more midterm Flashcards
what is the primary function of sensory neurons
to transmit sensory information to the CNS
what disease is charcterized by the degeneration of motor neurons
ALS
which part of nervous tissue is responsible for transmitting signals
neruons
what part of the neuron recieves signals from other neurons
dendrites
what condition is caused by demyelination in the nervous system
MS
what is the primary function of the ANS
to regulate involuntary functions
Which type of cell is primarily involved in the immune response within the nervous system?
microglia
the ____ connects the CNS to the limbs and organs
PNS
the long projection of a neuron that transmits impulses away from the cell body is the ___
axon
the junction between two neurons where communication occurs is called a
synapse
what do glial cells do
support and protect neurons
what does serotonin regulate
mood and sleep regulation
what does an axon do
transmit impulses away
what is neurogenesis
formation of neurons
what is adaptation of neural pathways called
neuroplasticity
what is a neural tube
Early CNS structure
what is dopamine responsible for
mood and reward regulation
what do astrocytes do
support / nutrient supply
what is the primary function of neurtransmitters in the nervous system
to transmit signals between neurons
What is the term for the electrical signal that travels along the axon of a neuron?
action potential
What is synaptic plasticity?
The ability of synapses to strengthen or weaken over time
which neurotranmistter is primarily linked to depression
serotonin
What is the role of calcium ions in neurotransmitter release?
they trigger the fusion of vesciles w the presynaptic membrane
Which type of synapse involves the direct transfer of ions between two neurons?
electrical synapse
What is long-term potentiation (LTP)?
A lasting increase in synaptic strength following high-frequency stimulation
Which neurotransmitter is primarily associated with the reward system in the brain?
dopamine
What is the main function of myelin in the nervous system?
To insulate axons and increase the speed of signal transmission
The ____ is responsible for transmitting signals throughout the body.
nervous system
neurons communicate by generating ____ thta travel along their axons
action potentials
communication between neurons occurs at junctions called
synapses
what kind of neurotransmitter increases the likelyhood of a neuron firing
excitatory
inhibitory decreases it
A form of synaptic plasticity known as [long-term potentiation] strengthens the connections between neurons.
The process of [signal transmission] is crucial for the functioning of the nervous system.
Neurotransmitters bind to specific [receptors] on the postsynaptic neuron.
The ability of the nervous system to change and adapt is known as [plasticity].
Long-Term Potentiation — Strengthens synapse
Neurotransmitter Release — Exocytosis
Sensory Neurons — Carry signals to CNS
Ionotropic Receptors — Fast response
Reflex Arc — Quick response pathway
Reuptake — Transport back to neuron
Action Potential — Rapid depolarization
Resting Potential — -70 mV
Metabotropic Receptors — Slow response
Ionotropic Receptors — Fast response
GABA Receptors — Inhibitory effects
Ascending Pathway — Sensory information to brain
Descending Pathway — Motor commands from brain
What is the primary function of the frontal lobe?
Decision making and problem solving
Which part of the brain is responsible for processing visual information?
occipital
What structure connects the left and right hemispheres of the brain?
corpus collosum
Which part of the brain controls basic life functions such as breathing and heart rate?
brainstem
function of thalamus?
relay sensory info to the cortex
Which lobe is primarily involved in auditory processing?
temporal
What is the primary function of the parietal lobe?
Processing sensory information from the body
Which part of the brain is involved in the formation of new memories?
hippocampus
The outer layer of the brain, responsible for higher brain functions, is called the
cerebral cortex
The ____ connects the brain to the spinal cord and controls basic life functions.
brainstem
The brain is protected by three layers of membranes known as the
meninges
The _____ is involved in emotions, memory, and arousal.
limbic system
The _____ acts as a relay station for sensory information before it reaches the cerebral cortex.
thalamus
The ____regulates vital functions such as temperature and hunger.
hypothalamus
The ____ is responsible for coordinating voluntary movements and balance.
cerebellum
The ____ is associated with reasoning, planning, and problem-solving.
frontal lobe
The _____ is primarily responsible for processing visual information.
occipital lobe
parts of limbic systen
hippocampus - memory formation
cingulate gyrus - emotional regulation
septal nuclei - reward processing
CSF functions
buoyancy
protection
chemical stability
What is hemispheric specialization?
The tendency for certain cognitive processes to be more dominant in one hemisphere of the brain
During which stage of sleep does the brain primarily consolidate memories?
REM
What role does the amygdala play in memory?
emotional regulation
Which neurotransmitter is most closely associated with memory and learning?
acetlycholine
Which brain structure is involved in the regulation of sleep-wake cycles?
hypothalamus
The concept of [hemispherization] describes how the two hemispheres of the brain specialize in different functions.
Higher-level [cognition] processes, such as reasoning and problem-solving, are primarily managed by the frontal lobe.
The first cranial nerve, known as the [olfactory nerve], is responsible for the sense of smell.
The [optic nerve] is the second cranial nerve and is crucial for vision.
The [oculomotor nerve] controls most of the eye’s movements, including constriction of the pupil.
The [trigeminal nerve] is responsible for sensation in the face and motor functions such as biting and chewing.
The [facial nerve] is involved in facial expressions and the sense of taste on the anterior two-thirds of the tongue.
The [vestibulocochlear nerve] is responsible for hearing and balance.
The [glossopharyngeal nerve] plays a role in taste and swallowing.
The [vagus nerve] is the longest cranial nerve and affects heart rate, digestion, and respiratory rate.
The [hypoglossal nerve] controls the movements of the tongue.
optic nerve pathway
retina to brain
vesitubolcochlear nerve pathway
inner ear to brain
glossophayrngeal N pathway
throat to brain
oculomotor = eye movement
trochlear = eye rotation
abducens= lateral eye movement
Which landmark is located at the base of the spinal cord?
conus medullaris
What type of information do sensory tracts carry?
Sensory information from the body to the brain
Which tract is responsible for voluntary motor control?
corticospinal tract
Where does the spinal cord end in adults?
L1-L2 vertebrae
What is the role of the dorsal columns in the spinal cord?
To transmit fine touch and proprioception
Which part of the spinal cord contains the cell bodies of motor neurons?
Anterior horn
What is the function of the spinothalamic tract?
To carry pain and temperature sensations
Which spinal cord segment is associated with the cervical plexus?
C1-C4
What is the cauda equina?
A bundle of spinal nerves below the conus medullaris
Important landmarks of the spinal cord include the
cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral regions.
The _____ horn of the spinal cord is primarily involved in processing sensory information.
dorsal
The ____ horn contains motor neurons that send signals to skeletal muscles.
ventral
The _____ of the spinal cord contains myelinated axons that form the ascending and descending tracts.
white matter
The ____ of the spinal cord is composed of neuronal cell bodies and is involved in reflex actions.
gray matter
Spinocerebellar Tract =
Unconscious proprioception
Corticospinal Tract =
Voluntary movement
Reticulospinal Tract =
Posture and locomotion
Vestibulospinal Tract =
Balance and posture
Dorsal Root =
Sensory fibers
ventral root =
motor fibers
the ____ of the medulla contain the large motor tracts that run from the cerebrum to the spinal cord
pyramids
another name for basal nuclei
corpus striatum
