Human Anatomy and Physiology : Human Anatomy and Physiology

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Human Anatomy and Physiology

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Example Questions

Example Question #3 : Help With Neuroglia Physiology

Which of the following is NOT a property of an oligodendrocyte?

Possible Answers:

Myelinate muliple axons

Arise from the neuroectoderm

Myelinate only one axon

Myelinate axons in the central nervous system

Correct answer:

Myelinate only one axon

Explanation:

Oligodendrocytes myelinate central nervous system (CNS) axons. Each oligodendrocyte can myelinate up to thirty axons, stretching between neurons. Oligodendroctyes are the predominant type of glial cell in white matter, with the myelin giving them a white appearance. Schwann cells myelinate axons in the peripheral nervous system (PNS), and can only be associated with one neuron per cell.

Example Question #951 : Human Anatomy And Physiology

Which of the following support cells is responsible for phagocytosis of microbes in the central nervous system?

Possible Answers:

Microglia

Oligodendrocytes

Ependymal cells

Astrocytes

Satellite cells

Correct answer:

Microglia

Explanation:

Microglia are derived from monocytes, which are white blood cells that are found in the blood stream. The microglia are responsible for removing pathogens and cellular debris from the central nervous system.

Astrocytes help form and regulate the blood-brain barrier and ependymal cells secrete cerebrospinal fluid. Satellite cells help modulate the external environment are sensory neurons. Oligodendrocytes are responsible to myelination of the central nervous system.

Example Question #952 : Human Anatomy And Physiology

Which of the following is not a property of a Schwann cell?

Possible Answers:

Myelinates only a single axon

Arises from neural crest cells

Increases conduction velocity via saltatory conduction

All of these are properties of Schwann cells

Predominant cell type in white matter

Correct answer:

Predominant cell type in white matter

Explanation:

Schwann cells are part of the peripheral nervous system (PNS) and myelinate only a single axon per cell. Schwann cells increase the conduction velocity of nerve impulses down axons via saltatory conduction between nodes of Ranvier. The nerve impulse jumps from node to node, rather than fluidly traveling down the axon.

 Oligodendrocytes, which myelinate central nervous system axons, are the predominant glial cell in white matter.

Example Question #6 : Help With Neuroglia Physiology

Which of the following adds the myelin sheath to neurons of the central nervous system?

Possible Answers:

Oligodendrocytes

Schwann cells

Neuron soma

Axon hillock

Dendrites

Correct answer:

Oligodendrocytes

Explanation:

The myelin sheath is responsible for the fast proagation of signals down the neuronal tissue. It is a fatty layer that insulates the neuron, causing the action potential signal to jump or skip over portions of the axon, speeding up transmission. This myelin sheath gets laid down by oligodendrocytes in the central nervous system and by Schwann cells in the peripheral nervous system. Each other answer choice is a different part of the neuron itself; the neuron cannot synthesize its own myelin sheath.

Example Question #7 : Help With Neuroglia Physiology

What type of cells set up the myelin sheath in the peripheral nervous system? 

Possible Answers:

Ependymal cells

Astrocytes 

Schwann cells 

Microglial cells 

Oligodendrocytes 

Correct answer:

Schwann cells 

Explanation:

The myelin sheath is the electrical insulator around neurons that increase the conduction velocity. In the peripheral nervous system, Schwann cells are responsible for the production of the myelin sheath. It is important to note that in the central nervous system, oligodendrocytes are responsible for producing the myelin sheath. The other cell types are neuroglia that have the following basic functions: astrocytes - support of neurons, damage repair, nutrient delivery/waste removal, ependymal cells - production of cerebrospinal fluid, microglia - immune-like neuroglia. 

Example Question #8 : Help With Neuroglia Physiology

Which type of neuroglial cell is star-shaped and takes up 50% of the cells in the brain?

Possible Answers:

Astrocytes 

Ependymal cells

Microglia cells 

Oligodendrocytes 

Schwann Cells 

Correct answer:

Astrocytes 

Explanation:

Astrocytes are star-shaped cells found between neurons and blood vessels. They cover almost all of the capillaries in the brain and make contact with surfaces of neurons. They make up approximately 50% of the cells in the brain. Astrocytes are responsible for supporting neurons by maintaining the extracellular fluid, facilitating nutrient delivery and waste removal to and from neurons, maintaining the blood-brain barrier, and repairing damaged cells in the central nervous system. Schwann cells and oligodendrocytes are responsible for myelinating axons in the peripheral nervous system and central nervous system, respectively. Microglia are specialized macrophages that remove cellular debris, infectious agents and damaged neurons. Ependymal cells are epithelial-like glial cells in the central nervous system that line the ventricles and produce cerebrospinal fluid.

Example Question #9 : Help With Neuroglia Physiology

Which cell produces myelin in the central nervous system (CNS)?

Possible Answers:

Oligodendrocytes

Astrocyte

Microglia

Schwann cells

Correct answer:

Oligodendrocytes

Explanation:

While both Oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells make myelin, oligodendrocytes produce myelin for the central nervous system (CNS), while Schwann cells make myelin in the peripheral nervous system (PNS). Oligodendrocytes are a type on neuroglia; their main function is to provide both support and insulation to axons of the CNS via the production of a myelin sheath. A single oligodendrocyte can extend processes to 50 axons, wrapping myelin around each axon. While Schwann cells provide a similar function, they can only wrap around one axon. 

Example Question #10 : Help With Neuroglia Physiology

Which part of a neuron is responsible for receiving information?

Possible Answers:

Node of Ranvier

Soma

Axon

Axon hillock

Dendrite

Correct answer:

Dendrite

Explanation:

Dendrites are the "branchlike" projections off of the soma of a neuron. Their purpose is to pick up information that can later be sent through the axon with action potentials. The more branching that is present allows greater surface area along with increased potential of picking up signals.

Example Question #953 : Human Anatomy And Physiology

By what are the myelin sheaths that surround the axons of some of the neurons in the CNS formed?

Possible Answers:

microglia

ependymal cells

satellite cells

oligodendrocytes

Correct answer:

oligodendrocytes

Explanation:

Oligodendrocytes help to create myelin sheaths, which help with conduction of signals.

Example Question #954 : Human Anatomy And Physiology

Which gland secretes melatonin?

Possible Answers:

Pituitary

Hypothalamus

Thalamus

Pineal 

Correct answer:

Pineal 

Explanation:

The pineal gland secretes melatonin, it is also thought to have some role in regulating the pituitary gland. The thalamus is the center of pain perception and does not secrete hormones. The pituitary gland, also known as the "master gland" secretes many hormones except for melatonin, some example secretions are thyroid stimulating hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and growth hormone. Lastly, the hypothalamus secretes tropic hormones that regulate the activity of other glands.

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