All Human Anatomy and Physiology Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #191 : Systems Physiology
Which of the following support cells is responsible for phagocytosis of microbes in the central nervous system?
Astrocytes
Microglia
Oligodendrocytes
Satellite cells
Ependymal cells
Microglia
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 #192 : Systems Physiology
Which of the following is not a property of a Schwann cell?
Predominant cell type in white matter
Myelinates only a single axon
Increases conduction velocity via saltatory conduction
Arises from neural crest cells
All of these are properties of Schwann cells
Predominant cell type in white matter
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?
Oligodendrocytes
Neuron soma
Schwann cells
Dendrites
Axon hillock
Oligodendrocytes
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?
Schwann cells
Oligodendrocytes
Ependymal cells
Microglial cells
Astrocytes
Schwann cells
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?
Microglia cells
Oligodendrocytes
Ependymal cells
Schwann Cells
Astrocytes
Astrocytes
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)?
Microglia
Astrocyte
Oligodendrocytes
Schwann cells
Oligodendrocytes
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?
Axon hillock
Dendrite
Soma
Node of Ranvier
Axon
Dendrite
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 #32 : Neural Physiology
By what are the myelin sheaths that surround the axons of some of the neurons in the CNS formed?
oligodendrocytes
satellite cells
microglia
ependymal cells
oligodendrocytes
Oligodendrocytes help to create myelin sheaths, which help with conduction of signals.
Example Question #31 : General Neuron Physiology
Which gland secretes melatonin?
Pituitary
Pineal
Hypothalamus
Thalamus
Pineal
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.
Example Question #32 : General Neuron Physiology
Which of the following describes a major function of the limbic system?
Contains glands which help relay emotions
Basic life support control
Area of higher thinking
Processes auditory signals
Contains glands which help relay emotions
The limbic system includes the amygdala, hippocampus, hypothalamus, and thalamus. Each of these structures secretes hormones that assist in processing emotions such as fear, and anger. The brainstem is responsible for basic life support. The cerebrum is the area dedicated to higher thinking. Lastly, the parietal lobes are where auditory signals are processed and they contain the primary somatosensory cortex.
Certified Tutor
Certified Tutor