Systems Neurobiology (Exam 1)

Question 1

Brain in there vertebrate nervous system

Answer 1

Integrating center made up of clusters of nuclei + tracts

Question 2

Spinal cord function in the vertebrate nervous system

Answer 2

Mediates info flow between the brain and body (and vice versa)

Question 2

Central Nervous System

Answer 2

Composed of brain and spinal cord

Question 2

Afferent Branch

Answer 2

Brings stimuli from the PNS to the CNS

Question 3

Efferent branch

Answer 3

Brings signals from the CNS to the PNS, branches off into the motor and autonomic divisions

Question 4

Motor Division

Answer 4

Controls skeletal muscles, branches off from efferent branch

Question 4

Autonomic Division

Answer 4

Branches off into the sympathetic, parasympathetic, and enteric nervous systems, comes from the efferent branch

Question 4

Sympathetic Nervous System

Answer 4

• Most active during stress or physical activity
• “Fight or flight”
• Increases heart rate and breathing, as well as directing blood to working muscles
• Sends signals through the preganglionic neuron
• Sends signals to the smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, exocrine glands, and some endocrine glands
• Stems from the autonomic division

Question 4

Preganglionic Neuron

Answer 4

• Has as shorter axon in the sympathetic nervous system
  - Synapses farther from CNS
• Has a longer axon in the parasympathetic nervous system

Question 5

Postganglionic Neuron

Answer 5

• Releases acetylcholine in the sympathetic nervous system
  
  • Binds to muscarinic cholinergic receptor (metabotropic)
• Releases norepinephrine in the parasympathetic nervous system
  
  • Binds to adrenergic receptor

Question 5

Parasympathetic Nervous System

Answer 5

• Most active during periods of rest
• “resting and digesting”
• Redirects energy towards maintenance activities (like digestion)
• Sends signals to the smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, exocrine glands, and some endocrine glands
• Stems from the autonomic division

Question 6

Relationship between sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system

Answer 6

Typically antagonistic; can effect the same organs (innervation)

Question 7

Enteric Nervous System

Answer 7

Stems from the autonomic division, controls digestive organs

Question 8

Nuclei (nervous system)

Answer 8

Groups of neuronal cell bodies within the CNS

Question 9

Ganglid

Answer 9

Groups of neuronal cell bodies outside of the CNS

Question 10

Tract

Answer 10

Bundle of axons within the CNS

Question 11

Nerves

Answer 11

Bundles of axons outside of the CNS
- Made of axons of neurons

Question 12

Basal Tone

Answer 12

• Allows one branch (afferent or efferent) to control an effector organ bidirectionally
  
  • Ex. Decreased sympathetic signaling leading to vasodilaiton
  • Increased sympathetic signaling leading to vasoconstriction
  • Basal sympathetic signaling leading to normal vascular tone