IB Neural Signaling

During a quiet afternoon in the library, Aidan is studying the nervous system and wonders about the resting membrane potential value of neurons. What is it?

• -50 volts

• -70 volts

• -90 volts

• -30 volts

During a marathon, Sol notices their smartwatch indicating a rapid heart rate. What happens in Sol's heart cells during the repolarization phase to return the heart rate to normal?

• The membrane potential changes from positive back to negative

• The membrane potential remains constantly positive

• The sodium ions move out of the cell and potassium ions move in

• The potassium ions move out of the cell and sodium ions move in

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS1-3

During a science fair, Emma and Sol present a project on neural signaling. They explain 'membrane potential' as:

• The electrical charge difference across the cell membrane

• The number of ions present inside the cell

• The potential energy stored within the cell membrane

• The ability of the membrane to conduct electricity

Imagine Sophie and Hayden are playing a video game where they control characters that can only move when they have enough energy. The energy is replenished by an in-game mechanism similar to the sodium-potassium pump. What is the purpose of this mechanism in the context of the game?

• To actively pump 'energy ions' out and 'rest ions' in to restore the character's movement ability

• To passively allow 'energy ions' into the character and 'rest ions' out

• To increase the speed of the character

• To generate a positive energy balance inside the character

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-2

During a sprint, when Lucia's muscle cells are working hard, what happens when voltage-gated sodium ion channels open in her neurons?

• Potassium ions diffuse out of the cell

• Sodium ions diffuse into the cell

• The neuron immediately returns to resting potential

• The diameter of the neuron increases

During a science fair, Emma and Aidan presented a model demonstrating how the speed of nerve impulses can be increased by reducing resistance. What is the name of the structure their model was based on?

• Schwann cell

• Sodium-potassium pump

• Voltage-gated ion channel

• Myelin sheath

During a neuroscience class, Emma learned about how nerve impulses travel faster in myelinated neurons. What is the term used to describe this phenomenon where an impulse jumps from node to node along a myelinated neuron?

• Continuous conduction

• Saltatory conduction

• Oscillatory conduction

• Linear conduction

Imagine Sol and Hayden are sending messages through a network of computers. What is the main advantage of using fiber optic cables (similar to myelination in neurons) in their network?

• It increases the need for ATP.

• It allows messages to travel faster.

• It slows down the response times.

• It requires more sodium and potassium pumps.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS4-3

NGSS.HS-PS4-5

During a high-stakes soccer match, when Sophia's brain decides to make a quick pass, what is released into the synapse as the signal reaches the presynaptic neuron in her nervous system?

• Calcium ions

• Neurotransmitters

• Sodium ions

• Potassium ions

What happens when Grace sends a message to Isla's phone, and it gets received?

• The phone rejects the message immediately.

• The phone displays the message, alerting Isla.

• The message is immediately deleted by the phone's system.

• The message returns to Grace's phone.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS4-5