Central Nervous System: Structure and Function Quiz

Question 1

Which of the following is NOT a function of the cerebellum?

Accepted Answer

Regulation of body temperature

Answer

Coordination of voluntary movement

Answer

Maintenance of equilibrium

Answer

Processing of sensory information

Question 2

Which part of the brain is responsible for processing sensory information and making decisions?

Accepted Answer

Cerebrum

Answer

Diencephalon

Answer

Brain stem

Answer

Cerebellum

Question 3

Which of the following is a protective membrane that surrounds and protects the brain and spinal cord?

Accepted Answer

Dura mater

Answer

Arachnoid mater

Answer

Pia mater

Answer

Ependyma

Question 4

Which neurotransmitter is involved in regulating mood, sleep, and appetite?

Accepted Answer

Serotonin

Answer

Acetylcholine

Answer

Dopamine

Answer

Epinephrine

Question 5

Which of the following is a type of glial cell that helps form the myelin sheath in the central nervous system?

Accepted Answer

Oligodendrocyte

Answer

Astrocyte

Answer

Schwann cell

Answer

Microglia

Question 6

Which part of the spinal cord contains pathways for sensory information?

Accepted Answer

Dorsal horn

Answer

Gray matter

Answer

White matter

Answer

Ventral horn

Question 7

Within the cerebral cortex, which lobe houses the primary motor cortex, which is responsible for planning and executing voluntary muscle movements?

Accepted Answer

Frontal lobe

Answer

Parietal lobe

Answer

Temporal lobe

Answer

Occipital lobe

Question 8

Which of the following chemical messengers is classified as a neurotransmitter and plays a crucial role in the transmission of signals between neurons?

Accepted Answer

Dopamine

Answer

Insulin

Answer

Adrenaline

Answer

Testosterone

Question 9

What is the primary purpose of the blood-brain barrier, a protective mechanism in the central nervous system?

Accepted Answer

To prevent potentially harmful substances from entering the brain and spinal cord

Answer

To regulate blood flow to the brain and spinal cord

Answer

To produce cerebrospinal fluid that bathes and nourishes the central nervous system

Answer

To physically protect the brain and spinal cord from external damage

Question 10

Which region of the brain is primarily responsible for processing and interpreting visual information, allowing us to see and perceive the world around us?

Accepted Answer

Cerebral cortex, specifically the visual cortex in the occipital lobe

Answer

Thalamus, which acts as a relay center for sensory information

Answer

Hypothalamus, which regulates body temperature, hunger, and thirst

Answer

Brainstem, which controls basic life functions such as breathing and heart rate

Question 11

The cerebellum, a structure located at the base of the brain, plays a crucial role in which aspect of body function?

Accepted Answer

Coordination and balance, ensuring smooth and controlled movements

Answer

Memory and learning, forming and storing memories

Answer

Emotional regulation, managing emotions and mood

Answer

Language and communication, enabling us to understand and express ourselves

Question 12

Among the different types of cells that make up the nervous system, which one does NOT belong to the group known as neuroglia?

Accepted Answer

Neurons, which transmit electrical and chemical signals

Answer

Astrocytes, which provide structural support and regulate the brain's chemical environment

Answer

Ependymal cells, which line the ventricles and produce cerebrospinal fluid

Answer

Oligodendrocytes, which form the myelin sheath around nerve fibers

Question 13

Which division of the autonomic nervous system is primarily responsible for preparing the body to respond to perceived threats or emergencies?

Accepted Answer

Sympathetic nervous system, which activates the 'fight or flight' response

Answer

Parasympathetic nervous system, which promotes 'rest and digest' activities

Answer

Enteric nervous system, which controls the digestive system

Answer

Somatic nervous system, which controls voluntary muscle movements

Question 14

Which of the following is an example of a spinal cord reflex, an automatic and rapid response to a stimulus that does not require conscious thought?

Accepted Answer

Knee-jerk reflex, which tests the integrity of the reflex arc

Answer

Pupillary reflex, which controls the size of the pupils in response to light

Answer

Salivation reflex, which triggers saliva production when food is in the mouth

Answer

Digestion reflex, which regulates the secretion of digestive juices

Question 15

Which of the following is NOT a key function of the cerebellum?

Accepted Answer

Regulation of body temperature

Answer

Coordination of movement

Answer

Processing of sensory information

Question 16

The cerebrum is primarily responsible for:

Accepted Answer

Higher-order cognitive functions

Answer

Motor control

Answer

Sensory perception

Answer

Emotional regulation

Question 17

The spinal cord primarily serves as a:

Accepted Answer

Relay center for sensory and motor information

Answer

Control center for higher-order cognitive functions

Answer

Primary site for hormone secretion

Answer

Pumping organ for cerebral spinal fluid

Question 18

In the central nervous system, which neurotransmitter is primarily responsible for inhibitory synaptic transmission?

Accepted Answer

GABA

Answer

Glutamate

Answer

Dopamine

Answer

Acetylcholine

Question 19

Which of the following is NOT a function of the hypothalamus?

Accepted Answer

Coordination of voluntary movement

Answer

Regulation of body temperature

Answer

Control of sleep-wake cycles

Answer

Secretion of growth hormone

Question 20

The sympathetic nervous system is primarily responsible for:

Accepted Answer

Preparing the body for "fight or flight" responses

Answer

Promoting rest and relaxation

Answer

Regulating blood pressure and heart rate

Answer

Controlling digestive processes

Question 21

Which structure within the central nervous system is primarily involved in maintaining balance and equilibrium?

Accepted Answer

Cerebellum

Answer

Medulla oblongata

Answer

Spinal cord

Answer

Thalamus

Question 22

The meninges are a series of protective membranes that surround:

Accepted Answer

Brain and spinal cord

Answer

Internal organs

Answer

Muscles and bones

Answer

Blood vessels

Question 23

A characteristic symptom of Alzheimer's disease is:

Accepted Answer

Progressive cognitive decline

Answer

Motor neuron degeneration

Answer

Increased production of dopamine

Answer

Absence of amyloid plaques

Question 24

The concept of neuroplasticity refers to:

Accepted Answer

Ability of the nervous system to adapt and change in response to experiences

Answer

Degeneration of neurons over time

Answer

Formation of new synapses between neurons

Answer

Increased blood flow to the brain

Question 25

Which of the following is the primary function of the spinal cord?

Accepted Answer

To transmit sensory and motor information to and from the brain

Answer

To control breathing and heart rate

Answer

To regulate hormone production

Answer

To store and process memories

Question 26

Which neurotransmitter plays a crucial role in regulating mood, sleep, and appetite?

Accepted Answer

Serotonin

Answer

Dopamine

Answer

Acetylcholine

Answer

GABA

Question 27

Which part of the neuron transmits electrical impulses away from the cell body?

Accepted Answer

Axon

Answer

Dendrite

Answer

Soma

Answer

Myelin sheath

Question 28

What is the collective term for the three layers of membranes that enclose the brain and spinal cord?

Accepted Answer

Meninges

Answer

Dura mater

Answer

Pia mater

Answer

Arachnoid mater

Question 29

Which lobe of the cerebrum is primarily responsible for processing visual information?

Accepted Answer

Occipital lobe

Answer

Frontal lobe

Answer

Parietal lobe

Answer

Temporal lobe

Question 30

What is the primary function of the thalamus?

Accepted Answer

To relay sensory information to the cerebrum

Answer

To initiate and control voluntary movements

Answer

To secrete hormones that regulate various bodily functions

Answer

To process emotional experiences and memories

Question 31

Which type of neuron transmits information within different regions of the central nervous system?

Accepted Answer

Interneuron

Answer

Sensory neuron

Answer

Motor neuron

Answer

Glial cell

Question 32

Which neurodegenerative disease is characterized by the gradual loss of cognitive abilities and memory?

Accepted Answer

Alzheimer's disease

Answer

Multiple sclerosis

Answer

Parkinson's disease

Answer

Stroke

Question 33

Which of the following is NOT a primary function of the cerebellum?

Accepted Answer

Higher-order thinking

Answer

Coordination of movement

Answer

Balance

Answer

Muscle tone

Question 34

Which protective membrane is outermost and consists of tough connective tissue?

Accepted Answer

Dura mater

Answer

Arachnoid mater

Answer

Pia mater

Answer

Ependyma

Question 35

Which neurotransmitter is released at the neuromuscular junction, triggering muscle contraction?

Accepted Answer

Acetylcholine

Answer

Dopamine

Answer

GABA

Answer

Serotonin

Question 36

Which region of the brain is responsible for processing and interpreting visual stimuli?

Accepted Answer

Occipital lobe

Answer

Frontal lobe

Answer

Temporal lobe

Answer

Parietal lobe

Question 37

Which type of glial cell provides structural support and nourishment to neurons?

Accepted Answer

Astrocytes

Answer

Neurons

Answer

Oligodendrocytes

Answer

Schwann cells

Question 38

What type of fluid fills the brain's ventricles and the spinal cord's central canal?

Accepted Answer

Cerebrospinal fluid

Answer

Interstitial fluid

Answer

Blood

Answer

Lymph

Question 39

Which branch of the autonomic nervous system is responsible for 'rest and digest' functions?

Accepted Answer

Parasympathetic nervous system

Answer

Sympathetic nervous system

Answer

Enteric nervous system

Answer

Somatic nervous system

Question 40

Which structure serves as a two-way communication pathway between the brain and the body?

Accepted Answer

Brain stem

Answer

Thalamus

Answer

Hypothalamus

Answer

Hippocampus

Question 41

Which component of a neuron is responsible for transmitting electrical signals over long distances?

Accepted Answer

Axon

Answer

Cell body

Answer

Dendrites

Answer

Myelin sheath

Question 42

What process involves the release of neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft?

Accepted Answer

Exocytosis

Answer

Endocytosis

Answer

Diffusion

Answer

Osmosis