Nervous System

Question 1

Nervous System

Answer 1

The nervous system coordinates and rapidly responds to external and internal stimuli. The nervous system is responsible for much of the communication between body systems. The nervous system receives and stores information from the outside world and uses it for future application. It also coordinates messages from internal body systems enabling the body to readjust constantly to changing internal and external environments.

The basic functions of the nervous system are to receive sensory input, integrate and interpret stimuli, and respond to stimuli.

Question 2

Function: Communication

Answer 2

monitors impressions and information from external stimuli and information from internal stimuli. Responds to danger, pain, internal and external changes, and conscious decisions and thoughts. Helps maintain homeostasis, coordinates processing of new learning, stores and retrieves memories, and facilitates judgement, reasoning, and decision making.

Question 3

Function: Control

Answer 3

directs all body activities, maintains blood pressure, respiration, and other vital functions, regulates body systems with endocrine system, coordinates reflexes, controls instinctual behaviors, stores unconscious thoughts, and controls conscious movements and activities. Stores unconscious thoughts.

Question 4

Structures of the nervous system

Answer 4

Neurons

 - Axon
  - Myelin sheath
   - Dendrites

Neuroglia

Question 5

Neurons

Answer 5

make up a never

Question 6

Axon

Answer 6

extension that carries impulses away from the neuron

Question 7

Myelin Sheath

Answer 7

electrically and chemically carries signal from one nerve to another. insulates one cell from another.

Question 8

Dendrites

Answer 8

a short branched extension of a nerve cell, along which impulses received from other cells at synapses are transmitted to the cell body

Question 9

Neuroglia

Answer 9

framework or structure that nerves sit in. the connective tissue of the nervous system, consisting of several different types of cell associated with neurons.

Question 10

Organs of the nervous system

Answer 10

Brain

- Cerebrum
 - Lobes
       * Frontal
         * Parietal 
         * Temporal
          * Occipital - Cerebellum - Brainstem

Question 11

Spinal Cord

Answer 11

is the major communication pathway and the brain interprets the information and directs body responses.

Question 12

Brain

Answer 12

Contains approximately 100 billion neurons and requires approximately 20% of the body’s circulating blood flow. The brain requires a constant flow of oxygen and nutrients and is sensitive to toxins and poisons. Loss of blood flow for 10 minutes causes unconsciousness. The brain’s major divisions are the cerebrum, cerebellum, and medulla.

Question 13

Cerebrum

Answer 13

composes 80% of the brains volume. Called the “seat of consciousness” since it coordinates sensory data, motor functions, governs intelligence, reasoning, learning, memory, and other complex behaviors. Cerebrum is divided into two layers and two halves. The cerebral cortex composes of the outer layer and consists of gray matter (nerve cell bodies) and the inner layer consists of white matter (myelinated axons). The two halves are divided into hemispheres.

Question 14

Lobes

Answer 14

cerebral cortex is divided into four lobes.

Question 15

Frontal Lobe

Answer 15

large and contains the areas for written and motor speech. Largely responsible for the ability of humans to achieve higher levels of mental functioning, conception, judgement, abstract reasoning, social behavior, speech, communication, and is involved in motor functions.

Question 16

Parietal lobe

Answer 16

sensory area is located in the lobe. Sensations such as touch, taste, pressure, temperature, and pain are received from the skin and interpreted. The ability to recognize shapes and sizes (spatial ability) is also located in the parietal lobe.

Question 17

Temporal lobe

Answer 17

receives and interprets auditory signals, processes language, controls sensation of hearing, auditory interpretation, and smell. Memories are also stored in the temporal lobe.

Question 18

Occipital lobe

Answer 18

visual transmissions and interpretation occur in this lobe.

Question 19

Cerebellum

Answer 19

second largest portion of the brain that also has two hemispheres. Its functions are connected with movement, muscle tone, coordination, posture, and equilibrium. It coordinates the actions of voluntary muscles and adjusts to impulses from proprioceptors (balance) within muscles, joints, and sense organs.

Question 20

Brainstem

Answer 20

smallest portion of the brain, continuous with the spinal cord. The brainstem serves as the reflex center and controls vital body functions such as heart rate, breathing, reflexes, swallowing, coughing, sneezing, hiccupping, and vomiting.

Question 21

Spinal Cord (Definition)

Answer 21

Long mass of nerve cells and fibers. Spinal cord has two main functions: to conduct impulses to the brain and from the brain and to act as a reflex center.

Reflex center receives and instantly sends messages through nerve fibers without entering the brain.

Question 22

Neurotransmitters

Answer 22

a chemical substance that is released at the end of a nerve fiber by the arrival of a nerve impulse and, by diffusing across the synapse or junction, causes the transfer of the impulse to another nerve fiber, a muscle fiber, or some other structure.

Question 23

Synage

Answer 23

gap between neurons