Chapter 2 1
Chapter 2: The Motor System
QUESTIONS
Multiple Choice
1. The most complex component and key of the nervous system is the:
A. pons
B. thorax
C. brain
D. lateral sulcus
2. The brain is divided into the:
A. cerebrum, brainstem, and cerebellum
B. midbrain, pons, and medulla
C. CNS and PNS
D. gyri and sulci
3. Higher cognitive activities, such as language, motor planning, problem solving, and sensory
perception are performed in the:
A. central gyrus
B. primary motor cortex
C. postcentral gyrus
D. cerebral cortex
4. Cranial nerves are attached to the brainstem at points called:
A. cranial nerve nuclei
B. midbrain
C. pons
D. medulla
5. What is the most important function of the cerebellum?
A. It houses the cranial nerve nuclei.
B. It coordinates voluntary movements, contracting muscles with correct force and at
appropriate times.
C. It houses the four lobes of the brain.
D. It performs higher cognitive activities.
6. What do dendrites do?
A. They conduct neural impulses away from the cell body and transfer the impulses to
muscles, glands, or other neurons.
B. They receive electrochemical impulses from other neurons or from sensory organs.
C. They allow one axon to communicate with many additional neurons.
D. They cover the length of axons.
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7. The three primary components of neurons are:
A. dendrites, axons, and myelin
B. motor neurons, sensory neurons, and interneurons
C. efferent neurons, afferent neurons, and effective neurons
D. cell body, dendrites, and axons
8. Regarding neurons, which of the following statements is FALSE?
A. Interneurons play an important role in controlling movement.
B. Sensory neurons carry sensory information.
C. All neurons have cell bodies of a relatively similar size.
D. Motor neurons cause movement.
9. What are the most important cells of the nervous system?
A. neurons
B. glial cells
C. Schwann cells
D. microglia
10. Bundles of axons as found in the CNS are often called:
A. tracts
B. tracks
C. bundles
D. nerves
11. Two important neurotransmitters in the motor system are:
A. nerves and tracts
B. acetylcholine and dopamine
C. CNS and PNS
D. synaptic clefts and glial cells
12. Regarding the manner in which neurons communicate, which of the following statements is
FALSE?
A. A single neuron may have synaptic connections with the terminal ramifications or
collaterals of many different axons.
B. A receiving neuron will fire its own electrochemical impulse only when a certain
threshold of excitation is reached, and then only if the amounts of excitatory
neurotransmitters exceed the influence of inhibitory neurotransmitters.
C. A complex interplay of excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters is required to convey
neural impulses.
D. Only a few neurons are involved in the transmission of neural impulses.
13. The primary auditory cortex, primary visual cortex, primary sensory cortex, and primary
motor cortex comprise the:
A. spinal cord
B. primary cortex
C. cerebrum
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D. basal ganglia
14. The controlled circuits in the basal ganglia and cerebellum link the association cortex with
the:
A. caudate nucleus
B. putamen
C. globus pallidus
D. primary motor cortex
15. Damage resulting in spasticity is often a result of:
A. lower motor neuron damage
B. lateral motor neuron damage
C. upper motor neuron damage
D. bilateral lower motor neuron damage
Completion
16. The central nervous system consists of the brain and ___________.
17. The peripheral nervous system is comprised of ___________ pairs of cranial nerves and 31
18. In general, sensory neurons are afferent, and motor neurons are ___________.
19. The___________ plays an important role in the initial planning of voluntary movements.
20. The ___________ is described as the doorway through which subcortical systems of the
nervous system communicate with the cerebral cortex.
ANSWERS
