AP Biology : Cellular Biology
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Biology
All AP Biology Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #531 : Cellular Biology
Which of the following is not true regarding the function of axons in nerve cells?
Axons have nodes of Ranvier
They transmit electrical signals away from the cell body
Axons can be myelinated or unmyelinated
They receive electrical signals from other neurons
They receive electrical signals from other neurons
Axons are the parts of neurons that transmit electrical signals away from the cell body and to other neurons. The axon branches off of the soma and is long with a constant radius. Parts of the axon are myelinated, meaning that it is insulated to allow for salutatory conduction. Gaps in insulation are referred nodes of Ranvier.
Example Question #532 : Cellular Biology
Which of the following is the term used to describe the rapid rise and fall in membrane potential required for signal transmission in neurons?
Membrane potential
Threshold potential
Action potential
None of these
Action potential
In neurons and many other cells, electrical signal transmission requires action potential. Action potential can be defined as the rapid rise and fall of membrane potential that allows for signal propagation. In the case of neurons, reaching action potential allows the electrical signal to travel down to axon, which permits signal transduction.
Example Question #13 : Understanding Neural Cells
What makes up the central nervous system (CNS)?
Spinal cord
Brain
Peripheral nerves
Brain and spinal cord
Brain and spinal cord
The CNS is composed of the brain and spinal cord. It receives and regulates information from within the body.
Example Question #14 : Understanding Neural Cells
Which of the following best describe “ganglia”?
The part of a neuron that transmits electrical signals to other nerve cells
Clusters of nerve cells
The neuron cell body
Specialized neurons located only in the heart
Clusters of nerve cells
Ganglia are described as clusters of nerve cells that are found in the autonomic nervous system.
Example Question #21 : Understanding Neural Cells
Which of the following characteristics represent true features of dendrites?
They connect to the soma
All of these
They are branched projections
They receive electrical signals from other cells
All of these
Dendrites are branched projections of the neuron that receive electrical signals from other cells. The dendrites are connected to the soma—cell body.
Example Question #21 : Understanding Neural Cells
Which of the following are considered to be major neurotransmitters?
Norepinephrine
Dopamine
Epinephrine
All of these
All of these
Neurotransmitters are chemicals that transmit signals from one neuron to another across the synapse. This transport is conducted through exocytosis and endocytosis of neurotransmitters in vesicles. Common neurotransmitters are norepinephrine, dopamine, epinephrine, and histamine.
Example Question #93 : Types Of Cells And Tissues
Which of the following best describes the synapse?
The junction between two nerve cells
It is a term used to describe the neuron in its entirety
The area of the neuron where the nucleus is located
Myelinated portions of the axon
The junction between two nerve cells
The synapse is the junction between two nerve cells through which neurotransmitters conduct an electrical signal.
Example Question #21 : Understanding Neural Cells
Which of the following can be found in the soma of a neuron?
Nodes of Ranvier
Nucleus and axon hillock
Axon hillock
Nucleus
Nucleus and axon hillock
The soma is the cell body of a neuron. The nucleus and many organelles are located within the soma. The soma has a specialized region called the axon hillock, which is where the soma transitions into the axon.
Example Question #21 : Understanding Neural Cells
Which of the following best represents the specific type of information that afferent neurons transmit?
Information that produces movement
Sensory information
Enable communications between different parts of the nervous system
All of these
Sensory information
Afferent neurons—sensory neurons—transmit sensory information. Sensory information includes stimuli received from sight, sound, and feeling.
Example Question #533 : Cellular Biology
Which of the following describes where motor neuron signals originate and end?
They originate in the spinal cord and end in the muscles
They originate in the muscles and end in the spinal cord
They originate in the spinal cord and end in the brain
They originate in the brain and end in the spinal cord
They originate in the spinal cord and end in the muscles
Motor neurons—efferent neurons—transmit information that produces movement. This signal originates in the spinal cord and terminates in muscles, resulting in movement.
All AP Biology Resources
