Nervous System

Question 1

Organisation of the nervous system

Answer 1

1. Central nervous system (CNS)
2. Peripheral nervous system (PNS) (sensory nerves lead to the PNS)
3. Leads to effector nerves
4. Leads to somatic and autonomic divisions
5. Autonomic division leads to sympathetic and parasympathetic response

Question 2

Central nervous system organisation

Answer 2

1. Brain

2. Spine

Question 3

4 major plexuses of the spine

Answer 3

1. Cervical
2. Brachial
3. Lumbar
4. Sacral

Question 4

Function of cervical spine

Answer 4

Innervates neck, head and face

Question 5

Function of bracial spine

Answer 5

Innervates upper extremities

Question 6

Function of lumbar spine

Answer 6

Innervates lumbar region of back and gluteus region

Question 7

Function of sacral spine

Answer 7

Innervates hips and lower extremities

Question 8

Function of the peripheral nervous system

Answer 8

Detects and carries sensory information to the CNS

Question 9

Autonomic effectors of the autonomic division

Answer 9

• glands
• organs
• smooth muscle

Question 10

Function of sympathetic response

Answer 10

Body-wide response to stress (‘fight or flight’)

Question 11

Function of parasympathetic response

Answer 11

Maintains and returns the body to homeostasis after stress

Question 12

Structure and function of the somatic division

Answer 12

• sensory neurons carry information from the receptors
• motor neurons for voluntary movement
• 1 motor neuron between the spinal cord and the effector
• only type of effector is skeletal muscle

Question 13

Peripheral recepetors

Answer 13

1. Photoreceptors
2. Chemoreceptors
3. Thermoreceptors
4. Nociceptors
5. Mechnoreceptors

Question 14

Photoreceptors

Answer 14

Sensitive to light

Question 15

Chemoreceptors

Answer 15

Sensitive to chemical changes

Question 16

Thermoreceptors

Answer 16

Stimulate by temperature changes

Question 17

Nociceptors

Answer 17

Pain receptors

Question 18

Mechanoreceptors

Answer 18

Stimulated by movement and pressure

Question 19

Proprioceptors

Answer 19

Specialised mechanoreceptors in skeletal muscle and joints (capsules)

Question 20

Specialised receptors

Answer 20

1. Free nerve endings
2. Joint kinaesthetic receptors
3. Muscle spindles
4. Golgi tendon organ (GTO)

Question 21

Free nerve endings

Answer 21

Detect pain, heat, cold, light tough

Question 22

Joint kinaesthetic receptors

Answer 22

Sense joint angles and the rate of change in angles

Question 23

Muscle spindles

Answer 23

Sense muscle length and the rate of change in muscle length

Question 24

Golgi tendon organ (GTO)

Answer 24

Senses tension applied to the muscle by its tendon

Question 25

Physiological response to the ‘fight or flight’ response

Answer 25

1. HR and strength of muscle contraction increases
2. BP increases
3. Oxygen circulation increases
4. Peripheral vasodilation in the muscles
5. Bronchodilation
6. Increased metabolic rate
7. Increased blood glucose levels (more glucose released by the liver)
8. Coronary arteries dilate
9. Vasoconstriction in the digestive tract, stomach, intestines and extremities
10. Mental acuity increases
11. Functions that are not needed are slowed