Nervous System

Question 1

Function of Nervous System

Answer 1

To detect impulses from the senses; control center of the body

Question 2

Major Organs of Nervous System

Answer 2

Brain; Spinal Cord; Senses; Nerves

Question 3

Difference between Neurons and Neuroglia

Answer 3

Neurons make up 10% of the nervous system

Neuroglia make up 90% of the nervous system

Question 4

Dendrite

Answer 4

Receive the nerve impulses from the senses or another neuron

Question 5

Soma

Answer 5

Body of the neuron that holds the nucleus

Question 6

Schwann Cells

Answer 6

The main glial cells of the peripheral nervous system which wrap around axons of motor and sensory neurons to form the myelin sheath

Question 7

Node of Ranvier

Answer 7

Impulses jump from node to node, which increase speed of impulse

Question 8

Myelin

Answer 8

Insulates the axon; produced by Schwann cells

Question 9

Axon

Answer 9

Passageway for nerve impulses after cell body; end in axon terminal

Question 10

Axon Terminal

Answer 10

The button-like endings of axons through which axons make contact with other nerve cells

Question 11

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)

Answer 11

Protects the brain from making contact with the skull and maintains the blood-brain barrier which controls homeostasis for the brain and prevents infection

Question 12

Cerebrum

Answer 12

Largest part of the brain; divided into two hemispheres; outer cerebral cortex - “grey matter”, made of cell bodies and dendrites; controls conscious activities; inner cerebral medulla - “white matter”, made of myelinated axons

Question 13

Frontal Lobe

Answer 13

Voluntary movements; reasoning and decision making, memory; ability to predict consequences of actions; planning; verbal communication

Question 14

Temporal Lobe

Answer 14

Controls memory; comprehension and pronunciation of words; sensations of smells and sounds; emotional association of memories

Question 15

Parietal Lobe

Answer 15

Controls sensations; visual-spatial processing; body position

Question 16

Occipital Lobe

Answer 16

Controls visual processing; vision; memory of objects

Question 17

Thalamus

Answer 17

Relays sensory impulses to the cerebral cortex for processing and sorting

Question 18

Hypothalamus

Answer 18

Controls hormones released by the pituitary gland; responsible for autonomic processes (body temperature, hunger, sleep, thirst, blood volume, etc.)

Question 19

Brainstem

Answer 19

Located between the cerebrum and spinal cord, broken into three sections

Question 20

(Brainstem) Midbrain

Answer 20

Also known as mesencephalon; relays info the cerebrum; controls body movements and postures

Question 21

(Brainstem) Pons

Answer 21

Also known as the bridge; almost completely made of white matter that links cerebral cortex and cerebellum; carries info from one side of the brain to the other; central control of breathing

Question 22

(Brainstem) Medulla Oblongata

Answer 22

Located above the spinal cord; transmits impulses between the spinal cord and the brain; controls blood pressure, heart rate, swallowing, and coughing

Question 23

Cerebellum

Answer 23

Second largest part of the brain; near back of skull; responsible for coordinating the movements directed by the cerebrum so that they are graceful and efficient;; all involuntary movements; aids in “muscle memory”

Question 24

Spinal Cord

Answer 24

Extends the medulla oblongata; 31 pairs of spinal nerves branch out from the spinal cord, connecting to all parts of the body; relays impulses from the PNS to the brain; a cross-section of the spinal cord has a “butterfly” of grey matter surrounded by white matter

Question 25

Pacinian Corpuscle (sensory receptor)

Answer 25

Pressure

Question 26

Ruffini’s Corpuscle (sensory receptor)

Answer 26

Touch and Pressure

Question 27

Hair Follicle Receptor (sensory receptor)

Answer 27

Touch

Question 28

Merkel’s Disk (sensory receptor)

Answer 28

Touch

Question 29

Free Nerve Ending (sensory receptor)

Answer 29

Pain and Temperature

Question 30

Papillae

Answer 30

Bumps on your tongue - many which contain taste buds

Question 31

Malleus (hammer or mallet)

Answer 31

Functions with the other bones to transmit vibrations from the eardrum to the inner ear; largest of three small bones in the middle ear

Question 32

Incus (anvil)

Answer 32

Transmits vibrations between the malleus and stapes, small anvil-shaped bone in the middle ear

Question 33

Stapes (stirrup)

Answer 33

Articulates with the oval window and conducts vibrations to the cochlea, the smallest and most medial of the three middle ear ossicles

Question 34

Cochlea

Answer 34

A bony snail-shaped structure containing membranes filled with fluid

Question 35

Cornea

Answer 35

Made of thick, transparent tissue; allows light into the eye

Question 36

Pupil

Answer 36

The opening in the center of the iris; muscles regulate light entering the eye; Low-Light - Pupil Wide Open; High Light - Pupil Nearly Closed

Question 37

Iris

Answer 37

Located behind the cornea, colored part of the eye; works with pupil to regulate light entering the eye

Question 38

Retina

Answer 38

Located in the back of the eye, contains thousands of photoreceptors; two kinds of photoreceptors:
Rods - distributed all over the retina, responsible for vision in low light, extremely sensitive
Cones - concentrated in the center of the retina, responsible for detection of colors, less sensitive

Question 39

Lens

Answer 39

A semi-solid disc that directs light waves towards the retina; controlled by ciliary muscles and suspensory ligaments; these muscles and ligaments help bend or flatten the lens based on the distance of the image being viewed; becomes less elastic with age causing some adults to need corrective lenses to help with difficulty focusing at certain distances

Question 40

Farsighted vs. Nearsighted

Answer 40

A nearsighted person sees objects that are near clearly, while objects in the distance are blurred. Farsightedness is the result of the visual image being focused behind the retina rather than directly on it.