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G12 Biology > Nervous System - Structure and function > Flashcards

Nervous System - Structure and function Flashcards

1
Q

Three broad parts of the brain

A

Cerebrum, cerebellum and brain stem / medulla oblongata

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2
Q

Which hemisphere of the cerebrum controls the left side of the body?

A

Right hemisphere

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3
Q

Which functions does the left hemisphere of the cerebrum control for most people?

A

Speech
Logic
Math calculations
Pulling facts from memory

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4
Q

Which functions does the right hemisphere of the cerebrum control for most people?

A

Music
Face recognition
Spatial awareness

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5
Q

Where is information processed in the cerebrum?

A

Cerebral cortex - outermost layer where “gray matter” is found

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6
Q

What feature of the cerebrum increases its surface area?

A

Grooves

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7
Q

What are the lobes of the cerebrum?

A

Four regions in each hemisphere associated with different functions

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8
Q

Where is the cerebellum located?

A

Below and behind the cerebrum

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9
Q

What connects the two hemispheres of the cerebellum?

A

Vermis - worm-like mass of nerve tissue

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10
Q

How do the grooves of the cerebellum compare to those of the cerebrum?

A

More shallow and parallel

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11
Q

How is the white matter of the cerebellum arranged?

A

Like a branched tree

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12
Q

Function of the cerebellum

A

Controls voluntary movements, posture (muscle tone) and balance

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13
Q

C-shaped connector of the two hemispheres of the cerebrum

A

Corpus callosum

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14
Q

The corpus callosum consists of…

A

White matter; lots of axons

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15
Q

Which part of the brain is an extension of the spinal cord?

A

Medulla oblongata

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16
Q

How does the medulla oblongata differ from the brain?

A

Grey matter is inside, white is outside

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17
Q

Functions of the medulla oblongata

A

Transmit nerve impulses between the spinal cord and brain

Controls automatic functions

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18
Q

Location of the spinal cord

A

extends from medulla oblongata through the spinal canal of the vertebral column to the lumbar region

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19
Q

The spinal cord is composed of…

A

Grey and white matter

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20
Q

Layers of the spinal cord from the inside out

A

Central canal, H-shaped grey matter, white matter, spinal meninges

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21
Q

What connects to the spinal cord between successive vertebrae?

A

Bundles of neuron axons (nerves)

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22
Q

Two types of nerves in the peripheral nervous system

A

Sensory nerves and motor nerves

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23
Q

Function of sensory nerves

A

Conduct impulses from the receptors to the CNS

24
Q

Function of motor nerves

A

Conduct impulses from the CNS to the effectors

25
Q

Three main types of neurons

A

Interneuron
Sensory neuron
Motor neuron

26
Q

Function of sensory neurons (afferent)

A

Receive information and send impulses to the spinal cord and brain

27
Q

Function of motor neurons (efferent)

A

Conduct impulses from the spinal cord and brain to muscles/glands (effectors)

28
Q

Function of the PNS

A

Conduct nerve impulses from receptors to the CNS along sensory neurons
Conduct nerve impulses from the CNS to the effectors along motor neurons

29
Q

Function of the somatic nervous system

A

Conducts impulses from the CNS to voluntary (skeletal) muscles

30
Q

Function of the autonomic nervous system

A

Conducts impulses from the CNS to involuntary (cardiac/smooth) muscles

31
Q

How many pairs of cranial nerves are in the PNS?

32
Q

How many pairs of spinal cord nerves are in the PNS?

33
Q

Where do the cranial nerves connect to the CNS?

34
Q

Where do spinal cord nerves connect to the CNS?

A

Spinal cord via dorsal and ventral roots

35
Q

What is a nerve?

A

An enclosed, cable-like bundles of nerve fibres (axons) in the PNS

36
Q

Function of a nerve

A

Provides a common pathway for the nerve impulses to and from peripheral organs

37
Q

The three types of nerves

A

Afferent (sensory) nerves
Efferent (motor) nerves
Mixed nerves (carries axons of both afferent and efferent neurons)

38
Q

The two sets of roots/nerves connecting to the spinal cord

A

Dorsal root and ventral root

39
Q

Which root connects sensory neurons to the spinal cord?

A

Dorsal root

40
Q

Which root connects motor neurons to the spinal cord?

A

Ventral root

41
Q

Name of the bulge on the dorsal root

A

Dorsal root ganglion

42
Q

Function of the dorsal root ganglion

A

Holds sensory neuron cell bodies

43
Q

Two subdivisions of the autonomic nervous system

A

Sympathetic division and parasympathetic division

44
Q

What is a reflex action?

A

A quick, automatic response of an effector to a stimulus

45
Q

What is a reflex arc?

A

The pathway along which an impulse is transmitted to bring about a response to a stimulus during a reflex arc

46
Q

Significance of a reflex action

A

Reflex actin allows for a quick response, without thinking about it, to prevent damage to the body

47
Q

Significance of a synapse

A

Ensures impulse moves in one direction only
Prevents continuous stimulation of the neurons
Ensures that the impulse is transmitted from the sensory neuron to the motor neuron

48
Q

Function of the sympathetic nervous system

A

Prepares the body for extra action (fight or flight)

49
Q

When is the sympathetic nervous system engaged?

A

When you come across a threat

50
Q

How does the sympathetic nervous system change your body processes?

A

Changes breathing, heart rate and releases glucose so that the body has extra energy

51
Q

Function of the parasympathetic nervous system

A

Return the body to its resting state once danger has passed (rest and digest)

52
Q

Alzheimer’s disesase

A

Progressive disorder which causes the brain cells to degenerate and die
Leads to memory loss and a decline in thinking

53
Q

Causes of Alzheimer’s disease

A

Combination of genetic, lifestyle and environmental factors that affect the brain
Brain proteins do not function properly and cause neurons to be damaged and disconnected and this loss spreads predictably to other regions of the brain

54
Q

Symptoms of Alzheimer’s

A 
Worsening memory function
Difficulty thinking and reasoning
Poor judgement
Difficulty planning/doing familiar tasks
Changes in personality/behaviour
55
Q

Multiple Sclerosis

A

Immune system attacks the myelin sheath which damages and deteriorates the nerves and causes communication problems between the brain and the rest of the body

G12 Biology (13 decks)

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