PSIO EXAM 5 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Describe the normal concentration gradients for Na+ and K+ that exist across the membrane of all cells.
Describe how the activity of the Na+/K+ ATPase maintains these gradients - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅answer
Predict what will happen to the membrane potential of a cell if the permeability of the membrane
increase of decreases for Na+, K+, or Cl- - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅answer
Compare and contrast the characteristics of leak-channel, voltage-gated, chemically-gated, and
mechanically-gated channels - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅answer
Describe the importance of membrane potential for regulating functions in a mammalian organism like
humans - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅answer
Describe how differences in ionic gradients across the membrane contribute to electrical gradients (i.e.
electrochemical gradients) - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅answer
Define equilibrium potential and how the equilibrium potential for different ions relates to the
membrane potential - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅answer
Define the terms of depolarization, repolarization, and hyperpolarization - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅answer
Describe what graded potentials are, how they are generated, and the difference between EPSPs and
IPSPs - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅answer
List (and describe) in order the principal events associated with an action potential - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅answer
Describe spatial and temporal summation and how they contribute to neuron activation - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅answer
, Define the phrase 'all-or-none' in the context of the neuronal action potential - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅answer
Compare and contrast the characteristics of graded vs. action potentials - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅answer
Describe the basis of absolute and relative refractory periods and their importance - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅answer
List and describe the events that result in propagation of action potential - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅answer
Describe the factors that influence the speed of propagation of the action potential - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅answer
Describe the important of myelination and the function of oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells -
CORRECT ANSWER✅✅answer
Compare and contrast 'continuous' and 'saltatory' conduction - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅answer
Draw a picture showing the structure of a synapse. Label the principle structures on the pre-synaptic
neuron and post-synaptic neuron. Include the astrocyte in your picture and describe its function related
to synaptic transmission. List (in order) the physiological events associated with synaptic transmission -
CORRECT ANSWER✅✅answer
Describe the difference between inotropic and metabotropic receptors - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅answer
List and describe the general senses and special senses - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅answer
Define the terms receptive field and receptor potential - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅answer
Describe the normal concentration gradients for Na+ and K+ that exist across the membrane of all cells.
Describe how the activity of the Na+/K+ ATPase maintains these gradients - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅answer
Predict what will happen to the membrane potential of a cell if the permeability of the membrane
increase of decreases for Na+, K+, or Cl- - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅answer
Compare and contrast the characteristics of leak-channel, voltage-gated, chemically-gated, and
mechanically-gated channels - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅answer
Describe the importance of membrane potential for regulating functions in a mammalian organism like
humans - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅answer
Describe how differences in ionic gradients across the membrane contribute to electrical gradients (i.e.
electrochemical gradients) - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅answer
Define equilibrium potential and how the equilibrium potential for different ions relates to the
membrane potential - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅answer
Define the terms of depolarization, repolarization, and hyperpolarization - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅answer
Describe what graded potentials are, how they are generated, and the difference between EPSPs and
IPSPs - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅answer
List (and describe) in order the principal events associated with an action potential - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅answer
Describe spatial and temporal summation and how they contribute to neuron activation - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅answer
, Define the phrase 'all-or-none' in the context of the neuronal action potential - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅answer
Compare and contrast the characteristics of graded vs. action potentials - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅answer
Describe the basis of absolute and relative refractory periods and their importance - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅answer
List and describe the events that result in propagation of action potential - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅answer
Describe the factors that influence the speed of propagation of the action potential - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅answer
Describe the important of myelination and the function of oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells -
CORRECT ANSWER✅✅answer
Compare and contrast 'continuous' and 'saltatory' conduction - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅answer
Draw a picture showing the structure of a synapse. Label the principle structures on the pre-synaptic
neuron and post-synaptic neuron. Include the astrocyte in your picture and describe its function related
to synaptic transmission. List (in order) the physiological events associated with synaptic transmission -
CORRECT ANSWER✅✅answer
Describe the difference between inotropic and metabotropic receptors - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅answer
List and describe the general senses and special senses - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅answer
Define the terms receptive field and receptor potential - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅answer
