Chapter 1

Question 1

What does the nervous system consist of?

Answer 1

The brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerves

Question 2

What are sensory neurons

Answer 2

detect and respond to different attributes of the internal and external environment.

Question 3

Explain motor neurons

Answer 3

Control the activity of muscles and are responsible for all forms of behaviour

Question 4

Explain interneurons

Answer 4

They mediate simple reflexes as well as being responsible for the highest functions of the brain

Question 5

What are glial cells?

Answer 5

They contribute to the development of the nervous system and have a its function in the adult brain; are much more numerous but don’t transmit information the same way as neurons.

Question 6

The two sets of additional compartments in neurons called ‘processes’ are ____

Answer 6

Axons and dendrites

Question 7

Both of these processes participate in the specialised contacts called _____

Answer 7

Synapses

Question 8

What are the two main parts of the brain

Answer 8

brain stem and the cerebral hemispheres

Question 9

What are the parts the brain stem is divided into

Answer 9

Hind-brain. mid-brain and diencephalon

Question 10

Explain the hind-brain

Answer 10

It is an extension of the spinal cord. It contains networks of neurons which that make up centres for the control of vital functions such as breathing and blood pressure. The cerebellum, which appears at the roof of the hind-brain, controls the control and timing of movements.

Question 11

Explain the mid-brain

Answer 11

It contains groups of neurons, each of which are a type of chemical messenger and all project up to the cerebral hemisphere. These may control the influence of the activity of neurons in higher centres of the brain to mediate functions like sleep, attention or reward.

Question 12

Name and explain the areas that the diencephalon is divided into

Answer 12

1. Thalamus: It relays impulses from the sensory system to the cerebral cortex, which will then relay the information back to the thalamus
2. Hypothalamus: It controls functions such as eating, drinking and the regulation of hormone release for sexual functions

Question 13

What are the parts of the cerebral hemispheres

Answer 13

Core, basal ganglia and thin sheet or neurons

Question 14

True or false? The right side of the brain controls the right side of the body.

Answer 14

False

Question 15

What connects the left and right cerebral cortex

Answer 15

The corpus callosum which is a large fibre tract