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Quizzes > Science

Neuron anatomy quiz: test your knowledge of nerve cell parts

Quick, free neuron parts quiz with instant results and helpful feedback.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Sarah KhadkaUpdated Aug 26, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration for neuron anatomy quiz on sky blue background

This neuron anatomy quiz helps you check what each nerve cell part does and where it belongs. Answer quick questions on dendrites, axons, the soma, and signal flow to spot gaps before a test. To go deeper, try our neuroanatomy quiz, explore the neurotransmitters quiz, or practice with a label the brain quiz.

What is the primary function of dendrites on a neuron?
Generate myelin to insulate the axon
Receive electrochemical signals from other neurons
Provide structural support to the neuron
Transmit action potentials away from the cell body
Dendrites branch out from the cell body to receive synaptic input from other neurons. They contain receptor proteins that bind neurotransmitters and convert them into electrical signals. This receptive function is critical for neural integration and communication within neural networks. For more details see .
Which part of the neuron contains the nucleus?
Myelin sheath
Node of Ranvier
Axon hillock
Cell body (soma)
The cell body, or soma, houses the neuron's nucleus and most of its organelles. It is responsible for the metabolic maintenance of the neuron. The nucleus contains the genetic material that directs protein synthesis essential for neuronal function. Read more at .
What is the insulating layer that surrounds many axons called?
Myelin sheath
Axon terminal
Dendritic spine
Synaptic cleft
The myelin sheath is a multilayered lipid-rich coating that surrounds some axons. It increases the speed of electrical impulse conduction by enabling saltatory conduction between nodes of Ranvier. In the central nervous system oligodendrocytes form myelin, and in the peripheral nervous system Schwann cells do so. More information can be found at .
What is the small gap called where a neuron communicates with another cell?
Axon hillock
Synapse
Nissl body
Node of Ranvier
A synapse is the junction where a neuron communicates with another cell via neurotransmitters. It consists of a presynaptic terminal, synaptic cleft, and postsynaptic membrane. Chemical synapses are the most common and use neurotransmitter release for signaling. Learn more at .
What is the role of the axon hillock in action potential initiation?
Stores neurotransmitters
Produces myelin
Forms the synaptic cleft
Integrates incoming signals and triggers the action potential
The axon hillock is the site where graded potentials are summed. If the combined signal reaches threshold there, it initiates an action potential. Its high density of voltage-gated sodium channels makes it ideal for this role. For further reading, see .
Which ion influx is primarily responsible for the depolarization phase of an action potential?
Sodium (Na+)
Chloride (Cl-)
Calcium (Ca2+)
Potassium (K+)
During the depolarization phase, voltage-gated sodium channels open, allowing Na+ to rush into the cell. This rapid influx of positive charge causes the membrane potential to become more positive. The process is essential for the rising phase of the action potential. More details at .
What are the periodic gaps in the myelin sheath called?
Schmidt-Lanterman incisures
Nodes of Ranvier
Synaptic boutons
Axon hillocks
Nodes of Ranvier are the gaps between adjacent segments of myelin on an axon. They are rich in voltage-gated sodium and potassium channels, facilitating rapid saltatory conduction. Action potentials jump from node to node, speeding signal transmission. See for more.
Which neuronal structure is responsible for synthesizing proteins?
Mitochondria
Rough endoplasmic reticulum (Nissl bodies)
Golgi apparatus
Lysosome
The rough endoplasmic reticulum, visible as Nissl bodies in neurons, is studded with ribosomes for protein synthesis. These proteins include neurotransmitter receptors and ion channels essential for neuronal function. The Golgi apparatus processes and packages proteins but does not synthesize them. More information at .
Which glial cell type produces myelin in the central nervous system?
Schwann cells
Astrocytes
Microglia
Oligodendrocytes
Oligodendrocytes extend multiple processes to form myelin sheaths around axons in the CNS. In contrast, Schwann cells myelinate axons in the peripheral nervous system. Astrocytes support the blood-brain barrier and nutrient supply, and microglia are immune effector cells. See .
During which phase of the action potential do voltage-gated potassium channels open to repolarize the membrane?
Repolarization
Threshold
Depolarization
Resting potential
Repolarization occurs when voltage-gated potassium channels open, allowing K+ to exit the cell. This efflux of positive ions returns the membrane potential toward the negative resting state. It follows the rapid Na+ influx of depolarization. More at .
What does saltatory conduction refer to?
Continuous propagation along unmyelinated axons
Summation of postsynaptic potentials
Jumping of action potentials between nodes of Ranvier
Diffusion of neurotransmitter across the synaptic cleft
Saltatory conduction describes how action potentials propagate by jumping between nodes of Ranvier on myelinated axons. This mode of transmission greatly increases conduction velocity compared to continuous conduction. Myelin prevents ion leakage, concentrating channels at nodes. For details, see .
Which receptor type directly gates ion channels in synaptic transmission?
G-protein coupled receptors
Ionotropic receptors
Metabotropic receptors
Receptor tyrosine kinases
Ionotropic receptors are ligand-gated ion channels that open upon neurotransmitter binding, allowing ions to flow across the membrane. They mediate rapid synaptic responses. In contrast, metabotropic receptors act through second-messenger cascades and are slower. Learn more at .
Which channel's inactivation gate is primarily responsible for the absolute refractory period during an action potential?
Ligand-gated chloride channel gate
NMDA receptor channel gate
Voltage-gated potassium channel inactivation gate
Voltage-gated sodium channel inactivation gate
The absolute refractory period occurs because the inactivation gate of voltage-gated sodium channels remains closed after an action potential. This prevents any new action potential from being initiated until the gate resets. Voltage-gated potassium channels contribute to repolarization but not this inactivation-based block. For more information see .
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Study Outcomes

  1. Identify Neuron Components -

    Recognize and name key parts of a neuron - including dendrites, axon, soma, and synaptic terminals - when taking the neuron quiz.

  2. Explain Signal Transmission -

    Describe how dendrites in a neuron send outgoing signals to other cells and how axons conduct impulses away from the cell body.

  3. Differentiate Nerve Cell Structures -

    Distinguish between the roles and anatomy of dendrites versus axons in a nerve cell quiz context.

  4. Label Neuron Diagrams -

    Accurately annotate neuron anatomy diagrams during the neuron labelling quiz, reinforcing spatial understanding of each part.

  5. Analyze Quiz Feedback -

    Interpret quiz results to identify areas of strength and weakness in neuron anatomy knowledge for targeted review.

  6. Apply Anatomy Knowledge -

    Use your understanding from the neuron anatomy quiz to solve real-world examples and challenges in neuroscience learning.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Function of Dendrites -

    Dendrites in a neuron send incoming electrical and chemical signals from neighboring cells to the soma, acting like antennae that increase surface area for communication. Remember the mnemonic "DAD: Dendrites Are Doorways" to recall they're afferent pathways. According to Harvard Medical School, healthy dendritic branching is crucial for efficient signal integration in the neuron quiz.

  2. Axon and Signal Transmission -

    The axon carries outgoing electrical impulses from the soma to other neurons or muscles at speeds up to 120 m/s, thanks to its length and insulation. During your neuron anatomy quiz, picture the axon as a high-speed highway for action potentials, following the Hodgkin-Huxley model of ion exchange. MIT research highlights that axon diameter and myelination directly influence conduction velocity.

  3. Myelin Sheath and Saltatory Conduction -

    Myelin is a fatty layer wrapped around axons that prevents ion leakage and speeds up impulse conduction by allowing action potentials to "jump" between nodes of Ranvier. Use the phrase "Myelin Makes Messages Move" to recall how saltatory conduction works. Johns Hopkins University studies show demyelinating diseases like MS slow or block nerve cell quiz signals.

  4. Synapse and Neurotransmitter Release -

    At a synapse, voltage changes in the axon terminal trigger calcium influx, causing vesicles to release neurotransmitters into the cleft for chemical signaling. In your neuron labelling quiz, remember "Calcium Creates Chemicals" to link Ca²❺ influx to synaptic transmission. The Journal of Neuroscience reports over 100 neurotransmitters fine-tune communication in the nervous system.

  5. Neuron Classification -

    Neurons are classified as multipolar, bipolar, or unipolar based on the number of processes extending from the soma, affecting their function and location. Use the "MUB" mnemonic - Multipolar, Unipolar, Bipolar - to ace the nerve cell quiz quickly. According to the NIH, multipolar neurons are most common in the CNS, while bipolar types are specialized in sensory organs.

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