Nervous System

Question 1

What are glia cells? Name them

Answer 1

Non-neuronal cells found in brain and nervous system.
Astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, microglia, ependymal cells, Schwann cells, satellite cells

Question 2

What is the role of astrocytes?

Answer 2

Regulate external environment of neutrons including neurotransmitter and ion levels. Wrap around blood vessels forming the blood-brain barrier

Question 3

What is the role of oligodendrocytes?

Answer 3

Produce myelin sheath for CNS neurons

Question 4

What is the role of microglias?

Answer 4

Immune cells, acting as phagocytes to clear up dead/toxic cells

Question 5

What is the role of ependymal cells?

Answer 5

Creates cerebrospinal fluid which surrounds brain and spinal cord as protective cushioning

Question 6

What is the role of Schwann cells?

Answer 6

Produce myelin sheath in the PSN neurons

Question 7

What is the role of glial satellite cells?

Answer 7

Envelope for sensory somas in the PNS for support and nutrients

Question 8

How many nerves are in the spinal cord and how many of each type?

Answer 8

31 pairs in total.
8 pairs cervical
12 pairs thoracic
5 pairs lumbar
5 pairs sacral
1 pairs coccygeal

Question 9

Describe the structure of the spinal cord?

Answer 9

Grey matter inside, white outside, with pairs of spinal nerves on either side running down

Question 10

Describe the dorsal vs ventral root

Answer 10

Dorsal root attaches to dorsal side of spinal cord and carries sensory neuron info to spinal cord - its afferent. Soma is on the nerve outside in the PNS. Ventral root carries motor neuron info, with soma in CNS - its efferent.

Question 11

Afferent vs Efferent

Answer 11

Afferent - sensory neuron carrying signal to CNS
Efferent - motor neuron carrying signal from CNS to muscle/effector

Question 12

What are the three types of neurons in the nervous system?

Answer 12

Afferent - interneurons - efferent

Question 13

Which structure of neutrons are found in each neuron?

Answer 13

Afferent - bipolar or pseudounipolar
Interneurons - multipolar or anaxonic
Efferent - multipolar

Question 14

What are the four sections of the brain?

Answer 14

Cerebrum, cerebellum, brain stem and diencephalon

Question 15

What are the 4 lobes of the cerebrum?

Answer 15

Frontal lobe, parietal lobe, occipital lobe, temporal lobe

Question 16

Role of the frontal lobe?

Answer 16

Skeletal muscle movement, coordinates some other signals

Question 17

Role of parietal lobe?

Answer 17

Somatosensory area and proprioception, and spatial - coordination

Question 18

Role of occipital lobe?

Answer 18

Visual perception, colour and motion

Question 19

Role of temporal lobe?

Answer 19

Auditory and olfactory areas

Question 20

What are the three sections of the brain stem?

Answer 20

Midbrain, Pons, Medulla oblongata

Question 21

Role of midbrain?

Answer 21

regulate eye movements

Question 22

Role of pons?

Answer 22

Relay centre for info between cerebellum and cerebrum

Question 23

Role of medulla oblongata?

Answer 23

Transition from brain to spinal cord. Regulates breathing, blood pressure and swallowing

Question 24

Role of the cerebellum?

Answer 24

Associated with pons. Coordinates movement

Question 25

What is the meninges?

Answer 25

3 layers of membrane which protect the brain and spinal cord

Question 26

What is Gyrus and Sulcus?

Answer 26

Gyrus is the folds of the brain, while sulcus are the indents/grooves in the folds

Question 27

What does the diencephalon include?

Answer 27

Thalamus and Hypothalamus

Question 28

What is the role of the thalamus?

Answer 28

Integrates info and acts as a relay centre for sensory and motor info for all processes (but smell)

Question 29

What is the role of the hypothalamus?

Answer 29

Controls homeostasis and behavioural drives (hunger, thirst, sex, sleep)