Font size
WorksheetsNervous System Test Prep
Total questions: 107
Worksheet time: 9hrs 55mins
Which sequence correctly lists the three primary functions of the nervous system in order of occurrence?
Motor output, integration, sensory input
Sensory input, integration, motor output
Sensory input, motor output, integration
Integration, motor output, sensory input
What best describes sensory input in the nervous system?
Deciding how to respond to information
Sending commands to muscles or glands
Detecting changes using receptors
Balancing activities between organs
What is integration in nervous system function?
Releasing hormones into the bloodstream
Contracting skeletal and smooth muscles
Generating electrical impulses in receptors
Processing and interpreting sensory data
Which statement best defines motor output?
Collecting stimuli from the environment
Transmitting impulses along sensory neurons
Sending signals to effectors for action
Coordinating memory and learning processes
In the scenario: You see a large puddle ahead and steer around it, which part is motor output?
Recognizing it as a puddle
Hands steering the bike to the side
Your brain deciding to avoid it
Light reflecting into your eyes
Which structure combination forms the Central Nervous System (CNS)?
Brain and cranial nerves
Brain and spinal cord
Spinal nerves and ganglia
Autonomic and somatic
Which best describes the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)?
All nerves extending from brain or spinal cord
Only the spinal cord and vertebrae
Only cranial nerves inside the skull
All neurons involved in endocrine glands
Which nervous system division delivers messages from the brain to muscles and glands?
Sensory division
Motor division
Central division
Parasympathetic division
Which division carries information from the senses to the brain?
Somatic nervous system
Efferent (motor) division
Sympathetic division
Afferent (sensory) division
The term efferent is another name for which division?
Sensory division of PNS
Motor division of PNS
Central nervous system
Parasympathetic system
Which division is responsible for voluntary skeletal muscle movement?
Sympathetic division
Autonomic nervous system
Somatic nervous system
Parasympathetic division
Which division regulates involuntary actions of smooth and cardiac muscle?
Sensory division
Central nervous system
Autonomic nervous system
Somatic nervous system
Which division activates the fight‑or‑flight response in stressful situations?
Sensory division
Somatic division
Parasympathetic division
Sympathetic division
Which division promotes rest‑and‑digest responses, calming the body?
Central division
Sympathetic division
Parasympathetic division
Somatic division
Which statement best distinguishes cranial nerves from spinal nerves?
Cranial nerves are sensory; spinal nerves are motor
Cranial nerves control legs; spinal nerves control arms
Cranial nerves connect to the brain; spinal nerves connect to the cord
Cranial nerves are autonomic; spinal nerves are somatic
Which pair represents the two largest, most all‑encompassing divisions of the nervous system?
Somatic and autonomic systems
Sympathetic and parasympathetic
Central and peripheral systems
Sensory and motor divisions
A mosquito lands on your arm and you swat it. Which is the correct functional pathway?
Motor output → integration → sensory input
Integration → sensory input → motor output
Sensory input → motor output → integration
Sensory input → integration → motor output
Which best explains the role of the sensory division in homeostasis?
It interprets signals to make decisions
It detects internal and external changes
It contracts skeletal muscles directly
It releases hormones during stress
Damage to the autonomic nervous system would MOST directly affect which function?
Knee‑jerk reflex of patellar tendon
Conscious movement of fingers
Heart rate and digestion control
Touch sensation on the skin
During a calm meal after exercise, which change is most likely due to parasympathetic activity?
Decreased digestion and blood flow to gut
Increased heart rate and pupil dilation
Increased digestion and salivary secretion
Increased sweating and blood glucose
Which structure is the long projection that carries nerve impulses away from the soma toward the next cell?
Axon
Dendrite
Soma
Axon terminal
Which neuron part primarily receives incoming signals from other neurons?
Synaptic cleft
Myelin sheath
Axon
Dendrites
What is the main role of the myelin sheath along an axon?
Forms synaptic clefts
Receives impulses first
Produces neurotransmitters
Insulates the axon
Which cell type forms the myelin sheath around axons in the peripheral nervous system?
Schwann cells
Astrocytes
Oligodendrocytes
Microglia
Which structure connects the soma to the axon and is the site where action potentials are initiated?
Dendritic spine
Node of Ranvier
Axon hillock
Synaptic end bulb
Which structures at the end of an axon release neurotransmitters into a synapse?
Synaptic end bulbs
Axon hillock
Dendritic spines
Nodes of Ranvier
Which neuron region is also known as the cell body and contains the organelles?
Node
Myelin
Axon
Soma
What is the immediate effect of myelination on action potential conduction along an axon?
Decreases signal strength
Increases conduction speed
Stops signal transmission
Starts neurotransmitter release
Which statement best describes dendrites?
Terminal vesicle clusters
Myelin-producing cells
Long single projection
Short branching processes
Which structure stores neurotransmitters before they are released into the synaptic cleft?
Myelin lamellae
Synaptic vesicles in end bulbs
Nodes of Ranvier
Nucleus in soma
Which location would you expect to find the highest density of voltage-gated sodium channels to trigger an action potential?
Synaptic cleft
Dendrite tips
Soma cytoplasm
Axon hillock
In a myelinated axon, where do action potentials regenerate as they travel?
Inside synaptic vesicles
At nodes of Ranvier
Within the nucleus
Across dendrite shafts
A drug that blocks Schwann cell function would most directly impair which process in peripheral nerves?
Dendrite growth
Neurotransmitter synthesis
Nuclear transcription
Myelin formation
Which pair lists the two main ways neurons are classified?
By age and by species
By location and by shape
By size and by color
By structure and by function
Which description best defines structural classification of neurons?
Based on number of processes from soma
Based on direction of impulse flow
Based on organ they innervate
Based on neurotransmitter released
Which set lists the three structural neuron types?
Myelinated, unmyelinated, mixed
Sensory, motor, interneuron
Afferent, efferent, association
Unipolar, bipolar, multipolar
Which description best defines functional classification of neurons?
Based on direction of impulse flow
Based on dendrite spine density
Based on axon myelin thickness
Based on soma organelle types
Which set lists the three functional neuron types?
Sensory, motor, interneuron
Somatic, autonomic, central
Unipolar, bipolar, multipolar
Afferent, efferent, bipolar
A neuron with many processes extending from the soma is classified structurally as
Multipolar
Bipolar
Unipolar
Pseudounipolar
A neuron with two processes extending from the soma is
Unipolar
Bipolar
Multipolar
Tripolar
One long axon and many dendrites extending from the soma describes a
Bipolar neuron
Myelinated neuron
Multipolar neuron
Unipolar neuron
A neuron with only one process extending from the soma is
Anaxonic
Multipolar
Bipolar
Unipolar
Which structural type is most common in the human body?
Anaxonic neurons
Bipolar neurons
Unipolar neurons
Multipolar neurons
Which structural type is mainly found in the peripheral nervous system?
Bipolar neurons
Unipolar neurons
Anaxonic neurons
Multipolar neurons
Which structural type is found only in special sense organs like the retina and olfactory epithelium?
Unipolar neurons
Multipolar neurons
Bipolar neurons
Pyramidal neurons
Which functional type is also called afferent neurons?
Interneurons
Efferent neurons
Motor neurons
Sensory neurons
Which functional type is also called efferent neurons?
Interneurons
Association neurons
Sensory neurons
Motor neurons
Which functional type is also called association neurons?
Motor neurons
Sensory neurons
Efferent neurons
Interneurons
Carrying a message from skin receptors to the brain is the role of
Sensory neurons
Motor neurons
Interneurons
Efferent neurons
Carrying a message from the brain to arm muscles is the role of
Motor neurons
Sensory neurons
Afferent neurons
Interneurons
Carrying impulses within the central nervous system is the role of
Sensory neurons
Interneurons
Motor neurons
Afferent neurons
Which functional type is most numerous in the human body?
Efferent neurons
Motor neurons
Sensory neurons
Interneurons
What is the main cell of the nervous system?
Muscle cell
Epithelial cell
Glial cell
Neuron
Which statement about neuron lifespan is correct?
Neurons divide every week
Neurons last your entire life
Neurons are replaced monthly
Neurons live only one year
Do mature neurons typically undergo mitosis?
Only during sleep cycles
Yes, they divide often
No, they are amitotic
Only in the spinal cord
Because neurons are generally amitotic, the consequence is that
Lost neurons are rarely replaced
Neurons quickly regenerate axons
Brain size doubles after injury
New neurons continually appear
Which statement best describes the role of glial cells in the nervous system?
Support neurons and maintain environment
Transmit electrical signals between neurons
Generate muscle contractions in organs
Release hormones into the bloodstream
Which group lists ONLY glial cells found in the central nervous system (CNS)?
Oligodendrocytes, satellite cells, ependymal cells, Schwann cells
Astrocytes, Schwann cells, satellite cells, microglia
Schwann cells, satellite cells, microglia, astrocytes
Astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, microglia, ependymal cells
Which glial cell forms the myelin sheath in the CNS?
Oligodendrocyte
Microglia
Schwann cell
Astrocyte
Which glial cell forms the myelin sheath in the PNS?
Schwann cell
Oligodendrocyte
Ependymal cell
Microglia
Which function is correctly matched to astrocytes?
Anchor neurons to capillaries and regulate chemicals
Phagocytose pathogens and clear debris
Form cerebrospinal fluid with cilia movement
Wrap axons with myelin in peripheral nerves
Microglia are best known for which function?
Produce myelin in spinal cord tracts
Act as immune cells that engulf debris
Provide insulation in peripheral nerves
Line ventricles to move cerebrospinal fluid
Ependymal cells primarily help with which task?
Forming the myelin sheath on CNS axons
Surrounding neuron cell bodies in peripheral ganglia
Anchoring neurons to blood vessels for nutrient delivery
Circulating cerebrospinal fluid in brain and spinal cord
Which cells surround neuron cell bodies in peripheral ganglia and help regulate their environment?
Astrocytes
Satellite cells
Microglia
Ependymal cells
Which statement about neurons and glial cells is accurate?
Neurons outnumber glial cells in brain tissue
Neurons provide nutrition to glial cells
Glial cells are more numerous than neurons
Glial cells generate most action potentials
What is the common nickname for neuroglia that reflects their supportive role?
Signal wires
Nerve glue
Charge carriers
Brain pumps
Which scenario shows microglia responding appropriately to injury?
They open channels to release cerebrospinal fluid
They wrap a healthy axon with additional myelin layers
They anchor axons to capillaries to get more oxygen
They move toward a damaged neuron and engulf debris
Which statement about membrane potential in resting cells is most accurate?
There is no voltage difference across the membrane
The outside is negative compared with the inside
The inside and outside carry equal overall charges
The inside of the cell is more negative than the outside
Which term is another name for an action potential in a neuron?
Resting gradient
Nerve impulse
Ion pump
Muscle twitch
What term describes the difference in electrical charge between the inside and outside of a cell membrane?
Ionic resonance
Neural polarity
Membrane potential
Voltage inertia
Which two ions most directly establish a neuron's membrane potential at rest?
Sodium and potassium
Calcium and chloride
Phosphate and bicarbonate
Hydrogen and magnesium
At resting potential, the inside of a typical axon is best described as:
Alternating charge
Negatively charged
Positively charged
Electrically neutral
What is a concentration gradient in the context of ions across a membrane?
Difference in membrane size
Difference in ion charge
Difference in ion amount
Difference in channel shape
Voltage-gated channels open in response to which change at the membrane?
Change in pressure
Change in voltage
Change in temperature
Change in pH
Which best describes the function of the sodium–potassium pump?
Moves ions down gradients without ATP
Allows K+ to diffuse outward only
Allows Na+ to diffuse inward only
Moves Na+ out and K+ in using ATP
Which sequence correctly lists the stages of an action potential?
Resting, depolarization, repolarization, refractory
Repolarization, depolarization, refractory, resting
Refractory, resting, depolarization, repolarization
Depolarization, resting, refractory, repolarization
Before an action potential begins, the inside of the neuron is:
Negative relative to outside
Rapidly alternating
Equal to outside
Positive relative to outside
During depolarization, what primarily causes the membrane potential to rise toward positive values?
Efflux of K+ through opened channels
Influx of Na+ through opened channels
Efflux of Na+ through pumps
Influx of K+ through pumps
What happens to potassium during repolarization of an axon?
K+ is pumped inward rapidly
K+ enters through sodium channels
K+ leaves through voltage-gated channels
K+ binds to neurotransmitters
The refractory period helps ensure nerve impulses:
Travel faster than light
Reverse immediately
Travel in one direction
Stop at every synapse
At resting potential, which statement about Na+ and K+ distribution is most accurate?
Equal Na+ and K+ everywhere
No Na+ or K+ present
More Na+ inside, more K+ outside
More Na+ outside, more K+ inside
Which channels are mostly open during resting potential to maintain charge separation?
Leak channels for K+
Voltage-gated Na+ channels
Voltage-gated Ca2+ channels
Ligand-gated Cl− channels
When an impulse arrives at the axon hillock, which stage typically begins first?
Equilibrium
Refractory
Repolarization
Depolarization
What immediately happens to voltage-gated Na+ channels once Na+ has rushed in and the membrane peaks positive?
They pump Na+ out using ATP
They convert to K+ channels
They open wider and persist
They inactivate then close
Which statement best explains why the sodium–potassium pump is needed after an action potential?
It restores ion gradients using ATP
It accelerates neurotransmitter release
It directly causes depolarization peaks
It blocks all leak channels forever
During the absolute refractory period, a second action potential:
Cannot be started
Moves backward
Is much larger
Is easily started
Action potentials propagate along an axon by:
Pumping ions ahead actively
Shifting myelin toward the terminal
Opening adjacent voltage-gated channels
Diffusing neurotransmitter through axon
As Na+ channels close and K+ channels remain open, the membrane potential typically:
Becomes permanently zero
Returns toward negative values
Stays maximally positive
Oscillates randomly
Which brain region is the largest part of the brain by volume?
Cerebrum
Diencephalon
Cerebellum
Brainstem
Which structure connects the left and right cerebral hemispheres?
Pons bridge
Corpus callosum
Medulla oblongata
Thalamus relay
Which region primarily coordinates balance and muscle coordination?
Parietal lobe
Frontal lobe
Midbrain
Cerebellum
Which component contains the midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata?
Brainstem
Diencephalon
Limbic system
Cerebral cortex
Which structure contains the thalamus, hypothalamus, and pituitary gland?
Diencephalon
Basal ganglia
Cerebellum
Occipital lobe
Which lobe is most responsible for visual processing?
Frontal lobe
Parietal lobe
Temporal lobe
Occipital lobe
Broca’s area is most closely associated with which function?
Heart rate control
Visual processing
Hearing perception
Speech production
Wernicke’s area helps mainly with which ability?
Initiating movement
Producing hormones
Balancing posture
Understanding speech
Which lobe primarily receives and interprets auditory information?
Temporal lobe
Parietal lobe
Frontal lobe
Occipital lobe
Which lobe houses the primary motor cortex that starts voluntary movements?
Frontal lobe
Parietal lobe
Temporal lobe
Insular cortex
Which limbic structure is most linked to forming long‑term memories?
Thalamus
Amygdala
Hippocampus
Pons nucleus
Which limbic structure most strongly triggers fear and anxiety responses?
Amygdala
Hippocampus
Medulla oblongata
Cerebellum
Which area acts as the relay station that sorts sensory data to the cortex?
Thalamus
Hypothalamus
Pituitary gland
Pons tegmentum
Which structure maintains homeostasis by regulating body temperature and hunger?
Hypothalamus
Midbrain
Thalamus
Cerebellum
Which gland is called the master endocrine gland because it controls others?
Pituitary gland
Adrenal cortex
Thyroid gland
Pineal gland
Which brainstem part primarily regulates heart rate and breathing?
Pons
Medulla oblongata
Midbrain
Corpus callosum
Which brainstem structure serves as a bridge between cerebellum and cortex?
Pons
Thalamus
Midbrain
Medulla oblongata
Damage to the corpus callosum would most directly affect which function?
Communication between hemispheres
Balance and posture control
Hormone secretion regulation
Visual field processing
A student struggles to plan, organize, and make decisions after an injury. Which lobe is most likely affected?
Parietal lobe
Occipital lobe
Frontal lobe
Temporal lobe
