Cns Flashcards
What is the primary function of the nervous system?
The major controlling, regulatory, and communicating system in the body.
What are the two main systems responsible for regulating and maintaining homeostasis?
- Nervous system
- Endocrine system
What organs primarily compose the nervous system?
- Brain
- Spinal cord
- Nerves
- Blood vessels
- Connective tissues
What are the three general functions of the nervous system?
- Sensory
- Integrative
- Motor
What is the information gathered by receptors in the internal environment called?
Sensory input
Sensory input includes variations in pressure, pH, carbon dioxide concentration, and electrolyte levels.
What are electrical signals that sensory input is converted into?
Nerve impulses
Nerve impulses are transmitted to the brain for processing.
What is the process called when the brain integrates sensory input to create sensations, thoughts, or memories?
Integration
Integration involves decision-making based on sensory input.
What are muscles and glands referred to as in the context of the nervous system?
Effectors
Effectors cause an effect in response to signals from the nervous system.
What is the output called when the nervous system sends signals to muscles and glands?
Motor output or motor function
Motor output results in muscle contraction and gland secretion.
What type of tissue comprises the nervous system?
Nervous tissue
Nervous tissue includes parenchymal tissue (neurons) and stromal tissue (neuroglial cells).
What are the supporting cells in the nervous system called?
Neuroglial cells
Neuroglial cells help, protect, and nourish neurons.
How do the numbers of neuroglial cells compare to neurons?
Five times more numerous
Neuroglial cells outnumber neurons significantly.
Are neuroglial cells excitable or non-excitable?
Non-excitable
Unlike neurons, neuroglial cells do not generate nerve impulses.
Name three types of neuroglial cells.
- Astrocytes
- Oligodendroglia
- Microglia
Additional types include ependymal cells, Schwann cells, and satellite cells.
What are astrocytes?
Star shaped cells responsible for transport of water and salts between capillaries and neurons.
What is the function of oligodendroglia?
They form the myelin sheath that protects axons in the CNS.
What role do microglia play in the nervous system?
They are small cells that act as phagocytes, protecting neurons in response to inflammation.
What do ependymal cells do?
They line membranes within the brain and spinal cord and have some structural function.
What are Schwann cells also known as?
Neurilemma.
What is the primary function of Schwann cells?
They help form the myelin sheath around axons or nerve fibers in the PNS.
What do satellite cells do?
They cover and protect the cell bodies in ganglia and supply nutrients to surrounding neurons.
Fill in the blank: Astrocytes are responsible for transport of water and salts between _______ and neurons.
capillaries
True or False: Oligodendroglia are found in the peripheral nervous system.
False
Fill in the blank: Microglia protect neurons in response to _______.
inflammation
What are ependymal cells?
Ependymal cells are a type of neuroglia.
What are astrocytes?
Astrocytes are a type of neuroglia.
What is the blood-brain barrier?
The blood-brain barrier is a protective barrier between the blood and brain cells, regulated by neuroglial cells, especially astrocytes.
What are the types of neuroglia?
Types of neuroglia include:
* Ependymal cells
* Astrocytes
* Oligodendrocytes
* Microglia
What is the central nervous system (CNS)?
The central nervous system is the part of the nervous system that includes the brain and spinal cord.
What is a neuron?
A neuron is the basic structural and functional unit of the nervous system.
What are oligodendrocytes?
Oligodendrocytes are a type of neuroglia that provide support and insulation to axons in the CNS.
What are dendrites?
Dendrites are part of a neuron that receive signals from other neurons.
What are microglia?
Microglia are a type of neuroglia that act as immune cells in the CNS.
What is a nucleus in the context of the CNS?
A cluster of neurons in the CNS is called a nucleus.
What is a ganglion in the context of the PNS?
A cluster of neurons in the PNS is called a ganglion.
True or False: Millions of neurons work together by integrating impulses generated by sensory stimuli.
True
What is the commanding centre of the nervous system?
The brain
The brain acts as the central command of the nervous system.
Where is the brain located?
In the cranial cavity guarded by the skull bones
The brain is protected by the skull.
At what age does the brain attain its full size?
At the age of six years
This indicates a significant period of growth in early childhood.
What is the average weight of an adult brain?
About 1.5 kg
This is a typical weight for a fully developed adult brain.
What percentage of an adult’s body weight does the brain represent?
2%
Despite its small size relative to body weight, the brain has significant metabolic demands.
What percentage of the body’s blood supply does the brain contain?
About 20%
This high percentage is due to the brain’s high oxygen requirement.
How quickly do brain cells begin to die without oxygen?
Within 3 or 4 minutes
This emphasizes the critical need for oxygen in brain function.
What are the two main types of cells that make up the brain?
Neurons and neuroglial cells
Neurons transmit signals, while neuroglial cells support them.
What is grey matter composed of?
A collection of cell bodies of neurons
Grey matter is found on the surface of the brain.
What is white matter made up of?
Myelinated axons
White matter is located in the inner portion of the brain.
Name the three main parts of the brain.
Forebrain, midbrain, hindbrain
These parts are crucial for various brain functions.
What is the commanding centre of the nervous system?
The brain
The brain acts as the central command of the nervous system.
Where is the brain located?
In the cranial cavity guarded by the skull bones
The brain is protected by the skull.
At what age does the brain attain its full size?
At the age of six years
This indicates a significant period of growth in early childhood.
What is the average weight of an adult brain?
About 1.5 kg
This is a typical weight for a fully developed adult brain.
What percentage of an adult’s body weight does the brain represent?
2%
Despite its small size relative to body weight, the brain has significant metabolic demands.
What percentage of the body’s blood supply does the brain contain?
About 20%
This high percentage is due to the brain’s high oxygen requirement.
How quickly do brain cells begin to die without oxygen?
Within 3 or 4 minutes
This emphasizes the critical need for oxygen in brain function.
What are the two main types of cells that make up the brain?
Neurons and neuroglial cells
Neurons transmit signals, while neuroglial cells support them.
What is grey matter composed of?
A collection of cell bodies of neurons
Grey matter is found on the surface of the brain.
What is white matter made up of?
Myelinated axons
White matter is located in the inner portion of the brain.
Name the three main parts of the brain.
Forebrain, midbrain, hindbrain
These parts are crucial for various brain functions.
Frontal lobe function?
Problems solving
Planning
Cognition
Body movement
Speech
