3.2 Structure and Function of the CNS notes

Question 1

The Central Nervous System consists of the _____ and the _______

Answer 1

The Central Nervous System consists of the brain and the spinal cord

Question 2

What are 5 functions of the central nervous system?

Answer 2

1. Regulate internal environment
2. experience emotions
3. voluntarily control movements
4. percieve
5. engage in higher cognitive processes (thought and memory)

Question 3

Define Cognition

Answer 3

the act or process of knowing, including both awareness and judgement

Question 4

What are the 6 regions of the brain (and their subcomponents where applicable)?

Answer 4

1. Cerebral Cortex
2. Basal Nuclei
3. Thalamus
4. Hypothalamus
5. Cerebellum
6. Brainstem
   
   • midbrain, pons, and medulla

Question 5

what are 5 major functions of the cerebral cortex?

Answer 5

1. Sensory perception
2. voluntary control of mvmt
3. language
4. personality traits
5. sophisticated mental events, such as thinking, memory, decision making, creativity and self-consciousness

Question 6

What are three functions of the Basal Nuclei?

Answer 6

1. Inhibition of muscle tone
2. Coordination of slow, sustained movements
3. supression of useless patterns of movements

Question 7

What are four major functions of the hypothalamus?

Answer 7

1. Relay station for all synaptic output
2. Crude awareness of sensation
3. some degree of consciousness
4. Role in motor control

Question 8

What are four major functions of the hypothalamus?

Answer 8

1. Regulation of homeostatic functions
2. Important link btwn nervous and endocrine systems
3. extensive involvement in emotion and basic behavioural patterns
4. Role in sleep wake cycle

Question 9

What are three major functions of the cerebellum?

Answer 9

1. Maintenance of balance
2. Enhancement of muscle tone
3. Coordination and planning of skilled voluntary muscle activity

Question 10

What are five functions of the brain stem (pons, midbrain, medulla)?

Answer 10

1. Origin of majority of peripheral cranial nerves (all 3)
2. Cardiovascular, respiratory, and digestive control centres
3. Regulation of muscle reflexes involved with equilibrium and posture
4. reception and integration of all synaptic input from the spinal cord
5. Role in sleep wake cycle

Question 11

The brainstem (primitive brain) controls the “vegetative functions”, what does this mean?

Answer 11

Contols the life-sustaining processes (respiration, circulation, digestion) that are performed unconsciously.

Question 12

The cerebellum is concerned with ________ (i.e. maintained proper position of body in space) and subconcious ______ of movement.

It also plays a key role in _______

Answer 12

The cerebellum is concerned with proprioception (i.e. maintained proper position of body in space) and subconcious coordination of movement.

It also plays a key role in learning skilled motor tasks (eg a dance routine)

Question 13

The hypothalamus and thalamus are housed within the _______, which is located on top of the brainstem tucked within the interior of the cerebrum

Answer 13

The hypothalamus and thalamus are housed within the diencephalon, which is located on top of the brainstem tucked within the interior of the cerebrum

Question 14

In humans, the cerebrum constitutes about ____% of the total brain weight

Answer 14

In humans, the cerebrum constitutes about 80% of the total brain weight

Question 15

The _____\_ is located on top of the lower brain regions and is highly convoluted

Answer 15

The Cerebrum is located on top of the lower brain regions and is highly convoluted

Question 16

The outer layer of the cerebrum is the highly convoluted _______, which caps an inner core that houses the _______

Answer 16

The outer layer of the cerebrum is the highly convoluted cerebral cortex (human brain), which caps an inner core that houses the basal ganglia