Exam 6 Study Flashcards
True or false: The human central nervous system consists of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves.
False; The nerves are not part of the central nervous system
Central nervous system input/output
sensory input, motor output
Nervous tissue contains…
- neurons: transmit nerve impulses
- neuroglia: support and nourish neurons
Neuroglial functions
- Astrocytes: Provide metabolic and structure support for neurons
- Microglia: Remove bacteria and debris from nervous tissue
- Schwann cells: Form myelin in the peripheral nervous system
- Oligodendrocytes: Form myelin in the central nervous system
Nervous system specific funtions (3)
Receive sensory input
Generate motor output
Process and integrate information
Three basic neuron types
sensory: detect changes in the environment
motor:
interneurons: within cns
Which type of receptor would respond to changes in the environment?
Sensory
Three neuron parts
axon (gaps called node of Ranvier)
cell body
dendrite
The type of neuron that takes nerve impulses away from the central nervous system is a…
motor (efferent) neuron
structure or function of a sensory neuron
- Very long axon carrying nerve signals from dendrites to the CNS
- Connects with an interneuron in the CNS
Myelin characteristics
- Formed by the Schwann cells in the PNS
- Formed by oligodendrocytes in the CNS
- Longer axons are more likely to have myelin
A bundle of long axons outside of the central nervous system is called a
nerve
In the CNS, gray matter is gray because it contains no…
myelin
What forms myelin sheath?
schwann cell membranes wrapping around axon
The potential energy that an inactive neuron maintains as a result of its polarized membrane is called the
resting potential
In a resting neuron, the inside of the cell is negatively charged mainly because of
negatively charged proteins inside the cell
During the conduction of a nerve impulse, the event that spreads along the plasma membrane is called an
action potential
gray vs white matter
gray: no myelin
white: myelin
Threshold
voltage necessary for an action potential to be propogated
In a resting neuron, which positively charged ions are more concentrated outside of the cell?
sodium
Which part of a neuron conducts an action potential?
axon
The location where an axon terminal of one neuron comes into close proximity with a dendrite or cell body of a second neuron is called a
SYNAPSE!
The best definition of an axon terminal is
the small swelling at the tip of an axon branch
events that occur during signal transmission at a synapse
- Calcium stimulates synaptic vesicles to merge with sending neuron membrane.
- Action potential arrives at an axon terminal.
- Neurotransmitters are released into the synaptic cleft.
Events that occur when an excitatory neurotransmitter is released at a synapse in chronological order, with the earliest event at the top.
- never signals travel along an axon to reach axon terminal
- calcium ions enter terminal and stimulating synaptic vesicles to merge iwht the sending membrane
- neurotransmitter molecules release into the synaptic cleft and diffusing across to receving membrance
- sodium ions diffuse into receiving neuron
- action potential begins in the receiving neuron
Characteristics of NTs
Can be excitatory
Can be inhibitory
Released from synaptic vesicles
excitatory vs inhibitory nts
excitatory: allow sodium ions into neuron
inhibitory: allow potassium out of a neuron
neurotransmitters that are active in the PNS for the stimulation of smooth muscle
Norepinephrine
Acetylcholine
Whereas an inhibitory signal causes a neuron to be ______ threshold, an excitatory signal causes a neuron to be ______ threshold.
further from; closer to
Neurotransmitters are involved in transmitting signals between…
- nerve to nerve
- nerve to muscle
- nerve to gland
Know spinal cross section
Dorsal root
Dorsal root ganglion
Spinal nerve
Ventral root
Gray matter
White matter
largest part of brain in humans that regulates motor output
cerebrum
cerebral structures (grooves and folds)
Sulcus: Shallow groove
Gyrus: Thick fold
Cerebral cortex
- Region of the brain that accounts for thought processes
- Region of the brain that accounts for sensation
- Convoluted outer layer of gray matter that covers the cerebral hemispheres
- Region of the brain that accounts for voluntary movement
Where is the primary motor area responsible for initiating voluntary commands to skeletal muscles located?
frontal lobe
Match the cerebral lobe with the correct function.
Frontal: Movement
Occipital: Vision
Parietal: Somatic senses
Temporal: Sound
Areas of the cerebrum where integration occurs and where memories are stored are called
association areas
Wernicke’s and Broca’s
W: Understanding written and spoken words
B: motor control of muscles for speaking and writing
As a child grows, progressive ______ allows the brain to increase in size and complexity.
myelination
hypothalamus
- Regulates hunger, thirst, sleep, body temperature, and water balance
- Integrating center that helps maintain homeostasis
- Controls the pituitary gland
melatonin is secreted by the
pineal gland
cerebellum
- Lies under the occipital lobe of the cerebrum
- Receives sensory input about the present position of body parts
- The pattern of white matter is called the arbor vitae
- Contains both gray and white matter
Thalamus
Participates in higher mental functions
Receiving end for all sensory input except smell
Integrates sensory information and sends it to appropriate portions of the cerebrum
Involved in arousal of the cerebrum