Question

Cells of the CNS and Basic Orientation

1.Question 1

Please respond to the following set of 9 questions by identifying the single BEST response item, not just a marginally correct choice, but the very BEST choice.

Of the following pairs of directional terms, which pairs contain terms that define PERPENDICULAR (orthogonal) directions when applied to the identified region of the central nervous system? Select all that apply.

1 point

in the brainstem, ventral & anterior

in the brainstem, superior & anterior

in the forebrain, superior & rostral

in the forebrain, dorsal & superior

in the brainstem, superior & rostral

in the spinal cord, rostral & anterior

in the spinal cord, anterior & dorsal

2.Question 2

What type of cell serves as a macrophage in the central nervous system?

1 point

neuron

oligodendrocyte

microglia

ependymal cell

astrocyte

3.Question 3

What type of cell makes myelin in the central nervous system?

1 point

Schwann cell

astrocyte

B cell

endothelial cell

oligodendrocyte

neuron

4.Question 4

What type of cell contributes to the blood-brain barrier in the central nervous system?

1 point

T cell

microglia

Schwann cell

endothelial cell

ependymal cell

oligodendrocyte

5.Question 5

What type of cell in the central nervous system plays an important role in the uptake and processing of neurotransmitters from synaptic clefts? Select all that apply.

1 point

ependymal cell

Schwann cell

neuron (at its presynaptic terminals)

T cell

oligodendrocyte

astrocyte

6.Question 6

Across different types of neurons, which metric of neuronal size varies the most in absolute magnitude (e.g., in cross-sectional diameter or total length)?

1 point

dendritic diameter

axonal diameter

numbers of primary dendrites

cell body volume

total axonal length

7.Question 7

What type of cell is recognized as the principal excitatory neuron of the cerebral cortex?

1 point

astrocyte

oligodendrocyte

interneuron

pyramidal neuron

glial stem cell

8.Question 8

What is the predominant type of glial cell that is found in white matter in the central nervous system?

1 point

astrocyte

Schwann cell

neuron

oligodendrocyte

ependymal cell

9.Question 9

What is the predominant type of glial cell that is found in gray matter in the central nervous system?

1 point

astrocyte

microglia

endothelial cell

neuron

oligodendrocyte

Answer 1

Anatomical Directions

Anatomical directions are meant to convey the location of one body structure with respect to a second structure, and are often organized in pairs. However, some terms, such as intermediate, refer to the location of one structure with respect to two other structures.

The terms anterior, posterior, superior, and inferior are of primary use in human anatomy; the terms ventral, dorsal, rostral, and caudal are of primary use in animal anatomy, though the terms have been converted for human usage as well.

Answer and Explanation:

The correct answer is B.

The forebrain and brainstem have different meanings for the terms ventral, dorsal, rostral, and caudal, again due to the conversion from animal anatomy.

In the human brainstem, ventral and dorsal correspond to anterior and posterior, respectively, while rostral and caudal (from the Latin words for beak and tail) correspond to superior and inferior, respectively.

In the human forebrain, the two pairs are swapped; dorsal and ventral now correspond to superior and inferior, respectively, while rostral and caudal now correspond to anterior and posterior.

In the two option A's, option C, and option D, the two anatomical directions point in the same direction.