share the ability to:
a. Form a myelin sheath c. Transport nutrients
b. Remove cellular debris d. Line the ventricles
, ANS: A
The function of oligodendroglia (oligodendrocytes) is to deposit myelin within the central ner-
vous system (CNS). Oligodendroglia are the CNS counterpart of Schwann cells. The remain-
ing options are not reflective of the common function of these structures.
PTS: 1 REF: Pages 449-450
6. During a synapse, what change occurs after the neurotransmitter binds to the receptor?
a. The permeability of the presynaptic neuron changes; consequently, its membrane
potential is changed as well.
b. The permeability of the postsynaptic neuron changes; consequently, its membrane
potential is changed as well.
c. The postsynaptic cell prevents any change in permeability and destroys the action
potential.
d. The presynaptic cell synthesizes and secretes additional neurotransmitters.
ANS: B
The binding of the neurotransmitter at the receptor site changes the permeability of the postsy-
naptic neuron and, consequently, its membrane potential. The remaining options do not accu-
rately describe the occurrence.
PTS: 1 REF: Pages 452-453
7. What name is given to a large network of neurons within the brainstem that is essential for
maintaining wakefulness?
a. Midbrain c. Medulla oblongata
b. Reticular activating system d. Pons
ANS: B
The reticular activating system is essential for maintaining wakefulness. The remaining op-
tions are not essential to this function.
PTS: 1 REF: Page 454
8. Thought and goal-oriented behaviors are functions of which area of the brain?
a. Cerebellum c. Prefrontal lobe
b. Limbic system d. Occipital lobe
ANS: C
The prefrontal area is responsible for goal-oriented behavior (i.e., ability to concentrate),
short-term or recall memory, and the elaboration of thought and inhibition on the limbic (emo-
tional) areas of the CNS. The remaining options are not involved in these functions.
PTS: 1 REF: Page 456
9. The region responsible for the motor aspects of speech is located in the:
a. Wernicke area in the temporal lobe c. Wronka area in the parietal lobe
b. Broca area in the frontal lobe d. Barlow area in the occipital lobe
ANS: B
Broca speech area is the only region responsible for the motor aspects of speech.
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Which pathway carries sensory information toward the central nervous system (CNS)?
a. Ascending c. Somatic
b. Descending d. Efferent
ANS: A
Peripheral nerve pathways can be afferent (ascending) pathways that carry sensory impulses
toward the CNS. The remaining options do not carry sensory information to the CNS.
PTS: 1 REF: Page 448
2. Which type of axon transmits a nerve impulse at the highest rate?
a. Large nonmyelinated c. Small nonmyelinated
b. Large myelinated d. Small myelinated
ANS: B
If the myelin layer is tightly wrapped many times around the axon and is forming the nodes of
Ranvier, then conduction velocity increases and the neuron is referred to as myelinated. The
increased diameter of the myelinated axons allows for the transmission of impulses at a faster
rate. The other options do not affect nervous impulse transmission rates.
PTS: 1 REF: Pages 448-450
3. Which nerves are capable of regeneration?
a. Nerves within the brain and spinal cord
b. Peripheral nerves that are cut or severed
c. Myelinated nerves in the peripheral nervous system
d. Unmyelinated nerves of the peripheral nervous system
ANS: C
Nerve regeneration is limited to only myelinated fibers and generally occurs only in the pe-
ripheral nervous system.
PTS: 1 REF: Pages 450-451
4. The neurotransmitter, norepinephrine, is secreted in the:
a. Somatic nervous system c. Sympathetic postganglion
b. Parasympathetic preganglion d. Parasympathetic postganglion
ANS: C
Most postganglionic sympathetic fibers release norepinephrine (adrenaline). The remaining
options do not reflect the correct site of norepinephrine secretion.
PTS: 1 REF: Pages 473-474
5. Both oligodendroglia and Schwann cells share the ability to:
a. Form a myelin sheath c. Transport nutrients
b. Remove cellular debris d. Line the ventricles
, ANS: A
The function of oligodendroglia (oligodendrocytes) is to deposit myelin within the central ner-
vous system (CNS). Oligodendroglia are the CNS counterpart of Schwann cells. The remain-
ing options are not reflective of the common function of these structures.
PTS: 1 REF: Pages 449-450
6. During a synapse, what change occurs after the neurotransmitter binds to the receptor?
a. The permeability of the presynaptic neuron changes; consequently, its membrane
potential is changed as well.
b. The permeability of the postsynaptic neuron changes; consequently, its membrane
potential is changed as well.
c. The postsynaptic cell prevents any change in permeability and destroys the action
potential.
d. The presynaptic cell synthesizes and secretes additional neurotransmitters.
ANS: B
The binding of the neurotransmitter at the receptor site changes the permeability of the postsy-
naptic neuron and, consequently, its membrane potential. The remaining options do not accu-
rately describe the occurrence.
PTS: 1 REF: Pages 452-453
7. What name is given to a large network of neurons within the brainstem that is essential for
maintaining wakefulness?
a. Midbrain c. Medulla oblongata
b. Reticular activating system d. Pons
ANS: B
The reticular activating system is essential for maintaining wakefulness. The remaining op-
tions are not essential to this function.
PTS: 1 REF: Page 454
8. Thought and goal-oriented behaviors are functions of which area of the brain?
a. Cerebellum c. Prefrontal lobe
b. Limbic system d. Occipital lobe
ANS: C
The prefrontal area is responsible for goal-oriented behavior (i.e., ability to concentrate),
short-term or recall memory, and the elaboration of thought and inhibition on the limbic (emo-
tional) areas of the CNS. The remaining options are not involved in these functions.
PTS: 1 REF: Page 456
9. The region responsible for the motor aspects of speech is located in the:
a. Wernicke area in the temporal lobe c. Wronka area in the parietal lobe
b. Broca area in the frontal lobe d. Barlow area in the occipital lobe
ANS: B
Broca speech area is the only region responsible for the motor aspects of speech.
