B8 The Nervous System Flashcards

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1
Q

Which 3 main internal conditions require regulation?

A
  • Blood glucose content
  • Water content
  • Temperature
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2
Q

Which neurones can be found in the CNS?

A

Relay neurones

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3
Q

What differs a reflex action from other nervous responses?

A

The signal bypasses the brain, so the response is faster.

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4
Q

How is information transmitted to and from the CNS?

A

Stimulus → Receptors → Sensory neurone → CNS → Relay neurone → Motor neurone → Effector

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5
Q

What does the myelin sheath do?

A

Enables electrical impulses to travel quickly and efficiently

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6
Q

What structures connect two neurones?

A

Synapses

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7
Q

How do electrical impulses travel across the synapse?

A

Via neurotransmitter chemicals which diffuse across the gap and trigger impulses in the next neurone.

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8
Q

Name one role of a reflex response:

A

To reduce the chance of harm/injury

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9
Q

Where is the cerebral cortex?

A

On the outer layer of the brain

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10
Q

What functions are controlled by the cerebral cortex?

A

Consciousness, intelligence, memory and language

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11
Q

What is the cerebellum responsible for?

A

Muscle co-ordination

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12
Q

List and explain 3 ways in which neuroscientists study the brain:

A
  • Studying patients with brain damage
  • Electrically stimulating the brain
  • MRI scans
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13
Q

Via which part of the eye are nervous impulses carried?

A

Optic nerve

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14
Q

What is the role of the iris?

A

Controls the diameter of the pupil

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15
Q

What is the name of the tough outer wall of the eye?

A

Sclera

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16
Q

What is the iris reflex and why is it necessary?

A

The unconscious contraction of muscles in your iris to let more or less light into the pupil, preventing damage to the eye.

17
Q

Describe what happens in the eye in dim light:

A

The radial muscles contract and the circular muscles relax, causing the pupil to dilate.

18
Q

Explain how the eye focuses on a nearby object:

A

-Ciliary muscles contract and decrease diameter
-Thus the suspensory ligaments slacken
-Lens becomes more thick and round
-Light is refracted more
-Light focussed onto the retina.

19
Q

What 2 things are the receptor cells in the retina sensitive to?

A

Colour and light intensity

20
Q

What may cause hyperopia?

A

A misshapen lens or a shortened eyeball

21
Q

What kind of lens is used to treat myopia?

A

Concave lens

22
Q

What is a disadvantage of soft contact lenses over hard ones?

A

They carry a higher risk of infection.

23
Q

What does laser eye surgery do?

A

Change the shape of the cornea by vaporising tissue to correct vision

24
Q

What complications does laser eye surgery carry?

A

Worsened vision and infection

25
Q

What is a risk of replacement lens surgery?

A

Retinal damage

26
Q

What part of your brain receives information about body temperature?

A

Thermoregulatory centre

27
Q

Where does it receive the information from?

A
  • Receptors in the TRC that detect blood temperature in the brain
  • Receptors in the skin that transmit information about skin temperature
28
Q

What kind of feedback system controls temperature?

A

Negative feedback system

29
Q

Explain 3 mechanisms that reduce core body temperature:

A
  • Hairs on the skin lie flat- less air trapped near skin, so less insulation, meaning heat can be transferred to the environment more easily
  • Sweat produced- transfers energy to the environment when it evaporates
  • Vasodilation- skin capillaries widen- blood flow closer to skin, so energy can be transferred to the environment more easily
30
Q

How does shivering lead to an increase in body temperature?

A

Your muscles contract more, requiring more respiration which transfers energy that warms the body.

31
Q

How can glasses help correct myopia?

A

The concave lens refracts the light, so that once it passes through the lens, it can be focused on the retina instead of in front of the eye.

32
Q

Define homeostasis

A

Regulation of conditions to maintain a constant internal environment

33
Q

Define stimulus

A

Change in external environment, usually one that triggers a biological response

34
Q

Define reflex

A

Rapid, unconscious response to stimuli

35
Q

Define accommodation

A

The reflex action during which the lens changes shape to focus on near and distant objects.

36
Q

Why does body temperature increase when an organism wakes up from hibernation?

A

The increase in activity increases the rate of respiration, which in turn transfers thermal energy