Intro to Nervous System

Question 1

What are the 2 components of the Diencephalon of the Forebrain?

Answer 1

Thalamus

Hypothalamus

Question 2

Describe the structure of the Cerebrum cortex of the forebrain

Answer 2

Cortex often seen as lumps on surface called Gyri and Sulci on outer shell of brain

Question 3

What is homeostasis?

Answer 3

The regulation of heart rate, breathing and the internal body environment

Question 4

What is Receptive Aphasia?

Answer 4

A major impairment in language comprehension despite retaining natural speech rhythm caused by damage to temporal lobe

Question 5

Give examples of motor movements caused by the brain stem

Answer 5

• reflexes
• fine motor movements of limbs and face in conjunction
  with the cortex

Question 6

What are the 5 major segments of the Spinal column?

Answer 6

1. Cervical at top of spinal column
2. Thoracic
3. Lumbar
4. Sacral
5. Coccygeal

Question 7

What are the different subdivisions of the cerebrum cortex and their functions?

Answer 7

• Occipital lobe: visual processing e.g. colour, orientation
  and motion
• Parietal lobe: Sensory processing and proprioception
• Frontal lobe: Decision making, Attention, Conciousness,
  Emotions & Deliberate movements
• Temporal lobe: Auditory processing, Speech &
  Language
• Corpus Callosum: Connects right & left hemispheres
  allowing transfer of information
• Hippocampus: Memory formation and retrieval
• Basal Ganglia: Movement, Balance & Posture

Question 8

What disorder causes basal ganglia damage to occur?

Answer 8

Huntingdons Chorea is a genetic disorder that causes damage to basal ganglia

Question 9

What is the function of the Cerebellum?

Answer 9

Provides movement precision and coordination

Question 10

What is the CNS composed of?

Answer 10

Brain

Spinal cord

Question 11

Describe the structure and function of the Thalamus

Answer 11

Has over 40 different nuclei
Multi-modal functions
Various streams of information integrated

Question 12

How is the Parietal lobe linked to dyslexia?

Answer 12

Reduced levels of activity in the left parietal lobe detected in Dyslexic patients

Question 13

What is the function of the Spinal cord?

Answer 13

Transmits signals from the brain to/from the body in reflexive circuits

Question 14

How does the brain and spinal cord work together to produce an effect?

Answer 14

When stimulated, nerves send signals to the brain

The spinal cord provides an immediate effect

Question 15

What are the 3 major regions of the brain?

Answer 15

• Forebrain (cerebrum & diencephalon)
• Brainstem (midbrain, Pons, Medulla, Oblongta)
• Cerebellum

Question 16

What is the PNS?

Answer 16

The peripheral nervous system

Question 17

Explain why prefrontal lobotomy is no longer a common practise

Answer 17

Approximately 40,000 US patients recieve prefrontal lobotomy to treat personality and
cognitive disorders
However often resulted in impaired voluntary behaviour

Question 18

What is the role of the PNS?

Answer 18

Connects CNS to limbs and organs

Question 19

What is the function of the brain stem?

Answer 19

Regulates homeostasis and motor movements

Question 20

What role does the Occipital lobe play in Schizophrenia?

Answer 20

Schizophrenic patients’ occipital lobe consumes more glucose in disease state than normal

Question 21

What are the 2 subdivisions of the PNS?

Answer 21

• Autonomic Nervous System (unconscious control of
  heart rate, breathing, digestion etc.)
• Somatic Nervous System (voluntary control via skeletal
  muscle)

Question 22

What is Parkinsons disease?

Answer 22

Neurodegenerative disease caused by reduced dopaminergic function

Question 23

What is the consequence of thalamic damage?

Answer 23

Thalamic damage can result in ‘blending’ of info streams - Synasthesia

Question 24

What is the CNS?

Answer 24

The central nervous system

Question 25

What is proprioception?

Answer 25

Self awareness - regulated by parietal lobe in cerebrum cortex

Question 26

Approximately how long is the Spinal Cord?

Answer 26

Spinal cord can extend to ~45cm