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Mammalian Physiology I > The Central Nervous System > Flashcards

The Central Nervous System Flashcards

1
Q

what are the two structures of the CNS

A

the brain and the spinal

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2
Q

What are some functions of the CNS

A
  • subconscious regulation of internal environment
  • emotions
  • voluntary movement
    -perception
  • higher cognitive functions eg. learning and memory
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3
Q

what are the three functional classifications of neuronal cells

A
  • afferent neurons (mainly in PNS) have a sensory receptor on the peripheral ending
  • interneurons (only in the CNS) are connector neurons that lie between afferent and efferent neurons, important for creating neural circuits (also high brain functions)
  • efferent neurons lie within the CNS where they receive presynaptic inputs then travels to down efferent fibre to effector organ (efferent fibre is outside CNS)
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4
Q

what are glial cells

A

they are the non-neuronal cells of the nervous system that do not initiate/propagate action potentials they use chemical signals to communicate (the connective tissue of the brain)

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5
Q

what are the four types of glial cells

A
  • oligodendrocytes form the myelin sheaths surrounding some neuronal axons of the CNS (Schwann cells in PNS)
  • ependymal cells are ciliated and lie in the ventricles of the CNS producing Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
  • astrocytes have a lot of functions: connective tissue holding neurons in place, establishing a blood-brain barrier, repair brain and spinal cord injuries, stop neurotransmitter activity, enhance synapse formation, take up excess K+
  • microglia are immune cells of the CNS inactive until sensing pathological change
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6
Q

what are the four protective structures of the CNS

A
  • the skull and vertebrae
  • meninges (3 membranes that wrap and contain the CNS) consists of the dura mater, arachnoid mater, and pia mater
  • cerebrospinal fluid acts as a shock absorber, also transfers materials between the blood and neural tissues (choroid plexuses create CSF)
  • the blood-brain barrier is formed by endothelial cells joined by tight junctions that makes the exchange of materials into the CNS highly regulated
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7
Q

what is the difference between grey and white matter

A
  • grey matter consists of nerve cell bodies, short interneurons, and glial cells (central canal with CSF)
  • white matter consists of bundles of nerve fibres of axons
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8
Q

what are the different horns of grey matter

A
  • dorsal horn is cell bodies of interneurons where afferent neurons terminate
  • lateral horn is cell bodies of autonomic efferent nerve fibres
  • ventral horn central bodies of somatic efferent neurons
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9
Q

what are the different tracts of white matter

A
  • ascending tracts of afferent neurons
  • descending tracts of efferent neurons
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10
Q

what is the dorsal root ganglia composed of

A

the cell bodies for afferent nerves

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11
Q

what are the regions of the spinal cord

A

cervical - thoracic - lumbar - sacral

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12
Q

what are the two key functions of the spinal cord

A

1) conduit for transmitting information between the brain and the periphery
2) integrating afferent/efferent inputs/outputs which bypass the brain (spinal reflexes) can be simple or acquired

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13
Q

what is a reflex arc (the five components?)

A

neuronal pathways for reflexes with 5 components:
1) skin receptors sense physical/chemical change in environment and produce action potential
2) the action potential is transmitted to the integrating centre
3) the interneuron (integrating centre) for simple reflexes are integrated within the spinal cord/brainstem (acquired reflexes require higher processing)
4) the response is transmitted through the efferent neurons
5) the target is reached (usually a muscle or gland)

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14
Q

what are the 5 regions of the brain we need to know

A

1) cerebrum (basal ganglia + cerebral cortex)
2) diencephalon (hypothalamus + thalamus)
3) forebrain
4) cerebellum
5) brainstem

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15
Q

what are the three sections of the brain stem

A

midbrain - pons - medulla oblongata

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16
Q

what are the 5 major functions of the brainstem

A
  • houses cranial nerves
  • controls vegetative functions (medulla oblongata)
  • muscle reflexes involved in posture and equilibrium
  • contains reticular activating system
  • role in sleep
17
Q

what is GABA

A

major inhibitory neurotransmitter that plays an important role in sleep

18
Q

describe the structure and anatomical location of the reticular activating system

A

consists of reticular formation (networks of neurons through brainstem - thalamus) and ascending fibres that send signals to the cerebral cortex

19
Q

what are the functions of the thalamus

A
  • integrating centre for all sensory input on its way to the cortex (can influence the priority of signal processing)
20
Q

name 5 functions of the hypothalamus

A

integration centre for homeostatic functions (links autonomic and endocrine system)
- production/secretion of pituitary hormones
- sleep/wake cycle
- autonomic nervous system coordinating
- uterine contraction and milk ejection
- fluid intake
- urine output/thirst
- emotion/behaviour
- body temperature

21
Q

what connects the right and left hemispheres of the cerebral cortex, and is it composed of grey or white matter?

A

corpus callosum - grey matter

22
Q

what are the four lobes of the cerebral cortex (where are they and what are their functions)

A

frontal lobe - voluntary motor activity + speech
parietal lobe - receiving and processing sensory input
occipital lobe - initial processing for vision
temporal lobe - vision and hearing

23
Q

where is the somatosensory cortex and what does it do

A

anterior region of the parietal lobes processes somaesthetic input (touch, pressure, cold, heat, pain) and proprioceptive input (relative position of body parts and strength needed for movement)

23
Q

where is the somatosensory cortex and what does it do

A

anterior region of the parietal lobes processes somaesthetic input (touch, pressure, cold, heat, pain) and proprioceptive input (relative position of body parts and strength needed for movement)

24
Q

where is the primary motor cortex located and what is its function

A

anterior of frontal lobe - works with the premotor cortex for movement

25
Q

what is the function of the cerebellum

A

integration of motor control and sensory perception (no role in voluntary initiation of movement) contributing to muscle tone and coordination

26
Q

what are the three parts of the cerebellum and their distinct functions

A
  • vestibulocerebellum is important for balance, spatial orientation, and control of eye movement
  • spinocerebellum regulates skilled voluntary movements
    -cerebrocerebellum receives input from cerebral cortex and is involved in planning of voluntary movement and evaluation of sensory information
27
Q

what is the basal ganglia and its functions

A

several masses of grey matter - motor control, cognition, emotions, and learning

28
Q

what are the four anatomical structures of the basal ganglia

A

caudate nucleus, putamen, globus pallidus, claustrum

29
Q

explain the importance of the basal ganglia in motor control for someone with Parkinson’s disease

A

the main neurotransmitter of the basal ganglia (dopamine) is deficient resulting in increased muscle tone, involuntary movements, slowed initiation of movement

30
Q

what is the limbic system

A

several brain regions interconnected by neural pathways, associated with emotions (formation of memories), behaviour, motivation, and learning

31
Q

what two structures play a large role in the behaviour

A
  • the hypothalamus governs involuntary responses preparing for action
  • the cortex provides the neural mechanisms necessary for regulating skeletal muscle responses for higher behaviours
32
Q

where are memories stores

A

memory traces - a pattern of signals transmitted across synapses in a vast network

33
Q

what are three key structures that hold memories/knowledge

A
  • the hippocampus for short-term memory (declarative memories)
  • the cerebellum for procedural memories (how to)
  • the prefrontal cortex for complex reasoning skills with working memory
34
Q

explain habituation and sensitization in memory trace storage

A
  • habituation decreases response to a repetitive stimulus that does not reward/harm
  • sensitization is increased responsiveness to mild stimuli following a strong stimulus

Mammalian Physiology I (3 decks)

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