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EXCI360 > Lecture 1: Organization of the Nervous System > Flashcards

Lecture 1: Organization of the Nervous System Flashcards

1
Q

The central nervous system is comprised of (2):

A

(1) The encephalon
(2) The spinal cord

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2
Q

somatosensory system is the part of the sensory system concerned with

A

the conscious perception of touch, pressure, pain, temperature, position, movement, and vibration

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3
Q

Encephalon is synonymous with:

A

Brain

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4
Q

The encephalon is composed of (3):

A

(1) brain
(2) brainstem
(3) cerebellum

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5
Q

The encephalon, often referred to as the brain, is a critical component of the central nervous system. It consists of three primary parts:

A

(1) Brain
(2) Brainstem
(3) Cerebellum

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6
Q

The autonomic nervous system shares fibres and tracts with:

A

the CNS and PNS

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7
Q

The autonomic nervous system is a division of the :

A

Peripheral nervous system???

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8
Q

The autonomic nervous system controls:

A

Autonomic functions

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9
Q

What are some examples of autonomic functions:

A

heart rate, respiratory rate, digestion, urination

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10
Q

The autonomic nervous system shares fibres and tracts with:

A

the CNS and PNS

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11
Q

Often referred to as the “fight or flight” system, the ___ prepares the body for stressful or emergency situations.

A

sympathetic

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12
Q

Describe the sympathetic nervous system:

A

Increases the activity of
autonomic functions (e.g. fight and flight
response)

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13
Q

Known as the “rest and digest” system, the __ conserves energy and promotes maintenance activities.

A

parasympathetic nervous system

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14
Q

Describe the parasympathetic nervous system:

A

Decreases the activity of autonomic functions

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15
Q

In terms of the functional organization of the nervous system, the sensory division is termed:

A

“Receiver”

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16
Q

In terms of the functional organization of the nervous system, the integrative division is also called the:

A

Processor

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17
Q

In terms of the functional organization of the nervous system, the motor division is also called:

A

the effector

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18
Q

In terms of the functional organization of the nervous system, the sensory division “receiver” does what (2):

A

(1) Receives sensory information: tactile,
proprioception (muscle), visual, auditory,
olfactory, gustatory and vestibular

(2) Reports information about state of the body and
its environment

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19
Q

In terms of the functional organization of the nervous system, the integrative division - “processor” - does what (2) :

A

(1) Integration of sensory input and motor output to
cause desired responses.

(2) Provides higher-order brain functions (e.g.,
perception, decision making, thinking, attention,
memory, language, emotions, etc.)

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20
Q

The motor division -“effector” - does what (2) :

A

(1) Responds adequately to the order of other divisions

(2) Controls bodily activities

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21
Q

Organization of the Central Nervous System: 3 major levels

A

(1) Cortical level
(2) Subcortical level
(3) Spinal cord level

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22
Q

Highest level of CNS organization, located in the outer layer of the brain (cerebrum) is the :

A

cortical level

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23
Q

Functions of the cortical level:

A

consciousness
sensory interpretation
voluntary motor control
language

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24
Q

This level includes structures beneath the cortex, such as the basal ganglia, thalamus, hypothalamus, brainstem, and cerebellum.

A

subcortical level

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25
Q

functions of the subcortical level:

A

(1) Regulation of autonomic and involuntary functions
(2) motor coordination
(3) behavioural and emotional responses

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26
Q

The spinal cord level is an intersection that conducts:

A

sensory & motor signals from the
periphery of body to the brain and
vice versa

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27
Q

Spinal cord is the center of:

A

processing basic sensory & motor
information (i.e. reflexes, can work
without the need of other levels)

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28
Q

Circuits for motor reflexes (stretch reflex, golgi tendon reflex, withdrawal reflex) are found:

A

at the spinal cord level

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29
Q

Circuits for reflexes that control internal organ functions (e.g. blood vessels, gastrointestinal, urination) are found at which level?

A

At the spinal cord level

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30
Q

The subcortical level is also called the :

A

lower brain

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31
Q

The subcortical level (lower brain) includes (6):

A

-Brainstem (Medulla & pons)
-Mesencephalon (midbrain)
-Thalamus
-Hypothalamus
-Basal ganglia
-Cerebellum

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32
Q

The subcortical level (lower brain) controls:

A

subconscious body activities

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33
Q

What are some examples of subconscious body activities that are controlled by the subcortical level:

A

Equilibrium,
movement modulation,
arterial pressure, respiration,
heart beats,
feeding reflexes,
body temperature, wakefulness and sleep,
hormonal regulation…etc.

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34
Q

The cortical level is also called (3):

A

the higher brain
telencephalon
cerebral cortex

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35
Q

Cortex rarely __

A

functions alone,
always in association with
lower centers (aka subcortical/ spinal cord).

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36
Q

Place of the most complex and
sophisticated functions of the
Nervous System:

A

Cortical level

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37
Q

Information Processing, Memory formation, Decision making, Thoughts, emotions occur at the __ level

A

cortical level

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38
Q

Cerebral cortex is divided into:

A

two hemispheres: Left & Right

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39
Q

Each cerebral hemisphere is divided into four
lobes:

A

Fred’s Parrot Only Talks
(1) Frontal lobe
(2) Parietal lobe
(3)occipital lobe
(4)temporal lobe

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40
Q

Functions of the frontal Lobe (2) :

A

(1) Area of MOTOR FUNCTIONS (Precentral
gyrus)

(2) Area of higher mental functions (e.g. executive functions, attention)

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41
Q

Functions of the parietal lobe (2):

A

(1) Area of somatosensory functions (postcentral gyrus)

(2) Area of higher mental functions (e.g. giving sense to sensory information)

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42
Q

The peripheral nervous system is composed of:

A

Peripheral nerves

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43
Q

peripheral nerves comprise (2):

A

sensory and motor nerves

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44
Q

What are some examples for reflexes that control internal organ functions?

A

blood vessels
gastrointestinal
urination

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45
Q

Area of motor functions (Precentral
gyrus):

A

frontal lobe

46
Q

Area of higher mental functions (e.g.
executive functions, attention):

A

Frontal Lobe:

47
Q

Parietal lobe (2):

A
  • Area of somatosensory functions
    (Postcentral gyrus)
  • Area of higher mental functions (e.g.
    giving sense to sensory information)
48
Q

Area of somatosensory functions (Postcentral gyrus):

A

Parietal lobe

49
Q

Area of higher mental functions (e.g.
giving sense to sensory information)

A

parietal lobe

50
Q

Temporal Lobe (2):

A
  • Area of auditory functions
  • Area of memory formation and storage
51
Q

Area of auditory functions:

A

Temporal Lobe:

52
Q

Area of memory formation & storage:

A

Temporal Lobe

53
Q

Occipital Lobe:

A

Area of visual functions

54
Q

Area of visual functions

A

Occipital Lobe:

55
Q

Somatosensory system:

A

Transmission of somatic
(i.e. body) information from
receptors in the periphery
of the body (e.g. skin,
muscles, bones, viscera) to
the CNS.

56
Q

Somatic Information is
transmitted to (5):

A

in order:
➢ Spinal cord
➢ Brainstem
➢ Cerebellum
➢ Thalamus
➢ Cerebral cortex (somatic
areas)

57
Q

Motor system functions (2):

A

(1) Responds adequately to the order of integrative & sensory divisions.

(2) Controls the body motor
activities (muscles):
–Skeletal (striated) muscles
–Smooth muscles (internal
organs, heart, stomach…)

58
Q

striated muscles are:

A

skeletal muscles

59
Q

smooth muscles are:

A

the muscles of internal organs, heart, stomach,etc

60
Q

The neuron is:

A

the basic functional unit of the nervous system.

61
Q

of neurons in the nervous system?

A

more than 100 billion

62
Q

The neuron is an __ cell

A

electrical
i.e. it generates and transmits electricity

63
Q

the main body of the neuron is the:

A

cell body / soma

64
Q

where does signal processing occur for the neuron?

A

in the cell body/ soma

65
Q

Projections of the soma:

A

Dendrites

66
Q

Where does signal input (receiving signal from other neurons) occur?

A

in the dendrites

67
Q

Extends from soma to the synaptic terminals.

A

axon

68
Q

Signal output (send signal to other neurons) occurs where:

A

Axon

69
Q

the most common cell type (e.g. motoneuron,
purkinje cell)

A

Multipolar neuron:

70
Q

which neuron has multiple processes (several dendrites and one main axon) on DIFFERENT sides of the soma?

A

Multipolar neuron

71
Q

Bipolar neuron:

A

two processes (one main dendrite & one
main axon) on different sides

72
Q

Type of neuron found in retina, inner ear &
olfactory system

A

Bipolar neuron

73
Q

Unipolar neuron:

A

One process (dendrite & axon) on the
same side

74
Q

Photoreceptors in retina (rods & cones) are a type of __ neuron

A

unipolar neuron

75
Q

Pseudo-unipolar neuron:

A

One process (dendrite & axon develop
from the same process, but on the
opposite side)

76
Q

sensory neuron in the spinal cord are a type of __ neuron

A

pseudo-unipolar neuron

77
Q

Neurons come in different shapes and sizes to:

A

accommodate many functions

78
Q

AFFERENT NEURONS:

A

Send electrical signal to spinal cord and brain
(sensory input = sensory neurons).

79
Q

EFFERENT NEURONS:

A

Send electrical signal from the brain and spinal
cord to the periphery (motor output = motor
neurons).

80
Q

INTERNEURONS:

A

Local circuitry located between sensory and
motor neurons (integration).

81
Q

Neurons are __

A

interconnected

82
Q

neural network

A

Each neuron can be connected to up
1000 neurons

83
Q

Synapse is:

A

the point of
communication between two neurons.

84
Q

true/false: glial cells participate directly in electrical signaling or synaptic transmission

A

FALSE: glial cells do not participate directly in electrical signaling or synaptic transmission

85
Q

what do glial cells do?

A

Supportive functions: help define synaptic contacts, maintain signaling
abilities of neurons, and defend neurons

86
Q

what are the three types of glial cells?

A

(1) astrocyte
(2) oligodendrocyte / Shwann cells
(3) microglia

87
Q

astrocytes are a type of glial cell that:

A

maintain a good chemical
environment for neuronal signaling and secrete
substances that influence the formation of new
synaptic connections.

88
Q

oligodendrocytes are a type of glial cell that:

A

produce the myelin
sheaths around axons in CNS to maintain
signaling abilities of neurons

89
Q

shwann cells:

A

Form the myelin sheaths in the PNS

90
Q

microglia are a type of glial cell that have a:

A

immune function
(1) consume
cellular debris, bacteria and dead cells
(2) secrete signaling molecules that can modulate local
inflammation and influence cell survival and
death

91
Q

Gray matter:

A

region in the CNS where the cell bodies of neurons are located.

92
Q

White matter:

A

region in the CNS where axon tracts and commissures are
located.

93
Q

Tracts:

A

bundles of central axons (in the CNS).

94
Q

Nerves:

A

bundles of peripheral axons (in the PNS).

95
Q

Nucleus:

A

gray matter outside of the cortex, where there is concentration of
neurons with similar functions and connections (e.g. putamen, red nucleus,
cerebellar nuclei…).

96
Q

Ganglion:

A

local accumulation of nerve cell bodies and supporting cells in the
PNS (e.g. dorsal root ganglion in the spinal cord).

97
Q

Cortex:

A

most superficial layer of the gray matter in the cerebral hemispheres.

98
Q

Fiber Decussation:

A

fibers cross the midline to the contralateral side
(i.e. information in one side of the body will be transmitted to the
opposite brain side and vice-versa)

99
Q

Commissures

A

Long tracts that connect different regions of the brain (e.g.
corpus callosum that connects the two cerebral hemispheres).

100
Q

What are the three types of lesion studies?

A

(1) post-accident studies
(2)post mortem studies
(3) animal studies

101
Q

Post-accident studies (a type of lesion study) :

A

observing functional/behavioral deficits after a damage in specific brain region (e.g.
frontal lobe lesion).

102
Q

Post-mortem studies (a type of lesion study):

A

studding the anatomy of a brain after death (e.g. Alzheimer, Parkinson…).

103
Q

animal studies (a type of lesion study):

A

purposefully damaging a brain region of an animal, nerve, or tract and observing
subsequent loss of function.

104
Q

What are the two types of electrophysiological recording?

A

(1) Electroencephalography (EEG)

(2) Neuronal recording

105
Q

Electroencephalography (EEG) ( a type of electrophysiological recording):

A

Using a cap of EEG electrodes placed on the head scalp to record
extracellular field potential (e.g. epilepsy, coma, sleep study…).

106
Q

Neuronal recording (a type of electrophysiological recording):

A

recording the electrical activity inside the neurons (mostly in animals).

107
Q

What are the three types of neuroimaging techniques?

A

(1) Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
(2) Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI)
(3) Positron emission tomography (PET)

108
Q

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

A

Based on the physics of atomic motion. It uses magnetic signal to
take high-definition images of the brain (e.g. tissue damage, strokes…).

109
Q

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI)

A

It uses magnetic signal to measure the changes in the
oxygen level in the blood (BOLD signal) in a specific brain region. The higher the BOLD signal, the higher
the neural activity in this region. Used in research to study the function of different brain regions.

110
Q

Positron Emission Tomography (PET):

A

reveals the metabolic or biochemical function of brain tissues. It
uses a radioactive day (tracer) to show both normal and abnormal metabolic activity (e.g. tumors,
infections…).

111
Q

Lesion of the Frontal Lobe: the story of Phineas Gage.

A

Work accident: iron bar blew straight through his head and damaged his frontal lobe.
* Lesion of the Frontal Lobe:
➢ Difficulty with executive functions: hard to manage his daily plans, decision-making
problem, not organized…etc.
➢ Change in personality and behavior: more aggressive, less compassion, social
isolation…etc.

EXCI360 (5 decks)

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