Exam 1

Published

February 26, 2026

Modified

December 17, 2025

A. Main (40 points)

Questions 1-7 refer to Figure 1.

1. Identify structure #1

A. Frontal lobe.
B. Parietal lobe.
C. Occipital lobe.
D. Temporal lobe.

2. Identify structure #2

A. Frontal lobe.
B. Parietal lobe.
C. Occipital lobe.
D. Temporal lobe.

3. Identify structure #3

A. 4th ventricle.
B. Medulla oblongata.
C. Cerebellum.
D. Pons.

4. Identify structure #4

A. 4th ventricle.
B. Medulla oblongata.
C. Cerebellum.
D. Pons.

5. Identify structure #5

A. 4th ventricle.
B. Medulla oblongata.
C. Cerebellum.
D. Pons.

6. Identify structure #6

A. Frontal lobe.
B. Parietal lobe.
C. Occipital lobe.
D. Temporal lobe.

7. Identify structure #7

A. Frontal lobe.
B. Parietal lobe.
C. Occipital lobe.
D. Temporal lobe.

Questions 8-10 refer to the Figure 2.

8. What plane of section is represented in the left panel?

A. Coronal.
B. Sagittal.
C. Axial/horizontal.
D. Dorsal.

9. What plane of section is represented in the middle panel?

A. Coronal.
B. Sagittal.
C. Axial/horizontal.
D. Dorsal.

10. These images are examples of what structural imaging technique?

A. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
B. Positron Emission Tomography (PET)
C. Single unit recording
D. Computed Axial Tomography (CAT)

11. Which tissues provide external structural support and protection for the CNS?

A. Astrocytes
B. Meninges
C. 4th ventricle
D. Circle of Willis

12. The thalamus serves this function, among others.

A. Metabolic, physical support of neurons
B. Sensory relay
C. Preparation for action
D. Memory storage and retrieval
e. CNS protection

13. Primary auditory cortex (A1) is found in the_______________.

A. Temporal lobe
B. Frontal lobe
C. Hypothalamus
D. Basal ganglia
e. Parietal lobe

14. Which of the following statements about neurons is incorrect?

A. Neurons have very short lives.
B. Neurons can extend over long distances.
C. Neurons are among the family of cells that have negative resting potentials.
D. Neurons use both electrical and chemical mechanisms to communicate.

15. Primary motor cortex is found in the ______________.

A. Temporal lobe
B. Frontal lobe
C. Hypothalamus
D. Basal ganglia
e. Parietal lobe

16. Your grandmother has a stroke. The neurologist chooses an X-ray-based structural brain imaging method that gives satisfactory, but not especially detailed spatial resolution. What method is that?

A. Computed tomography (CT)
B. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)
C. Positron Emission Tomography (PET)
D. Anterograde tract tracers

17. These fluid-filled structures were once thought critical for sending signals from the brain to the body.

A. Basal ganglia.
B. Synaptic vesicles.
C. Cauda equina.
D. Cerebral ventricles.

18. The ______________ plays a role in biologically crucial behaviors, including those associated with ingestion (eating and drinking) and reproduction:

A. Temporal lobe.
B. Frontal lobe.
C. Hypothalamus.
D. Basal ganglia.
e. Parietal lobe.

19. What maintains the intracellular (inside)/extracellular (outside) concentration differences of K+ and Na+ ions?

A. The myelin sheath.
B. The force of diﬀusion.
C. Action of the Na+/K+ pump (ATPase).
D. Ion ﬂow through passive/leak channels.

20. The tough, canvas-like tissue that surrounds and protects the is called :

A. white matter; cerebrospinal ﬂuid (CSF).
B. gray matter; myelin.
C. central nervous system (CNS); dura mater.
D. cerebral ventricles; endothelial cells.

21. Which of the following is a commonly available, X-ray based, and relatively inexpensive whole brain structural imaging technique that can be used to diagnose brain injury or disease?

A. Functional MRI.
B. Electroencephalography (EEG).
C. Hemodynamic response imaging.
D. Computed Tomography (CT).

22. How many neurons are there in the human brain?

A. About 86 billion.
B. About 86 million.
C. About the same number of seconds as in the average lifetime.
D. It can’t be estimated.

23. This type of glial cell provides neurons in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) with a myelin sheath:

A. Schwann cells.
B. Oligodendrocytes.
C. Microglia.
D. Purkinje cells.

24. The hippocampus plays a central role in __________.

A. Sexual behavior.
B. Metabolic, physical support of neurons.
C. Sensory relay processing.
D. Memory storage and retrieval.
e. CNS protection.

25. The sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system is crucial for:

A. Sleep.
B. Metabolic, physical support of neurons.
C. Sensory relay.
D. Preparation for action.
e. Memory storage and retrieval.

26. Sodium (Na+) is highly concentrated _ the neuron. This means that the force of diffusion acting alone will push Na+ _.

A. inside; inward.
B. outside; inward.
C. inside; outward.
D. outside; outward.

27. You’re having trouble sleeping, so your physician orders a sleep study using polysomnography. You spend a night in the hospital with electrodes on your scalp while the clinicians record patterns of electrical activity. This is an example use case of _____________.

A. Electroencephalograpy (EEG).
B. Multi-unit recording.
C. Transcranial magnetic stimulation.
D. Optical imaging.

28. _ , a type of glial cell, help regulate local blood oxygen levels in response to neuronal activity. These cells thus contribute to the signal measured by _.

A. Oligodendrocytes; MEG.
B. Schwann cells; structural MRI.
C. Astrocytes; functional MRI.
D. Microglia; structural and functional MRI.

29. Which ventral midbrain region is one of the main sites for neurons that release neuromodulators (e.g., dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin)?

A. Basal ganglia.
B. Lateral geniculate nucleus.
C. Tegmentum.
D. Tectum.

30. The hypothalamus is NOT responsible for which of the following functions?

A. Fleeing.
B. Feeding.
C. Fighting.
D. Falling.

31. Which of the following marks the medial boundary of the frontal lobe(s)?

A. Lateral ﬁssure.
B. Longitudinal ﬁssure.
C. Central sulcus.
D. Inferior temporal gyrus.

32. Nodes of Ranvier, or gaps in the myelination of an axon, serve which purpose?

A. Increase the speed of propagation.
B. Allow space in the axon for neurotransmitter release.
C. Provide structural support to the neuron.
D. Combine input from diﬀerent dendrites

33. Descartes thought that this midbrain structure was the place where the soul interacted with the body to create movement by inﬂating the muscles.

A. Pons.
B. Cerebral aqueduct.
C. Pineal gland.
D. Superior colliculus.

34. When a neuron’s membrane potential is “at rest,” which of the following ions are more heavily concentrated inside of the cell?

A. Na+ and Cl-.
B. K+ and A-.
C. Na+ and K+.
D. Cl- and A-.

35. When a neuron’s membrane potential reaches the threshold for an action potential, ___________.

A. voltage-gated K+ channels close.
B. voltage-gated Na+ channels close and inactivate.
C. the Na/K pump works even harder to keep the concentration balance.
D. voltage-gated Na+ channels open.

36. This part of the cell functions as the neuron’s “antennae” by serving as the primary place for receiving input.

A. Axon.
B. Soma.
C. Dendrites.
D. Terminal Buttons.

37. During the falling phase of the action potential, _ channels ___.

A. Ligand-gated K+; close.
B. Voltage-gated Na+; close.
C. Voltage-gated Na+; open.
D. Voltage-gated K+; remain open.

38. The speed of electrical signaling via action potentials is ____________ the speed of chemical signaling via diffusion.

A. much faster than.
B. much slower than.
C. about the same speed as.
D. slightly slower than.

39. During the absolute refractory period, a neuron will ___________.

A. ﬁre again in response to an especially strong input.
B. produce an action potential that is twice the normal size.
C. open voltage-gated Ca++ channels.
D. not ﬁre no matter the strength of the input.

40. All of the following ions move across the neuronal membrane at different times EXCEPT:

A. Na+.
B. K+.
C. Cl-.
D. Organic anions (A-).

B. Bonus (2 points)

41. During the rising phase of the action potential, __ ions _.

A. K+; ﬂow out.
B. Na+; ﬂow out.
C. K+; ﬂow in.
D. Na+; ﬂow in.

42. A toxin found in Japanese pufferﬁsh blocks voltage-gated Na+ channels. Applying such a toxin to neurons would have what effect?

A. Slower falling phase of the action potential.
B. Increasing the concentration of Na+ inside the cell.
C. K+ ions would accelerate their ﬂow to compensate.
D. Action potentials would be abolished.

--- title: "Exam 1" format: html --- ## A. Main (40 points) Questions 1-7 refer to @fig-side-view. :::: {.columns} ::: {.column width=50%} ### 1. Identify structure #1 **A. Frontal lobe.** B. Parietal lobe. C. Occipital lobe. D. Temporal lobe. ### 2. Identify structure #2 A. Frontal lobe. B. Parietal lobe. C. Occipital lobe. **D. Temporal lobe.** ### 3. Identify structure #3 A. 4th ventricle. B. Medulla oblongata. C. Cerebellum. **D. Pons.** ### 4. Identify structure #4 A. 4th ventricle. **B. Medulla oblongata.** C. Cerebellum. D. Pons. ### 5. Identify structure #5 A. 4th ventricle. B. Medulla oblongata. **C. Cerebellum.** D. Pons. ### 6. Identify structure #6 A. Frontal lobe. B. Parietal lobe. **C. Occipital lobe.** D. Temporal lobe. ### 7. Identify structure #7 A. Frontal lobe. **B. Parietal lobe.** C. Occipital lobe. D. Temporal lobe. ::: ::: {.column width=50%} ![](../include/img/exam-01-fig-01.png){#fig-side-view} ::: :::: Questions 8-10 refer to the @fig-mri. :::: {.columns} ::: {.column width=50%} ### 8. What plane of section is represented in the left panel? A. Coronal. B. Sagittal. **C. Axial/horizontal.** D. Dorsal. ### 9. What plane of section is represented in the middle panel? A. Coronal. **B. Sagittal.** C. Axial/horizontal. D. Dorsal. ### 10. These images are examples of what structural imaging technique? **A. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)** B. Positron Emission Tomography (PET) C. Single unit recording D. Computed Axial Tomography (CAT) ::: ::: {.column width=50%} ![](../include/img/exam-01-fig-02.png){#fig-mri} ::: :::: ### 11. Which tissues provide external structural support and protection for the CNS? A. Astrocytes **B. Meninges** C. 4th ventricle D. Circle of Willis ### 12. The thalamus serves this function, among others. A. Metabolic, physical support of neurons **B. Sensory relay** C. Preparation for action D. Memory storage and retrieval e. CNS protection ### 13. Primary auditory cortex (A1) is found in the_______________. **A. Temporal lobe** B. Frontal lobe C. Hypothalamus D. Basal ganglia e. Parietal lobe ### 14. Which of the following statements about neurons is incorrect? **A. Neurons have very short lives.** B. Neurons can extend over long distances. C. Neurons are among the family of cells that have negative resting potentials. D. Neurons use both electrical and chemical mechanisms to communicate. ### 15. Primary motor cortex is found in the ______________. A. Temporal lobe **B. Frontal lobe** C. Hypothalamus D. Basal ganglia e. Parietal lobe ### 16. Your grandmother has a stroke. The neurologist chooses an X-ray-based structural brain imaging method that gives satisfactory, but not especially detailed spatial resolution. What method is that? **A. Computed tomography (CT)** B. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) C. Positron Emission Tomography (PET) D. Anterograde tract tracers ### 17. These fluid-filled structures were once thought critical for sending signals from the brain to the body. A. Basal ganglia. B. Synaptic vesicles. C. Cauda equina. **D. Cerebral ventricles**. ### 18. The ______________ plays a role in biologically crucial behaviors, including those associated with ingestion (eating and drinking) and reproduction: A. Temporal lobe. B. Frontal lobe. **C. Hypothalamus.** D. Basal ganglia. e. Parietal lobe. ### 19. What maintains the intracellular (inside)/extracellular (outside) concentration differences of K+ and Na+ ions? A. The myelin sheath. B. The force of diﬀusion. **C. Action of the Na+/K+ pump (ATPase).** D. Ion ﬂow through passive/leak channels. ### 20. The tough, canvas-like tissue that surrounds and protects the __________ is called __________: A. white matter; cerebrospinal ﬂuid (CSF). B. gray matter; myelin. **C. central nervous system (CNS); dura mater.** D. cerebral ventricles; endothelial cells. ### 21. Which of the following is a commonly available, X-ray based, and relatively inexpensive whole brain structural imaging technique that can be used to diagnose brain injury or disease? A. Functional MRI. B. Electroencephalography (EEG). C. Hemodynamic response imaging. **D. Computed Tomography (CT)**. ### 22. How many neurons are there in the human brain? **A. About 86 billion.** B. About 86 million. C. About the same number of seconds as in the average lifetime. D. It can’t be estimated. ### 23. This type of glial cell provides neurons in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) with a myelin sheath: **A. Schwann cells.** B. Oligodendrocytes. C. Microglia. D. Purkinje cells. ### 24. The hippocampus plays a central role in __________. A. Sexual behavior. B. Metabolic, physical support of neurons. C. Sensory relay processing. **D. Memory storage and retrieval.** e. CNS protection. ### 25. The sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system is crucial for: A. Sleep. B. Metabolic, physical support of neurons. C. Sensory relay. **D. Preparation for action.** e. Memory storage and retrieval. ### 26. Sodium (Na+) is highly concentrated _____________ the neuron. This means that the force of diffusion acting alone will push Na+ _____________. A. inside; inward. **B. outside; inward.** C. inside; outward. D. outside; outward. ### 27. You’re having trouble sleeping, so your physician orders a sleep study using polysomnography. You spend a night in the hospital with electrodes on your scalp while the clinicians record patterns of electrical activity. This is an example use case of _____________. **A. Electroencephalograpy (EEG).** B. Multi-unit recording. C. Transcranial magnetic stimulation. D. Optical imaging. ### 28. _____________ , a type of glial cell, help regulate local blood oxygen levels in response to neuronal activity. These cells thus contribute to the signal measured by _____________. A. Oligodendrocytes; MEG. B. Schwann cells; structural MRI. **C. Astrocytes; functional MRI.** D. Microglia; structural and functional MRI. ### 29. Which ventral midbrain region is one of the main sites for neurons that release neuromodulators (e.g., dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin)? A. Basal ganglia. B. Lateral geniculate nucleus. **C. Tegmentum.** D. Tectum. ### 30. The hypothalamus is NOT responsible for which of the following functions? A. Fleeing. B. Feeding. C. Fighting. **D. Falling.** ### 31. Which of the following marks the medial boundary of the frontal lobe(s)? A. Lateral ﬁssure. **B. Longitudinal ﬁssure.** C. Central sulcus. D. Inferior temporal gyrus. ### 32. Nodes of Ranvier, or gaps in the myelination of an axon, serve which purpose? **A. Increase the speed of propagation.** B. Allow space in the axon for neurotransmitter release. C. Provide structural support to the neuron. D. Combine input from diﬀerent dendrites ### 33. Descartes thought that this midbrain structure was the place where the soul interacted with the body to create movement by inﬂating the muscles. A. Pons. B. Cerebral aqueduct. **C. Pineal gland.** D. Superior colliculus. ### 34. When a neuron’s membrane potential is “at rest,” which of the following ions are more heavily concentrated inside of the cell? A. Na+ and Cl-. **B. K+ and A-.** C. Na+ and K+. D. Cl- and A-. ### 35. When a neuron’s membrane potential reaches the threshold for an action potential, ___________. A. voltage-gated K+ channels close. B. voltage-gated Na+ channels close and inactivate. C. the Na/K pump works even harder to keep the concentration balance. **D. voltage-gated Na+ channels open.** ### 36. This part of the cell functions as the neuron’s “antennae” by serving as the primary place for receiving input. A. Axon. B. Soma. **C. Dendrites.** D. Terminal Buttons. ### 37. During the falling phase of the action potential, ___________ channels _____________. A. Ligand-gated K+; close. B. Voltage-gated Na+; close. C. Voltage-gated Na+; open. **D. Voltage-gated K+; remain open.** ### 38. The speed of electrical signaling via action potentials is ____________ the speed of chemical signaling via diffusion. **A. much faster than.** B. much slower than. C. about the same speed as. D. slightly slower than. ### 39. During the absolute refractory period, a neuron will ___________. A. ﬁre again in response to an especially strong input. B. produce an action potential that is twice the normal size. C. open voltage-gated Ca++ channels. **D. not ﬁre no matter the strength of the input**. ### 40. All of the following ions move across the neuronal membrane at different times EXCEPT: A. Na+. B. K+. C. Cl-. **D. Organic anions (A-)**. ## B. Bonus (2 points) ### 41. During the rising phase of the action potential, ____________ ions ___________. A. K+; ﬂow out. B. Na+; ﬂow out. C. K+; ﬂow in. **D. Na+; ﬂow in**. ### 42. A toxin found in Japanese pufferﬁsh blocks voltage-gated Na+ channels. Applying such a toxin to neurons would have what effect? A. Slower falling phase of the action potential. B. Increasing the concentration of Na+ inside the cell. C. K+ ions would accelerate their ﬂow to compensate. **D. Action potentials would be abolished**.