Understanding the Nervous System

What is the basic unit of the nervous system?

• Glial cell

• Neuron

• Astrocyte

• Microglia

Which type of nerve fiber sends messages as electrical impulses to other nerve cells and muscles?

• Dendrites

• Axon

• Synapse

• Glial cell

What is the role of neurotransmitters in the nervous system?

• They insulate nerve axons.

• They provide nutrients to nerve cells.

• They trigger receptors on dendrites to produce a new electrical current.

• They form cerebrospinal fluid.

Which type of glial cell is responsible for forming myelin in the central nervous system?

• Schwann cells

• Astrocytes

• Oligodendrocytes

• Microglia

What is the primary function of ependymal cells?

• To insulate axons in the peripheral nervous system

• To create and release cerebrospinal fluid

• To provide nutrients to nerve cells

• To protect the brain against injury

Which part of the brain is involved in memory formation and can produce new nerve cells?

• Cerebellum

• Hippocampus

• Thalamus

• Medulla oblongata

What is the main difference between gray matter and white matter in the brain and spinal cord?

• Gray matter contains myelinated axons, while white matter does not.

• White matter contains nerve cell bodies, while gray matter does not.

• Gray matter contains nerve cell bodies and dendrites, while white matter contains myelinated axons.

• White matter contains capillaries, while gray matter does not.

Which disease is caused by the degeneration of nerve cells?

• Multiple sclerosis

• Encephalitis

• Alzheimer disease

• Meningitis

What is the function of microglia in the nervous system?

• To form myelin around axons

• To provide nutrients to nerve cells

• To protect the brain against injury and remove debris from dead cells

• To create cerebrospinal fluid

Which of the following can cause a stroke?

• Degeneration of nerve cells

• Inflammation of oligodendrocytes

• Blockage in the blood supply to the brain

• Infection by bacteria or viruses