Nervous and Endocrine Systems Flashcards
1
Q
What is homeostasis in relation to the nervous system?
A
Homeostasis is maintained in the human body by the various parts of the nervous system.
2
Q
How does neural transmission occur?
A
Neural transmission occurs along axons, due to an action potential that causes depolarization of the neuron.
3
Q
What is electrochemical communication?
A
Electrochemical communication occurs between cells at the synapse.
4
Q
What are the two main parts of the human nervous system?
A
- Central Nervous System (CNS)
- Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
5
Q
What does the Central Nervous System consist of?
A
The brain and spinal cord.
6
Q
What is the role of the Peripheral Nervous System?
A
Carries sensory info to the CNS and info from the CNS to muscles and glands.
7
Q
What are the two systems of the Peripheral Nervous System?
A
- Somatic System
- Autonomic System
8
Q
What is the Somatic System responsible for?
A
Controls voluntary actions.
9
Q
What is the Autonomic System responsible for?
A
Controls involuntary actions.
10
Q
What are the two divisions of the Autonomic System?
A
- Sympathetic
- Parasympathetic
11
Q
What is the role of sympathetic nerves?
A
Prepares the body for stress.
12
Q
What neurotransmitter is involved with sympathetic nerves?
A
Norepinephrine.
13
Q
What is the role of parasympathetic nerves?
A
Returns the body to normal.
14
Q
What neurotransmitter is involved with parasympathetic nerves?
A
Acetylcholine.
15
Q
What is a reflex arc?
A
The simplest nerve pathway that occurs without brain coordination.
16
Q
What are the five essential components of a reflex arc?
A
- Receptor
- Sensory neuron
- Interneuron
- Motor neuron
- Effector
17
Q
What do dendrites do?
A
Receive information from sensory receptors or other neurons and carry it toward the cell body.
18
Q
What is the function of the cell body in a neuron?
A
Contains the nucleus and processes input from dendrites.
19
Q
What is the role of the axon?
A
Conducts nerve impulses away from the cell body.
20
Q
What is myelin and its function?
A
A fatty substance that speeds up the rate of impulse transmission.
21
Q
What is saltatory conduction?
A
Nerve impulses ‘jump’ from one node of Ranvier to another, increasing the speed of transmission.
22
Q
What is action potential?
A
A series of changes in the membrane potential that generate a nerve impulse.
23
Q
What is the threshold potential?
A
The minimum stimulus required to generate an Action Potential in a neuron.
24
Q
What occurs during depolarization?
A
Na+ rushes inside the axon, reversing the charge distribution.
25
What happens during repolarization?
K+ moves positive charges back to the outside of the membrane.
26
What is the role of cholinesterase?
Breaks down acetylcholine to prevent constant depolarization.
27
What is multiple sclerosis?
A disease where the immune system breaks down the myelin sheath.
28
What is the synaptic cleft?
The gap between two neurons or between a neuron and a muscle/gland.
29
What are neurotransmitters?
Chemicals that transmit impulses across synapses.
30
What are excitatory neurotransmitters?
Increase the chance of depolarizing postsynaptic neurons.
31
What are inhibitory neurotransmitters?
Decrease the chance of the threshold being reached.
32
What does the central nervous system control?
It is the body's control center, consisting of the brain and spinal cord.
33
What protects the brain and spinal cord?
* Cerebrospinal fluid
* Meninges
* Skull and spinal column
34
What are the four pairs of lobes in the cerebrum?
* Frontal lobes
* Parietal lobes
* Temporal lobes
* Occipital lobes
35
What is the function of the cerebellum?
Involved in controlling body movements.
36
What is the role of the hypothalamus?
Controls autonomic functions and regulates homeostasis.
37
What are MRI and PET scans used for?
Non-invasive tools to map brain function and screen for diseases.
38
What is the function of cranial and spinal nerves?
Relay motor commands to muscles and sensory information to the CNS.
39
Fill in the blank: The _______ system controls voluntary actions.
[Somatic]
40
Fill in the blank: The _______ system controls involuntary actions.
[Autonomic]
41
What is the role of sensory neurons?
Carry info from all parts of the body to the CNS
42
What is the role of motor neurons?
Carry info from the CNS to the effectors
43
What is the primary characteristic of the Somatic System?
Mainly voluntary
44
What do the motor neurons of the Somatic System relay to?
Muscles
45
How many pairs of cranial nerves are in the Somatic System?
12 pairs
46
How many pairs of spinal nerves are in the Somatic System?
31 pairs
47
What type of neurons are found in the Somatic System?
All are myelinated
48
What is the primary characteristic of the Autonomic System?
Involuntary
49
What does the Autonomic System control?
Glands, cardiac and smooth muscle
50
Which parts of the brain control the Autonomic System?
Hypothalamus and medulla
51
What are the two divisions of the Autonomic System?
Sympathetic and parasympathetic
52
When is the Sympathetic System activated?
In stressful situations
53
What hormones are released by the Sympathetic System?
Epinephrine and norepinephrine
54
What physiological responses does the Sympathetic System cause?
Increased heart rate and breathing rate; slower digestion
55
When is the Parasympathetic System activated?
When the body is at rest
56
What is the function of the Parasympathetic System?
Restores and conserves energy
57
Which neurotransmitter is used by the Parasympathetic System?
Acetylcholine
58
What are the opposing responses of the Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Systems?
Sympathetic increases heart rate; Parasympathetic decreases heart rate
59
What maintains homeostasis in the body?
Antagonistic actions of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems
60
What does the Sympathetic Nervous System do to the pupils?
Dilates pupils
61
What does the Parasympathetic Nervous System do to the pupils?
Constricts pupils
62
Fill in the blank: The spinal tap is the removal of _______ from the spinal cord.
Cerebrospinal fluid
63
What are some developmental disorders of the CNS caused by maternal exposure?
FASD, addictions, rubella, smoking
64
What condition is characterized by lack of oxygen causing paralysis of voluntary muscles?
Cerebral Palsy
65
What is Hydrocephalus commonly known as?
Water on the brain
66
What happens in Hydrocephalus?
CSF does not drain properly
67
What is Anencephaly?
Without brain
68
What is Spina Bifida?
Incomplete formation of the vertebral arches
69
What are the two types of Spina Bifida?
* Spina bifida occulta
* Spina bifida cystica
70
What supplement are expectant mothers advised to take to decrease the likelihood of Spina Bifida?
Folic acid
71
True or False: The Parasympathetic Nervous System inhibits urination.
False
72
What is sensory reception?
Sensory reception occurs at the senses, while sensation and perception occur in the brain.
73
What do sensory receptors detect?
Sensory receptors detect information in the internal and external environments.
74
How is the human eye similar to a camera?
The human eye contains a lens that focuses light, a pupil that lets in light, and a dark interior that contains light receptors.
75
What are the functions of rods and cones in the retina?
Rods function in dim light and produce black and white images, while cones function in bright light and produce color images.
76
What is the role of the outer and middle ear?
The outer ear and middle ear transmit the energy of sound waves to the inner ear.
77
What do mechanoreceptors in the inner ear detect?
Mechanoreceptors in the inner ear are responsible for hearing and balance.
78
How do chemoreceptors function in taste and smell?
Chemoreceptors in the taste buds of the tongue detect tastes, while those in the nose detect smells.
79
What types of receptors are found in the skin?
The skin contains receptors for light touch, pressure, pain, heat, and cold.
80
What is sensory adaptation?
Sensory adaptation refers to the ability of the brain to filter out insignificant information.
81
What are mechanoreceptors?
Mechanoreceptors detect touch and pressure, such as those in the fingertips.
82
What do proprioceptors detect?
Proprioceptors detect stretches in muscle fibers.
83
What do thermoreceptors detect?
Thermoreceptors detect changes in temperature.
84
What do photoreceptors detect?
Photoreceptors detect visible light.
85
What is the significance of the olfactory bulb?
The olfactory bulb processes smell, with olfactory cells in the nasal cavity stimulating chemoreceptors.
86
How does taste relate to smell?
About ¾ of taste is influenced by smell.
87
What is umami?
Umami is considered the fifth taste.
88
What structures focus light on the retina?
The cornea, lens, and humours focus light on the retina.
89
What are cataracts?
Cataracts are grey-white spots that can form on the lens and prevent light from passing through.
90
What is accommodation in the eye?
Accommodation is the lens's ability to change shape to focus on near or far objects.
91
What causes astigmatism?
Astigmatism is caused by an uneven cornea.
92
What is glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a buildup of pressure in the aqueous humor that can lead to blindness.
93
What is the blind spot in the eye?
Each eye has a blind spot where the optic nerve connects to the eyeball.
94
What are the functions of rods in the retina?
Rods are responsible for peripheral vision, detecting motion, and are extremely sensitive to light.
95
What are the functions of cones in the retina?
Cones are responsible for color vision and require intense light to function.
96
What is the organ of Corti?
The organ of Corti is the structure within the cochlea that allows you to hear.
97
How do sound waves convert to nerve impulses?
Hair cells in the cochlea bend against the tectorial membrane, sending messages to the auditory nerve.
98
What causes hearing loss?
Hearing loss can be caused by damage to hair cells, birth defects, ear infections, and aging.
99
What structures are involved in balance?
The semicircular canals, utricle, and saccule are involved in balance and coordination.
100
What is rotational equilibrium?
Rotational equilibrium involves the movement of fluid in the semicircular canals causing stereocilia to bend.
101
What is gravitational equilibrium?
Gravitational equilibrium involves otoliths moving in response to gravity, putting pressure on hair cells.
102
What do proprioceptors in muscles do?
Proprioceptors send information about body position to the brain.
103
How do taste and smell work together?
Taste buds detect specific molecules, and olfactory cells enhance flavor perception.
104
What is the role of receptors in touch?
Receptors in the skin are sensitive to light touch, pressure, pain, and temperature.
