Brain and Nervous System (Excluding Specific Brain Regions) Flashcards
How MIGHT patients with dementia be able to improve their cognitive function?
Do cognitive tasks, like arithmetic or reading aloud
Left vs. Right Hemispheres
Left: more analytical, rational
Right: more creative, artistic, intuitive
Talk about the “humans only use 10% of their brain” claim
Humans have access to 100%. Damage of a tiny part of the brain can have dramatic effects. Even in sleep, we use much more than 10%
2 Main Parts of Nervous System
1) Central Nervous System
2) Peripheral (outlying) Nervous System
Central Nervous System (CNS)
What does it consist of? What functions?
Consists of the brain and the spinal cord
Function: receive, process, interpret, and store sensory information. send out messages to muscles, glands, and internal organs.
How’s the spinal cord related to the brain?
The spinal cord is an extension of the brain, extending to below the neck. Messages are carried from brain to (and through) spinal cord
Spinal reflexes
Examples?
Automatic behaviors that the spinal cord produces without the brain (or conscious effort). The brain doesn’t have time to register.
eg. pulling away from hot pot.
How do thoughts and emotions interact with spinal reflexes?
Some thoughts or emotions might trigger or inhibit spinal reflexes (eg. penile erection)
Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
What does it consist of? What functions?
All portions of nervous system outside of CNS, including sensory and motor nerves.
Function: Handles nervous system’s input and output.
What’s the function of motor nerves?
Carries orders from CNS to muscles, glands, and organs. Enables movement and enables glands to secrete substances like hormones.
2 Parts of the Peripheral Nervous System
Somatic Nervous System and Autonomic Nervous System
Somatic Nervous System
what is it? its function?
Consists of nerves that are connected to sensory receptors
Function: Enables us to sense the world and have voluntary action.
Autonomic Nervous System
what does it consist? function?
Consists of nerves that are connected throughout the body.
Function: Regulates functioning of blood vessels, glands, internal organs. (eg. when you see your crush and you flush)
2 Divisions of Autonomic Nervous System
1) Sympathetic Nervous System
2) Parasympathetic Nervous System
How do the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system work?
The sympathetic nervous system mobilizes the body for action (blushing, sweating, increasing heart rate, fight/flight etc.) while the parasympathetic nervous system slows things down
Which division of the Autonomic Nervous System inhibits bladder contraction? which allows bladder contraction?
Sympathetic inhibits bladder contraction
The brain is made of how many types of cells? What are they?
Two types. Neurons and Glial cells
What is the function of neurons? What is the function of Glia (glial cells)?
Neurons are nerve cells. Transmit information to, from, and within the CNS.
Glia hold neurons in place and protect them. They also help neurons grow, protect brain from toxic agents, etc.
How many cells are in an adult brain? How much is each type of cell?
171 Billion. Half and half (glia and neurons)
Do neurons mostly look the same throughout the brain? How many types of neurons in mammals?
No, they vary depending on location and function. 200 types.
Three main parts of a neuron
Dendrites, cell body, and axon
What’s the range of the size of axons in adult humans?
From four thousandths of an inch to a few feet
Axon Terminal
The ends of axons that communicate with other neurons
Myelin Sheath
Functions?
A layer of fatty material found around many axons, made of glial cells.
Function: to prevent adjacent cells from interfering with each other and speed up conduction of neural impulses
Nodes
Constrictions in myelin sheath, making the axon look like link sausages.
Nerves
Axons and sometimes dendrites bundled in PNS. Mostly enter or leave spinal cord.
How many peripheral nerves in human body?
43 pairs. (one left one right of body for each pair)
Cranial nerves
12 pairs of nerves in the head that connect directly to the brain.
Neurogenesis
The production of new neurons from immature stem cells.