Nervous Exam Flashcards
Characteristics of graded potential
Short distance.
Magnitude varies w/ strength of stimulus. (not all or nothing)
Conducted w/ decrement.
Have no refractory periods.
Exhibit summation.
Result in depolarization or hyper-polarization.
What level of spinal cord would you become paraplegia if cut
T1-T4
Define refractory period
period during which a nerve or muscle is incapable of responding to stimulation, esp immediately following a previous stimulation. In an absolute refractory period there is a total inability to respond; in an effective or relative refractory period there is a response to very large stimuli
Define various neural circuits
:Types of circuits of neuronal pools
- Divergent- one incoming fiber stimulates ever increasing number of fibers often amplifying circuits
- Convergent- opposite of divergent circuits resulting in either strong stimulation or inhibition
Define a transmitted nerve impulse
a progressive wave of electric and chemical activity along a nerve fiber that stimulates or inhibits the action of a muscle, gland, or other nerve cell. have a domino effect. Each neuron receives an impulse and must pass it on to the next neuron and make sure the correct impulse continues on its path. Through a chain of chemical events, the dendrites (part of a neuron) pick up an impulse that’s shuttled through the axon and transmitted to the next neuron. The entire impulse passes through a neuron in about seven milliseconds
Define absolute refractory period
an absolute refractory period there is a total inability to respond; in an effective or relative refractory period there is a response to very large stimuli
Define action potential
the change in electrical potential that occurs between the inside and outside of a nerve or muscle fiber when it is stimulated, serving to transmit nerve signals.
Define astrocytes
Neuroglial cells with many processes found in the central nervous system, the retina (especially the ganglion cells, the inner plexiform layers and the nerve fibre layer) and the optic nerve. Their function is believed to be nutritional and structural and to be involved in the clearance of neurotransmitters from within the synaptic cleft. Syn. Cajal’s cells.
Define CNS
The part of the nervous system that includes the brain and the spinal cord.
Define diencephalons
:diencephalon-central core of the forebrain
- consists of three paired structures the thalamus hypothalamus and epithalamus
- encloses the third ventricle
Diffidence ganglia
groups of nerve cell bodies within brain or spinal cord
Define gyri
Any of the prominent, rounded, elevated convolutions on the surfaces of the cerebral hemispheres.
Define nodes of ranvier
Nodes of Ranvier are the gaps (approximately 1 micrometer in length) formed between the myelin sheaths generated by different cells. A myelin sheath is a many-layered coating, largely composed of a fatty substance called myelin, that wraps around the axon of a neuron and very efficiently insulates it. At nodes of Ranvier, the axonal membrane is uninsulated and therefore capable of generating electrical activity.
Define pons
The pons contains nuclei that relay signals from the forebrain to the cerebellum, along with nuclei that deal primarily with sleep, respiration, swallowing, bladder control, hearing, equilibrium, taste, eye movement, facial expressions, facial sensation, and posture.
Define somatic nervous sensory
The somatic nervous system (SNS) is the part of the peripheral nervous system[1] associated with the voluntary control of body movements via skeletal muscles, and with sensory reception of external stimuli (e.g., touch, hearing, and sight)[citation needed]. The SNS consists of efferent nerves responsible for stimulating muscle contraction, including all the neurons connected with skeletal muscles, skin, and sense organs.
Describe a nerve
- Any of the cordlike bundles of fibers made up of neurons through which sensory stimuli and motor impulses pass between the brain or other parts of the central nervous system and the eyes, glands, muscles, and other parts of the body. Nerves form a network of pathways for conducting information throughout the body.
Describe a synapse
n.
The junction across which a nerve impulse passes from an axon terminal to a neuron, muscle cell, or gland cell.
Difference between ans and sns
There is one primary difference between the somatic nervous system and autonomic nervous system. The somatic nervous system includes all the functions of the body that are done voluntarily, like moving a leg or finger. The autonomic nervous system includes all the functions of the body that are done involuntarily, like breathing or blinking
Function of blood brain barrier
blood-brain barrier (BBB) is the specialized system of brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMVEC) that shields the brain from toxic substances in the blood, supplies brain tissues with nutrients, and filters harmful compounds from the brain back to the bloodstream
Function of brocas area
functions linked to speech production.
Characteristics of a mature neuron
:neurons-structural units of the nervous sys
- composed of a body,axon, and dendrites
- long lived,amitotic,and high metabolic rate
- their plasma membrane function in electrical signaling,cell to cell signaling during development
How are basic reflexes learned?
Born with them or inherited
How are impulses carried to and from the cell?
A neuron has a large cell body that contains the nucleus, threadlike extensions called dendrites, and an axon. The dendrites carry impulses toward the neuron’s cell body. The axon carries impulses away from the cell body. Nerve impulses begin in a dendrite, move toward the cell body, and then move down the axon. A neuron can have many dendrites, but it has only one axon. An axon, however, can have more than one tip, so the impulse can go to more than one other cell.Axons and dendrites are sometimes called nervefibers. Nerve fibers are often arranged in parallel bundles covered with a connective tissue, something like a package of uncooked spaghetti wrapped in cellophane. A bundle of nerve fibers is called a nerve
If you injure the hypothalamus what would you see?
Idk
Importance of node of ranvier
:nodes of ranvier- gaps found in myelin sheath
-they are sites where axon collaterals can emerge
In which system are there sensory receptors?
:peripheral nervous sys-all neural structures outside brain and spinal cord
-includes sensory receptors peripheral nerves associated ganglia and motor endings
-provides links to and from the external environment
:sensory receptors-structures specialized to respond to stimuli,activation of sensory receptors results in depolarizations that trigger impulses to CBC,realization of theses stimuli sensation and perception occur in brain
Knee jerk reflex is an example of what type of reflex?
monosynaptic reflex A simple reflex that involves transmission of information from a sensory neuron to the appropriate motor neuron across a single synapse in the spinal cord.
Largest cranial nerve
Vagus
Make up of CSF
:CSF-watery solution similar to composition to blood plasma
- contains less protein and different ion concentrations than plasma
- forms a liquid cushion that gives buoyancy to the CNS organs
- prevents the brain from crushing under its own weight
- protects CNS from blows and other traumas
- nourishes brain and carries chemical signals throughout it
Make up of white matter in spinal cord
White matter tissue of the freshly cut brain appears pinkish white to the naked eye because myelin is composed largely of lipid tissue veined with capillaries. Its white color is due to its usual preservation in formaldehyde.
Nick name for sympathetic nervous system
Fight or flight
Nick name for parasympathetic
Rest and digest
Number of pairs of spinal cord
31
Role of association neuron
Or interneurons, connect sensory or afferent neurons to motor or efferent neurons
Role of dendrite
Receive incoming info from axon terminals. Dendrites are tiny branches on the ends of neurons that are responsible for passing information that is gathered from other neurons. Some research has also shown that their function does not change, but that their structure can, depending on environmental influences.
The parts of a neuron include dendrites, synapses that are located on the dendrites, and the soma. Synapses are the tips of dendrites, shaped like little clubs, and provide contact points with surrounding neurons. The soma is the cell body of a neuron that receives information collected by the dendrites. From the soma, the information travels to the axon for further processing.
Role of synaptic cleft
The synaptic cleft is a small gap that seperates the presynaptic neuron and the postsynaptic neuron. It creates a physical barrier for the electrical signal carried by one neuron to be transfered to another neuron
Role of axon
primary function is to conduct electrical signals from that neuron to receptor sites known as dendrites on other neuron surfaces. While an axon and a dendrite are not in actual physical contact with one another, when an electrical signal passes to the end of an axon, it causes an electro-chemical reaction in bubble-like structures between the two materials known as vesicles. These vesicles release chemical charges called neurotransmitters into the synaptic gap between the axon end and dendrite receptor sites. The firing of these charges are known as synaptic responses, and the function of an axon is to transmit these signals in large numbers as a form of data processing within the human
Role of reticular formation
comprehensive network of nerves found in the central area of the brainstem. It’s involved in many of the essential functions of the body, such as the ability to obtain recuperative sleep, sexual arousal, and the ability to focus on tasks without being easily distracted. All in all, this network is believed by some researchers to be involved with at least 25 behaviors and functions that are considered essential for human health.
Schwann cells vs oligodendrocytes
1)oligodendrocytes myelinate axons in the CNS whereas schwann cells myelinate axons in the PNS 2) a single oligodendrocyte is able to myelinate multiple axons whereas a schwann cell can only myelinate a single axon. 3) schwann cell myelination allows for axonal grown and regeneration where as oligodendrocytes inhibit axonal growth and regeneration.
Sheath of a Schwann cell is called what?
Neurilemma the thin membrane spirally enwrapping the myelin layers of certain fibers, especially of the peripheral nerves, or the axons of some unmyelinated nerve fibers.
Sweat glands are controlled by which system
Autonomic-sympathetic
Voltage is measured how around the membrane potential?
is the difference in electrical potential between the interior and the exterior of a biological cell. Typical values of membrane potential range from –40 mV to –80 mV.