All MCAT Biology Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Neuron Structure And Types Of Neurons
In humans, nerve impulses are transmitted with the coordinated action of sodium and potassium ion channels. These channels open in a specific sequence, to allow for membrane potential changes to take place in a directional manner along the length of an axon.
Figure 1 depicts a single phospholipid layer of a cell membrane, and three transmembrane channels important to action potential propagation.
In the cell body associated with the axon depicted in Figure 1, integration of incoming electrical signals is necessary in order to determine whether or not an action potential is initiated by the cell. The region where this integration takes place is the __________.
Suprachiasmatic nucleus
Nucleolus
Supraoptic nucleus
Axon hillock
Nissl body
Axon hillock
The axon hillock is located near the boundary of the cell body and the beginning of the axon. This region is where the totality of incoming nervous signals onto a single cell are summed, and only if this sum meets the threshold does the axon fire an action potential itself.
Example Question #1 : Neurons And Action Potential
How does the sodium-potassium pump accomplish its function of maintaining the electrochemical potential across a cell membrane?
It actively moves two sodium ions out of the cell and three potassium ions in, both against their concentration gradients
It actively moves three sodium ions out of the cell and two potassium ions in, both against their concentration gradients
It passively moves three sodium ions out of the cell and two potassium ions in, both along their concentration gradients
It passively moves three sodium ions out of the cell and two potassium ions in, both against their concentration gradients
None of these answers are correct
It actively moves three sodium ions out of the cell and two potassium ions in, both against their concentration gradients
The sodium-potassium pump moves three sodium ions out of the cell for every two potassium ions it moves in. ATP is used to accomplish this because the direction of movement for both ions is against their concentration gradients.
By removing three sodium ions for the entry of every two potassium ions, the pump creates an electrical imbalance: three positive charges exit the cell, but only two enter. There is a net movement of positive charge out of the cell, leading to the electrochemical gradient. The ion imbalance leads to the negative resting potential of the cell.
Example Question #1 : Neurons And Action Potential
The sodium-potassium pump is an antiporter that moves sodium ions out of the cell and potassium ions into the cell. This pumping action requires ATP. What can you conclude about the electrochemical gradient of sodium?
Sodium concentration is lower outside the cell because the pump drives sodium ions against their electrochemical gradient
Sodium concentration is higher outside the cell because the pump drives sodium ions against their electrochemical gradient
Sodium concentration is higher outside the cell because the pump drives sodium ions along their electrochemical gradient
Sodium concentration is lower outside the cell because the pump drives sodium ions along their electrochemical gradient
Sodium concentration is higher outside the cell because the pump drives sodium ions against their electrochemical gradient
The question states that the sodium-potassium pump requires ATP, indicating that the pumping action uses energy and is classified as active transport. Recall that active transport involves movement of molecules against their electrochemical gradient. This means that the sodium and potassium ions are moved against their gradients. Since they are moving against their gradients, sodium and potassium ions must move from a region of low concentration to a region of high concentration.
The question states that sodium ions are moving from the inside to the outside of the cell; therefore, there must be a higher concentration of sodium ions outside the cell than inside the cell.
Example Question #4 : Neuron Structure And Types Of Neurons
In humans, nerve impulses are transmitted with the coordinated action of sodium and potassium ion channels. These channels open in a specific sequence, to allow for membrane potential changes to take place in a directional manner along the length of an axon.
Figure 1 depicts a single phospholipid layer of a cell membrane, and three transmembrane channels important to action potential propagation.
The cell body associated with the axon depicted in Figure 1 takes in neural impulses from a variety of other neurons. A tract that carries such impulses into the cell body is __________.
called a dendrite, and a neuron always has only one dendrite and one axon
called a dendrite, and uses ions different from the sodium and potassium used by axons to conduct signals
called a dendrite, and is always myelinated by oligodendrocytes
called a dendrite, and is always myelinated by Schwann cells
called a dendrite, and is often present in greater numbers on a single cell than the single axon
called a dendrite, and is often present in greater numbers on a single cell than the single axon
A dendrite carries electrical signals into the cell body of a neuron. This dendrite, however, is typically not myelinated like the axon. There are also frequently many dendrites, while a single axon is the typical rule. Different types of neural cells can carry different arrangements of dendrites depending on their function.
Example Question #81 : Biology
Which component of a neuron is responsible for electochemically stimulating nearby cells?
Nucleus
Dendrite
Soma
Axon
Axon
The axon ends in a terminal bud, which transmits signals to target cells by releasing neurotransmitters across the synapse. The soma is the body of the cell and contains the nucleus. This is where the majority of protein synthesis occurs. The dendrites receive electrochemical stimuli from other neurons and cells and transmit the signal to the soma and axon.
Example Question #6 : Neuron Structure And Types Of Neurons
The primary purpose of the sodium/potassium pump is to __________.
export three sodium ions, import two potassium ions, and establish cell membrane resting potential
export two potassium ions, import three sodium ions, and establish cell membrane resting potential
export two sodium ions, import three potassium ions, and cause an action potential
export two potassium ions, import three sodium ions, and cause an action potential
export two sodium ions, import three potassium ions, and establish cell membrane resting potential
export three sodium ions, import two potassium ions, and establish cell membrane resting potential
Na+/K+ ATPase always exports three sodium ions out of the cell and imports two potassium ions into the cell. The export of three positively charged sodium ions for the import of only two positively charged potassium ions results in a net -70mV charge across the cell membrane, which is known as the cell membrane resting potential.
Example Question #7 : Neuron Structure And Types Of Neurons
Which of the following is NOT true of the neural soma and axon?
Nodes of Ranvier distinct on the axon only
Increased mitochondrial activity in the axon
Lack of myelination in the soma
Decreased voltage-gated sodium channel density in the soma
Increased ribosomal activity in the axon hillock
Increased ribosomal activity in the axon hillock
All of the following are true characteristics of the neural axon and soma except “increased ribosomal activity in the axon hillock.” The axon hillock is a site of neurotransmitter transport. These molecules are produced and packaged in the soma of the neuron, before being translocated to the axon hillock via microtubule tracks. There is little to no ribosomal activity in the axon of a neuron, since most ribosomes are located near the nucleus of a cell, which is the site of mRNA release.
Example Question #1 : Neuron Structure And Types Of Neurons
What is the source of neurons and glia that innervate the pancreas?
Cranial nerves
Central nervous system
Enteric nervous system
Somatic nervous system
Enteric nervous system
The enteric nervous system (ENS) is a component of the autonomic nervous system, which is a component of the peripheral nervous system. The ENS is responsible for innervating the digestive organs and, thus, regulating digestion.
The central nervous system is composed of the brain and spinal cord, while the peripheral nervous system prolifertates the body. The somatic nervous system is under voluntary control, while the autonomic is involuntary. The cranial nerves are a set of specialized nerves that branch directly off of the spinal cord.
Example Question #1 : Nervous System And Nervous Tissue
Ependymal cells are a type of glial cells that __________.
synthesize and secrete myelin
secrete cerebrospinal fluid in the central nervous system
release neurotransmitters into the synapse
phagocytose bacteria or damaged neurons within the central nervous system
help create the blood-brain barrier
secrete cerebrospinal fluid in the central nervous system
Along with capillaries, the ependymal cells create the choroid plexus. The choroid plexus is responsible for synthesizing and secreting cerebrospinal fluid around the brain and the spinal cord.
Certified Tutor
Certified Tutor
All MCAT Biology Resources
![Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors](https://vt-vtwa-app-assets.varsitytutors.com/assets/problems/og_image_practice_problems-9cd7cd1b01009043c4576617bc620d0d5f9d58294f59b6d6556fd8365f7440cf.jpg)