Chapter 2: Functional Neuroanatomy: The Nervous System and Behavior

Question 1

Neuron Doctrine

Answer 1

The brain is composed of independent cells that are distinct structurally, metabolically, and functionally

Info is transmitted from cell to cell across synapses

Question 2

Neuron has structures in common with other cells

Answer 2

Mitochondria– produce energy

Golgi apparatus– packages cellular materials for transport

Ribosomes– translate genetic instructions into proteins

Question 3

Four principle subdivisions of neurons

Answer 3

Input zone, integration zone, conduction zone, output zone

Question 4

Input zone

Answer 4

The cell body and dendrites receive info via synapses from other neurons

Question 5

Integration zone

Answer 5

Where the decision to produce a neural signal is made

Question 6

Conduction zone

Answer 6

The axon carries the neuron’s own electrical signal away from the cell body to the axon terminals

Question 7

Output zone

Answer 7

Axon terminals transmit the neuron’s signals across synapses to other cells

Question 8

Motoneurons

Answer 8

Motor neurons

Stimulate muscles or glands

Question 9

Sensory neurons

Answer 9

Respond to environmental stimuli (light, smell, touch, etc.)

Question 10

Interneurons

Answer 10

Receive input from and send input to other neurons

Question 11

Glial cells

Answer 11

They support and assist neurons

Provide neurons with raw materials

Alter neuron structure and excitability

Question 12

4 types of glial cells

Answer 12

Astrocytes
Microglia
Oligodendrocytes
Schwann cells

Question 13

Astrocytes

Answer 13

Star-shaped cells

Receive neuronal input and monitor neural activity

Regulate blood flow

Form new synapses and prune old ones

Question 14

Microglia

Answer 14

Small but active

Two functions:

House-keeping: remove debris from injured or dying cells

Immune function: primary immune cells in the brain, produce and release cytokines in response to sickness

Question 15

Oligodendrocytes

Answer 15

Provide myelination in the central nervous system

Question 16

Schwann cells

Answer 16

Provide myelination in the peripheral nervous system

Question 17

Myelination

Answer 17

Fatty insulating substance to increase speed of signal

Question 18

Nodes of Ranvier

Answer 18

Gaps between sections of myelin where the axon is exposed

And where voltage-gated ion channels are located

Question 19

Gross neuroanatomy

Answer 19

Features of the nervous system visible to the naked eye

Question 20

Central nervous system (CNS)

Answer 20

Brain and spinal cord

Question 21

Peripheral nervous system (PNS)

Answer 21

Motor nerves

Sensory nerves

Question 22

Two nervous systems

Answer 22

Somatic nervous system: brain and spinal cord, voluntary movement

Autonomic nervous system: regulates involuntary bodily functions

Question 23

Somatic nervous system

Answer 23

Cranial nerves: head and neck

Spinal nerves: dorsal (body to spinal cord) and ventral roots (spinal cord to muscles)

Question 24

Spinal cord and spinal nerves

Answer 24

Cervical: neck

Thoracic: trunk

Lumbar: lower back

Sacral: pelvic

Coccygeal: bottom

Question 25

Autonomic nervous system

Answer 25

Sympathetic neurons: fight or flight

Parasympathetic neurons: rest and digest

Question 26

Cerebral cortex

Answer 26

Thick, outermost layer of the cerebral hemispheres comprised mostly of neuronal cell bodies, dendrites, and axons

Question 27

Inside the brain

Answer 27

Gray matter: cell bodies
White matter: axon tracts

There are several brain regions within each lobe

Question 28

Cortical columns

Answer 28

In the cerebral cortex

Each column serves as a unit to process information

Question 29

How do cortical regions communicate?

Answer 29

Via axon tracts

Nissel stain used to identify only cell bodies
Golgi stains used to idenitfy the entire neuron

Question 30

Cerebellum

Answer 30

Motor learning and coordination

3 layers:
Parallel fibers: outer layer
Purkinje cell layer: middle layer
Granule cell layer: inner layer

Question 31

Meninges

Answer 31

Protective membranes of brain and spinal cord

Dura mater: tough outer layer
Arachnoid: middle layer, CSF
Pia mater: delicate inner layer

Question 32

Ventricular system

Answer 32

Series of chambers filled with CSF

CSF: acts as a shock absorber and provides nutrients to the brain

Question 33

Lateral ventricle

Answer 33

Extends into all 4 lobes

Lined with choroid plexus that produces CSF

Question 34

Vascular system

Answer 34

Provides brain with oxygen

Question 35

Hemorrhagic stroke

Answer 35

Rupture in artery causes blood to leak into the brain

Question 36

Ischemic stroke

Answer 36

Clots prevent blood from reaching region of the brain, causing it to die

Question 37

Glymphatic system

Answer 37

Important for draining waste from the brain

Providing flow of cerebrospinal fluid to the brain and helping clear debris from that area

In Alzheimer’s patients, waste builds up, and this system has a hard time clearing it out

Question 38

Axon hillock

Answer 38

Orange halo around the part of the cell body that makes the decision if the axon is going to fire

Question 39

Axon collaterals

Answer 39

Axon terminals

Question 40

Axonal transport

Answer 40

Motor proteins that carry stuff back and forth

Anterograde transport: sending supplies/info from the cell body to the terminals

Retrograde transport: taking info from axon terminals and sending it to the cell body