Nervous System Flashcards
What is the nervous system split into?
Peripheral and central nervous system
What is the peripheral nervous system split into?
Sensory and motor
What is the motor NS split into?
Somatic and autonomic
What is the autonomic NS split into?
Sympathetic and parasympathetic
What is the functions of the NS
- connects brain to rest of body
- routes messages to and from the brain (merges with brain stem)
- own system of automatic processes
What are the characteristics of the brain?
- billions of interconnected neurons and glia
- bilateral (distinct lobes)
- all areas interact to provide our thoughts and behaviours
What is the cerebral cortex?
The layer of nerve cells on the outer surface of the brain which is associated with higher level processes, such as consciousness
What is the most prominent sulcus known as?
The ‘longitudinal fissure’ - it splits the 2 hemispheres
What are the ‘hill tops’ called?
Gyri
What are the ‘valleys’ called?
Sulci
What is the function of cerebrospinal fluid?
Acts as a cushion between the skull and the brain
Is there much difference in function of the 2 hemispheres?
Beyond differences in language ability, differences are minor
What are the 2 hemispheres connected by?
‘Corpus callosium’
- thick band of neural fibres
- allows 2 hemispheres to communicate
- allows for info being processed on one side to be shared with the other side
What is the function of the central sulcus?
- in charge of voluntary movements e.g. kissing
- specific body parts have unique portion of primary motor cortex devoted
How do we know different parts of the brain are involved in different functions according to the neurons?
- the no. and variety of neutrons varies in different parts of the cerebral cortex
- based on the variations of thickness, cell density, and complexity of these neurons, it is assumed different parts have different functions
What does the occipital lobe contain?
The primary visual cortex (involved in interpreting visual info)
What does the parietal lobe contain?
Somatosensory cortex (which is essential for processing sensory info)
What does the temporal lobe contain?
Auditory cortex (involved in processing auditory info) and Wernicke’s area (speech comprehension)
What does the frontal lobe contain?
Motor cortex (planning and co-ordinating movement), pre-frontal cortex (higher-level cognitive functioning),and Broca’s area (language production)
How is the primary visual cortex organised?
Retinopically (close relation between the position of an object in a visual field and the position of that objects representation on the cortex)
How is the somatosensory cortex organised?
Topographically (spatial relationships in the body are maintained on the surface e.g. the portion that controls info from the hand is adjacent to the wrist portion)
What is the main function of the occipital lobe?
Visual processing
What is the main function of the parietal lobe?
Touch, balance, movement
What is the main function of the temporal lobe?
Hearing, speech, comprehension, memory and visual recognition
What is the main function of the frontal lobe?
Movement, thinking and planning
What is the function of the cerebellum?
Coordination of muscles and non-voluntary moves
What is the function of the medulla oblongata?
Controls autonomic activities e.g. heart rate
What is the function of the pituitary gland (posterior)?
Stores and secretes hormones produced by hypothalamus
What is the function of the pituitary gland (anterior)?
Produces and secretes hormones
How does the hypothalamus secrete hormones?
Via the pituitary gland
What is the function of the hypothalamus?
Body temperature regulation and osmoregulation
Why can our sense of smell evoke emotional responses?
Our sense of smell projects directly onto the limbic system
What are the most important structures of the limbic system?
Hippocampus, Amygdala and Hypothalamus
What are the basal ganglia?
Groups of nerve cells that are important in the control of voluntary movement
What makes up the basal ganglia?
Caudate nucleus, putamen, globes pallidus