Chapter 2: Physical and Electrical Properties of Cells in the Nervous System

Chapter 2: Physical and Electrical Properties of Cells in the Nervous System

Complete Chapter Questions With Answers

Sample Questions Are Posted Below

1. Which one of the following neuron structures is specialized for receiving synaptic input from other neurons?
2. Cell body
3. Dendrite
4. Axon
5. Axon hillock
6. Presynaptic terminal

ANS: B

Rationale: Dendrites, with branchlike extensions that serve as the main input sites for the cell and project from the soma, are specialized to receive information from other cells.

2. Which of the following is the structural part of a neuron that releases a neurotransmitter?
3. Dendrite
4. Axon hillock
5. Soma
6. Presynaptic terminal
7. Postsynaptic terminal

ANS: D

Rationale: Axons end in presynaptic terminals, or fingerlike projections, which are the transmitting elements of the neuron. Neurons transmit information about their activity via the release of chemicals called neurotransmitters from the presynaptic terminal into the synaptic cleft.

3. Pseudounipolar cells:
4. Have two dendrites
5. Have two somas
6. Are not neurons
7. Are glial cells
8. Have two axon extensions

ANS: E

Rationale: Pseudounipolar cells, a subclass of bipolar cells, appear to have a single projection from the cell body that divides into two axonal roots. Pseudounipolar cells have two axons and no true dendrites.

4. Retrograde transport:
5. Recycles substances from the axon back to the soma.
6. Moves neurotransmitters from the dendrites to the cell body.
7. Moves substances from the soma toward the axon terminal.
8. Moves neurotransmitters across the synaptic cleft.
9. Moves information from astrocyte to astrocyte.

ANS: A

Rationale: Axoplasmic transport occurs in two directions: anterograde and retrograde. Anterograde transport moves neurotransmitters and other substances from the soma down the axon toward the presynaptic terminal. Retrograde transport moves substances from the synapse back to the soma.

5. Afferent neurons convey information:
6. Between interneurons.
7. From the CNS to skeletal muscles.
8. From peripheral receptors to the CNS.
9. Between the soma and presynaptic terminal.
10. From the CNS to smooth muscles.

ANS: C

Rationale: Afferent neurons carry sensory information from the outer body toward the CNS. Efferent neurons relay commands from the CNS to smooth and striated muscles and glands. Interneurons, the largest class of neurons, act throughout the nervous system, processing information locally or conveying information across short distances.