Ace Your Neurology Quiz Practice Test

The neuron is the basic unit of the nervous system that transmits electrical signals. Other options are components or support cells within the system.

Dendrites are specialized structures that receive incoming signals from other neurons. This information is processed and transmitted along the neuron.

The brain and spinal cord form the central nervous system, which processes and integrates information. The other options refer to different subdivisions of the nervous system.

A synapse is the point where two neurons communicate via chemical or electrical signals. This connection is essential for neural communication and overall brain function.

Neurotransmitters are the specialized chemicals used by neurons to transmit signals across synapses. The other options do not perform this primary function in neural communication.

The resting membrane potential is maintained by ion concentration gradients across the neuron's membrane along with active transport mechanisms like the sodium-potassium pump. This balance readies the neuron for action potential firing.

An action potential is initiated when the neuron's membrane potential depolarizes to a critical threshold. This triggers the opening of voltage-gated ion channels, causing a rapid shift in membrane potential.

During the refractory period, a neuron cannot generate another action potential, ensuring proper timing of neural signals. This temporary inability is essential to prevent uncontrolled firing and allows the membrane to reset.

Myelin provides insulation to axons, which significantly increases the speed of electrical signal conduction via saltatory conduction. This insulation is crucial for rapid and efficient neural communication.

The occipital lobe is specialized for visual processing. It is the main area where visual information from the eyes is analyzed and interpreted.

Serotonin plays a major role in mood regulation and is linked to feelings of well-being. Imbalances in serotonin levels are often associated with mood disorders such as depression.

Neuroplasticity refers to the brain's capacity to adapt by forming new neural connections throughout life. This process is fundamental for learning, memory, and recovery from injuries.

Voltage-gated sodium channels open rapidly during depolarization, allowing sodium ions to enter the neuron and initiate an action potential. Their prompt activation is essential for the rapid onset of electrical signaling.

Inhibitory synapses reduce neuronal excitability, making it less likely for the neuron to fire an action potential, whereas excitatory synapses enhance the probability of firing. This balance is vital for regulating overall brain activity.

The blood-brain barrier acts as a selective shield that prevents harmful substances from entering the brain. It helps maintain a stable and controlled environment for optimal neural function.

Long-term potentiation enhances the strength of synaptic connections with repeated stimulation, forming the cellular basis for learning and memory. This mechanism is vital for adapting neural circuits to new information.

Oligodendrocytes are the specialized glial cells that produce myelin sheaths in the central nervous system. This myelination is critical for the rapid conduction of electrical impulses along nerve fibers.

Cortical columns are vertical arrangements of neurons that work together to process distinct sensory or cognitive information. Their organized structure enables efficient and specialized processing within the brain.

Multiple sclerosis is a disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks and demyelinates neurons in the central nervous system. This demyelination disrupts normal neural communication, leading to various neurological symptoms.

NMDA receptors require both glutamate binding and postsynaptic depolarization to remove a magnesium block, allowing calcium ions to enter the neuron. This calcium influx is a critical trigger for synaptic plasticity processes such as long-term potentiation.