Chapter 8- The Nervous System

Question 0

What are the functions of the nervous system?

Answer 0

1. Sensory input
2. Integration
3. Control of muscles and glands
4. Mental activity
5. Homeostasis

Question 1

What are the four parts that the nervous system consists of?

Answer 1

Sensory Receptors

Question 2

What are the two main divisions of the nervous system?

Answer 2

CNS and PNS

Question 3

What is the function of a neuron?

Answer 3

Processes and transmits information by electrical and chemical signaling.

Question 4

What is the importance of the myelin sheath? What cells produce them?

Answer 4

The myelin sheath is a fatty, protective wrapping around axons. The schwann and oligodendrocytes produce them.

Question 5

What are the three different types of neuron structures and where can they be found?

Answer 5

Multipolar is in the CNS and most motor neurons. Bipolar is in the eye and nasal cavity. Pseudo-unipolar is in the sensory neurons.

Question 6

What are the main functions of the neuroglia?

Answer 6

1. Surround neurons and hold them in place.
2. to supply nutrients and oxygen to neurons.
3. to insulate one neuron from another.
4. to destroy pathogens and remove dead neurons.

Question 7

Which type of neuroglia are responsible for producing cerebrospinal fluid, which is considered the immune cell of the CNS?

Answer 7

Ependymal cells

Question 8

What is the difference of the white and gray matter?

Answer 8

White matter- collection of axons and their myelin sheath.

Gray matter- collection of dendrites and cell bodies.

Question 9

What are a collection of cell bodies called in the PNS? What are a collection of axons called in the CNS?

Answer 9

PNS- Ganglion

CNS- Nerve tract

Question 10

What is the Resting Membrane Potential? What can you say about the concentration of cations on either side of the membrane?

Answer 10

In Homeostatic state, there is a lot more Na on the outside than on the inside and a lot more K on the inside than the outside.

Question 11

What is meant by action potential?

Answer 11

Action potential is “electricity” that cause depolarization and repolarization.

Question 12

What happens at the synapse? How does it occur?

Answer 12

The space between presynaptic and postsynaptic membrane. It occurs when an axon attaches to a muscle, gland, organ, or other neurons.

Question 13

What are the components of the reflex arc?

Answer 13

Sensory receptors, Sensory (afferent) neurons, Interneurons (Association) neuron, Efferent (motor) neurons, and Effector.

Question 14

What is the function of the spinal cord?

Answer 14

Holds our body together.

Question 15

What is the difference between ascending and descending tracts?

Answer 15

Ascending tract- axons that conduct action potentials toward the brain.
Descending tract- axons that conduct action potentials away from the brain.

Question 16

What are the regions of the brain?

Answer 16

Left hemosphere and Right hemosphere.

Question 17

What is the function of the brainstem? What is it comprised of?

Answer 17

Attachment point of the brain to the spinal cord. It is comprised of the medulla oblongata, pons, and the midbrain.

Question 18

The diencephalon is comprised of what components? What are their functions?

Answer 18

Epithalamus- emotional and visceral response to odors.
Thalamus- influences moods and detects pain.
Hypothalamus- controls homeostasis, body temp., thirst, hunger, fear, rage, and sexual emotions.

Question 19

Why is hypothalamus so important?

Answer 19

Controls pituitary glands

Question 20

What comprises the cerebrum? What is the importance of the cerebral cortex?

Answer 20

Lobes. The cerebral cortex controls thinking and communication.

Question 21

What is the difference between gyri, sulci, and fissures?

Answer 21

Gyri- folds on cerebral cortex that increase surface area.
Sulci- shallow indentations.
Fissure- deep indentations.

Question 22

What is the function of the longitudinal fissure?

Answer 22

Separates the left and right hemispheres.

Question 23

What are the main functions of the different hemispheres and the lobes of the brain?

Answer 23

Left hemisphere- controls right side of the body.
Right hemisphere- controls left side of the body.
Frontal lobe- controls voluntary motor functions, aggression, moods, and smell.
Parietal lobe- evaluates sensory input such as touch, pain, pressure, temp., and taste.
Occipital lobe- vision.
Tempural lobe- hearing, smell, memory.

Question 24

Why is the cerebellum important?

Answer 24

It is the little brain.

Question 25

What is the ascending and descending tracts responsible for?

Answer 25

Ascending tract transmits info. via action potentials from periphery to brain. Descending tract controls different types of movements.

Question 26

What is the Basal Nuclei and what is its role?

Answer 26

Basal nuclei is a group of functionally related nuclei. It plans, organizes, coordinates motor movements, and posture.

Question 27

Meninges are best described as? What are the different types?

Answer 27

Protective wrapping around the brain and spinal cord. The different types are Dura mater, Arachnoid mater, Pia mater, and the subarachnoid space.

Question 28

Explain meningitis? How is it contracted?

Answer 28

Infection of meninges (bacterial or viral).

Question 29

What is the function of the PNS? What are the divisions called?

Answer 29

Collects input from different sources, relays input to the CNS, and performs action. The divisions are called Afferent (sensory) and Efferent (motor).

Question 30

What is the difference between autonomic and somatic?

Answer 30

Autonomic- response is involuntary.

Somatic- response is voluntary.