2026/2027
BIO 253 Exam 1 Detailed Exam Prep and
Study Guide for 2026/2027: Comprehensive
Review, Practice Tests, and Key Concepts
Question 1:
Which of the following are the two main cell types found in neural tissue?
A. Neurons and astrocytes
B. Neurons and neuroglia
C. Neuroglia and Schwann cells
D. Neurons and oligodendrocytes
Correct Answer: B. Neurons and neuroglia
Rationale: Neural tissue is composed primarily of neurons, which transmit electrical
signals, and neuroglia (glial cells), which provide structural, metabolic, and functional
support. Astrocytes, Schwann cells, and oligodendrocytes are subtypes of neuroglia,
not the main categories.
Question 2:
The nervous system is divided into which two major anatomical parts?
A. Somatic and autonomic nervous systems
B. Central and peripheral nervous systems
C. Sympathetic and parasympathetic systems
D. Motor and sensory systems
Correct Answer: B. Central and peripheral nervous systems
Rationale: The central nervous system (CNS) consists of the brain and spinal cord,
while the peripheral nervous system (PNS) includes all nerves outside the CNS. The
other options represent functional divisions rather than anatomical ones.
Question 3:
What is the primary general function of the nervous system?
A. Producing hormones for body regulation
B. Transporting oxygen throughout the body
,2026/2027
C. Processing and responding to internal and external stimuli
D. Filtering blood and removing waste
Correct Answer: C. Processing and responding to internal and external stimuli
Rationale: The nervous system detects, processes, and responds to sensory input such
as touch, sound, and vision. It does not transport oxygen or filter blood, which are
functions of the circulatory and urinary systems.
Question 4:
A neuron is best defined as:
A. A support cell in the nervous system
B. A nerve cell responsible for electrical and chemical signaling
C. A connective tissue cell in the brain
D. A hormone-producing cell
Correct Answer: B. A nerve cell responsible for electrical and chemical signaling
Rationale: Neurons are the functional units of the nervous system responsible for
receiving, processing, and transmitting information via electrical impulses and
neurotransmitters.
Question 5:
Which structure is NOT part of a typical neuron?
A. Axon
B. Dendrite
C. Cell body
D. Myelin sheath
Correct Answer: D. Myelin sheath
Rationale: The myelin sheath is produced by glial cells (Schwann cells or
oligodendrocytes), not part of the neuron itself. The neuron consists of dendrites, cell
body, and axon.
Question 6:
How is a myelinated axon formed in the peripheral nervous system?
A. Astrocytes wrap around the axon
B. Oligodendrocytes surround the axon
,2026/2027
C. Schwann cells wrap around the axon
D. Microglia form protective layers
Correct Answer: C. Schwann cells wrap around the axon
Rationale: In the PNS, Schwann cells repeatedly wrap around axons to form the
myelin sheath, increasing conduction speed. Oligodendrocytes perform this function
in the CNS.
Question 7:
Which neuron type has one axon and multiple dendrites?
A. Bipolar neuron
B. Unipolar neuron
C. Multipolar neuron
D. Sensory neuron only
Correct Answer: C. Multipolar neuron
Rationale: Multipolar neurons have one axon and many dendrites and are the most
common type, especially in the brain and spinal cord.
Question 8:
Sensory neurons are responsible for:
A. Carrying impulses from CNS to muscles
B. Relaying information within the brain
C. Carrying impulses from body to CNS
D. Producing neurotransmitters only
Correct Answer: C. Carrying impulses from body to CNS
Rationale: Sensory (afferent) neurons transmit information from receptors in the body
toward the central nervous system.
Question 9:
Which glial cell type forms the blood-brain barrier?
A. Microglia
B. Astrocytes
C. Ependymal cells
D. Schwann cells
, 2026/2027
Correct Answer: B. Astrocytes
Rationale: Astrocytes help form and maintain the blood-brain barrier, regulating
substances entering the CNS from the bloodstream.
Question 10:
The primary function of oligodendrocytes is to:
A. Produce cerebrospinal fluid
B. Phagocytose pathogens
C. Myelinate CNS axons
D. Conduct nerve impulses
Correct Answer: C. Myelinate CNS axons
Rationale: Oligodendrocytes produce myelin in the CNS, insulating axons and
increasing signal conduction speed.
Question 11:
Microglia function mainly as:
A. Support cells for neurons
B. Immune defense cells in CNS
C. Myelin-producing cells
D. CSF-producing cells
Correct Answer: B. Immune defense cells in CNS
Rationale: Microglia act as macrophages in the CNS, removing debris and pathogens
through phagocytosis.
Question 12:
Ependymal cells are primarily responsible for:
A. Producing myelin
B. Producing hormones
C. Circulating cerebrospinal fluid
D. Conducting impulses
Correct Answer: C. Circulating cerebrospinal fluid
BIO 253 Exam 1 Detailed Exam Prep and
Study Guide for 2026/2027: Comprehensive
Review, Practice Tests, and Key Concepts
Question 1:
Which of the following are the two main cell types found in neural tissue?
A. Neurons and astrocytes
B. Neurons and neuroglia
C. Neuroglia and Schwann cells
D. Neurons and oligodendrocytes
Correct Answer: B. Neurons and neuroglia
Rationale: Neural tissue is composed primarily of neurons, which transmit electrical
signals, and neuroglia (glial cells), which provide structural, metabolic, and functional
support. Astrocytes, Schwann cells, and oligodendrocytes are subtypes of neuroglia,
not the main categories.
Question 2:
The nervous system is divided into which two major anatomical parts?
A. Somatic and autonomic nervous systems
B. Central and peripheral nervous systems
C. Sympathetic and parasympathetic systems
D. Motor and sensory systems
Correct Answer: B. Central and peripheral nervous systems
Rationale: The central nervous system (CNS) consists of the brain and spinal cord,
while the peripheral nervous system (PNS) includes all nerves outside the CNS. The
other options represent functional divisions rather than anatomical ones.
Question 3:
What is the primary general function of the nervous system?
A. Producing hormones for body regulation
B. Transporting oxygen throughout the body
,2026/2027
C. Processing and responding to internal and external stimuli
D. Filtering blood and removing waste
Correct Answer: C. Processing and responding to internal and external stimuli
Rationale: The nervous system detects, processes, and responds to sensory input such
as touch, sound, and vision. It does not transport oxygen or filter blood, which are
functions of the circulatory and urinary systems.
Question 4:
A neuron is best defined as:
A. A support cell in the nervous system
B. A nerve cell responsible for electrical and chemical signaling
C. A connective tissue cell in the brain
D. A hormone-producing cell
Correct Answer: B. A nerve cell responsible for electrical and chemical signaling
Rationale: Neurons are the functional units of the nervous system responsible for
receiving, processing, and transmitting information via electrical impulses and
neurotransmitters.
Question 5:
Which structure is NOT part of a typical neuron?
A. Axon
B. Dendrite
C. Cell body
D. Myelin sheath
Correct Answer: D. Myelin sheath
Rationale: The myelin sheath is produced by glial cells (Schwann cells or
oligodendrocytes), not part of the neuron itself. The neuron consists of dendrites, cell
body, and axon.
Question 6:
How is a myelinated axon formed in the peripheral nervous system?
A. Astrocytes wrap around the axon
B. Oligodendrocytes surround the axon
,2026/2027
C. Schwann cells wrap around the axon
D. Microglia form protective layers
Correct Answer: C. Schwann cells wrap around the axon
Rationale: In the PNS, Schwann cells repeatedly wrap around axons to form the
myelin sheath, increasing conduction speed. Oligodendrocytes perform this function
in the CNS.
Question 7:
Which neuron type has one axon and multiple dendrites?
A. Bipolar neuron
B. Unipolar neuron
C. Multipolar neuron
D. Sensory neuron only
Correct Answer: C. Multipolar neuron
Rationale: Multipolar neurons have one axon and many dendrites and are the most
common type, especially in the brain and spinal cord.
Question 8:
Sensory neurons are responsible for:
A. Carrying impulses from CNS to muscles
B. Relaying information within the brain
C. Carrying impulses from body to CNS
D. Producing neurotransmitters only
Correct Answer: C. Carrying impulses from body to CNS
Rationale: Sensory (afferent) neurons transmit information from receptors in the body
toward the central nervous system.
Question 9:
Which glial cell type forms the blood-brain barrier?
A. Microglia
B. Astrocytes
C. Ependymal cells
D. Schwann cells
, 2026/2027
Correct Answer: B. Astrocytes
Rationale: Astrocytes help form and maintain the blood-brain barrier, regulating
substances entering the CNS from the bloodstream.
Question 10:
The primary function of oligodendrocytes is to:
A. Produce cerebrospinal fluid
B. Phagocytose pathogens
C. Myelinate CNS axons
D. Conduct nerve impulses
Correct Answer: C. Myelinate CNS axons
Rationale: Oligodendrocytes produce myelin in the CNS, insulating axons and
increasing signal conduction speed.
Question 11:
Microglia function mainly as:
A. Support cells for neurons
B. Immune defense cells in CNS
C. Myelin-producing cells
D. CSF-producing cells
Correct Answer: B. Immune defense cells in CNS
Rationale: Microglia act as macrophages in the CNS, removing debris and pathogens
through phagocytosis.
Question 12:
Ependymal cells are primarily responsible for:
A. Producing myelin
B. Producing hormones
C. Circulating cerebrospinal fluid
D. Conducting impulses
Correct Answer: C. Circulating cerebrospinal fluid
