A neuron receives most incoming signals through short branching processes that lead toward the cell body. What part is doing this job?

An impulse must travel from a neuron's cell body toward another neuron or muscle fiber. What part conducts it away?

A fatty insulating layer around many axons increases conduction speed. What neuron structure is this?

Action potentials jump from gap to gap along a myelinated axon. What gap allows this saltatory conduction?

In a peripheral nerve, which glial cell wraps axons to form insulating layers?

Which CNS glial cell helps support neurons and contributes to the blood-brain barrier?

After injury or infection in CNS tissue, which glial cell type acts as a phagocyte to remove debris?

In multiple sclerosis, the immune system attacks a structure in the CNS, which slows or blocks nerve impulses. What structure is directly damaged?

At resting potential, how does the inside of a typical neuron compare with the outside?

During depolarization of an axon membrane, which ion movement starts the rising phase of the action potential?

During repolarization of an axon membrane, which ion movement restores the negative interior?

A stimulus reaches threshold at the axon hillock. What follows under the all-or-none principle?

An action potential reaches a synaptic knob. What ion enters the terminal and triggers vesicle release?

After release into the synaptic cleft, what must a neurotransmitter do to affect the next cell?

At a neuromuscular junction, which neurotransmitter is released to stimulate a skeletal muscle fiber?

Loss of substantia nigra neurons reduces signaling in motor circuits in Parkinson's disease. Which neurotransmitter is reduced?

The tough outer membrane around the spinal cord lies just deep to the vertebral canal. Which meninx is it?

The middle meningeal layer has cerebrospinal fluid in the space deep to it. Which layer is this?

The innermost meningeal layer clings tightly to the surface of the spinal cord. Which layer is this?

In a reflex arc, a pain receptor in the skin has been stimulated. Which neuron carries the impulse into the spinal cord?

In a simple withdrawal reflex, which neuron carries the command from the spinal cord to a skeletal muscle?

Spinal nerves that serve much of the neck, shoulders, and upper limbs arise from which cord region?

Which brain region coordinates balance, posture, and the timing of skilled voluntary movement?

A damaged lower brainstem center disrupts breathing rhythm and heart rate control. Which region is most directly involved?

Most sensory impulses heading to the cerebral cortex synapse first in which relay station?

A brain region regulates body temperature, hunger, thirst, and pituitary activity. Which region is responsible?

Damage to the primary motor cortex would most directly impair voluntary skeletal muscle control. Which lobe contains this cortex?

A patient cannot localize touch and pressure on the skin after a cortical injury. Which lobe's primary sensory area is most likely affected?

The primary auditory cortex processes hearing. Which cerebral lobe contains it?

Visual impulses from the eyes are processed in the primary visual cortex. Which lobe contains this area?

After cerebrospinal fluid leaves the third ventricle, which narrow passage carries it toward the fourth ventricle?

The brain and spinal cord together make up which major division of the nervous system?

A peripheral motor pathway controls voluntary contraction of skeletal muscles. Which division is active?

Cranial nerve I carries impulses from receptors in the nasal roof for smell. What is its name?

Cranial nerve II carries visual impulses from the retina toward the brain. What is its name?

Cranial nerve III supplies most muscles that move the eyeball and also helps constrict the pupil. What nerve is it?

Cranial nerve V carries facial sensation and motor impulses to chewing muscles. What nerve is it?

Cranial nerve X carries parasympathetic output to the heart, lungs, and digestive organs. What nerve is it?

During sympathetic activation, how does the heart usually respond compared with parasympathetic activity?

When parasympathetic signals to the digestive tract increase, what is the usual effect?