Nervous System Flashcards
What is a neuron?
A nerve cell. Their job is to react to physical and chemical changes and transmit nerve impulses to other neurons and cells.
What are the three main general functions of the nervous system?
Integrative, sensory, and motor
What is the job of nerves?
To direct signals to the muscles
What part of the brain controls automatic functions like breathing and heart rate?
Medulla oblongata
What is the job of the cerebellum?
Controls complex motor functions such as muscle coordination and balance
What does the frontal lobe do?
Responsible for speaking
What is the job of the dendrite?
To direct electrochemical signals to the cell body
What is the job of the axon?
To provide a pathway for electrochemical impulses to leave the neuron
What divides the cerebrum into right and left hemispheres?
Longitudinal fissure
What is the thin layer of gray matter in the surface of the cerebrum?
Cerebral cortex
What separates the frontal and parietal lobes?
Central sulcus
What are the interconnected fluid filled cavities within the brain?
Ventricles
What connects the cerebellar hemispheres at the midline?
Vermis
What part of the brain stem is continuous with the spinal cord?
Medulla oblongata
What is the cone shaped structure attached to the upper portion of the diencephalon?
Pineal gland
what connects the cerebral hemispheres?
Corpus callosum
What part of the brain stem is between the diencephalon and pons?
The midbrain
What is the rounded bulge on the underside of the brain stem?
The pons
What is the outermost layer of the meninges?
Dura mater
What is the ridge on the surface of the cerebrum?
Gyrus
What contains the thalamus and hypothalamus
Diencephalon
What is the largest part of the brain?
Cerebrum
What is the innermost layer of the meninges?
The pia mater
What substance is responsible for the white matter of nervous tissue?
Myelin
What are the three major parts of the brain?
Cerebrum, cerebellum, and brainstem
What are the three layers of the meninges?
The dura mater, arachnoid mater, and pia mater
What is a synapse?
Where a axon terminal meets another cell
The axon terminal and other cell are separated by what?
The synaptic cleft
What does the frontal lobe do?
This is where higher level thinking occurs such as emotions, planning, reasoning, and problem solving.
What does the parietal lobe do?
It is responsible for integrating sensory information such as touch, temperature, pressure, and pain
What does the temporal lobe do?
Process sensory information for hearing, recognizing language, and forming memories
What does the occipital lobe do?
Receives visual information from the eyes.
What is the dominant hemisphere responsible for?
Language related activities and complex intellectual functions
What is the responsibility of the non dominant hemisphere?
Specializes in motor tasks
What is the diencephalon?
Located between the cerebral hemispheres. Surrounds the third ventricle and is composed of gray matter.
What is the thalamus?
Located within the diencephalon. It is a central relay station, receiving all sensory impulses and sends them to the appropriate regions.
What does the hypothalamus do?
Maintains homeostasis by regulating temp and blood pressure.
