Neuroscience Fundamentals: Brain, Nerves, and Sensory Systems Q&A

Posted on Oct 12, 2025 in Biology

Fundamentals of the Nervous System

Neuronal Structure and Function

• The Central Nervous System (CNS) is comprised of the brain and the spinal cord.
• Which part of a neuron carries the impulse towards the nucleus? Dendrite
• Which part of a neuron is directly involved with protein synthesis? Nissl body
• Which part of a neuron directly contacts another neuron at the synapse? Synaptic knob
• The phagocytic cells in the CNS are the microglia.
• Which cells provide a means of acquiring nutrients in the brain? Astrocyte
• The resting potential of a neuron is -70 mV.
• The minimal stimulus needed to cause a neuron to transmit an impulse is called the threshold.
• Saltatory conduction occurs when an impulse jumps from node to node.
• Which type of short neuron is found in the retina? Bipolar
• The nucleus of a sensory neuron can be found within the ganglia.
• Gross nerves that contain both sensory and motor impulses are referred to as mixed nerves.

Neurotransmitters and Impulse Transmission

• The most common neurotransmitter in the body is acetylcholine.
• Acetylcholine is decomposed by acetylcholinesterase almost as fast as it is released.
• A morphine-like pain suppressing brain substance is beta-endorphin.
• A change in a dendrite which lessens the probability of conduction is the IPSP (Inhibitory Postsynaptic Potential).
• A drug that prevents over-stimulation by PNS neurons is curare.
• Which of the following does not belong with the others? Acetylcholine
• Which of the following does not belong with the rest? Divergence
• Which of the following does not belong with the rest? Sensory
• Which of the following does not belong with the rest? Sensory neuron

Central Nervous System (CNS) Anatomy

Spinal Cord and Meninges

• The Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) is comprised of cranial nerves and spinal nerves.
• Collaterals are fibers arising from the axon of neurons.
• Nerves that carry impulses from the heart to the brain are classed as visceral afferent fibers.
• The cells that produce myelin in the PNS are the Schwann cells.
• The astrocyte cells play a role in the establishment of the blood-brain chemical barrier.
• The membrane closest to the brain is the pia mater.
• A cranial dural sinus contains venous blood.
• The falx cerebelli separates the two cerebellar hemispheres.
• To minimize trauma, a spinal tap (lumbar puncture) is properly done at the level of L3 (or lower).
• Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
• The right and left gray matter areas of the spinal cord are connected by the gray commissure.
• The membrane that supplies most of the blood to the brain is the pia mater.
• The conus medullaris is the most inferior area of the spinal cord.
• The funiculi all contain nerve tracts.
• The corticospinal tract is motor in nature.
• At what level do the majority of nerve fibers cross from the right to the left? The medulla (oblongata).
• The term that means crossing over is decussation.
• Lou Gehrig’s disease can also be called Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).
• The main symptom of upper motor neuron syndrome is spastic paralysis.
• The brain contains about how many fibers and neurons? 100 billion.
• Initially, the developing forebrain is called the prosencephalon.

Brain Structures and Functions

Cerebrum and Higher Functions

• The cerebral hemispheres are connected by a large white fiber pathway called the corpus callosum.
• Broca’s motor area is primarily concerned with speech production.
• Broca’s area is usually located in the left frontal lobe.
• Loss of the ability to speak or understand language is related to aphasia.
• The precentral gyrus is involved with motor activities.
• Pyramidal cells are located in the cerebral cortex region.
• The junction of the parietal, temporal, and occipital association areas is called the general interpretative area (Wernicke’s area).
• Right and left hemisphere memories are connected by the corpus callosum.
• The main difference between a CVA (Stroke) and TIA (Mini-stroke) is that a CVA involves some permanent damage.
• A blow to the skull causes a concussion when the person loses consciousness.
• What is the term for lack of blood flow? Ischemia.
• Short-term memory seems to be processed in the hippocampus and frontal lobe areas.
• The inability to perform a simple task, such as picking up a quarter, is related to apraxia.
• Which of these terms does not belong with the others? Motor

Basal Ganglia and Motor Control

• Which of the following is not a basal ganglia term? Hippocampus
• What is the most significant neurotransmitter in the basal ganglia? Dopamine.
• The basal ganglia are mainly related to motor functions.

Ventricles and Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)

• The interventricular foramen connects the lateral ventricle to the third ventricle.
• The third ventricle is located around and near the thalamus.
• Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is produced by the capillaries of the choroid plexus.
• On average, nearly 500 ml of CSF are produced daily.
• Which of the following is not normally a part of cerebrospinal fluid? Erythrocytes (Red Blood Cells).
• Most of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is found in the subarachnoid space.
• Reabsorption of CSF occurs from the arachnoid granulations into the dural sinuses.
• Which of the following is NOT true of CSF? It flows under high pressure.
• A spinal cord CSF sample is usually taken from the lumbar subarachnoid space.

Brain Stem and Reflex Centers

• The brain stem includes all of the following except the cerebral cortex.
• The infundibulum is a narrow part of the pituitary gland connection.
• Which of the following is an area of decussation (crossing over)? The optic chiasma.
• Sensory impulses are screened and relayed to higher centers by the thalamus region.
• The area that has the greatest effect on visceral functions, such as heart rate and hormone production, is the hypothalamus.
• Most integration of sex and food drive behaviors is accomplished through the limbic system areas.
• The area that coordinates visual reflexes is the superior colliculus.
• The medulla (oblongata) has the main centers for breathing reflexes.
• Which of the following is not a medullary vital center? Blood pressure.
• The reticular formation acts to keep one aroused and awake.
• Which of the following is NOT true of the cerebellum? It controls voluntary movements (it coordinates them).

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Cranial Nerves and Spinal Nerves

• The cranial nerve directly involved with swallowing is the IX (Glossopharyngeal) nerve.
• Eye movement is brought about by all of these except the ophthalmic nerve.
• Tic douloureux (Trigeminal Neuralgia) is facial pain traveling through the trigeminal nerve (V).
• The longest autonomic nerve is the Vagus (X) nerve.
• The cochlear nerve is a branch of the VIII cranial nerve (Vestibulocochlear).
• An area of skin innervated by sensory nerves is a dermatome.
• Which of the following is NOT a plexus name? Thoracic.
• The phrenic nerve arises from the cervical plexus.
• The largest and longest nerve in the body is the sciatic nerve.

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

• Which of the following does not belong with the others? Parasympathetic.
• Sympathetic nerves arise from the thoracic and lumbar regions (Thoracolumbar outflow).
• Norepinephrine is released from sympathetic nerves (postganglionic).
• Which of the following activities would NOT occur effectively during sympathetic activation? Digestion.

General Sensory Physiology

Receptors and Adaptation

• Sounds are detected by mechanoreceptors.
• A nociceptor is a type of pain receptor.
• Pressoreceptors respond to changes in stimuli such as pressure within a vessel.
• Sensory adaptation occurs when stimuli become gradually ignored.
• Stimulation of a free nerve ending usually results in pain.
• Light skin touch is sensed by Meissner’s receptors (Tactile corpuscles).
• At a temperature of 50 degrees C, the most likely perception of a skin sensation is pain.
• Which receptors are least likely to undergo adaptation? Pain receptors (Nociceptors).
• Which of the following is NOT a usual cause of pain? Polypeptides.
• Which of the following is not likely to cause a headache? A full stomach.

Pain Perception and Analgesia

• Pain in the left arm caused by lack of blood to the heart is a type of referred pain.
• The best explanation for referred pain is that the nerves responsible are shared between visceral and somatic pathways.
• Pain originating in the parietal pericardium is felt directly by the brain (due to somatic innervation).
• Which does not belong with the other items? Chronic pain.
• An analgesic is a drug that usually decreases pain impulses.
• The thalamus of the brain seems to give one a crude awareness of pain.
• Which of the following cannot block pain in the brain? Acetylcholine.

Proprioception and Reflexes

• The movements in breathing can be detected by the Golgi organs (Golgi tendon organs) in the tendons of the thorax.
• A stretch reflex occurs when the intrafusal fibers of a muscle spindle are stimulated.

Special Senses

Olfaction and Gustation (Smell and Taste)

• The actual areas that respond to chemical stimulations for the sense of smell are the cilia on olfactory cells.
• The olfactory receptor cells are examples of bipolar neurons.
• Which area allows one to perceive the aroma of a pizza? The olfactory cortex.
• Which sense is most likely to adapt rapidly? Smell (Olfaction).
• A person aged 21 will probably lose 1% of their sense of smell by age 22.
• The visible elevations on the tongue that contain the receptors for taste are the papillae.
• Which taste sensation is primarily detected on the back of the tongue? Bitter.
• Which of these taste-related terms does not belong with the rest? Alkaline.
• The nerves that convey taste sensations include all of the following except the VIII (Vestibulocochlear) cranial nerve.
• The gustatory cortex (taste) is located within the parietal lobe.

Auditory System (Hearing and Equilibrium)

• The term for eyelid is palpebra.
• Which of these auditory structures does not belong with the others? Malleus.
• The purpose of the auricle (pinna) is to act as a collector of sound waves.
• The first structure to vibrate in response to sounds is the tympanic membrane (eardrum).
• Which of the following does not belong with the others? Cochlear duct.
• The purpose of the ossicles (malleus, incus, stapes) is to increase the force of the incoming vibrations.
• The stapes sends its vibrations to the oval window.
• Which of these auditory terms does not belong with the others? Increase sound.
• The auditory tube (Eustachian tube) acts to equalize pressure between the middle ear and the throat (nasopharynx).
• The term labyrinth refers to the appearance of the inner ear.
• The membranous labyrinth contains endolymph fluid.
• The portion of the inner ear that detects sounds is the cochlea.
• Reissner’s membrane (Vestibular membrane) separates the cochlear duct from the scala vestibuli.
• Vibrations from the oval window reach the scala vestibuli first.
• The cells that convert vibrations into neurological impulses are the hair cells.
• The connection between the cochlear hair cells and the VIII cranial nerve is made by the axons in contact.
• The intensity of sounds is measured in units of decibels (dB).
• The auditory perception center is located within the temporal lobe.
• Which type of deafness can be treated by a cochlear implant? Sensorineural deafness.
• Which of the following does not belong with the others? Dynamic equilibrium.
• The maculae (for static equilibrium) can be found in the saccule and utricle.
• Stimulation of the crista ampullaris results in the feeling of motion (dynamic equilibrium).

Visual System (Sight)

• Tears drain into the openings of the canaliculi (lacrimal canaliculi).
• Movement of the eyeball is effected by muscles innervated mainly by the oculomotor (III) nerve.
• The outer covering of the eye is called the sclera.
• The suspensory ligaments attach to the lens.
• The process of adjusting vision from a near to a distant object is called accommodation.
• An increase in aqueous fluid pressure is a symptom of glaucoma.
• Which of the following retinal cells is the first to come into contact with light? Ganglion cells.
• The point of sharpest retinal vision is called the fovea centralis.
• Which visual pigment is decomposed under light? Rhodopsin.