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WorksheetsThe Nervous System: Functions, Neurons, and Neuroglia
Total questions: 89
Worksheet time: 45mins
Which statement best describes a primary function of the nervous system in maintaining homeostasis?
Generating red blood cells for oxygen transport
Producing hormones to regulate metabolism
Issuing motor output to coordinate behavior
Storing calcium for muscle contraction
Which division controls voluntary movement of skeletal muscles and processes sensory input from skin and joints?
Sympathetic division
Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)
Somatic Nervous System (SNS)
Parasympathetic division
Which pairing correctly matches an ANS subdivision with its general role?
Parasympathetic—voluntary muscle control
Sympathetic—fight-or-flight responses
Parasympathetic—skeletal reflex actions
Sympathetic—rest-and-digest activities
Which neuron structure primarily receives incoming signals before integration in the soma?
Dendrites receive signals
Axon conducts inputs
Axon terminals integrate
Myelin sheath generates impulses
A nerve fiber is best defined as which of the following?
A synapse between two neurons
A bundle of dendritic spines
A cluster of neuronal somas
An axon, with or without myelin
Which statement about Schwann cells and myelin in the PNS is accurate?
Schwann cells form myelin that speeds conduction
Schwann cells degrade nodes of Ranvier
Myelin prevents regeneration of axons
Myelin slows saltatory conduction
Which difference between white and gray matter is correct?
White matter—unmyelinated fibers; Gray matter—fast conduction
White matter—synapses; Gray matter—nodes of Ranvier
White matter—dendrites; Gray matter—myelinated axons
White matter—myelinated axons; Gray matter—cell bodies
Which statement best captures the function of a chemical synapse?
Produces cerebrospinal fluid for brain support
Stores calcium for muscle contraction
Conducts impulses through gap junction pores
Transmits and modulates signals via neurotransmitters
Which neuroglial cells provide myelin in the peripheral nervous system?
Oligodendrocytes in white matter
Astrocytes at synaptic clefts
Microglia within dorsal roots
Schwann cells around axons
Which term correctly describes a cluster of neuronal cell bodies in the PNS?
Nucleus within cerebrum
Ganglion near nerve
Tract in spinal cord
Nerve fascicle
Arrange the five essential components of a reflex arc in order.
Effector, motor neuron, integration center, sensory neuron, receptor
Integration center, receptor, sensory neuron, effector, motor neuron
Receptor, sensory neuron, integration center, motor neuron, effector
Motor neuron, receptor, effector, integration, sensory neuron
Which cranial nerve is primarily responsible for facial expression?
V Trigeminal motor branch
VII Facial somatic fibers
IX Glossopharyngeal nuclei
X Vagus pharyngeal branch
Which connective tissue layer directly surrounds individual axons within a nerve?
Myelin sheath in tracts
Perineurium around fascicle
Endoneurium around fiber
Epineurium around nerve
Cerebrospinal fluid is primarily produced in which structures?
Dural venous sinuses
Arachnoid granulations
Choroid plexuses
Central canal lining
Which statement best characterizes the blood–brain barrier?
Loose endothelial junctions permit toxins
Astrocyte end-feet create fenestrations
Tight junctions restrict solutes
Microglia phagocytose nutrients
Which functional region controls voluntary movement initiation?
Auditory cortex temporal
Primary somatosensory cortex
Primary motor cortex
Prefrontal association cortex
The epidural space in the spinal canal contains primarily what tissue/structures?
Ligamentum flavum bands
Dura and arachnoid layers
Fat and venous plexus
CSF and major blood vessels
How many pairs of cervical spinal nerves emerge from the spinal cord?
Nine pairs C0–C8
Seven pairs C1–C7
Eight pairs C1–C8
Six pairs C1–C6
Which dorsal root structure contains the sensory neuron cell bodies?
Dorsal root ganglion
Dorsal horn nuclei
White matter tracts
Ventral root fascicles
In spinal cord gray matter, which horns primarily contain motor neuron cell bodies?
Posterior horns tracts
Ventral horns motor
Lateral horns balance
Dorsal horns sensory
Poliomyelitis classically damages which spinal cord region leading to flaccid paralysis?
Posterior column axons
Anterior horn motor neurons
Lateral horn autonomics
Corticospinal tract fibers
Dermatomes are best described as:
Skin areas from one spinal segment
Vascular zones of vertebral arteries
Motor territories of a nerve
Reflex fields of interneurons
Which classification correctly pairs reflex type with synapses?
Polysynaptic lacks central integration
Monosynaptic has one synapse
Polysynaptic has one neuromuscular junction
Monosynaptic involves multiple interneurons
Damage to high cervical spinal cord may compromise which critical function?
Cerebral blood flow only
Pancreatic endocrine output
Thermoregulation alone
Respiratory drive and mechanics
Which feature best distinguishes somatic from autonomic motor outflow?
Two-neuron chain to effector, involuntary control
Two-neuron chain to effector, voluntary control
Single neuron to effector, voluntary control
Single neuron to effector, involuntary control
Where are sympathetic preganglionic neuronal cell bodies primarily located?
Brainstem nuclei of CN III, VII, IX
Dorsal root ganglia C1–C8
Lateral horn T1–L2 segments
Sacral nuclei S2–S4 segments
Autonomic tone refers to which concept?
Absence of parasympathetic influence at rest
Exclusive control of heart rate by vagal output
Maximal sympathetic activation during stress
Baseline balance of sympathetic and parasympathetic activity
Which response is characteristic of sympathetic activation?
Bronchoconstriction and cutaneous vasodilation
Dilated pupils and increased heart rate
Constricted pupils and decreased heart rate
Increased digestion and glandular secretion
Arrange the four events of sensation in correct order.
Transduction, stimulation, integration, conduction
Integration, conduction, transduction, stimulation
Conduction, integration, stimulation, transduction
Stimulation, transduction, conduction, integration
Which pathway carries fine touch, vibration, and proprioception to the cerebral cortex?
Dorsal column–medial lemniscus
Spinothalamic anterolateral tract
Trigeminal sensory pathways
Corticospinal pyramidal tract
Identify the correct sequence for first-, second-, and third-order somatic sensory neurons.
Receptor to thalamus, thalamus to cortex, cortex to cerebellum
Receptor to cord/brainstem, cord/brainstem to thalamus, thalamus to cortex
Receptor to cortex, cortex to thalamus, thalamus to brainstem
Receptor to cord, cerebellum to thalamus, thalamus to cortex
Which motor pathway primarily mediates voluntary skilled movements?
Corticospinal pyramidal tracts
Corticobulbar cranial motor tracts
Basal ganglia–thalamo–cortical circuits
Extrapyramidal reticulospinal systems
Which cranial nerve innervates the lateral rectus muscle of the eye?
Abducens nerve (CN VI)
Optic nerve (CN II)
Trochlear nerve (CN IV)
Oculomotor nerve (CN III)
What is the primary action of the medial rectus muscle?
Intorsion of the eyeball
Abduction of the eyeball
Adduction of the eyeball
Elevation of the eyeball
Tears drain from the lacrimal sac directly into which structure?
Nasolacrimal duct
Lacrimal canaliculi
Inferior meatus
Lacrimal puncta
Which layer of the eyeball includes the choroid and iris?
Neural tunic
Sensory tunic
Vascular (uvea) tunic
Fibrous tunic
Which retinal cells form the optic nerve by their axons?
Horizontal cells
Ganglion cells
Bipolar cells
Photoreceptors
Which process changes the lens shape to focus on near objects?
Constriction of pupil
Convergence
Refraction
Accommodation
In myopia, where does the image focus relative to the retina?
Directly on the retina
On the optic disc
In front of the retina
Behind the retina
Which structure is part of the visual pathway immediately after the optic nerve?
Lateral geniculate nucleus
Optic tract
Optic radiations
Optic chiasm
Which ear region houses the ossicles that transmit and amplify vibrations?
Middle ear
External ear
Cochlear duct
Inner ear
Which sequence correctly lists the middle ear bones from tympanic membrane to oval window?
Incus, stapes, malleus
Stapes, incus, malleus
Malleus, stapes, incus
Malleus, incus, stapes
Which inner ear structure primarily converts fluid waves into nerve signals for hearing?
Eustachian tube
Semicircular canals
Cochlea
Vestibule
The utricle and saccule are specialized to detect which stimulus?
Linear acceleration
Light intensity changes
Sound pressure waves
Rotational acceleration
Which fluid fills the scala vestibuli of the cochlea?
Perilymph
Endolymph
Aqueous humor
Vitreous humor
Which statement best distinguishes the bony labyrinth from the membranous labyrinth?
Bony labyrinth contains endolymph
Bony labyrinth has rigid bone walls
Membranous labyrinth filled with perilymph
Membranous labyrinth houses ossicles
Which retinal cells mediate lateral processing and contrast modulation?
Rods and cones
Bipolar and ganglion cells
Amacrine and horizontal cells
Macular and foveal cells
Which combination of mechanisms enables binocular vision on a near target?
Constriction and dilation
Refraction and dilation
Accommodation and convergence
Convergence and divergence
Which pathway component relays visual information from the thalamus to the primary visual cortex?
Optic nerve fibers
Optic chiasm fibers
Optic radiations
Superior colliculus
Which external ear structure primarily collects and funnels sound into the auditory meatus?
Pinna
Round window
Tympanic cavity
Oval window
Which function is primarily performed by muscle tissue in thermoregulation?
Generating heat via thermogenesis
Maintaining posture during standing
Stabilizing synovial joints
Regulating blood glucose levels
Which property describes a muscle’s ability to respond to a neural stimulus?
Contractility of myofibrils
Elasticity after stretch
Extensibility under load
Excitability in the sarcolemma
Which statement best distinguishes skeletal muscle from cardiac and smooth muscle?
Striated, voluntary, multinucleated fibers
Striated, involuntary, single nucleus
Nonstriated, involuntary, single nucleus
Striated, involuntary, intercalated discs
What is the origin of a muscle?
Attachment to dermis
Movable distal attachment
Attachment to organ lumen
Stable proximal attachment
Which definition correctly identifies a tendon?
Dense tissue connecting muscle to bone
Dense tissue connecting bone to bone
Elastic tissue connecting muscle to skin
Loose tissue connecting muscle to fascia
Where is fascia primarily found?
Connective layers around muscles
Hyaline cartilage in joints
Adipose around kidneys
Epithelial lining of vessels
A muscle fascicle is best described as:
Bundle of muscle fibers
Single myocyte cell
Membrane of the sarcolemma
Protein bundle of actin
Which term names the muscle cell itself?
Sarcomere or unit
Myofibril or filament
Muscle fiber or myocyte
Endomysium or sheath
Why do skeletal muscle fibers contain multiple nuclei?
High rates of mitosis after birth
Insertion of satellite cell cytoplasm
Fusion of myoblasts during development
Continuous nuclear budding from SR
Which structure stores and releases calcium in muscle fibers?
Sarcolemma membrane
Transverse (T) tubules
Sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR)
Myofibril bundle
Which proteins comprise the thin filament?
Actin, troponin, tropomyosin
Myosin, titin, nebulin
Tropomyosin, desmin, myosin
Actin, myosin, desmin
In a sarcomere, which band is dark because it contains thick filaments?
A band with thick filaments
I band with thin filaments
Z line with proteins
M line with myosin heads
Which ions move across the muscle fiber membrane to generate the action potential?
Mg2+ influx and K+ influx
H+ influx and Na+ efflux
Ca2+ influx and Cl− efflux
Na+ influx and K+ efflux
During the sliding filament mechanism, which event is central to filament movement?
Myosin heads power stroke pulling actin
Titin shortens to move Z-lines
Actin heads detach from myosin
Troponin binds ATP to cock myosin
Calcium ions enable filament sliding primarily by:
Crosslinking actin to Z-lines
Binding myosin to hydrolyze ATP
Binding troponin to move tropomyosin
Entering T-tubules to depolarize
Which process during contraction-relaxation directly requires ATP?
Crossbridge cycling detachment
Na+ channel opening
Tropomyosin synthesis
Titin elasticity reset
Which cartilage type primarily composes articular cartilage covering long bone ends?
Elastic cartilage in movable joints
Hyaline cartilage at synovial surfaces
Fibrocartilage within diaphyseal regions
Calcified cartilage surrounding epiphyses
During appositional growth of cartilage, which cell adds new matrix to the external surface?
Osteoblasts along osteons
Chondroblasts at the perichondrium
Osteoclasts in resorption bays
Chondrocytes embedded in lacunae
Which bone cell type primarily performs matrix synthesis and builds new bone?
Osteoblasts producing osteoid matrix
Osteoclasts derived from monocytes
Osteocytes maintaining mineral homeostasis
Osteogenic stem cells in periosteum
Identify the correct pairing of bone classification with an example.
Long bone — skull
Short bone — carpals
Irregular bone — sternum
Flat bone — vertebrae
Which structure is the shaft region of a long bone containing compact bone and medullary cavity?
Diaphysis forming the main shaft
Periosteum covering the surface
Metaphysis at the growth plate
Epiphysis with trabecular interior
Which layer provides osteogenic cells for growth and repair on the outer bone surface?
Articular cartilage over joints
Endosteum lining the medullary cavity
Periosteum fibrous outer layer
Trabecular lattice inside epiphyses
Compact bone is best described as which structural feature?
Outer dense shell containing osteons
Internal network of trabeculae
Cartilage model for ossification
Lining membrane with progenitors
Which statement accurately contrasts intramembranous and endochondral ossification?
Intramembranous forms flat bones from mesenchyme
Endochondral arises directly from mesenchyme
Intramembranous forms long bones
Both begin from cartilage models
Which joint type is mostly immovable and found in skull sutures?
Fibrous synarthroses
Cartilaginous amphiarthroses
Synovial diarthroses
Ball-and-socket joints
Which feature is characteristic of synovial joints and helps reduce friction between bones?
Periosteal blood supply
Endosteal lining cells
Trabecular bone meshwork
Articular cartilage presence
Which synovial joint subtype permits rotation around a single axis, as at the atlantoaxial joint?
Saddle joint morphology
Plane joint surfaces
Hinge joint mechanism
Pivot joint configuration
Which accessory structure primarily enhances joint stability by connecting bone to bone?
Ligaments providing restraint
Menisci cushioning congruity
Bursae reducing friction
Tendon sheaths enclosing tendons
Which pair correctly matches movement with its description?
Abduction: movement away from midline
Supination: foot inward tilting
Eversion: sole turned medially
Dorsiflexion: toes pointing downward
A lateral blow to the knee with the foot planted most commonly injures which triad?
ACL, LCL, biceps femoris
PCL, LCL, lateral meniscus
ACL, MCL, medial meniscus
MCL, patellar tendon, tibial plateau
Which statement best differentiates strain from sprain?
Strain: muscle or tendon; Sprain: ligament
Strain: ligament tear; Sprain: muscle
Strain: joint dislocation; Sprain: fracture
Strain: bone injury; Sprain: cartilage
Which factor most directly limits a joint’s range of motion under normal conditions?
Joint capsule and ligaments
Marrow cavity pressure
Osteoclast resorption rate
Periosteal thickness
Which function is primarily supported by keratinocytes in the epidermis?
Immune surveillance against pathogens
Pigment production to absorb UV
Main barrier against water loss
Deep pressure sensory reception
Arrange the epidermal layers from deep to superficial in thick skin.
Basale → spinosum → granulosum → lucidum → corneum
Corneum → lucidum → granulosum → spinosum → basale
Lucidum → granulosum → spinosum → basale → corneum
Spinosum → basale → granulosum → corneum → lucidum
Which statement best differentiates eccrine from apocrine sweat glands?
Apocrine are unrelated to hair follicles
Eccrine secrete oily sebum widely
Apocrine produce watery sweat for cooling
Eccrine produce watery sweat for cooling
A patient with reduced grip strength shows diminished dermal papillae. Which consequence is most likely?
Decreased epidermal–dermal attachment strength
Increased melanocyte density in stratum basale
Enhanced reticular layer collagen crosslinking
Elevated sebum secretion from sebaceous glands
Which layer of the dermis primarily provides tensile strength and houses glands and hair follicles?
Papillary layer with loose connective tissue
Reticular layer with dense irregular tissue
Stratum spinosum with desmosomes
Hypodermis with adipose and vessels
Which epidermal cell type functions mainly in immune defense within the skin?
Merkel cells for tactile reception
Keratinocytes as barrier cells
Melanocytes producing melanin
Langerhans cells as antigen-presenting
Which combination best lists core skin functions?
Protection, sensation, vitamin D, sweat excretion
Immune defense, water barrier, hair growth only
Blood storage and oxygen transport
Thermoregulation only via apocrine sweat
