Neuroscience Exam Questions and Answers: BIO 201, Exams of Biology

A series of multiple-choice questions and answers related to the nervous system, covering topics such as neurotransmitters, neural circuits, brain anatomy, and spinal cord function. It includes questions on excitatory neurotransmitters, types of neural circuits, components of the reflex arc, brain lobes and their functions, and the roles of different brain structures like the thalamus, hypothalamus, and cerebellum. The questions also address conditions like meningitis, poliomyelitis, parkinson's disease, and alzheimer's disease, as well as concepts like memory consolidation and sleep stages. This material is useful for students studying neurobiology or preparing for exams on the nervous system. A concise review of key concepts and their applications.

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2024/2025

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BIO 201 Exam 4 Exam 20252026 Accurate Real
Exam Questions and Verified Correct Answers
JUST RELEASED
Which of the following is an excitatory neurotransmitter secreted by motor neurons
innervating skeletal muscle?
a. norepinephrine
b. cholinesterase
c. gamma aminobutyric acid
d. acetylcholine - answer>>>acetylcholine (d.)
Which of the following is NOT a chemical class of neurotransmitters?
a. ATP and other purines
b. nucleic acid
c. amino acid
d. biogenic amine - answer>>>nucleic acid (b.)
Which neuron circuit pattern is involved in the control of rhythmic activities such as
breathing?
a. reverberating circuit
b. converging circuit
c. parallel after-discharge circuit
d. diverging circuit - answer>>>reverberating circuit (a.)
What component of the reflex arc determines the response to a stimulus?
a. receptor
b. sensory neuron
c. integration center
d. effector - answer>>>integration center (c.)
Which of the following is NOT a type of circuit?
a. converging circuits
b. pre-synaptic circuits
c. diverging circuits
d. reverberating circuits - answer>>>pre-synaptic circuits (b.)
During meningitis, which of the following layers is the most likely to be a direct source of
pathogens that may spread to the brain? - answer>>>pia mater
pf3
pf4
pf5
pf8
pf9
pfa
pfd
pfe
pff
pf12
pf13
pf14
pf15
pf16
pf17
pf18
pf19
pf1a
pf1b

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BIO 201 Exam 4 Exam 2025–2026 Accurate Real

Exam Questions and Verified Correct Answers

JUST RELEASED

Which of the following is an excitatory neurotransmitter secreted by motor neurons innervating skeletal muscle? a. norepinephrine b. cholinesterase c. gamma aminobutyric acid d. acetylcholine - answer>>>acetylcholine (d.)

Which of the following is NOT a chemical class of neurotransmitters? a. ATP and other purines b. nucleic acid c. amino acid d. biogenic amine - answer>>>nucleic acid (b.)

Which neuron circuit pattern is involved in the control of rhythmic activities such as breathing? a. reverberating circuit b. converging circuit c. parallel after-discharge circuit d. diverging circuit - answer>>>reverberating circuit (a.)

What component of the reflex arc determines the response to a stimulus? a. receptor b. sensory neuron c. integration center d. effector - answer>>>integration center (c.)

Which of the following is NOT a type of circuit? a. converging circuits b. pre-synaptic circuits c. diverging circuits d. reverberating circuits - answer>>>pre-synaptic circuits (b.)

During meningitis, which of the following layers is the most likely to be a direct source of pathogens that may spread to the brain? - answer>>>pia mater

Your patient's CT scan demonstrates a cerebral vascular accident causing damage to the inferior and posterior portions of her left cerebral hemisphere. Your patient is right- handed. What deficits should you expect? - answer>>>Difficulty with movement on the right side of her body and difficulty with speech

Which statement is true of both poliomyelitis and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)? - answer>>>Both conditions are caused by destruction of the ventral horn neurons in the spinal cord

What type of cells line the ventricles of the brain? - answer>>>ependymal cells

White matter is found in all of the following locations EXCEPT the ________. - answer>>>cerebral cortex

Which part of the brain is the "executive suite" that controls conscious brain activity? - answer>>>cerebral cortex

Which type of white matter fiber tract connects the cerebrum to lower centers, like the spinal cord? - answer>>>projection fibers

Which of the following is true of the cerebral hemispheres of the human brain? - answer>>>The cerebral hemispheres account for about 83% of total brain mass

Which motor area both has a homunculus and has descending projection fibers? - answer>>>primary motor cortex

In general, a primary sensory cortex breaks down sensory input into component parts, while an association cortex makes sense of sensory inputs. - answer>>>true

What groove separates the frontal lobe from the parietal lobe? - answer>>>central sulcus

An elevated ridge of the cortex is called a ________. - answer>>>gyrus

The lateral sulcus separates which lobes? - answer>>>temporal from parietal

Ridges of tissue on the surface of the cerebral hemispheres are called ________. - answer>>>gyri

Broca's area ________. - answer>>>is considered a motor speech area

Which part of the cerebral cortex is involved in intellect, cognition, recall, and personality?

  • answer>>>prefrontal cortex (anterior association area)

Which part of the brain processes inputs received from the cerebral motor cortex, brain stem nuclei, and various sensory receptors, and then uses this information to coordinate balance, posture, and somatic movement problems? - answer>>>cerebellum

Which of the following statements about the cerebellum is NOT correct? - answer>>>The cerebellum generates conscious motor commands

Which functional area of the brain is responsible for keeping the cortex alert and conscious and enhancing its excitability? - answer>>>reticular activating system

Which of the following is correctly matched? - answer>>>limbic association area: sense of danger

Which of the following does not enhance the conversion of short-term to long-term memories? - answer>>>memory consolidation

In anterograde amnesia ______. - answer>>>LTM (long term memory) is not disrupted

During an epileptic seizure, the triggering of convulsions would not directly involve the uncontrolled activity of neurons located in the ______. - answer>>>thalamus

The process of linking new facts with old facts already stored in the memory bank is called ________. - answer>>>association

Which category of memory is involved when playing the piano? - answer>>>procederal

REM sleep is associated with ________ - answer>>>temporary skeletal muscle inhibition except for ocular muscles and diaphragm

Which statement about coma is true? - answer>>>Coma may be caused by widespread cerebral or brain stem trauma

The ________ is the main switch station for memory; if the right and left areas are destroyed, the result is widespread amnesia. - answer>>>hippocampus

Which protective covering of the brain provides passageways for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to drain into the superior sagittal sinus? - answer>>>arachnoid mater

Which of the meninges is a delicate connective tissue membrane that clings tightly to the brain like cellophane wrap following its every convolution? - answer>>>pia mater

The subarachnoid space lies between what two layers of meninges? - answer>>>arachnoid and pia

Which of the following would you NOT find in normal cerebrospinal fluid? - answer>>>red blood cells

Which of the following is NOT a function of the CSF? - answer>>>initiation of some nerve impulses

While sleep requirements vary, most adults need ________ hours of sleep for optimal health and function. - answer>>>7-

Arachnoid granulations are knoblike projections that protrude superiorly through the ________ mater to absorb cerebrospinal fluid into venous blood. - answer>>>dura

Which of the following is a dural septum, described as a large sickle-shaped fold that dips into the longitudinal fissure between the cerebral hemispheres? - answer>>>falx cerebri

__________ is a progressive degenerative disease of the basal nuclei that affects the dopamine-secreting pathways. - answer>>>Parkinson's disease

A patient suffering from memory loss, shortened attention span, disorientation, and eventual language loss is most likely suffering from ________. - answer>>>Alzheimer's disease

Which of the following is the mildest consequence of traumatic brain injury? - answer>>>concussion

You have a patient experiencing an essential tremor, which makes it hard for him to dress and feed himself. Imaging has detected a lesion in the basal nuclei. How would you best explain the function of these cerebral structures to him? - answer>>>"This group of cells monitors all of our outgoing motor signals and makes sure there isn't any excessive activity. Your injury is preventing them from doing their job."

What part of the spinal cord represents an increase in cell body mass for upper limb control? - answer>>>cervical enlargement

Which of the following statements is correct concerning the spinal cord? - answer>>>Spinal nerves have mixed motor and sensory function

Cell bodies of sensory neurons are located in ________. - answer>>>the dorsal root ganglia of the spinal cord

In carpal tunnel syndrome, there may be tingling and numbness in the thumb due to compression of the ______. - answer>>>cutaneous branches of the median nerve

Damage to the ulnar nerve could result in the inability to ______. - answer>>>flex the wrist

Which of the following lists the hierarchy of motor control from lowest to highest level of control? - answer>>>segmental level, projection level, precommand level

Which of the following is NOT required for a reflex arc? - answer>>>interneurons

You are removing a hot pan of cookies from the oven, using a pot holder. Suddenly, you feel a surge of heat through the pot holder. Why don't you react by dropping the baking pan and spilling cookies all over the floor? - answer>>>Cortical integration centers override the spinal reflex

Which reflex is triggered when a stranger suddenly grasps your arm? - answer>>>crossed- extensor reflex

You are closely observing a patient admitted to the ICU for head trauma. During his last examination, the patient demonstrated normal gaze. Now the patient's left eye is deviated inward, and he complains of double vision. What is your concern? - answer>>>The abducens nerve (cranial nerve VI) is not functioning, possibly because of increased pressure inside the cranium. This is a crucial diagnostic clue

Your patient is unhappy about the injection that you are preparing to administer into her buttock. "If you have to do it, give it right in the middle," she insists. How should you respond? - answer>>>"I'm sorry, but I need to inject into the upper outer quadrant of your buttock to avoid damaging the sciatic nerve."

__________ are receptors that can respond to painful stimuli. - answer>>>Nociceptors

Which of the following is NOT used to classify sensory receptors? - answer>>>the number of dendritic endings present

Receptors that respond to changes in room temperature are found in the skin. Which of the following pairs of classifications below best fit the receptor type that is being described above? - answer>>>thermoreceptors that are also exteroceptors

We can touch our finger to our nose while our eyes are closed in part because we can sense the position and movement of our joints as well as the length of stretch in our

muscles. These sensations create awareness of our body's positioning. Which of the following receptors is most likely responsible for this ability? - answer>>>proprioceptors

Which receptors respond to stimuli within the body? - answer>>>interoceptors

Nerves that carry impulses toward the CNS only are ________. - answer>>>afferent nerves

In order for you to realize there has been a sensory change, it has to reach the __________ level of processing. - answer>>>perceptual

Which of the following is the best explanation of how a stimulus's strength is transmitted to the central nervous system from sensory nerves? - answer>>>Action potential frequency is increased as stimulus strength increases

Select the statement that is most correct. - answer>>>Ganglia associated with afferent nerve fibers contain cell bodies of sensory neurons

Which of the following carries no sensory information? - answer>>>hypoglossal nerve

A patient is suffering from the inability to distinguish various types of odors. This patient may have damage to which of the following? - answer>>>olfactory nerve (I)

A patient has lost the ability to taste food. Which nerve may have been damaged? - answer>>>the facial nerves

An emergency medical technician is examining a trauma victim by shining a pen light into her patient's eye. She records the reactivity of the patient's pupils as they constrict when stimulated by the light. This test supports which of the following? - answer>>>The patient has function of the oculomotor nerve (III)

A bit of dust blows into and touches the cornea of the eye. Which of the following is likely to happen? - answer>>>Stimulation of the ophthalmic division of the trigeminal nerve (V) will cause blinking

A doctor asks her patient to follow the motion of her finger as she moves it up and down, left and right. Which of the following cranial nerves is NOT being tested? - answer>>>the vestibulocochlear nerve (VIII)

Bell's palsy is ________. - answer>>>characterized by paralysis of facial muscles

Problems in balance may follow trauma to which nerve? - answer>>>vestibulocochlear

Produces a rapid withdrawal of the body part from a painful stimulus; ipsilateral - answer>>>flexor

Prevents muscle overstretching and maintains muscle tone - answer>>>strech

Produces muscle relaxation and lengthening in response to tension; the contracting muscle relaxes as its antagonist is activated - answer>>>tendon

Inborn or intrinsic reflexes are ________. - answer>>>involuntary, yet may be modified by learned behavior

After axonal injury, regeneration in peripheral nerves is guided by ________. - answer>>>Schwann cells

Which of the following is the correct simple spinal reflex arc? - answer>>>receptor, afferent neuron, integration center, efferent neuron, effector

In which of the following structures would you expect to see afferent ganglia? - answer>>>Glossopharyngeal nerve

Which of these activities is most likely driven by parasympathetic innervation? - answer>>>resting and digesting

Which of the following is not an autonomic nervous system (ANS) function? - answer>>>skeletal muscle reflex

Which of the following would not be an example of autonomic neuropathy? - answer>>>abnormal stretch reflex responses

Which division of the nervous system has long preganglionic neurons? - answer>>>parasympathetic

Which target organ is not affected by the parasympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system (ANS)? - answer>>>adrenal medulla

Once a preganglionic axon reaches a trunk ganglion, one of three things can happen to the axon. Which of the following is NOT one of these three things? - answer>>>The axon can course back into the spinal cord to synapse with preganglionic neurons in a different spinal segment

Which set of details correctly identifies a series of events in a sympathetic pathway? - answer>>>thoracolumbar origin, short preganglionic fiber, ACh release at ganglion, long postganglionic fiber, NE release at effector

What differentiates an autonomic reflex from a somatic reflex? - answer>>>a two-neuron motor pathway

Which receptor pairing below is correct? - answer>>>nicotinic; acetylcholine

Which of the following is an effect of norepinephrine binding to beta 2 adrenergic receptors? - answer>>>vasodilation

The adrenal medulla secretes epinephrine during sympathetic stimulation. Which of the following statements describes why epinephrine would increase the sympathetic response? - answer>>>The same receptors that respond to norepinephrine also respond to epinephrine, increasing the action of both

Which of the following target organs/systems is affected by the sympathetic nervous system but is NOT affected by the parasympathetic nervous system? - answer>>>cellular metabolism

Which of the following is responsible for the overall integration of the autonomic nervous system (ANS)? - answer>>>hypothalamus

Organophosphate insecticides work by blocking acetylcholinesterase. Which symptom would NOT be typical of poisoning with these agents? - answer>>>Dilated pupils

Your patient is recovering after a severe allergic reaction to a bee sting. You are instructing him on the use of the epinephrine auto-injection device that has been prescribed for him. Which of the following groups of side effects would NOT be expected after self-injection with epinephrine? - answer>>>Excessive salivation and pupillary constriction

Which of the following does NOT describe the ANS? - answer>>>a system of motor neurons that innervates all muscle cells

Which of these effectors is NOT directly controlled by the autonomic nervous system? - answer>>>skeletal muscle

Autonomic ganglia contain ________. - answer>>>cell bodies of motor neurons

What structure in the eye creates a visual blind spot? - answer>>>optic disc

Which photoreceptor cells respond to very dim light? - answer>>>rods

Which portion of the ear is responsible for sound transduction? - answer>>>the cochlea

The malleus, incus, and stapes of the middle ear are joined by tiny _____. - answer>>>synovial joints

Where are equilibrium receptors located? - answer>>>in the semicircular canals and in the vestibule of the ear

Which of the following is true of receptors for dynamic equilibrium? - answer>>>the receptors for dynamic equilibrium respond to rotational forces

What stimuli does the vestibular apparatus detect? - answer>>>head position in space

You realize that many of your geriatric patients have visual problems that impact their care. Which item is NOT a common cause of decreased visual acuity in the elderly? - answer>>>Abnormal production of vitreous humor

A patient has noticed that his ability to hear has recently decreased. Which item is NOT likely to have caused his problem? - answer>>>Damage to the semicircular canals

Damage to the medial portion of the optic chiasm, cause by a pituitary tumor, would lead to __________. - answer>>>loss of peripheral vision

In the visual pathways to the brain, the optic radiations project to the ________. - answer>>>primary visual cortex

Which of the following types of receptors are located in the mouth? - answer>>>chemoreceptors, mechanoreceptors, thermoreceptors, and nociceptors

The receptor membranes of gustatory cells are ________. - answer>>>gustatory hairs

Which middle ear ossicle is attached to, and transmits vibratory motion to, the oval window? - answer>>>stapes

A patient has a loss of hearing in only one ear. Which of the following is likely to be a result? - answer>>>The patient will not be able to localize the origin of sounds

We can touch our finger to our nose while our eyes are closed in part because we can sense the position and movement of our joints as well as the length of stretch in our muscles. These sensations create awareness of our body's positioning. The following receptors are most likely responsible for this ability. - answer>>>proprioceptors

Injury to cervical vertebrae C3-C4 is particularly problematic because ________. - answer>>>the phrenic nerve that serves the diaphragm receives its fibers from here

Regeneration within the CNS ________. - answer>>>is prevented due to growth-inhibiting proteins of oligodendrocytes

Transduction refers to conversion of ________. - answer>>>stimulus energy into energy of a graded potential

Sympathetic nerves may leave the spinal cord at which vertebra? - answer>>>first thoracic

Fibers that enter and leave the sympathetic trunks without synapsing form structures called ________. - answer>>>splanchnic nerves

Which is an exclusively sympathetic function? - answer>>>regulation of body temperature

Once a sympathetic preganglionic axon reaches a trunk ganglion, it can do all of the following EXCEPT ________. - answer>>>synapse with a parasympathetic neuron in the same trunk ganglion

These cells in the CNS have cilia that move in order to circulate cerebrospinal fluid - answer>>>ependymal cells

The primary somatosensory cortex is located in the ________. - answer>>>parietal lobe

Nutrients are delivered and waste products are carried away from the cells of the posterior segment of the eye by blood vessels. However, the cells in the cornea and lens (in the anterior segment) are avascular. Which is the best explanation for how these cells are maintained? - answer>>>The aqueous humor is continuously replenished and flows from the ciliary process to drain in the scleral venous sinus

Overlap in the visual fields of our eyes ________. - answer>>>allows us to subconsciously estimate the distance of objects based on the different angles the image strikes our two retinas

-Damage to ependymal cells results in stagnation of cerebrospinal fluid, damaging neurons. -A loss of astrocytes causes leaked neurotransmitters and K+ to accumulate, impairing generation of action potentials. -Loss of oligodendrocytes in the central nervous system results in absence of the myelin sheath of neuronal axons, impairing rapid saltatory conduction. -An increase in the number of oligodendrocytes in the central nervous system results in an overgrowth of the myelin sheath of neuronal axons, resulting in abnormally large action potentials. - answer>>>Loss of oligodendrocytes in the central nervous system results in absence of the myelin sheath of neuronal axons, impairing rapid saltatory conduction

People who have hydrocephaly often have an issue with which of these glial cell types? -Oligodendrocytes -Ependymal cells -Astrocytes -Microglia - answer>>>Ependymal cells

What division of the nervous system is most specifically responsible for voluntary motor control? -parasympathetic nervous system -somatic nervous system -sympathetic nervous system -central nervous system - answer>>>somatic nervous system

Which of the following is NOT one of the basic functions of the nervous system? -Integrate sensory input for decision making. -Release hormones into the bloodstream that travel around the systemic blood circulation to communicate with cells in multiple locations within the body. -Generate direct, electrical signals. -Decode sensory information from the environment. - answer>>>Release hormones into the bloodstream that travel around the systemic blood circulation to communicate with cells in multiple locations within the body

The term central nervous system refers to the ________. -spinal nerves -somatic nerves -sensory (afferent) nerves -brain and spinal cord - answer>>>brain and spinal cord

A neuron that has as its primary function the job of connecting other neurons is called a(n) ________. -efferent neuron

-glial cell -afferent neuron -interneuron - answer>>>interneuron

Which of the following is NOT a function of the autonomic nervous system? -innervation of glands -innervation of skeletal muscle -innervation of cardiac muscle -innervation of smooth muscle of the digestive tract - answer>>>innervation of skeletal muscle

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of neurons? -They are mitotic. -They conduct impulses. -They have an exceptionally high metabolic rate. -They have extreme longevity. - answer>>>They are mitotic

Which of the following describes the nervous system integrative function? -senses changes in the environment -analyzes sensory information, stores information, makes decisions -responds to stimuli by gland secretion or muscle contraction - answer>>>analyzes sensory information, stores information, makes decisions

Cranial nerve II, the optic nerve, sends nerve impulses to the brain carrying information about the things we see. These nerve fibers most likely belong to which division of the nervous system? -sensory (afferent) division -somatic nervous system -sympathetic division -parasympathetic division - answer>>>sensory (afferent) division

Nerve impulses leading to the skeletal muscle carry information to direct movement. The nerve fibers sending these signals will most likely belong to which division of the nervous system? -sensory (afferent) division -somatic nervous system -sympathetic division -parasympathetic division - answer>>>somatic nervous system

Nerve impulses leading to the brain carry information about cool temperatures on the skin. The nerve fibers sending these signals will most likely belong to which division of the nervous system?

Which of the following peripheral nervous system (PNS) neuroglia form the myelin sheaths around larger nerve fibers in the PNS? -oligodendrocytes -satellite cells -Schwann cells -astrocytes - answer>>>Schwann cells

The concentration of ions in the chemical environment surrounding the neurons must be tightly regulated for neurons to function properly. Which of the following cells is most responsible for this? -astrocytes -satellite cells -oligodendrocytes -Schwann cells - answer>>>astrocytes

Meningitis can be caused by infection of the central nervous system by bacteria. Which cells would be most responsible for removing the infection? -satellite cells -Schwann cells -microglia -oligodendrocytes - answer>>>microglia

Schwann cells are functionally similar to ________. -ependymal cells -microglia -oligodendrocytes -astrocytes - answer>>>oligodendrocytes

Which of the following pairings does not fit? -sensory neurons: afferent neurons -motor neurons: efferent neurons -multipolar neurons: peripheral nervous system sensory neurons -association neuron: interneurons - answer>>>multipolar neurons: peripheral nervous system sensory neurons

Many neurons have many short, branching extensions called dendrites. What is the benefit of these structures for a neuron? -There is a large area for production of chemicals used to signal other neurons. -There is a large amount of space for myelin to form and make electrical conduction more efficient. -There is a large surface area to send signals to other cells.

-The dendrites provide a large surface area for connections from other neurons. - answer>>>The dendrites provide a large surface area for connections from other neurons

Which of the following is true of axons? -A neuron can have only one axon, but the axon may have occasional branches along its length. -Axons use chemically gated ion channels to generate graded potentials. -Neurons can have multiple axons but only one dendrite. -Smaller (thinner) axons are more likely to bear myelin sheaths than larger (thicker) axons.

  • answer>>>A neuron can have only one axon, but the axon may have occasional branches along its length

Which criterion is used to functionally classify neurons? -the number of processes extending from the cell body neuron -whether the nerve fibers are myelinated or unmyelinated -the direction in which the nerve impulse travels relative to the central nervous system -whether the neurons are found within the CNS or the PNS - answer>>>the direction in which the nerve impulse travels relative to the central nervous system

Like all cells, the neurons' internal organization dictates its function. Neurons have relatively many mitochondria, an extensive network of rough endoplasmic reticulum and many clusters of ribosomes. These cellular features indicate all of the following EXCEPT ________. -neurons have stable, relatively unchanging internal environments -neurons must meet a high demand for ATP -neurons have a relatively high consumption of oxygen -neurons produce many proteins - answer>>>neurons have stable, relatively unchanging internal environments

Which of the following is NOT a function of dendrites? -produce short-distance signals called graded potentials -generate nerve impulses and transmit them away from the cell body -convey incoming messages toward the cell body -provide enormous surface area for receiving signals from other neurons - answer>>>generate nerve impulses and transmit them away from the cell body

Bipolar neurons are commonly ________. -motor neurons -found in ganglia -called neuroglial cells -found in the retina of the eye - answer>>>found in the retina of the eye