The brain

Question 1

Functions of prefrontal cortex

Answer 1

• empathy
• insight
• response flexibility
• emotion regulation
• body regulation
• morality

Question 2

The nervous system functions

Answer 2

• allows cell to cell communication within the body
• Controls and maintains normal bodily function
• Electrical and chemical signalling

Question 3

What is neurotransmission?

Answer 3

When neurotransmitters are released by the axon terminal of a neuron and bind to react with receptors on the dendrites

Question 4

What are the 3 types of glial cells and what are their functions?

Answer 4

astrocytes- protect brain by forming a blood brain barrier
ependymal- production of cerebral fluid for cushion around brain
microglia- immune function

Question 5

What are glial cells?

Answer 5

cells that play an essential role in protection and support of the nervous system

Question 6

role of cerebrum

Answer 6

Site of higher functions- Initiates and coordinates movement and regulates temperature
- highly folded gyri and sulci

Question 7

role of cerebral cortex

Answer 7

• site of human characteristics
• consists of grey matter
• personality, memory, language, awareness, understanding, movement initiation

Question 8

2 types of cells in the nervous system:

Answer 8

neurons- cell to cell communication

glial cells- support cells

Question 9

Role of neurons:

Answer 9

carry messages through electrical and chemical signals for cell to cell communication

Question 10

What is an electrical signal?

Answer 10

cover long distances along the axon to get to the axon terminal

Question 11

What is a chemical signal?

Answer 11

They arise from axon terminals which are neurotransmitters released at synapse

Question 12

Two types of dividable neurons:

Answer 12

olfactory: smell
Memory: hippocampus

Question 13

two types of short life cells:

Answer 13

Gut cells- rapid turnover

Red blood cells- 120 days

Question 14

Axon function:

Answer 14

Carry impulses from one cell body to the next, allowing cell to cell communication. The axon potential travels down the axon terminal as an electrical signal, then covered to a chemical signal releasing a neurotransmitter.

Question 15

Cell types in CNS: (4)

Answer 15

• astrocytes
• microglia
• oligodendrocytes
• ependymal cells

Question 16

Function of cerebrospinal fluid:

Answer 16

• acts as a shock absorber cushioning the brain
• CNS floats in CSF
• eliminates wastes of brain during sleep

Question 17

microglia cells:

Answer 17

immune cells

Question 18

oligodendrocytes:

Answer 18

• stuctually organises CNS

- myelination of axons

Question 19

astrocytes

Answer 19

• maintains brain homeostasis
• roles in long term memory and breathing
• blood brain barrier
• promotes nerve survival

Question 20

ependymal cells:

Answer 20

Form cerebral spinal fluid

Question 21

What is the blood brain barrier?

Answer 21

A selectively permeable membrane that slates the brain from harmful substances

Question 22

Frontal lobe:

Answer 22

• human characteristics, language, movement, higher order functions
• most prone to damage from traumatic brain injury

Question 23

Broca’s area:

Answer 23

• Front

- written and spoken language

Question 24

Wernicke’s area:

Answer 24

• Temporal

- Comprehension of language

Question 25

Prefrontal cortex:

Answer 25

• doesn’t fully mature until 20-30 years of age

- personality, intellect, memory, empathy, abstract ideas

Question 26

What does the limbic system involve?

Answer 26

• hypothalamus, thalamus, amygdala, hippocampus
• fear, intuition, memory
• motivational centre

Question 27

Amygdala:

Answer 27

processes terror and fear

Question 28

Thalamus

Answer 28

all senses except smell

Question 29

Brain stem:

Answer 29

centre for vital functions, e.g breathing, vital functions, swallowing

Question 30

cerebellum:

Answer 30

allows smooth, coordinated, and skilled movements