an intro to the nervous system

Question 1

What are the functional divisions of the nervous system?

Answer 1

Sensory division (afferent) → CNS → responding motor division (efferent)
↓
somatic (voluntary) → autonomic (involuntary) → sympathetic division
→ parasympathetic division

Question 2

What are the two key cell types of the nervous system?

Answer 2

• neurones
• glial cells

Question 3

What is the function of glial cells?

Answer 3

• support neurones and allow them to function

Question 4

What is the function of neurones?

Answer 4

• responsible for communication (action potential/ neurotransmission)

Question 5

Why are neurones described as specialised cells?

Answer 5

Transmit information as electrical
signals - nerve impulses or action
potentials (AP)

Question 6

What is apart of the structure of a neurone?

Answer 6

➢main part = cell body/ soma
➢dendrites (extension of cell membrane) = receive information from other cells
➢single axon = divides to communicate with other cells
➢many axons = wrapped by insulating substance (myelin sheath)
➢gaps = nodes of ranvier 9deposited by glial cells)
➢ nucleus

Question 7

Which types of glial cells produce myelin?

Answer 7

Oligodrendrocytes (CNS) and
Schwann cells (PNS)

Question 8

What do astrocytes CNS (glial cells) do?

Answer 8

Enable homeostasis, physical
barrier/connector, buffer, reuptake of
neurotransmitters support neurones

Question 9

What do microglia CNS (glial cells) do?

Answer 9

• immune cells of the brain
• in charge of phagocytose dead cells and debris

Question 10

What do ependymal CNS (glial cells) do?

Answer 10

• help form barriers to prevent things from getting into the nervous system

Question 11

What is a nerve?

Answer 11

• a bundle/ collection of neurones

Question 12

What are the 4 receptor types/ families?

Answer 12

*ligand-gated ion channels (ionotropic)
*G-protein coupled receptor
(metabotropic)
*Kinase linked receptor
*Nuclear receptor

Question 13

What are some properties of synapses?

Answer 13

✿ may be excitatory
✿ may be inhibitory
✿ use different neurotransmitters
✿ allow different ions to travel through their channels

Question 14

What are some examples of excitatory neurotransmitters?

Answer 14

*GLUTAMATE
*acetylcholine
* monoamines
*dopamine, noradrenaline, 5HT/ seratonnin

Question 15

What are some examples of inhibitory neurotransmitters?

Answer 15

• GABA
• Glycine
• Endorphins

Question 16

What are some examples of neuromodulaters?

Answer 16

– Neuropeptides
– Endocannabinoids

Question 17

CNS brain structure: What is the cerebrum?

Answer 17

part of brain for higher functions
- contains cortex + sub cortex = movement, memory and emotion

Question 17

What is the diencephalon?

Answer 17

important for homeostasis
* between brain stem and cerebrum
* contains hypothalamus and pituitary

Question 18

What is the brain stem and functions?

Answer 18

involuntary functions,
blood pressure, breathing, vomiting,
sleep/arousal

Question 19

What is the function of the cerebellum?

Answer 19

• co-ordinates movement

Question 20

what is the structure of the cerebrum’s cortex?

Answer 20

• 2 hemispheres joined by corpus callosum
• surface folded

Question 21

What is the frontal lobe for?

Answer 21

reasoning, planning, speech,
movement, problem solving

Question 22

What is the parietal lobe for?

Answer 22

movement / orientation
recognition, stimuli perception

Question 23

What structures protect the brain?

Answer 23

• cranium
• meninges (membranes)

Question 24

What are the three meninges membranes?

Answer 24

• Dura mater (outer)
• Arachnoid membrane
• Pia mater (inner)

Question 25

What is between the arachnoid membrane and Pia mater?

Answer 25

the cerebro spinal fluid (CSF)

Question 26

What are the functions of the CSF?

Answer 26

• Protection
• Physical: buoyancy and padding
• Chemical: Stable ionic environment.
• Different to plasma
• No blood cells little protein