Nerve Impulse MDCAT Quiz; Nerve Impulse is the electrical signal that travels along the length of a neuron, enabling communication within the nervous system. For MDCAT students, knowledge of how nerve impulses are generated and transmitted is vital to answer questions related to physiology, neurobiology, and cell communication in the MDCAT Quiz. The mechanism of transmission of a nerve impulse is based on the movement of ions across the membrane of the neuron, generating an electrical change called an action potential. In this post, we will take a look at how a nerve impulse is generated, the stages of action potential, and its role in the nervous system. Nerve impulses allow the transmission of information to and from the brain, spinal cord, and other parts of the body rapidly.
MDCAT Quiz on Nerve Impulses
The generation of a nerve impulse begins with the resting membrane potential where the inside of the neuron is negatively charged with respect to the outside. When a stimulus reaches the neuron, it triggers the opening of voltage-gated ion channels, allowing sodium ions (Na+) to rush into the cell, causing a depolarization. This depolarization moves along the neuron, creating an action potential. After the peak of the action potential, potassium ions (K+) exit the cell, and the neuron returns to its resting state through a process called repolarization. This wave-like transmission of electrical signals enables quick communication within the nervous system. MDCAT students should be familiar with the terms depolarization, repolarization, and the role of sodium-potassium pumps in restoring the resting potential.
Free Flashcard on Nerve Impulses
For effective MDCAT preparation, using a Free Flashcard is a helpful tool for reviewing the stages of nerve impulse transmission. Flashcards will reinforce your understanding of how the action potential is generated, how ions move across the membrane, and the importance of ion channels in the process. Regular use of these flashcards will ensure that you can quickly recall key concepts during the MDCAT Quiz. Mastery of nerve impulses will help you tackle questions on neuron function, signal transmission, and the role of the nervous system in body responses. The detailed process of how nerve impulses travel will also enable you to answer questions related to disorders like multiple sclerosis, where the transmission of nerve signals is impaired. Therefore, mastery of the process of generation of nerve impulses and its importance for neuronal communication can make MDCAT students score well in the physiology section of the MDCAT exam.
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A nerve impulse is a(n) ______.
Electrical signal
The resting potential of a neuron is maintained by the ______.
Sodium-potassium pump
The action potential travels along the ______.
Axon
The depolarization of a neuron occurs when ______.
Sodium ions rush into the neuron
The part of the neuron where the nerve impulse is received is the ______.
Dendrite
The myelin sheath around the axon ______.
Speeds up the nerve impulse
The movement of sodium and potassium ions during an action potential is an example of ______.
Active transport
The refractory period is the time when a neuron ______.
Cannot generate another action potential
The synaptic cleft is the space between ______.
Two neurons
Neurotransmitters are released from ______.
Synaptic vesicles
The neurotransmitter that transmits a signal across the synapse is ______.
Acetylcholine
The sodium-potassium pump helps maintain the ______.
Resting potential
The threshold stimulus is the ______.
Minimum stimulus needed to trigger an action potential
The rapid influx of sodium ions leads to the ______.
Depolarization
Repolarization occurs when ______.
Potassium ions leave the neuron
The process of transmitting an impulse across a synapse is called ______.
Synaptic transmission
The action potential is an example of a(n) ______.
All-or-nothing response
The signal at the synapse is transmitted by ______.
Neurotransmitters
The speed of nerve impulse conduction is faster in neurons with ______.
Myelin sheath
The depolarization phase of the action potential occurs when ______.
Sodium ions enter the neuron
The repolarization phase is initiated when ______.
Potassium ions leave the neuron
The synaptic vesicles release neurotransmitters into the ______.
Synaptic cleft
The action potential is generated at the ______.
Axon hillock
An impulse travels faster in a ______.
Myelinated axon
The voltage-gated sodium channels open during ______.
Depolarization
The space between the axon terminal and the next neuron is the ______.
Synaptic cleft
During an action potential, the membrane potential becomes ______.
More positive
The influx of calcium ions at the axon terminal causes the release of ______.
Neurotransmitters
In the nervous system, the term "signal" typically refers to a ______.
Nerve impulse
The sodium-potassium pump uses ______ to function.
ATP
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