Overview of the Nervous System

Question 1

How does neurotransmission differ between the peripheral (NMJ) and central nervous system?

Answer 1

NMJ - multi-vesicular release of ACh

CNS - single release zone for glutamate

Question 2

What are gyri?

Answer 2

A ridge of the in-folded cerebral cortex

Question 3

What are sulci?

Answer 3

Valleys between the gyri of the in-folded cerebral cortex

Question 4

What does the anterior commissure do?

Answer 4

Connects the two temporal lobes

Question 5

What does the internal capsule do?

Answer 5

Is the corticospinal tract –> motor to all voluntary muscle

Question 6

Where is the thalamus located?

Answer 6

Lies either side of the third ventricle (forming wall of 3rd ventricle) and it receives input from all areas of the nervous system

Question 7

What are Broca’s and Wernicke’s areas involved in?

Answer 7

Broca’s - Language expression

Wernicke’s - Language comprehension

Question 8

What are the most common brain tumours and why?

Answer 8

Gliomas, as neurones can’t undergo mitosis

Question 9

What does grey matter consist of?

Answer 9

Neuronal cell bodies, dendrites, axon terminals, synapses and glial cells (is highly vascular)

Question 10

What does white matter consist of

Answer 10

Bundles of axons (myelinated) and oligodendrocytes