Functional organisation of the nervous system

Question 1

What is the CNS?

Answer 1

Central nervous system comprising of BRAIN & SPINAL CORD

Question 2

What is the function of the CNS?

Answer 2

Integration, processing and coordination of SENSORY DATA and MOTOR COMMANDS

Question 3

What is the FOREBRAIN?

Answer 3

Includes the CORTEX and LIMBIC SYSTEM

Question 4

What is the SOMATOSENSORY CORTEX?

Answer 4

The part of the cortex used for SENSING

Question 5

What is the MOTOR CORTEX?

Answer 5

The role of the primary motor cortex is to generate neural impulses that control the execution of movement

Question 6

Which 4 areas of the brain make up the LIMBIC SYSTEM?

Answer 6

1. Thalamus 2. Hypothalamus (regulator of homeostasis) 3. Amygdala 4. Hippocampus

Question 7

What is the AMYGDALA responsible for?

Answer 7

Receives input from all senses.

Responsible for emotional learning.

Question 8

What is the THALAMUS?

Answer 8

A pre-cortical relay point of the sensory neurons

Question 9

What is the HIPPOCAMPUS responsible for?

Answer 9

Sorting input and transferring it into stored memories

Question 10

Where is the MIDBRAIN?

Answer 10

In a small area above the pons

Question 11

Which neurotransmitter is released by the MIDBRAIN?

Answer 11

DOPAMINE - the reward neurotransmitter

Question 12

What is the PONS?

Answer 12

• Contains nuclei connecting the forebrain with the cerebellum.
• Also contains the pontine respiratory centre (fine regulation of respiration).

Question 13

What is the PONTINE REGULATORY CENTRE?

Answer 13

Located in the PONS it is involved in fine regulation of respiration

Question 14

What does the MEDULLA do?

Answer 14

1. Autonomic regulation of respiratory rate and depth
2. Heart rate & cardiac output
3. Vasomotor tone
4. Digestion

Question 15

Where is the PONS?

Answer 15

The HINDBRAIN

Brain stem and cerebullum

Question 16

What is the CEREBELLUM?

Answer 16

Involved in processing porition & movement

Fine motor skills

Question 17

What are INTERNEURONS?

Answer 17

Small neurons that process SENSORY information

Question 18

How many SPINAL NERVES are there?

Answer 18

31

Question 19

What part of the nervous system do the SPINAL NERVES belong to?

Answer 19

PERIPHERAL

Question 20

What is the SPINAL NERVE’S function?

Answer 20

Each spinal nerve carries motor, sensory and autonomic signals between the spinal cord and the body

Question 21

What are PNS GANGLIA?

Answer 21

RELAY POINTS that contain NEURAL CELL BODIES & SYNAPSES

Question 22

What is a PLEXUS?

Answer 22

A collection of associated GANGLIA

Question 23

What is the term for GANGLIA in the CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM?

Answer 23

NUCLEI

• They are areas within the GREY MATTER containing specific categories of cell bodies and synapses

Question 24

What is a NERVE?

Answer 24

A bundle of neurons (FASICLE) contained in the ENDONEURIUM

Question 25

What divides the AXON from the SOMA?

Answer 25

TRIGGER ZONE

Question 26

Where are PYRAMIDAL NEURONS found?

Answer 26

The brain

Question 27

How many sets of dendrites do pyramidal cells typically have?

Answer 27

2

Question 28

What is a Schwann cell and where is it found?

Answer 28

• PNS
• Forms a MYELIN SHEATH in some PERIPHERAL NEURONS

Question 29

What are the 3 main types of GLIAL CELL?

Answer 29

1. OLIGODENDROCYTE
2. ASTROCYTE
3. MICROGLIA

Question 30

Where are GLIAL CELLS found?

Answer 30

Central Nervous System

Question 31

What is an OLIGODENDROCYTE?

Answer 31

Found in the CNS, OLIGODENDROCYTES myelinate and support CNS axons

Question 32

What are ASTROCYTES?

Answer 32

CNS cells

Most abundant in the brain

Control over circulation and nutrition

Also involved in neurotransmitter levels and synaptic function

Question 33

What are MICROGLIA?

Answer 33

Macrophage equivalents in the brain