Chapter 9

Question 1

The Brain has a specialized metabolism with a high demand for ATP. Normally the brain uses what as its primary source of calories? During prolonged fasting the brain will use what?

Answer 1

Normally uses glucose.

During prolonged fasting uses ketone bodies.

Question 2

During short term fasting what does the liver do to keep the brain supplied with nutrients it can use for ATP synthesis? For each process name the substrates and products used.

Answer 2

1. gluconeogenesis (Substrate - glycerol, some amino acids, pyruvate; product - glucose)
2. glycogenolysis (Substrate - glycogen; product - glucose)

Question 3

During prolonged fasting what does the liver do to keep the brain supplied with nutrients it can use for ATP synthesis? Name the substrates and products used.

Answer 3

Ketogenesis (fatty acids - ketone bodies

Question 4

Normally blood glucose is maintained at about:

Answer 4

100 mg/dL

Question 5

Name the major integrating centers of the medulla and describe the function of each.

Answer 5

1. Cardiac - regulating heart rate and contractibility
2. Respiratory - ventilation
3. Vasomotor - controls blood vessels and blood pressure regulation

Question 6

State the major function of the thalamus. Further explain the function by describing a specific example.

Answer 6

pre-processing of sensory information for all senses except for smell.
example: The visual system - inputs from the retina are sent to the thalamus, which in turn projects to the primary visual cortex in the occipital lobe.

Question 7

list the sensors found in the hypothalamus and explain what they detect.

Answer 7

Thermoreceptors - core body temp

Question 8

Describe the general neural pathway that the cerebrum uses to influence involuntary funtions

Answer 8

Cerebrum (see, hear, smell, “imagination”) —–>
Limbic system/hypothalamus (emotional brain) —->
Sympathetic Nervous System (“flight or fight” response)