8.3: The Central Nervous System

Question 1

What does the central nervous system consist of and what does it do?

Answer 1

• Consists of the brain and spinal cord
• Integrates and processes information sent by nerves

Question 2

What does the grey matter consist of and where is it located?

Answer 2

• Consists of unmyelinated neurons
• Located on the periphery of the brain

Question 3

What does the white matter consist of and where is it located?

Answer 3

• Consists of bundles of myelinated neurons
• Located on the inner sections of the brain

Question 4

What does the cerebrospinal fluid do and where is it located?

Answer 4

• Cushions the brain and spinal cord
• Located in the central canal of the spinal cord and ventricles of the brain

Question 5

What are the meninges and what are they?

Answer 5

Elastic tissue in the skull and spinal cord, which directly encloses the brain

Question 6

Describe the function of the dura mater

Answer 6

Tough, outer membrane which adheres to the skull

Question 7

Describe the function of the arachnoid

Answer 7

Web-like middle layer which reabsorbs cerebrospinal fluid

Question 8

Describe the function of the pia mater

Answer 8

Innermost layer which contains many blood vessels and covers the brain and spinal cord

Question 9

What are the parts in the hindbrain and what is it responsible for?

Answer 9

• Responsible for coordination and homeostasis
• Contains 3 parts: cerebellum, medulla oblongata, pons

Question 10

What does the medulla oblongata do and where is it located?

Answer 10

• Located at the base of the brain stem, which connects the brain and spinal cord
• Controls autonomic and homeostatic functions

Question 11

What does the cerebellum do?

Answer 11

Important for coordination error checking of motor, cognitive, and perceptual functions

Question 12

What does the pons do and where is it located?

Answer 12

• Located above and in front of the medulla oblongata
• Relays information to and from higher brain centres
• Acts as a bridge between the cerebrum, cerebellum, and rest of the body

Question 13

What is the midbrain responsible for and where is it located?

Answer 13

• Responsible for the integration of sensory information
• Located below the cerebral cortex

Question 14

What is the forebrain
responsible for and what are the parts of it?

Answer 14

• Responsible for learning, emotions, and thoughts
• Contains the cerebellum, thalamus, and hypothalamus

Question 15

What does the cerebrum do?

Answer 15

• Contains the L and R hemisphere and corpus callosum, which is the main connection for the two hemispheres
• L Hemisphere: Language, critical thinking, math
• R Hemisphere- Pattern recognition, emotional processing

Question 16

What does the thalamus do?

Answer 16

• Main input centre for sensory information entering the cerebrum
• Main output centre for motor information leaving the cerebrum

Question 17

What does the hypothalamus do?

Answer 17

-Regulates homeostasis, emotions, and coordinates hormone production

Question 18

What does the frontal lobe do?

Answer 18

• Is the primary motor area
• Controls reasoning, critical thinking, language, and personality

Question 19

What does the parietal lobe do?

Answer 19

• Primary somatosensory and primary taste area
• Touch, temperature, taste, reading, interpreting speech, and emotions
• Processes information about the body’s orientation and position

Question 20

What does the occipital lobe do?

Answer 20

• Contains primary visual area
• Can help process auditory information
• Needed for object recognition

Question 21

What does the temporal lobe do?

Answer 21

• Contains primary auditory area
• Can help process visual information
• Linked with understanding speech

Question 22

What is the difference between Broca’s area and Wernicke’s area?

Answer 22

Broca’s Area: Located in the frontal lobe and active when speech is generated
Wernicke’s Area: Located in the temporal lobe and is active when speech is heard

Question 23

What is the difference between sympathetic and parasympathetic systems?

Answer 23

Sympathetic: Fight/Flight
Parasympathetic: Rest/Digest