Human Anatomy and Physiology : Systems Physiology

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #191 : Systems Physiology

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

Possible Answers:

Astrocytes

Microglia

Oligodendrocytes

Satellite cells

Ependymal 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 #192 : Systems Physiology

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

Possible Answers:

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

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

Neuron soma

Schwann cells

Dendrites

Axon hillock

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:

Schwann cells 

Oligodendrocytes 

Ependymal cells

Microglial cells 

Astrocytes 

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:

Microglia cells 

Oligodendrocytes 

Ependymal cells

Schwann Cells 

Astrocytes 

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:

Microglia

Astrocyte

Oligodendrocytes

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:

Axon hillock

Dendrite

Soma

Node of Ranvier

Axon

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 #32 : Neural Physiology

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

Possible Answers:

oligodendrocytes

satellite cells

microglia

ependymal cells

Correct answer:

oligodendrocytes

Explanation:

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

Example Question #31 : General Neuron Physiology

Which gland secretes melatonin?

Possible Answers:

Pituitary

Pineal 

Hypothalamus

Thalamus

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.

Example Question #32 : General Neuron Physiology

Which of the following describes a major function of the limbic system?

Possible Answers:

Contains glands which help relay emotions

Basic life support control

Area of higher thinking 

Processes auditory signals

Correct answer:

Contains glands which help relay emotions

Explanation:

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. 

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