2A The Nervous System

The neuron is the basic functional unit of the nervous system.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

The nervous system is composed of billions of neurons arranged in neural pathways along which neural messages are transmitted. In this way, the neuron is the basic functional unit of the nervous system.

Which of the following are types of neurons?

• Interneurons

• Motor neurons.

• Central neurons.

• Sensory neurons.

Answer explanation

There are three types of neurons: sensory neurons, motor neurons, and interneurons. Central neurons are not a type of neuron.

Which of the following is not a major division of the nervous system?

• Peripheral nervous system.

• Central nervous system.

• Parasympathetic nervous system.

Answer explanation

The two major divisions of the nervous system are the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system. The parasympathetic nervous system is a division of the autonomic nervous system, which is a division of the peripheral nervous system.

The brain and the spinal cord are made up of neurons, specifically motor neurons and sensory neurons.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

False. It is true that the brain and the spinal cord are made up of neurons. However, these components of the central nervous system are made up of interneurons, not sensory neurons and motor neurons.

The somatic nervous system comprises afferent (____) neural pathways and efferent (_____) neural pathways.

Which of the following best fills in the blanks?

• sensory; motor

• motor; sensory

Answer explanation

The somatic nervous system comprises afferent (sensory) neural pathways and efferent (motor) neural pathways. The ‘SAME’ acronym may help you remember that ‘sensory’ and ‘afferent’ are words that can be used interchangeably, as can the words ‘motor’ and ‘efferent’.

The automatic nervous system can be further divided into the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

False. This statement is designed to trick you! The autonomic nervous system can be further divided into the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system. There is no such thing as the automatic nervous system.

Which of the following are examples of visceral muscles, organs, and glands? (Select all that apply)

• Leg muscles.

• Heart.

• Bladder.

• Sweat glands.

Answer explanation

Visceral muscles, organs, and glands are predominantly self- regulating and do not require conscious control. Therefore, leg muscles, which can be moved voluntarily, are an example of skeletal muscles, rather than visceral muscles.

Which of the following is an accurate statement?

• Both the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system are made up of interneurons.

• Both the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system are made up of sensory neurons and motor neurons.

• The central nervous system is made up of interneurons, whereas the peripheral nervous system is made up of sensory neurons and motor neurons.

• The central nervous system is made up of motor neurons, whereas the peripheral nervous system is made up of sensory neurons.

The _____ nervous system controls skeletal muscles, whereas the _______ nervous system controls visceral muscles, organs, and glands.

Which of the following best fills in the blanks?

• parasympathetic; sympathetic

• sympathetic; parasympathetic

• autonomic; somatic

• somatic; autonomic

Which of the following is not an accurate statement?

• The sympathetic nervous system maintains a state of balance and rest in the body, whereas the

  parasympathetic nervous system energises the body to engage in high levels of physical activity.

• Both the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system involve activity of the visceral muscles, organs, and glands.

• The sympathetic nervous system prepares the body to respond to a threat or stressor, whereas the parasympathetic nervous system returns the body to optimal and balanced functioning after confronting a threat or stressor.

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