Nervous System

Question 1

How is white matter different from gray matter?

Answer 1

White matter is the myelinated bundles of axons in the CNS;
Gray matter is the cell bodies and unmyelinated axons and dendrites.

Question 2

What is the function of a reflex arc?

Answer 2

Specialized neuron pathway that provides the ability for the body to react to certain types of stimuli

Question 3

What is the sensory receptor?
How does it relate to reflex arc?

Answer 3

A receptor that is located within a particular area that senses stimulation. This receptor is the beginning point of the reflex arc.

Question 4

What is an effector?
How does it relate to the reflex arc?

Answer 4

Effectors are muscles or glands, and muscle contractions and gland secretion are the only kinds of reflexes operated by these effectors. Impulse conduction by a reflex (elicited through the effector) is seen through the reflex arc.

Question 5

How does myelin increase the speed of nerve impulse conduction?

Answer 5

As impulses travel across the nerve, if the impulse encounters a section of membrane covered with insulating myelin, it simply jumps around the myelin. Myelination provides the impulse the ability to jump from synapse to synapse without jumping off the track (as seen with unmyelinated nerves).

Question 6

What is the structure and function of a synapse?

Answer 6

Three structures make up a synapse:
A synaptic knob, a synaptic cleft, and the plasma membrane of a postsynaptic neuron.
A synapse is a place where impulses are transmitted from one neuron to another.

Question 7

How do neurotransmitters transmit signals across the synapse?

Answer 7

On the arrival of an impulse at a synapse, neurotransmitter molecules are released from vesicles in the synaptic knob into the synaptic cleft. The combining of neurotransmitter and receptor molecules in the plasma membrane of the postsynaptic neuron opens ion channels and thereby initiates impulse conduction in the postsynaptic neuron.

Question 8

What is a postsynaptic neuron?

Answer 8

The postsynaptic neuron is the neuron transmitting the electrical signal away from the synapse.

Question 9

What is the major function of the spinal cord?

Answer 9

Primary reflex center; carries impulses to and from the brain

Question 10

What are spinal tracts?

Answer 10

Ascending and descending tracts, which conduct impulses up the cord to the brain or from the brain

Question 11

What is the name, location, and function of each of the 3 meninges?

Answer 11

The dura mater is the tough outer layer that lines the vertebral canal, the pia mater is the innermost membrane covering the spinal cord itself, and the arachnoid mater is the membrane between the dura mater and the pia mater. Beneath the dura mater is the subdural space, and beneath the arachnoid mater is the subarachnoid space. Fluid fills the subarachnoid spaces between the pia mater and arachnoid mater in the brain and spinal cord. This fluid is called cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The CSF, along with the meninges, helps protect the cells of the central nervous system.

Question 12

What iis cerebrospinal fluid?

Answer 12

Fluid that fills the subarachnoid spaces between the pia mater and arachnoid mater in the brain and spinal fluid

Question 13

How many cranial nerves are located in the peripheral nervous system?
How many spinal nerves?

Answer 13

There are 12 pairs of cranial nerves attached to the undersurface of the brain, mostly from the brain stem, and 31 pairs of nerves attached to the spinal cord.

Question 14

What is a spinal nerve plexus?

Answer 14

Reorganization of several spinal nerves to form a single peripheral nerve

Question 15

What are dermatomes?

Answer 15

Skin surface areas that are supplied by a single spinal nerve

Question 16

What kinds of tissues are controlled by the autonomic nervous system (ANS)?

Answer 16

Cardiac muscle, smooth muscle, and glandular epithelial

Question 17

What are the 2 main divisions of the ANS?

Answer 17

Sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system

Question 18

What division of the ANS produces the fight-or-flight response?

Answer 18

Sympathetic

Question 19

Which 2 neurotransmitters are used by autonomic nerve pathways?

Answer 19

Norepinephrine and acetylcholine

Question 20

What is the limbic system?

Answer 20

Located in parts of the cerebral cortex is an area called the limbic system or emotional brain. Through conduction paths from these areas, emotions can produce widespread changes in the automatic functions of our bodies, in cardiac and smooth muscle contractions, and in secretion by glands.

Question 21

What are the 3 parts of a neuron?

Question 22

Explain the function of the dendrite and axon.

Question 23

Name the 3 types of neurons classified according to the direction in which the impulse is transmitted.
Define and explain each of them.

Question 24

Provide the name and list the function of the peripheral glia cells.

Question 25

Define and explain the following:
Myelin
Node of Ranvier
Neurilemma

Answer 25

Myelin -
Node of Ranvier -
Neurilemma -

Question 26

Explain the difference between gray and white matter.

Question 27

Explain how a reflex arc functions. Name 2 types of reflex arc.

Question 28

Explain what occurs during a nerve impulse.
Describe what occurs during saltatory conduction.

Question 29

Explain fully what occurs at a synapse.
Explain the 2 ways in which neurotransmitter activity is terminated.

Question 30

Describe and list the functions of the brainstem (medulla oblongata, pons, and midbrain).

Question 31

Describe and List the functions of the hypothalamus.

Question 32

Describe and list the functions of the thalamus.

Question 33

Describe and list the functions of the cerebellum.

Question 34

Name the general functions of the cerebrum.
List the specific functions of the occipital and temporal lobes.

Question 35

Describe and list the functions of the spinal cord.

Question 36

Name and describe the 3 layers of the meninges.

Question 37

Describe the function of CSF and where it is produced.

Question 38

Provide the number of cranial nerve pairs from the brainstem and diencephalon, and give some examples of the function of specific cranial nerves.

Question 39

Provide the number of nerve pairs that are generated from each section of the spinal cord, and explain how they are named.

Question 40

Describe a plexus.

Question 41

Explain the structure and function of the sympathetic nervous system.

Question 42

Explain the structure and function of the parasympathetic nervous system.

Question 43

Explain the “emotional brain.”

Question 44

Compare the functional regions of the frontal, parietal, occipital, and temporal lobes.

Question 45

Which of the cranial nerves deals primarily with motor function?
Which deal primarily with sensory function?

Answer 45

Primary Motor Functions - The oculomotor (CN III), trochlear (CN IV), abducens (CN VI), spinal accessory (CN XI), and hypoglossal (CN XII)

Primarily Sensory Functions - The olfactory (CN I), optic (CN II), and vestibulocochlear (CN VIII) nerves

Question 46

There is a type of medication that inhibits the functioning of acetylcholinesterase (the enzyme that deactivates acetylcholine).
Explain the side effects the medication would have on the visceral effectors.

Question 47

Olivia was speaking at a luncheon. She had her regular breakfast of toast, juice, and coffee. She admits to being slightly nervous, and she has no appetite for lunch. She is also slightly nauseated. Be specific and cite some possible reason for Olivia’s symptoms.