Nervous System

Question 1

CNS vs. PNS

Answer 1

Central Nervous System- responsible for processing & storing information (brain & spinal cord)
Peripheral Nervous System- responsible for gathering information & sending it to the CNS then carrying out the commands via efferent nerves (nerves & sensory organs)

Question 2

3 Main Parts of Nerve Cells

Answer 2

AKA NEURON
Dendrites- branches off the Soma that receive info
Soma- body of the cell
Axon- branches off the Soma that send info to other cells via synapses

Question 3

Neuroglial Cells
Schwann Cells

Answer 3

AKA GLIAL CELLS that surround & protect neurons since they rarely reproduce.
Schwann Cells are the primary glial cell in the PNS that secrete MYELIN which allows fast transmission of electrical signals

Question 4

What is the protective membrane of the CNS & it’s layers?

Answer 4

Meninges–> Dura mater- durable outer later made of collagen aka connective tissue
Arachnoid mater- thin inside lining of Dura mater
Subarachnoid Space- filled with CSF (cerebrospinal flud which is formed by
blood plasma)
Pia mater- directly connects spinal cord & brain.

Question 5

Gray vs. White Matter
3 Regions of brain

Answer 5

Gray Matter- unmyelinated interneurons, where processing of signals occur.
White Matter- melinated neurons, conducts signals to & from gray matter

1)Forebrain
2) Midbrain
3) Hindbrain

Question 6

2 Sections of Forebrain

Answer 6

1) Cerebrum- outermost & largest part of brain. Divided into left & right hemispheres connected by Corpus Callosum (white matter).
Each half has 4 lobes (Frontal, Parietal, Temporal, Occipital)
Surface of Cerebrum= Cerebral Cortex (gray matter responsible for language & thinking)
2) Diencephalon- formed by Thalmus (2 gray matter masses that connect to Cerebral Cortex)
Hypothalmus, & Pineal Glad (both endocrine glands)

Question 7

Midbrain

Answer 7

Topmost part of brain stem.
Responsible for reflex reactions, muscle movement, reward-seeking, & learning

Question 8

Hindbrain

Answer 8

Medulla Oblongata- processes involuntary body functions such as blood pressure (made of both white and gray matter)
Pons- transports signals to & from Cerebellum.
Cerebellum- looks like smaller version of Cerebrum & controls complex muscle activities

Question 9

5 Types of Peripheral Nerves

Answer 9

1) Afferent- aka sensory neurons, receive info from sensory organs
2) Efferent- aka motor neurons, signal effector cells in muscles to contract
3) Cranial- 12 pairs total that extend from lower side of the brain
4) Interneurons- transmit into to CNS
5) Spinal- 31 pairs total (Vertebral Column)

Question 10

In a reflex arc, what structure is bypassed when a motor response is stimulated?

Answer 10

Brain