Exam 4 Waziry

Front

What is a graded potential?

Back

A graded potential is a change in membrane potential that varies in size, as opposed to being all-or-nothing. It decays over distance and is typically found in dendrites and cell bodies.

Front

What is smooth muscle tone?

Back

Smooth muscle tone refers to the ability of smooth muscle to maintain a prolonged contraction without fatigue, allowing for sustained tension in the walls of hollow organs.

Front

What is the function of somatic sensory fibers?

Back

Somatic sensory fibers convey sensory information from the skin, muscles, and joints to the central nervous system (CNS), allowing for the perception of touch, pain, and proprioception.

Front

What role do external intercostal muscles play in respiration?

Back

External intercostal muscles assist in breathing by elevating the rib cage, which increases the volume of the thoracic cavity and facilitates inhalation.

Front

Where is smooth muscle primarily located in the body?

Back

Smooth muscle is primarily found in the walls of hollow organs, such as the intestines, blood vessels, and bladder.

Front

What is the difference between graded potential and action potential?

Back

Graded potentials are variable in magnitude and decay over distance, while action potentials are all-or-nothing events that propagate without decrement along the axon.

Front

What is the role of mitochondria in muscle cells?

Back

Mitochondria provide the energy required for muscle contraction through aerobic respiration, especially in muscles that require sustained activity.

Front

What is the function of the internal intercostal muscles?

Back

Internal intercostal muscles assist in forced expiration by depressing the rib cage and reducing the volume of the thoracic cavity.

Front

What is the central nervous system (CNS)?

Back

The central nervous system consists of the brain and spinal cord, and it is responsible for processing sensory information and coordinating responses.

Front

What is the significance of synaptic potential?

Back

Synaptic potential is the change in membrane potential of a postsynaptic neuron due to neurotransmitter binding, which can lead to action potentials if the threshold is reached.