The Central Nervous System

Question 1

Name the 3 components that make up neurones

Answer 1

Cell body (soma)

Dendrites

Axon (nerve fibres)

Question 2

Name the 7 parts of the CNS

Answer 2

Spinal Cord

Medulla Oblongata

Pons

Cerebellum

Midbrain

Diencephalon

Cerebral Hemispheres

Question 3

Function of the Spinal Cord

Answer 3

Provides 2-way conduction to and from the brain

Ascending tracts

Descending tracts

Major reflex centers: spinal reflexes are initiated and completed at the level of the spinal cord

Question 4

Explain what the ascending and descending tracts are

Answer 4

Ascending - carries sensory information from the body, like pain up the spinal cord to the brain

Descending tracts - the pathways through which motor signals are sent from the brain to the spinal cord

Question 5

The function of the Medulla Oblongata

Answer 5

Part of the brain stem

Contains several centres responsible
for vital autonomic functions

Contains nuclei which are associated
with ascending sensory tracts of the
spinal cord

Contains nuclei that relay information
on the state of muscle stretch to
cerebellum

Question 6

What are the 3 components of the brain stem?

Answer 6

Medulla Oblongata

Pons

Midbrain

Question 7

What are the 2 components of the diencephalon?

Answer 7

Thalamus and Hypothalamus

Question 8

What is the function of the pons?

Answer 8

Conveys information between the
cerebral hemispheres and the
cerebellum
Contains respiratory nuclei which
cooperate with medulla nuclei to
control respiration, inspiration, and expiration

Question 9

What is the function of the cerebellum?

Answer 9

Modulates the force and range of
movement

Involved in learning motor skills
Connected to the brain stem (but is not part of the brain stem) by several fiber tracts: peduncles

Question 10

What is the function of the Midbrain?

Answer 10

Controls many sensory and motor
functions including eye movement
and the coordination of visual and
auditory reflexes

Question 11

What is the function of the Diencephalon?

Answer 11

Contains 2 main structures: the thalamus
and hypothalamus

Thalamus: processes information
ascending to the cerebral cortex and
mediates sensation, motor activities,
and cognitive processes

Hypothalamus: main control center of
the body and is critically important in
maintaining homeostasis

Question 12

What is the function of the cerebral hemispheres?

Answer 12

Contains our “conscious mind” where
higher executive functions are carried
out

Contains motor areas that control
voluntary movement

Contains sensory areas that provide
conscious awareness of sensation
 Contains association areas that integrate
diverse information for purposeful action

Question 13

Name the 4 lobes of the brain

Answer 13

Frontal Lobe

Parietal Lobe

Temporal Lobe

Occipital Lobe