Carlson Chapter 2

Question 1

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Answer 1

• Brain and spinal cord
• Communicates with the rest of the body through nerves attached to the brain and spinal cord

Question 2

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Answer 2

Nerves and most of the sensory organs (incl. the nerves attached to the brain and to the spinal cord)

Question 3

Nerves

Answer 3

• Bundles of individual neurons contained within a protective membrane
• Relays sensory to the CNS from the body, and relays motor information from the CNS to the rest of the body

Question 4

Sensory Neuron

Answer 4

A neuron that detects changes in the external or internal environment and sends information about these changes to the central nervous system

Question 5

Motor Neuron

Answer 5

A neuron located within the CNS that controls the contraction of a muscle or the secretion of a gland

Question 6

Structure of a Neuron (+ their general function)

Answer 6

1. Cell body or Soma – contains nucleus and much of the machinery involved in the life processes of the cell
2. Dendrites – antennas to receive a neural messages that are transmitted across the synapse
3. Axon – a long, thin tube; outer surface carries information (i.e. action potential) from the cell body to terminal buttons
   *Myelin Sheath – cover the axon to provide insulation for the electrical message carried along the axon membrane (prevents spreading between adjacent axons)
4. Terminal Buttons – the bud at the end of an axon’s branch which forms the synapse; sends information to consecutive neuron

Question 7

Axoplasmic Transport

Answer 7

An active process by which substances are propelled along microtubules that run the length of the axon

Question 8

Anterograde vs Retrograde

Answer 8

• Antero: In a direction along an axon from the soma toward the terminal buttons
• Retro: In a direction along an axon from the terminal buttons toward the soma

Question 9

Neurotransmitter

Answer 9

A chemical that is released by a terminal button; has an excitatory or inhibitory effect on another neuron

Question 10

Membrane

Answer 10

A structure consisting of lipid molecules that defines the outer boundaries of a cell and also constitutes many of the cell organelles

Question 11

Cytoskeleton

Answer 11

• Formed of microtubules and other protein fibres
• It is linked to each other and forms a cohesive mass that gives a cell its shape

Question 12

Microtubule

Answer 12

• A long strand of bundles of protein filaments arranged around a hollow core
• Part of the cytoskeleton and involved in transporting substances from place to place within a cell

Question 13

Nucleus and Chromosome

Answer 13

• Nucleus: A structure in the central region of a cell, containing the cell’s chromosomes
• Chromosome: A strand of DNA (w associated proteins) that carries genetic information