GRE Prep Vocab

Which of the following best states the purpose of neurons?
a. Neurons receive information from the brain and carry out motor activity through messages via the spine
b. Neurons transmit information to the brain from sensory cells either directly or by way of the spinal cord
c. Neurons are the basic units of the nervous system which direct vital bodily functions such as digestion and heartbeat
d. Neurons carry information from cell to cell within the nervous system as well as to and from muscles and organs

d. Neurons carry information from cell to cell within the nervous system as well as to and from muscles and organs

Which statement best describes most neurons?
a. They receive information via axons
b. They transmit information to other cells via dendrites
c. They are polarized
d. They conduct signals bidirectionally
e. They transmit electrical signals via cytoplasmic continuity

c. They are polarized

Which statement best describes the function of a neuron with multiple, highly branched dendrites and one axon?
a. It passes information directly to multiple neurons
b. It cannot integrate information from multiple neurons
c. It receives information from only one other neuron
d. It integrates information from many neurons
e. The information it receives will not be relayed

d. It integrates information from many neurons

Refer to the figure on the right. Which type of neurons are characterized by a single process that extends from the cell body and shortly after protruding from the cell body divides into two branches?
a. Multipolar neurons
b. Bipolar neurons
c. Pseudonipolar neurons

c. Pseudonipolar neurons

What types of neurons transmit information between neurons?
a. Sensory neurons
b. Motor neurons
c. Interneurons
d. Presynaptic neurons

c. Interneurons

Which structure represents a dendrite? (use figure below)
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

a.

Which letter represents the structure where neurons communicate? (use figure below)
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

c.

Destruction of ______ neurons would eliminate the brain's ability to control muscles.
a. Glial
b. Motor
c. Sensory
d. Afferent

b. Motor

In the central nervous system, glia: (select all)
a. greatly outnumber neurons
b. can divide
c. can send electrical impulses
d. help neurons carry out their function
e. None of these apply to glia

a. greatly outnumber neurons
b. can divide
d. help neurons carry out their function

Action potential propagation down a membrane, as depicted in the figure, is typically very slow. Which of the following cell types is responsible for speeding nerve propagation by insulating peripheral axons?
a. Monocytes
b. Astrocytes
c. Schwann cells
d. Oligodendrocytes

c. Schwann cells

Which of the following glial cells produces cerebrospinal fluid?
a. Oligodendrocytes
b. Satellite cells
c. Microglia
d. Astrocytes
e. Ependymal cells

e. Ependymal cells

Astrocytes (select all)
a. maintain ion concentration gradients
b. form myelin around peripheral neurons
c. induce the blood brain barrier
d. play a role in the immune response

a. maintain ion concentration gradients
c. induce the blood brain barrier

Identify the options which describe the myelin sheath (select all)
a. An insulating coating on the axon on neurons
b. It results in saltatory conduction
c. Gray neurons in the central nervous system
d. Chemical messengers that help neurons communicate
e. It decreases the speed of the nerve impulse

a. An insulating coating on the axon on neurons
b. It results in saltatory conduction

The part of the body that integrates the information from all over the body in order to make decisions is called the
a. Peripheral nervous system
b. Sympathetic nervous system
c. Parasympathetic nervous system
d. Central nervous system

d. Central nervous system

The four major portions of the brain are the:
a. Cerebrum, diencephalon, brainstem, cerebellum
b. cerebellum, brainstem, thalamus, hypothalamus
c. hypothalamus, midbrain, cerebellum, brainstem
d. pons, medulla oblongata, cerebrum, thalamus
e. cerebellum, midbrain, pons, brainstem

a. Cerebrum, diencephalon, brainstem, cerebellum

The primary visual cortex is in which part of the cerebrum?
a. Temporal lobe
b. Occipital lobe
c. Parietal lobe
d. Cerebellum
e. Optic chiasm

b. Occipital lobe

Which of the following is a function of the cerebellum in the human brain?
a. Abstract reasoning
b. Hearing
c. Vision
d. Secretion of Hormones
e. Coordination of muscle activity

e. Coordination of muscle activity

The PNS consists mainly of (select all)
a. glia
b. the nerves that extend from the brain to spinal cord
c. the brain
d. the spinal cord

a. glia
b. the nerves that extend from the brain to spinal cord

Which division would cause your heart rate to speed up to distribute more blood to your skeletal muscles?
a. sympathetic division
b. parasympathetic division
c. autonomic nervous system
d. somatic nervous system
e. sensory division

a. sympathetic division

Which division would cause your digestive system to slow down?
a. sympathetic division
b. parasympathetic division
c. autonomic nervous system
d. somatic nervous system
e. sensory division

a. sympathetic division

Which division acts to conserve energy and promotes housekeeping functions during rest?
a. sympathetic division
b. parasympathetic division
c. autonomic nervous system
d. somatic nervous system
e. sensory division

b. parasympathetic division

Which division becomes activated during times of emergency and stress?
a. sympathetic division
b. parasympathetic division
c. autonomic nervous system
d. somatic nervous system
e. sensory division

a. sympathetic division

Which division includes the sympathetic division and parasympathetic division?
a. sympathetic division
b. parasympathetic division
c. autonomic nervous system
d. somatic nervous system
e. sensory division

c. autonomic nervous system

Which division is involuntary and conducts impulses from the CNS to cardiac muscles, smooth muscles, and glands?
a. sympathetic division
b. parasympathetic division
c. autonomic nervous system
d. somatic nervous system
e. sensory division

c. autonomic nervous system

During activation of the parasympathetic nervous system
a. the pupils constrict
b. the blood vessels in the skin constrict
c. there is an increase in heart output
d. the bronchi dilate
e. piroerection occurs

a. the pupils constrict

The somatic nervous system contains nerves that run from the central nervous system to the
a. muscles of the skeleton
b. heart
c. smooth muscles of the GI tract
d. endocrine glands

a. muscles of the skeleton

Jennifer is at a stoplight on Jackson Ave and begins to accelerate into traffic when the light turns green. She stops suddenly as a truck runs the red light and is only a few inches away from her front bumper. Which effect would you NOT expect to see in Jennifer's body?
a. Increased heart rate
b. Airway dilation
c. Increased pupil diameter
d. Increased secretion of digestive juices
e. Increased secretion of epinephrine and norepinephrine

d. Increased secretion of digestive juices

Which type of transport proteins use cell energy to move molecules across the neuronal membrane?
a. leak ion channels
b. Ligand gated ion channels
c. Na+/K+ pumps
d. Cadherins

c. Na+/K+ pumps

A membrane potential is the
a. Difference in electric potential between the interior and exterior of a cell
b. Difference in the number of Na+ and K+ ions on the outside of a cell
c. Difference in the number of voltage gated Na+ and K+ channels
d. Difference in the number of Na+ and K+ ions in the interior of a cell

a. Difference in electric potential between the interior and exterior of a cell

The resting potential of a cell is negative because
a. there is an excess of K+ outside of the cell at rest
b. at rest there is an excess of K+ outside of the cell, and the membrane is permeable chiefly to K+
c. at rest there is an excess of K+ inside the cell, and the membrane is permeable chiefly to K+
d. at rest there is an excess of K+ inside the cell, but the membrane is permeable to all ions
e. there is an excess of Cl- ions outside of the cell at rest

c. at rest there is an excess of K+ inside the cell, and the membrane is permeable chiefly to K+

Which of the following statements are correct?
a. The Nernst equation predicts Vm (resting membrane potential) that would result if the membrane was permeable to only one type of ion
b. The Nernst potential value (equilibrium potential) for a single ion corresponds to the membrane potential at which the electrical gradient exactly opposes the concentration gradient
c. At the Nernst potential for a given ion type there is still an imbalance of ions intracellularly and extracellularly
d. At rest their is no net movement of ions as the concentrations both inside and outside the neuronal cell are equal

b. The Nernst potential value (equilibrium potential) for a single ion corresponds to the membrane potential at which the electrical gradient exactly opposes the concentration gradient

What happens to the Ek of a cell when the extracellular K+ concentration goes from 3 mM to 5 mM?
a. It decreases
b. It increases
c. It doesn't change
d. It fires an action potential

b. It increases

A voltage gated ion channel is a channel
a. whose conductance to an ion change as the membrane potential changes
b. that allows different ions to pass through when the membrane potential
c. is near zero than when it does when the membrane potential is near resting level
d. that desensitizes when the neuron depolarizes
e. that becomes non-functional when the membrane becomes inside positive

a. whose conductance to an ion change as the membrane potential changes

The ionic basis for an action potential is usually the opening of
a. Na+ channels alone
b. K+ or Cl- channels alone
c. Na+ and K+ channels simultaneously
d. Na+ channels first, followed by K+ channels

d. Na+ channels first, followed by K+ channels

This figure shows each stage of an action potential. Which letter represents the rising phase/depolarization stage of an action potential? (see picture)
a.
b.
c.
d.
e
f

c

During the rising phase of an action potential the current flow is dominated by
a. an inward K+ current
b. an outward K+ current
c. an inward Na+ current
d. an outward Na+ current

c. an inward Na+ current

Refer to the figure above that shows each stage of an action potential. Which letter represents the falling phase/repolarization stage of an action potential?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.

e.

The falling phase/repolarization of an action potential is due primarily to
a. Na+ flow in the cell only
b. Na flow out of the cell onlt
c. K+ flow out of the cell only
d. K flow in the cell only
e. Na flow out of the cell and K flow into the cell

c. K+ flow out of the cell only

The refractory period occurs because
a. The neuron cannot fire again until the membrane potential returns to below threshold
b. pre synaptic inhibition prevents over firing and cellular exhaustion
c. sodium and potassium concentrations must be restored and the battery recharged, before another action potential can be regenerated
d. voltage gated channels become inactivated for a short time following an action potential

d. voltage gated channels become inactivated for a short time following an action potential

Nodes of ranvier are gaps in the myelin sheath of an axon that
a. provide unmyelinated regions for the axon to make synaptic contacts
b. increase the amplitude of the action potential
c. increase the duration of the action potential
d. permit saltatory conduction of the action potential along the axon

d. permit saltatory conduction of the action potential along the axon

The all or none principle of action potential states that
a. the entire length of the nerve conducts an action potential or no part does
b. an action potential always reaches its maximum strength, or it doesn't appear at all
c. all available ions contribute to the rise and fall of the action potential or none do
d. all synapses on a neuron must be active in order for them to excite it

b. an action potential always reaches its maximum strength, or it doesn't appear at all

In the development of the nervous system, which is the correct order of events?
a. First, cells must be specified to be neurons, second, these neurons must make connections with their targets, third, the neurons must migrate to their final position and fourth, the neurons refine their synaptic connections
b. First, cells must be specified to be neurons, second, the neurons must migrate to their final position, third, these neurons must make connections with their targets, and fourth, the neurons refine their synaptic connections

b. First, cells must be specified to be neurons, second, the neurons must migrate to their final position, third, these neurons must make connections with their targets, and fourth, the neurons refine their synaptic connections

In the developing nervous system, the ventricular zone refers to:
a. a region of cell division in the neural plate
b. a region of cell division in ectoderm
c. a region of cell division in the blastocyst
d. a region of cell division in the neural tube

d. a region of cell division in the neural tube

Differentiation of neural stem cells into neurons, oligodendrocytes, and astrocytes involves balanced regulation of genes. Which cellular signal is specific to neurons?
a. Notch
b. Noggin
c. Olig1
d. Sonic hedgehog
e. bHLH

e. bHLH

Which cell type is responsible for assisting neuroblast migration in the CNS?
a. Mature neurons
b. Somites
c. Radial glial cells
e. Chromaffin cells

c. Radial glial cells

A young patient is brought to the doctor because of failure to thrive. Tests revealed that the patient had a mutation in the DCX gene. Ultimately, the patient is diagnosed with lissencephaly. Which test results might have led to this diagnosis?
a. An abdominal X ray showing an obstructed colon
b. An MRI revealing a lack of sulci and gyri in the cerebral cortex

b. An MRI revealing a lack of sulci and gyri in the cerebral cortex

A growth cone is
a. The structure formed by an aggregation of cone like pyramidal cells
b. The slight swelling at the tip of a growing axon

b. The slight swelling at the tip of a growing axon

What mechanism is necessary for growth cone motility?
a. Presence of netrins
b. Polymerization and depolymerization of actin and tubulin

b. Polymerization and depolymerization of actin and tubulin

Which cellular molecules released by the target cell are responsible for supporting an innervating neuron, leading to its growth and survival?
a. Neurotropic factors
b. Semaphorins

a. Neurotropic factors

What effect would testosterone treatment during development have on the size of the adult SDN-POA?
A. Treated females would have increased cell numbers compared to control females due to inhibition of apoptosis
B. Treated females would have decreased cell numbers compared to control females due to an increase in apoptosis

A. Treated females would have increased cell numbers compared to control females due to inhibition of apoptosis

Hebb's postulate states that
a. When the presynaptic cell and the postsynaptic cell are simultaneously active, the synapse between them is strengthened
b. When the presynaptic cell and postsynaptic cell are simultaneously active, the synapse between them is weakened

a. When the presynaptic cell and the postsynaptic cell are simultaneously active, the synapse between them is strengthened

In the development of the nervous system, a "critical period" is the period
a. After which environmental factors can influence neural development
b. During which environmental factors can influence neural development
C. During the life of an animal when programmed cell death takes place

b. During which environmental factors can influence neural development

A kitten is deprived of visual stimulation in one eye for the first two months of life. After the cat reaches adulthood, you record from cells in the visual cortex in response to light stimulus on both eyes. Which outcome would you expect?
a. Most cells are activated only by stimulation to the non deprived eye
b. Most cells are activated only by stimulation to the deprived eye
c. Most cells are activated to some degree by stimulation in both eyes

a. Most cells are activated only by stimulation to the non deprived eye

The figure shows an electron micrograph of a chemical synapse in the cerebral cortex. Which statement about this synapse is accurate?
a. Inside the postsynaptic neuron are synaptic vesicles, which fuse with the membrane in the postsynaptic density
b. Inside the presynaptic neuron are synaptic vesicles, which fuse with the membrane in the active zone

b. Inside the presynaptic neuron are synaptic vesicles, which fuse with the membrane in the active zone

Acetylcholinesterase is an enzyme that degrades acetylcholine. What effect on nerve transmission would occur following the administration of a chemical that inhibited acetylcholinesterase?
a. Continuous excitatory postsynaptic potentials would occur in the postsynaptic neuron
B. There would be no effect

a. Continuous excitatory postsynaptic potentials would occur in the postsynaptic neuron

The quantal theory of synaptic transmission states that
a. The presence of vesicles in an electron micrograph of nerve cells defines the presence of a synapse
b. Transmitter is packaged in the vesicles and released from them into the synaptic cleft

b. Transmitter is packaged in the vesicles and released from them into the synaptic cleft

Which of the following best describes synaptic plasticity?
a. The ability of the brain to communicate effectively with other organs
b. The ability of synapses to change in strength based on activity

b. The ability of synapses to change in strength based on activity

Which type of synaptic plasticity is characterized by changes lasting from milliseconds to several minutes?
a. Short term synaptic plasticity
b. Long term synaptic plasticity

a. Short term synaptic plasticity

What triggers long term depression?
a. High frequency stimulation
b. Low frequency stimulation followed by a small or slow increase in Ca2+
c. Low frequency stimulation followed by a sharp and dramatic increase in Ca2+

b. Low frequency stimulation followed by a small or slow increase in Ca2+

A scientist is performing electrophysiological recordings from rat hippocampal slices. What kind of stimulation protocol do they need to apply to induce long term potentiation (LTP)?
a. Brief high frequency stimulation
b. Brief low frequency stimulation

a. Brief high frequency stimulation

Which condition must be met to induce long term potentiation?
a. The postsynaptic membrane must be depolarized for a period of time
b. Mg2+ block must be expelled from NMDA receptors to allow Ca2 influx

b. Mg2+ block must be expelled from NMDA receptors to allow Ca2 influx

What is the mechanism of LTP expression?
a. Increase in the number of postsynaptic NDMA receptors
b. Increase in the number of postsynaptic AMPA receptors
c. Increase in the number of presynaptic AMPA receptors

b. Increase in the number of postsynaptic AMPA receptors

Which statement best describes why the NMDA receptor is known as a coincidence detector?
a. Its activation requires the removal of Mg2+ from the receptor pore and the depolarization of the postsynaptic membrane
b. Its activation requires presynaptic activity coupled withn postsynaptic activation reflected by depolarization

a. Its activation requires the removal of Mg2+ from the receptor pore and the depolarization of the postsynaptic membrane

Using the same stimulus to excite different sense organs leads to different subjective sensations because
a. Different sense organs send different types of signals to the brain
b. Different sense organs send their stimuli to different regions of the brain

b. Different sense organs send their stimuli to different regions of the brain

Activity in a sensory neuron using an absolutely labeled line code means to the brain that
a. A stimulus with some quality or at some specific location has been detected
b. It can be certain as to the TYPE of the stimulus that excited the receptor

b. It can be certain as to the TYPE of the stimulus that excited the receptor

Across fiber coding
a. Is found in the lateral inhibition in the eyes of arthropods
b. Refers to information transfer via the profile response of multiple neurons to a single stimulus

b. Refers to information transfer via the profile response of multiple neurons to a single stimulus

Describe how the steps of sensory perception would be affected if a person sustains damage to axons that lead from thermoreceptors to the CNS
a. Reception would not be affected. However, signal transduction and perception will be incomplete
b. Perception would not be affected. However, signal transduction and reception will be incomplete
c. Signal transduction would not be affected. However, reception and perception will be incomplete

a. Reception would not be affected. However, signal transduction and perception will be incomplete

Receptors that report your arm position and tension are
a. Electroreceptors
b. Thermoreceptors
c. Nociceptors
d. Proprioceptors
e. Mitochondria; golgi body

d. Proprioceptors

A ______ is the region of space where stimuli affect the activity of a neuron in a sensory system
a. Merkel disc
b. receptive field
c. rod
d. photon

b. receptive field

Which of the following statements identifies a chemically based sensory system?
a. gustatory
b. auditory
c. olfactory
d. gustatory and auditory
e. gustatory and olfactory

e. gustatory and olfactory

Which of the following senses identifies a mechanically based sensory system? (choose all)
a. Olfaction
b. gustation
c. proprioception
d. touch
e. vision

c. proprioception
d. touch

Afferent fibers that lack specialized receptors at their terminals detect which type of stimuli
a. Touch
b. vibration
c. pressure
d. pain
e. itch

d. pain

We learned that in the gustation discussion that information from taste buds is relayed in the thalamus before it is sent to relevant cortical area. The corresponding thalamic relay of the auditory system is:
a. Lateral geniculate nucleus
B. medial geniculate nucleus
c. ventral prosteromedial nucleus
d. inferior colliculus

B. medial geniculate nucleus

In the auditory system, where does the signal generated by hair cells travel to first
a. auditory cortex
b. cochlear nuclei
c. inferior colliculus
d. medial geniculate nucleus

b. cochlear nuclei

In the cochlea of the mammalian ear, the hairs of the hair cells are attached to the
a. tectorial membrane
b. basilar membrane
c. reissner membrane
d. tympanic membrane

a. tectorial membrane

How does ionic composition of endolymph differ from most extracellular fluids?
a. It is K+ poor and Na+ rich
b. It is K+ rich and Na+ rich
c. It is K+ rich and Na+ poor

c. It is K+ rich and Na+ poor

The basilar membrane
a. is wider at the base end than at the apex
b. is stiffer at the apex than the base
c.. responds to low frequencies at the apex
d. is inflexible

c.. responds to low frequencies at the apex

An 80 year old male retired factory worker has profound hearing loss, particularly for low frequencies. This is most likely due to the degeneration of the _____
a. auditory cortex
b. hair cells in the apex of the cochlea
c. hair cells in the base of the cochlea
d. superior olivary complex

b. hair cells in the apex of the cochlea

Which is true about the vestibular system?
a. it helps people make sense of the status of their internal organs
b. it informs people about their body's position, movement, and shape
c. it informs people about their relative orientation to gravity

c. it informs people about their relative orientation to gravity

Refer to the figure below. Which answer choice correctly describes what happens to a hair cell when a stimulus is present?
a. Stereocilia deflect towards kinocilium, open Na+ channels, and hyperpolarization
b. Sterocilia deflect towards kinocilium, open K+ channels, and depolarization

b. Sterocilia deflect towards kinocilium, open K+ channels, and depolarization

Why is it important that transduction channels are open at rest?
a. To maintain seperation of perilymph and endolymph
b. To allow hair cells to signal both increases and decreases

b. To allow hair cells to signal both increases and decreases

What type of movement does the saccule and utricule respond to, respectively?
a. Vertical; rotational
b. Vertical; horizontal
c. rotation; vertical

b. Vertical; horizontal

Which type of movement would the saccule detect?
a. tilting of head to the side
b. quick acceleration in a roller coaster
c. head tilt up toward the sky

c. head tilt up toward the sky

If a researcher selectively damaged both of the semicircular canals of a rat
a. the rat would not be able to detect forward acceleration and deceleration
b. the rat would not be able to detect rotational information from a given direction

b. the rat would not be able to detect rotational information from a given direction

In a monkey, which of the following would be a symptom of nonfunctional otoconia
a. Detection only of vertical movements
b. Detection only of horizontal plane movements
c. Detection only of rotational movements
d. Decreased sensation of head movements

d. Decreased sensation of head movements

Which reflex allows a person to visually focus on an object as the head rotates?
a. Vestibulocervical reflex
b. Vestibulo-ocular reflex

b. Vestibulo-ocular reflex

The three types of cells in taste buds are categorized mostly according to differences in
a. the structure
b. their efferent targets
c. which types of sensory receptors they express

c. which types of sensory receptors they express

A decrease in extracellular H+ would decrease the ability to detect which taste
a. sweet
b. sour
c. bitter

b. sour

If the G protein gustducin was nonfunctional, which effect would most likely be the result
a. inability to detect sweet
b. inability to detect sour
c. inability to detect salty

c. inability to detect salty

Where are odors intepreted and identified in humans?
a. Thalamus
b. olfactory bulb
c. pyriform cortex

b. olfactory bulb

A patient sustains a head injury resulting in damage of some glomeruli. Which effect would most likely result from this damage?
a. inability to detect certain smells
b. inability to detect all smells

a. inability to detect certain smells

Where would the cell body of a sensory neuron that transmits touch information from the cheek to the central nervous system be located?
a. Ganglion alongside the brainstem
b. nucleus inside the brainstem
c. ganglion alongside the spinal cord

a. Ganglion alongside the brainstem

What do nociceptors neurons and non nociceptor somatosensory neurons have in common
a. unspecialized nerve endings
b. specialized nerve endings
c. highly myelinated axons

a. unspecialized nerve endings

Which pathway represents a route that pain information could take in the nervous system?
a. free nerve ending nociceptor, unmyelinated c fiber axon, spinal cord
b. free nerve ending nociceptor, myelinated c fiber axon, spinal cord

a. free nerve ending nociceptor, unmyelinated c fiber axon, spinal cord

What is the name of the primary pathway that transmit somatosensory information from the body to processing points in the brain?
a. The anterolateral system
b. The dorsal column medial lemniscal system
c. The spinothalamic tract
d.. A and B
e. A and C

d.. A and B

a. The anterolateral system
b. The dorsal column medial lemniscal system

Organization in which region of the brain is represented as a complete somatotopic map
a. primary somatosensory cortex S1
b. secondary somatosensory cortex SII

a. primary somatosensory cortex S1

Which conclusion about the neuronal basis of pain is consistent with the graph?
a. There is a linear relationship
b. These nociceptors respond only to stimuli that are sufficiently warm

b. These nociceptors respond only to stimuli that are sufficiently warm

Functional reorganization in the brain
a. Occurs at all ages, all the time
b. Occurs after nerve damage, amputation, and skill training

b. Occurs after nerve damage, amputation, and skill training

According to the size principle, in which order are motor units recruited in response to increasing synaptic input?
a. FR, FF, S
b. FR, S, FF
c. S, FF, FR
d. S, FR, FF
e. FF, FR, S

d. S, FR, FF

The local circuits in the spinal cord that are fully capable of controlling the timing and coordination of complex locomotion (e.g., walking) are called
the flexion crossed extension reflex
the mesencephalic locomotor region
reciprocal innervation
central pattern generators
motor units

central pattern generators