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Mrs P's flashcards_23 > 26 The nervous system > Flashcards

26 The nervous system Flashcards

1
Q

what are the two subdivisions of the peripheral NS?

A

autonomic NS

somatic NS

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2
Q

what are the two subdivisions of the somatic NS?

A

sensory neurones

motor neurones

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3
Q

what is the function of the somatic NS?

A

conscious control of skeletal muscle

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4
Q

what is the neurotransmitter associated with the somatic NS?

A

acetylcholine (ACh)

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5
Q

what is the function of the autonomic NS?

A

subconscious control, allowing reaction to the environment and internal changes and appropriate behaviour modification

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6
Q

what is the difference in myelination between somatic NS neurones and autonomic neurones?

A

somatic myelinated completely

autonomic myelinated only CNS -> ganglion (not ganglion -> receptor)

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7
Q

what is the pre-ganglionic neurotransmitter in the autonomic NS?

A

acetylcholine (ACh)

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8
Q

what is the neurotransmitter used in the

  • parasympathetic
  • sympathetic

divisions of the autonomic NS?

A

parasympathetic = acetylcholine (ACh)

sympathetic = noradrenaline (NAdr)

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9
Q

outline functions of the parasympathetic NS

A

digestion/movement of food through gut

slows h.r.

dilates arteries and arterioles

contracts circular muscles in iris –> pupil constricts

erector pili relax –> hairs lie flat

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10
Q

outline functions of the sympathetic NS

A

slows movement of food through gut

increases h.r.

constricts arteries and arterioles

contracts radial muscles in iris –> pupil dilates

erector pili contract –> hairs stand erect

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11
Q

in which division of the autonomic NS are the ganglia linking neurones found within the target organ?

A

parasympathetic

sympathetic’s are close to the spinal cord

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12
Q

what is the role of the cerebrum?

A

conscious thought/reasoning

emotional understanding

language

contralateral control

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13
Q

what is the role of the corpus callosum?

A

hemispheric communication

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14
Q

what is the role of the cerebellum?

A

muscle co-ordination

non-voluntary movement (i.e. reflexes)

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15
Q

what is the role of the medulla oblongata?

A

autonomic control of:

  • heart rate
  • breathing rate
  • blood pressure
  • peristalsis
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16
Q

what is the role of the hypothalamus?

A

homeostasis

osmoregulation

production of hormones secreted by the posterior pituitary gland

production of releasing factors to stimulate hormone secretion from the anterior pituitary

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17
Q

what is the role of the

  • posterior
  • anterior

pituitary gland?

A

posterior = storage and secretion of hormones produced by the hypothalamus

anterior = production and secretion of hormones

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18
Q

what is an axon?

A

a single elongated nerve fibre extending away from the cell body

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19
Q

what is a dendrite?

A

a short extension of cell and cytoplasm to increase the surface area of the neurone for receiving impulses from other neurones

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20
Q

what is the structure and function of the myelin sheath?

A

layers of plasma membrane produced by Schwann cells

wrap the axon and make it impermeable to Na+/K+

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21
Q

what is the function of the Nodes of Ranvier?

A

small (2 - 3 um) gaps every 1 - 3 mm along the axon

sites of depolarisation allowing saltatory conduction –> faster conduction of nerve impulses

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22
Q

what is the resting potential?

A

when a neurone is not transmitting an impulse or action potential

~ -60 mV

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23
Q

why is the resting potential of the interior of a neurone negative compared to its outside negative?

A

Na+/K+ channels and pump open/working

interior of cell has large inorganic ions

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24
Q

outline the procedure of an action potential

A

1) resting potential

2) depolarisation
- stimulus energy causes Na+ channels to open
- Na+ ions enter down e-chem gradient
- p.d. of membrane reverses
- more Na+ channels open (voltage-gated) (+ve feedback)

3) action potential
- +40 mV reached
- Na+ channels close / voltage-gated K+ channels open
- membrane returns to resting potential

4) repolarisation
- ionic balance restored by pump
- refractory period

5) hyperpolarisation
- K+ channels too slow to close
- ∴ overshoot of p.d. beyond -60 mV
- pump restores resting potential

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25
what is the definition of a refractory period?
the period in which no further action potentials can be generated
26
what is the purpose of the refractory period?
prevents action potential from going in reverse controls frequency in cardiac muscle, refractory period = diastole --> allows time for chambers to refill
27
outline the process of propagation of a nerve impulse
Na+ diffuse sideways along axon Na+ channels in next region open Na+ diffuse in --> depolarisation
28
what is saltatory conduction?
when an action potential 'jumps' from one node to another
29
what are the advantages of saltatory conduction?
increases transmission speed conserves energy - fewer ion pumps/channels
30
what are the factors affecting the speed of action potential transmission?
temperature: more Ek of ions --> faster diffusion axon diameter: larger = faster transmission (less resistance)
31
what is a synapse?
a junction between two neurones, or between a neurone and an effector
32
what are the specialised features of the synaptic knob?
many mitochondria lots of SER voltage-gated Ca2+ channels
33
outline the process of synaptic transmission
a.p. reaches pre-s knob depolarisation causes Ca2+ channels to open Ca+ diffuse in synaptic vesicles triggered to fuse with pre-s membrane NT released via exocytosis into cleft NT binds to specific, complementary receptors on post-s membrane Na+ channels on post-s membrane open if sufficient Na+ enter, depolarisation ∴ a.p. triggered
34
what happens to the neurotransmitter after synaptic transmission?
must be removed to prevent stimulus being maintained broken down by enzymes in cleft products reabsorbed by pre-s knob by endocytosis reformed using ATP and packaged into vesicles for next use
35
what is an EPSP?
{excitatory post-synaptic potential} increased likelihood of a.p. occurring in post-synaptic neurone - membrane potential --> less negative
36
what is an IPSP?
{inhibitory post-synaptic potential} decreased likelihood of a.p. occurring in post-synaptic neurone - membrane potential --> less negative
37
what is the role of synapses?
ensures impulses are unidirectional allows synaptic divergence allows synaptic convergence
38
what is summation?
the effect of combined neurotransmitters
39
what are the two types of summation?
spatial: - lots of pre-s connected to one post-s - accumulation of NT in synapse - a.p. triggered in single post-s temporal: - NT released several times - builds up in quick succession - a.p. triggered
40
what is the function of reflex arcs?
to allow rapid responses to prevent harm to the body
41
outline the plantar reflex
indicates brain/spinal cord damage bottom of foot poked - normal: flex down ; abnormal: flex up
42
outline the pupillary light reflex
indicates damage to brain/optic nerve light shone in both eyes - should constrict to same degree
43
what are the advantages of reflex arcs?
involuntary do not need to be learnt extremely fast
44
what is the definition of acquired brain injury?
any brain injury that occurs after birth
45
what are the two types of brain injury?
traumatic - involves a severe blow to the head (e.g. RTC/mugging) non-traumatic - no severe blow (e.g. stroke/infection)
46
how does a stroke occur?
blood vessel supplying brain becomes blocked OR blood vessel ruptures and bleeds into brain (subdural haematoma)
47
when is a person considered 'dead'?
when there is no activity in the brain stem
48
how could drugs be used to treat Alzheimer's?
cholinesterase inhibitors --> prevent hydrolysis of ACh ∴ increased ACh concentrations ∴ increased functioning/restoration of lost functioning
49
what are the actions of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)?
inhibit inflammation response reduce pain reduce fever
50
what are the causes and symptoms of Parkinson's?
loss of dopamine producing cells leading to increased muscle tension leading to joint rigidity and slow movement
51
how could therapeutic drugs be used to treat Parkinson's?
levodopa --> metabolised to dopamine dopamine agonists --> mimic dopamine monoamine oxidase inhibitors --> inhibition of enzymes that break down dopamine
52
what is the effect of alcohol on the NS?
inhibition of neurotransmission across synapses --> loss of motor skills and co-ordination binds to a number of synaptic receptors
53
what is the effect of heroin on the NS?
an opioid - converted to morphine in brain and binds ti opioid receptors leading to clouded cognitive function, and reduced h.r./b.r.
54
what is the effect of marijuana on the NS?
THC - similar to anandamide (a natural cannabinoid) temporarily releases dopamine THC not broken down quickly and blocks GABA
55
what is the effect of methamphetamines on the NS?
affect excitatory synapses in neurones by increasing dopamine released at synapses slow to be broken down ∴ effect of dopamine prolonged
56
what is the function of the limbic system?
long term memory creation, behaviour and emotions influences endocrine system and autonomic NS
57
what is the effect of excess dopamine on the limbic systems?
dopamine released by hypothalamus for reward-motivated behaviour/actions and creates desire for it to be repeated ongoing dopamine activity activates limbic system and changes brain to state of dependency
58
what is the definition of addiction?
when a tolerance to a substance builds up so that more of it is required to produce the same effect
59
what is the definition of dependency?
when a substance is required by the body for normal functioning
60
give an example of a biochemical reaction to drug use
increased enzymes required to break down drug reduction in sensitivity of synapse
61
what are the reasons that might cause someone to develop an addiction?
social (i.e. peer pressure) emotional (e.g. anxiety issues) depression/malfunctioning
62
what are the consequences of addiction?
can become dominant in life reduces ability for basic functions can lead to criminal behaviour
63
what are the costs to society of addition?
healthcare costs costs of criminal activity policing and customs to prevent trafficking loss of abuser's contribution to economy social breakdown as behaviour detoriorates

Mrs P's flashcards_23 (35 decks)

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