CH 41, 42, 43 Nervous system

Question 1

Central nervous system

Answer 1

In complex animals, it consists of a brain and a nerve cord.

Question 2

Peripheral nervous system

Answer 2

All neurons and projections of their plasma membranes that are outside of but connect with the CNS, such as projections that end on muscle and gland cells.

Question 3

Astrocyte

Answer 3

Type of glial cell, provides metabolic support for neurons and also is involved in forming the blood-brain barrier. May also maintain a stable concentration of ions in the extracellular fluid.

Question 4

Microglia

Answer 4

Remove cellular debris produced by damaged or dying cells.

Question 5

Glia

Answer 5

(Greek Glue) Cells that surround the neurons and perform numerous roles.

Question 6

Schwann Cells

Answer 6

Glial cells that from myelin on axons that travel outside the brain and spinal cord.

Question 7

Reflex circuit

Answer 7

Neurons transmit information to each other through a series of connections that form a circuit. A “reflex arc” allows an organism to respond rapidly to inputs from sensory neurons and consists of only a few neurons. (Knee jerk)

Question 8

Polarized

Answer 8

The negative and positive poles found inside and outside surfaces of the plasma membrane. A neuron is electrically polarized.

Question 9

Membrane potential

Answer 9

The difference between the electric charges along the inside and outside surfaces of a cell membrane. (aka potential difference)

Question 10

Resting potential

Answer 10

The membrane potential of a cell that is not sending action potentials.

Question 11

Electrochemical gradiant

Answer 11

The combined effect of both an electrical and chemical gradient across a membrane determines the direction that an ion will move. (the electrical is due to static charges and chemical is due to diffusion principles.)

Question 12

Synaptic Cleft

Answer 12

Extracellular space between two neurons.

Question 13

Presynaptic cell

Answer 13

This cell sends a signal.

Question 14

Postsynaptic cell

Answer 14

This cell receives a signal.

Question 15

White matter

Answer 15

Is covered in myelin; It is myelinated axons bundled together in large numbers to form tracts. PNS

Question 16

Gray matter

Answer 16

Darker in appearance and consists of neuronal cell bodies, dentrites, and some unmyelinated axons. Spinal cord.

Question 17

Ganglion

Answer 17

A group of neuronal cell bodies located in the PNS.

Question 18

Meninges

Answer 18

The three membranes in the skull and spine that protect the brain and spinal cord. The Dura mater, Arachnoid mater, Pia mater.

Question 19

Somatic nervous system

Answer 19

Sense the external environment and control skeletal muscles. (sensory sight, sound, touch. Motor…skeletal movement.)

Question 20

Autonomic nervous system

Answer 20

Regulates homeostasis and organ function. (motor…heart rate, gastric excretions, blood pressue. Sensory…detect internal body conditions.)

Question 21

Sympathetic Division

Answer 21

Part of Autonomic system. Fight/flight. Rapidly activates systems that prepare the body for danger or stress.

Question 22

Parasympathetic Division

Answer 22

Part of Autonomic system. Rest/Digest. Maintains and restores body functions.

Question 23

Limbic System

Answer 23

Collection of evolutionarily older structures that form an inner layer at the base of the forebrain. Formation and expression of emotions; perception of odors; learning and memory.

Question 24

Learning

Answer 24

The process by which new information is acquired. Allows past experiences to affect ongoing and future behavior.

Question 25

Memory

Answer 25

The ability to retain, retrieve, and use information that was previously learned. Behavior is guided by what we remember and have learned.

Question 26

Neurogenesis

Answer 26

The production of new neurons by cell division.

Question 27

Sensory transduction

Answer 27

The process by which incoming stimuli are converted into neural signals.

Question 28

Perception

Answer 28

An awareness of the sensations that are experienced.

Question 29

Meissner corpuscles

Answer 29

These lie just beneath the skin surface and sense touch and light pressure. Mainly found in fingertips, lips, eyelids, and genitals—respond to light touch.

Question 30

Parcinian corpuscles

Answer 30

Structure located deep beneath the surface of an animal’s skin that responds to deep pressure or vibration.

Question 31

Ruffini corpuscles

Answer 31

Tactile (touch) receptors in the skin of mammals that respond to deep pressure and vibration.

Question 32

Stereocilia

Answer 32

Deformable projections of hair cells that detect motion. They do not contain motor proteins but are bent by movements of fluid or other physical stimuli.

Question 33

Otilith

Answer 33

Granules of calcium carbonate found in the gelatinous substance that embeds hair cells in the vertebrate ear. The help define head orientation in space.

Question 34

Opsin

Answer 34

A protein responsible for visual pigment. Rods and cones have different types of this protein.

Question 35

Rhodopsin

Answer 35

The visual pigment in rods

Question 36

Photopsin

Answer 36

Cones contain several types of these visual pigments. Humans can see red, green, or blue light with these pigments. The brain interprets the proportion of these lights to determine all other colors.