Lesson 4.2.2.1

4.2.2.1 Divisions of the nervous system and neurons Quiz: AQA Psychology, Unit 2

20 questions

Written by Revision Ninja · Last reviewed 11 October 2026

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Lesson 4.2.2.1, Divisions of the nervous system and neurons: 20 multiple choice questions for the AQA Psychology (7182), Unit 2: Psychology in context, written with Revision Ninja.

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The 20 questions

  1. Which two structures make up the central nervous system?

    • The spinal cord and somatic nerves
    • The brain and autonomic nerves
    • The sensory and motor neurons
    • The brain and spinal cord

  2. Into which two divisions is the peripheral nervous system split?

    • Central and cranial
    • Somatic and autonomic
    • Sensory and motor
    • Sympathetic and parasympathetic

  3. Which division of the autonomic nervous system prepares the body for fight or flight?

    • Central division
    • Sympathetic division
    • Parasympathetic division
    • Somatic division

  4. Which type of neuron carries nerve impulses from sense receptors towards the central nervous system?

    • Glial cell type
    • Motor neuron cell
    • Sensory neuron
    • Relay neuron type

  5. What is the function of relay neurons?

    • They carry impulses from the brain outwards to the muscles of the body and the skin
    • They connect sensory and motor neurons within the central nervous system
    • They transmit hormonal signals through the bloodstream to target organs far away
    • They carry impulses from sense receptors in the skin to the spinal cord and the brain

  6. Motor neurons carry impulses from the central nervous system to:

    • Effectors such as muscles and glands
    • The spinal cord and brain stem only
    • The synaptic cleft between two neurons
    • Sense receptors such as the eyes and skin

  7. The myelin sheath around some axons does what?

    • Stores neurotransmitters for release
    • Speeds up the transmission of nerve impulses
    • Receives chemical messages from other neurons
    • Produces hormones that act on distant organs

  8. A patient loses sensation in their hand but can still move the fingers. Which neurons are most likely damaged?

    • Sensory neurons
    • Autonomic neurons only
    • Relay neurons in the brain
    • Motor neurons

  9. A person touches a hot object and pulls the hand away. Which sequence of neurons is involved?

    • Relay, then sensory, then motor
    • Motor, then relay, then sensory
    • Sensory, then relay, then motor
    • Sensory, then motor, then relay

  10. Which division controls voluntary movement of skeletal muscles?

    • Somatic division
    • Enteric division
    • Parasympathetic division
    • Sympathetic division

  11. Which division slows the heart rate after a threat has passed?

    • Central division of the brain
    • Somatic division, which controls muscles
    • Sympathetic division, which speeds the heart
    • Parasympathetic division

  12. A reflex response to a tap on the knee involves which neurons?

    • Sensory neurons, which pass to a motor neuron that causes muscle contraction
    • Motor neurons only, with no sensory input, causing the muscle to contract on its own
    • Autonomic neurons only, with no spinal involvement, controlling the response through glands
    • Relay neurons only, with no motor output, so the leg stays still and no reflex occurs

  13. Why does a reflex arc often include a relay neuron in the spinal cord?

    • It carries signals away from the spinal cord to the skin, causing the reflex to stop
    • It transmits hormones that act across the whole body and slow the reflex response
    • It allows a rapid response without the brain processing the signal first
    • It ensures the response is delayed until the brain has consciously decided what to do

  14. Demyelination of axons, as in multiple sclerosis, would most directly lead to:

    • Slower transmission of nerve impulses
    • Faster transmission of nerve impulses
    • Increased production of neurotransmitters
    • Greater sensitivity of the sense organs

  15. Arrange these in order from the most general to the most specific: sympathetic division, nervous system, somatic division, peripheral nervous system.

    • Peripheral nervous system, nervous system, sympathetic division, somatic division
    • Nervous system, peripheral nervous system, somatic division, sympathetic division
    • Nervous system, somatic division, peripheral nervous system, sympathetic division
    • Sympathetic division, nervous system, somatic division, peripheral nervous system

  16. Which part of a neuron receives incoming signals from other neurons?

    • Axon terminal
    • Myelin sheath
    • Synaptic vesicle
    • Dendrites

  17. If a neuron's dendrites are damaged, what is the most likely effect?

    • Enhanced myelination of the axon, which keeps the signal from being lost
    • Greater release of hormones into the blood, which spreads the signal further
    • Increased speed of conduction along the axon, so the signal arrives sooner
    • Reduced ability to receive signals from other neurons

  18. Which statement correctly describes the autonomic nervous system's role in a perceived threat?

    • It carries sensory information from the skin to the brain, but never affects the organs
    • It raises heart rate and breathing, and diverts blood flow towards skeletal muscles
    • It controls voluntary movement of the legs and arms through the somatic division only
    • It slows heart rate and promotes digestion, which conserves energy during rest periods

  19. Which type of neuron carries impulses from the central nervous system to a gland?

    • Motor neuron
    • Sensory neuron
    • Receptor cell
    • Relay neuron

  20. Which statement about the spinal cord is correct?

    • It is found only in the autonomic division, controlling the internal organs of the body
    • It is part of the central nervous system and carries impulses between the brain and the body
    • It is part of the peripheral nervous system only, linking the brain to the skin and muscles
    • It produces hormones that act on distant organs, releasing them into the bloodstream

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