Neurophysiology Flashcards
The parts of the nervous system outside the skull and spinal column are called what?
Peripheral nervous system
The central nervous system is made up of what?
Skull and spinal column
What are nerves?
Collections of axons bundled together that extend throughout the body
What is the primary function of motor nerves?
Transmit information from the CNS to muscles, organs, and glands
What is the primary function of sensory nerves?
Convey information from the body to the brain
What is the somatic nervous system?
Collections of nerves that connect the brain, muscles and sensory systems of the body
What is the autonomic nervous system?
Collections of nerves that primarily control the internal organs
What branch of the autonomic nervous system uses neuroepinephrin, increases heart rate and blood pressure and inhibits diegstion?
Sympathetic nervous system
What branch of the autonomic nervous system uses acetylcholine, slows heart rate, drops blood pressure and activates digestive system?
Parasympathetic nervous system
What part of the neuron is at the input zone and receives information via the synapses of other neurons?
Dendrites
What part of the neron makes up the integration zone?
The cell body
What part of the neuron makes up the conduction zone?
Axons and axon collaterals
What part of the neuron makes up the output zone?
Axon terminals
What is a synapse?
The connection between axon terminals and the cell body or dendrites of another neuron
What is neuroplasticity?
The ability of synapses to constantly shift configuration
What is long-term potentiation?
A process involving the persistent strengthening of synaptic connections due to increased use over time
What is long-term depression?
The process by which synaptic connections become weaker due to decreased use over time
Excitatory neurons release which neurotransmitter?
Glutamate
Inhibitory neurons release which neurotransmitter?
GABA
Which neurons make up 70-90% of all neurons in the cortex and are responsible for most excitatory activity in the brain?
Pyramidal cells
What is the primary purpose of glial cells?
Provide support and insulation for pyramidal cells
What do astrocytes do?
Transmit information between neurons
What do microglia do?
Surround and remove debris from injured or dead cells
What do Oligodendrocytes & Schwann cells do?
Perform myelination
What is the cerebrum?
The uppermost part of the brain, composed of the basil ganglia, cerebral cortex and olfactory cortex
The part of the brain that connects the two hemispheres of the cerebrum and facilitates communication is called what?
Corpus callosum
What are the six main functions of the frontal lobe?
Reasoning, planning, parts of speech, motor control (motor cortex), emotional regulation, and problem solving.
What are the three main functions of the temporal lobes?
Perception, recognition of auditory stimuli and memory.
What are the four main functions of the parietal lobe?
Perception of stimuli such as touch, pressure, temperature, and pain
What is the main function of the occipital lobe?
Vision
The top six layers of the cortex are called what?
Neocortex
Which part of the frontal lobe is concerned with voluntary movement?
Motor cortex
What part of the frontal lobe is concerned with the integration of sensory and motor information?
Premotor cortex
What part of the frontal lobe is concerned with working memory and problem solving?
Prefrontal cortex
Fpz, Fz, Cz, Pz and make up what part of the brain?
Cingulate Gyrus
What is the primary purpose of the limbic system?
Survival behaviors (feeding, reproduction, fight or flight) and the integration of emotional, cognitive and behavioral responses
What five main structures make up the limbic system?
Amygdala, hippocampus, anterior nucleus of the thalamus, cingulate gyrus, and the pleasure/reward center of the brain
