Neurons: The Fundamental Units of the Brain and Nervous System

This is an MCQ-based quiz for GRE on the topic of Neurons.

This includes Sensory neurons, Interneurons, Outer neurons, Motor neurons, Punctuated equilibrium, Critical periods, and Phyletic gradualism.

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Which of the following best describes what occurs in the synaptic gap between neurons?

Neurotransmitters are exchanged Water collects so the brain effectively keeps moist Electric impulses fire at random Space is left for neurons to grow

Which of the following is not a type of neuron?

Outer neurons Sensory neurons Interneurons Motor neurons

Which of the following is not an example of a neurotransmitter?

Norepinephrine Serotonin Dopamine Potassium

Which of the following best characterizes an action potential that occurs in a neuron?

All-or-none Very rarely weak Sometimes strong Sometimes weak

Glial cells are located in the nervous system and perform which of the following functions?

They break down dead neural pathways as part of the pruning process that takes place in the brain when connections between synapses are not used They support, nourish, and protect neurons; they may also play a role in learning and thinking They work as a kind of sheath to improve the efficiency of electrical impulses They are a type of parasite that live off of neurons and can cause substantial damage to the brain

The brain can be divided into a left and right hemisphere each of which contains many multitudes of neurons. Which part of neuroanatomy best aids in communication between these two hemispheres?

Corpus callosum Sympathetic nervous system Sensory cortex Parasympathetic nervous system

Which of the following best identifies the theory wherein change occurs abruptly followed by periods of relatively little development?

Phyletic gradualism Saltations Punctuated equilibrium Critical periods

Which of the following best identifies the theory of neuron development wherein we actually fall back or regress on a minute level before progressing in our development?

Saltation Critical periods Phyletic gradualism Punctuated equilibrium

Information between neurons is communicated through axons and dendrites. Which of the following best describes this process?

Axons send out messages and dendrites receive information Dendrites send out messages and axons receive information Axons and dendrites both send out messages and receive information Depending on the neurotransmitter involved, axons send and receive information

Which of the following is not true regarding neural development?

Prior to birth, virtually all our neurons are present By birth, neurons are fully developed including axons, dendrites and myelin We continue to generate new neurons in adulthood, but far fewer After birth, our greatest rate of growth occurs in our first three years of life

Quiz/Test Summary

Title: Neurons: The Fundamental Units of the Brain and Nervous System

Questions: 10

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