CNS

Question 1

Cerebellum

Answer 1

Fine-tunes movement and plays a role in learning

Question 2

Basal ganglia

Answer 2

Controls voluntary movement

Question 3

Limbic system

Answer 3

Links to higher brain functions to aid reasoning

Question 4

Amygdala & cingulate gyrus

Answer 4

Control emotion and memory

Question 5

Hippocampus

Answer 5

Control learning and memory

Question 6

Thalamus

Answer 6

Involved in sensory neurotransmission

Question 7

Hypothalamus/ pituitary gland

Answer 7

Give endocrine control

Question 8

Frontal lobe

Answer 8

Co-ordinates information from other brain areas

Also responsible for controlling some behaviours

Question 9

Parietal lobe

Answer 9

Receives sensory information

Question 10

Occipital lobe

Answer 10

Involved with vision

Question 11

Temporal lobe

Answer 11

Involved with hearing

Question 12

Action potentials

Answer 12

Action potentials may only occur in neurons

1. Threshold = a stimulus must first reach -50mV to trigger and action potential
2. Depolarisation =This rise in membrane potential causes Na+ channels to open and Na+ enters the cell
3. Repolarisation = At +30mV the Na+ channels close and K+ channels open
   K+ leaves the cell
4. Hyperpolarisation = As resting potential is restored, there is some overshoot below -70mV
5. Resting potential is restored via an ATP pump

Question 13

Synaptic transmission

Answer 13

1. An action potential triggers voltage-gated calcium channels to open & Ca2+ enters the cytosol
2. Ca2+ binds to SNARE complexes inside the cell and triggers docking, fusion and exocytosis of neurotransmitter vesicles
3. The neurotransmitter binds to receptors on the adjacent neuron, triggering a further action potential

Question 14

Neurotransmitters

Answer 14

Release pre-synaptically

Generate rapid inhibitory/excitatory responses in post-synaptic neurons

Fast NTs act via ligand-gated ion channels (e.g. glutamate, GABA)

Slow NTs act via GPCRs (e.g. dopamine)

Question 15

Neuromodualtors

Answer 15

Release by neurons and astrocytes

Generate slower responses both pre- and post-synaptically

Mainly act via GPCRs (e.g. noradrenaline)

Question 16

Neurotrophic factors

Answer 16

Released by non-neuronal cells

Question 17

Glial cells

Answer 17

Also known as astrocytes

Non-neuronal cells that are found in the CNS

Outnumber neurons 10 to 1

Provide metabolic support for neurons, have a communication role and express receptors

Also play a role in the reuptake of neurotransmitter