Chapter 12 Study Guide
1. Describe the three general functions of the nervous system.
2. What are the two main divisions of the nervous system?
a. Where are they located in the body?
b. What are their functions?
3. What are the sensory and motor divisions of the peripheral nervous system?
a. Each sensory and motor division is further divided. What are those divisions and where are they
located in the body?
4. In the image below label A, B, and C whether they are a part of the CNS or PNS. For the PNS be
specific about what division/subdivision.
a. Make sure you can describe what is occurring in the image.
5. What are the two types of cells that make up nervous tissue?
6. Describe the five characteristics of neurons.
7. Describe the structure of a typical neuron.
8. Distinguish between anterograde and retrograde transport in an axon.
9. What are the four functional segments of the neuron?
a. What parts of the neuron are located in each functional segment?
10. Describe the three structural classifications of neurons.
11. Describe the three functional classifications of neurons.
a. How do these three neurons work together?
12. Describe the general characteristics of glial/neuroglial cells.
13. Describe structure and function of the four types of glial cells within the CNS
14. Describe the structure and function of the two types of glial cells within the PNS.
15. Define what it means for an axon to be unmyelinated and myelinated, and describe the function of a
myelin sheath.
16. Distinguish between the myelination process carried out by Schwann cells/neurolemmocytes in the
PNS and by oligodendrocytes in the CNS.
17. Define resting membrane potential, and explain how the resting membrane potential is established
and maintained in neurons.
18. Review the channels and pumps discussed in Chapter 4.
a. What are three types of channels found on a neuron?
1. What causes them to open?
b. What are the two pumps found on a neuron?
1. How do pumps differ from channels?
19. List the channels and pumps that are located along the entire neuron, and identify the general function
of each.
a. Indicate what direction the ions flow when opened.
20. Identify and describe the four functional neuron segments, including the distribution of channels and
pumps in each.
a. Indicate how the channels/pumps open, and the direction of ion flow.
21. Define depolarization, repolarization, and hyperpolarization.
22. Referring to each of the channels and pumps located on the functional segments, indicate how the
membrane potential would change when they open.
23. Compare and contrast local/graded potentials and action potentials.
24. Compare and contrast the action of neurotransmitters in developing both excitatory and inhibitory
postsynaptic potentials (graded potentials) in the receptive segment of a neuron.
a. What channels or pumps are open for an EPSP or IPSP to occur?
25. Define summation, and describe the two types of summation that can occur in the initial segment.
a. What happens if EPSPs>IPSPs or if EPSPs<IPSPs?
26. Describe and graph an action potential, including the channels and pumps involved in its generation.
a. Make sure you know the specific membrane potential for each step.
27. Define refractory period, and explain the difference between the absolute refractory period and
relative refractory period associated with transmitting an action potential.
28. Describe the factors that influence the velocity of and frequency of action potentials.
29. Compare propagation of an action potential in unmyelinated and myelinated axons.
30. Describe events that occur when the propagated action potential reaches the transmissive segment.
31. Define a synapse, and describe the basic steps of a chemical synapse.
32. Explain the general role of Ca2+ in neurotransmitter release.