Exercises

1) A nerve cell can be compared to a telephone
Associate the following words.

Plastic material surrounding the wire
The naked telephone wire
Electrical signal in the wire
2) What are the four distinct features of a neuron (nerve cell)?
3) The animation on the left shows a nerve fibre controlling muscle contraction. Is this nerve fibre a sensory or motor neuron? Explain.

4) Complete the following sentences by selecting the appropriate word.

a) The gap between two neurons is called a .


b) A carries the nerve impulse across the .

 

c) A travels in only one direction along the .
5) A drug is discovered that causes paralysis in animals. Explain how this drug may interfere with the action of neurotransmitters.
6) Explain the differences in the nervous system between a conscious response, such as bending over to pick up a five dollar note and an unconscious response such as pulling the hand away from a hot object.