Nervous System

Question 1

Name the 2 major structural divisions if the nervous system and what the each consist of

Answer 1

Central Nervous System; contains brain and spinal cord

Peripheral Nervous System; contains nerves and sensory receptors

Question 2

Name 3 functions of the nervous system

Answer 2

Sensation, integration, and response

Question 3

Integration; definition and where does it occur

Answer 3

Processing of sensory information; occurs in the CNS

Question 4

Name 2 types of responses; are the voluntary or involuntary, what do they activate

Answer 4

Somatic: voluntary, activates skeletal muscle

Autonomic: involuntary, activates cardiac muscle, smooth muscle, and glands

Question 5

Function of neurons

Answer 5

Primary cell responsible for communication

Question 6

Function of Neuroglia (glial cells)

Answer 6

Support neurons

Question 7

Soma (cell body) contains what?

Answer 7

Nucleus and most organelles

Question 8

Dendrites: definition and function

Answer 8

Branching cellular extensions of the soma; receives information (stimuli) from other structures

Question 9

Axon: definition and function

Answer 9

Single, long strand of soma; send information to target (may be covered in myelin sheaths)

Question 10

Axon Terminals

Answer 10

Branches at the end of axon

Question 11

Synaptic End Bulbs

Answer 11

Ends of the axon terminals

Question 12

What is a cluster of cell bodies and dendrites in the CNS?

Answer 12

Nucleus

Question 13

What is a cluster of cell bodies and dendrites in the PNS?

Answer 13

Ganglion

Question 14

What is a cluster of axons in the CNS?

Answer 14

Tract

Question 15

What is a cluster of axons in the PNS?

Answer 15

Nerve

Question 16

Glial Cells

Answer 16

Helps neurons perform their function

Question 17

Name the 6 types of glial cells and if they’re in the CNS or PNS

Answer 17

Astrocytes, Oligodendrocytes, Microglia, & Ependymal cells in the CNS and Satellite cells & Schwann cells in the PNS

Question 18

Definition and 3 functions of Astrocytes

Answer 18

Cellular processes that interact with neurons, blood vessels or connective tissue; Maintains concentration of chemicals in extracellular fluid, removes excess signaling chemicals (neurotransmitters), and contributes to the blood-brain barrier

Question 19

Blood-brain barrier

Answer 19

Physiological barrier between the blood and CSF

Question 20

In the blood brain barrier, name the 3 substances that cannot reach the brain and name 5 that can reach the brain

Answer 20

CAN: glucose, amino acids, water, some ions, and oxygen

CANT: toxins, pathogens, and white blood cells

Question 21

Oligodendrocyte: definition and function

Answer 21

Insulates axons in the CNS by creating myelin sheaths; myelin speeds up nerve impulses

Question 22

Microglia: definition and function

Answer 22

Immune cells; destroys pathogens within the CNS

Question 23

Ependymal Cells: location and functions

Answer 23

Located in the walls of ventricles (spaces in brain); blood is filtered to produce CSF and cilia helps circulate CSF

Question 24

Choroid Plexus

Answer 24

Special area of the Ependymal cells where CSF is produced

Question 25

Which type of glial cell is similar in function to astrocytes

Answer 25

Satellite Cells

Question 26

Which glial cell is similar in function to the oligodendrocytes and produces myelin sheaths in the PNS

Answer 26

Schwann Cells

Question 27

How do neurons transmit information

Answer 27

Action Potential

Question 28

What speeds up nerve impluses (action potential)

Answer 28

Myelin Sheath

Question 29

How do ions cross the cell membrane

Answer 29

Transport proteins

Question 30

Membrane Potential

Answer 30

Distribution of charge (ions) across the cell membrane when a nerve impulse is NOT occuring

Question 31

Resting Membrane Potential; are both ions pumped away from or against the concentration gradient?

Answer 31

Maintained by sodium/potassium pump; against

Question 32

______ ions are pumped ______ the cell while _________ ions are pumped _____ the cell

Answer 32

Sodium; out of; Potassium; into

Question 33

Depolarization

Answer 33

Gated sodium channels open

Question 34

What 2 things are depolarization stimulated by

Answer 34

Neurotransmitters and sensory stimuli (ex: heat, movement, and chemicals)

Question 35

What happens to sodium during depolarization

Answer 35

Diffuses into the cell

Question 36

Where does depolarization travel

Answer 36

Along the axon from the soma to the axon terminals

Question 37

Synapse

Answer 37

Area where a neuron stimulates a target (dendrites of another neuron, glands, or muscles

Question 38

Synaptic cleft

Answer 38

Gap between synaptic end bulb and target

Question 39

Name 4 examples of neurotransmitters

Answer 39

Acetylcholine, dopamine, serotonin, and adrenaline