Quiz 2 2015

Name: ______________________________

1.  An IPSP is 

A.   A type of graded potential that increases the membrane potential
B.   A type of graded potential that decreases the membrane potential
C.   All-or-none in character.

2. Which best describes “adaptation” in sensory processing?

A. When a stimulus is maintained for a long time, action potentials from sensory receptors
  decrease in frequency with time.
B. Descending inputs from the brainstem inhibit afferent pain pathways in the spinal cord.
C. Inhibitory interneurons decrease action potentials from receptors at the periphery of a stimulated
region.
D. Receptor potentials increase in magnitude with the strength of a stimulus.

3. The first step in triggering neurotransmitter release at the axon terminal is the _______________________
of the axon terminal membrane, a step that causes voltage-regulated channels for _______ions to open and
the consequent influx/outflux(circle correct answer) of that ion. This event results in fusing of
________________________to the axon terminal membrane releasing neurotransmitter. 

depolarization, calcium, influx, synaptic vesicles

4. Which best describes “lateral inhibition” in sensory processing?

A. When a stimulus is maintained for a long time, action potentials from sensory receptors decrease in
frequency with time.
B. Descending inputs from the brainstem inhibit afferent pain pathways in the spinal cord.
C. Inhibitory interneurons decrease action potentials from receptors as the periphery of a stimulated
region.
D. Receptor potentials increase in magnitude with the strength of a stimulus.

5.  If the average membrane potential (central excitatory state) of postsynaptic nerve cell A is -50 mV, cell B is
-60 mV, cell C is -20 mV, and cell D is -30 mV, what are the relative frequencies of action potential firings
by the 4 cells? (list in increasing order, e.g. nerve A<B=C<D) The initial segment of the axon of all four
cells has a membrane threshold of -45 mV and the absolute and relative refractory periods are the same for
each cell.

A=B<D<C