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BIOL 125 > 1 - Overview of the nervous system > Flashcards

1 - Overview of the nervous system Flashcards

1
Q

Planes of View of the Brain

A

sagittal, coronal, transverse

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2
Q

2 major divisions of the nervous system

A

Central Nervous System (CNS) and Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

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3
Q

central nervous system

A

brain and spinal cord

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4
Q

peripheral nervous system

A

cranial and peripheral nerves

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5
Q

sensory function

A

Detect internal and external changes

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6
Q

Integrative function

A

analyses & makes decisions based on voluntary and involuntary responses

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7
Q

motor function

A

initiates motor movement & glandular secretions

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8
Q

gross anatomy of the brain

A

cerebrum, cerebellum, brainstem

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9
Q

cerebrum (LCS)

A

largest part of the brain. It contains the cerebral cortex and subcortical regions

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10
Q

Cerebellum (PBC)

A

located in the posterior region of the brain, it is mainly responsible for balance and coordination

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11
Q

Brainstem (MPMC)

A

contains the midbrain, pons and medulla oblongata. It communicates with the PNS to control involuntary processes such as breathing and heart rate.

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12
Q

cerebral cortex

FCC

A

The intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells covering the cerebral hemispheres; the body’s ultimate control and information-processing center.

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13
Q

corpus callosum

A

the large band of neural fibers connecting the two brain hemispheres and carrying messages between them

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14
Q

4 cortical lobes of the brain

A

frontal, parietal, occipital, temporal

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15
Q

frontal lobe (HDPLV)

A

higher cognitive functions, such decision-making and problem-solving.

It is also responsible for some features of language and voluntary movement

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16
Q

parietal lobe (ICI)

A

integrates information from the visual pathway, coordinates motor movement and interpretation of sensory information

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17
Q

temporal lobe (IOE)

A

interpreting speech and hearing, object recognition and emotion

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18
Q

occipital lobe

A

processing primary visual information

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19
Q

subcortical regions of the brain (RMEMS)

A

Brain regions that lie underneath the cortex

  • Responsible for many functions including memory, emotions, motor movement & processing of sensory information
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20
Q

Important subcortical structures (HAHTB)

A

Hypothalamus, amygdala, hippocampus, thalamus and basal ganglia

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21
Q

Hypothalamus

A

brain region controlling the pituitary gland

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22
Q

amygdala (LMEFA)

A

A limbic system structure involved in memory and emotion, particularly fear and aggression.

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23
Q

Hippocampus (NLP)

A

A neural center located in the limbic system that helps process explicit memories for storage.

24
Q

Thalamus (RLC)

A

relays messages between lower brain centers and cerebral cortex

25
Q

basal ganglia (FC)

A

structures in the forebrain that help to control movement

26
Q

Midbrain (CCTC)

A

Serves as a connection between the brainstem and subcortical regions

consists of: colliculi, tegmentum, cerebral peduncle

27
Q

colliculi (EO)

A

directs eye movement towards objects of interest

28
Q

Tegmentum (CA)

A

coordination of movement, alertness/sleep

29
Q

cerebral peduncle

A

control of ocular muscles

30
Q

Pons (BRB)

A
  • A brain structure that relays information from the cerebellum to the rest of the brain
  • forms bridge between midbrain and medulla
31
Q

spinal cord

A
  • Critical link between the CNS and PNS

* Nerves that branch off from the spinal cord form the PNS and innervate the rest of the body.

32
Q

5 Sections of the spinal cord

A 
cervical (neck)
thoracic (chest)
lumbar (lower back)
sacral (hip)
coccygeal (tail)
33
Q

Divisions of PNS (Peripheral Nervous System)

A

somatic nervous system and autonomic nervous system

34
Q

somatic (VCP)

A

Voluntary - controls the skeletal muscles and provides sensory information from the body and from the outside world

35
Q

autonomic (IESP)

A

involuntary functions.

divided into enteric, sympathetic and parasympathetic

36
Q

enteric

A

Regulates movement of water & solutes between gut and tissues

37
Q

sympathetic

A

responsible for the ‘fight or flight’ reaction that occurs in response to a stressful stimulus

38
Q

Parasympathetic

A

balances the sympathetic response by stimulating ‘rest and digest’ pathways

39
Q

afferent pathway

A

carry sensory information from the periphery up to the brain via ascending nerve tracts

40
Q

efferent pathway

A

The brain sends signals down to peripheral nerves along efferent descending nerve tracts to control motor output

41
Q

2 cell groups in CNS

A

neurons and glia

42
Q

4 glial cells in CNS

A

astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, microglia, ependymal cells

43
Q

neurons

A
  • Specialised cells that receive and send electrical signals within the CNS and between the CNS and PNS
  • Input from other cells is received via dendrites, which relay info to the cell body
  • The neuron may choose to then send a signal down the length of its axon, where chemicals will be released onto another neuron, muscle cell or other cell types at the synapse
44
Q

bipolar neurons

A

one axon and one dendrite

Retina of the eye, inner ear, olfactory area of brain

45
Q

unipolar neuron

A

Just 1 process from the cell body, part way down the axon

• Always sensory neurons (pain, temperature, touch, pressure)

46
Q

multipolar neuron

A

A neuron with a single axon and multiple dendrites; the most common type of neuron in the nervous system.

47
Q

Microglia

A
  • Immune cells that survey the CNS and respond to signs of infection or damage
  • Exist in a wide-range of morphologies depending on activation state
  • either activated or surveillant
48
Q

surveillant microglia

A

smaller, with multiple processes

49
Q

activated microglia

A

larger, with rounded cell body & shorter processes

50
Q

Astrocytes

A
  • Small, star-shaped cells that support the development and homeostatic maintenance of the NS and cerebral blood vessels
  • Heterogeneity (morphology, protein expression) across different brain regions
  • Form ‘glial scar’ after severe injury
51
Q

Ogliodendrocytes

A
  • Cells that form the myelin sheath that wraps around some neurons to increase the speed of information transmission by the neuron
  • In the PNS, these cells are called Schwann cells
52
Q

White and grey matter in the brain

A
  • Myelin increases the speed of axon potentials
  • unmyelinated axon conduction velocities range from about 0.5 to 10 m/s
  • myelinated axons can conduct at velocities up to 150 m/s
  • white matter = myelinated areas
  • grey matter = unmyelinated areas
53
Q

Fluids of the CNS – cerebral blood vessels

A
  • Neuronal health is critically dependent on adequate blood supply
  • Blood vessels in the brain are made up the neurovascular unit
  • Endothelial cells of the brain express form tight junction proteins, allowing the brain to create the blood-brain barrier (BBB)
  • This gives the brain a high degree of selectively, thereby protecting it against entry by potentially harmful substances in the blood
54
Q

neurovascular unit

A
  • neurons
  • endothelial cells
  • pericytes (capillaries)
  • astrocytes
  • smooth muscle cell (arteries)
55
Q

Fluids of the CNS – cerebrospinal fluid

A
  • Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is contained within ventricles and in the subarachnoid spaces of the brain and spinal cord
  • CSF provides buoyancy for the brain and cushions from injury, as well as waste removal
  • CSF is produced from filtered blood by the choroid plexus in the ventricles
  • Because CSF is shared between the brain and spinal cord, samples of CSF collected from the spinal cord are used to provide a ‘snapshot’ of the brain environment

BIOL 125 (12 decks)

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