The Nervous System

Question 1

How is the nervous system organised

Answer 1

The nervous system is split into two parts, the central which is the brain and spinal chord and the peripheral which is the nerves that connect everything to the central.

Question 2

What is the function of neurons

Answer 2

Neurons conduct action potentials

Question 3

What is the function of neuroglial cells

Answer 3

Neuroglial cells provide support, protection and nourishment to neurons

Question 4

Draw the structure of a neuron

Answer 4

Should include cell body, axon, myelin sheath and dendrites

Question 5

What are the three types of neurons

Answer 5

The three types of neurons are multipolar, bipolar and unipolar

Question 6

What is an astrocyte

Answer 6

An astrocyte is a star shaped neuroglial cell in the central nervous system that wrap around blood vessels to create the blood brain barrier to stop toxins damaging neurons.

Question 7

What is an ependymal cell

Answer 7

An ependymal cell is a cuboid neuroglial cell that produces cerebrospinal fluid which acts as a cushion to prevent damage

Question 8

What is a microglial cell

Answer 8

A microglial cell is a immune neuroglial cell of the central nervous system that traps and destroys pathogens through phagocytosis

Question 9

What is a schwann cell

Answer 9

A schwann cell is a neuroglial myelin containing cell that makes up the myelin sheath of the peripheral nervous system by wrapping around axons

Question 10

What is a oligodendrocyte

Answer 10

An oligodendrocyte is a myelin containing neuroglial cell that makes up the myelin sheath of the central nervous system by wrapping around multiple axons at once.

Question 11

What is an action potential

Answer 11

An action potential is a small 30 mv current generated when a neuron is stimulated

Question 12

What is a synapse

Answer 12

A synapse is the connection between two neurons

Question 13

What are anaethetics

Answer 13

Anaethetics are drugs that stop pain by blocking nerve impulses

Question 14

What are analgesics

Answer 14

Analgesics are drugs that interfere with pain inducing substances

Question 15

What is the brain stem

Answer 15

The brain stem consists of the medulla oblongata, the pons and the mid brain. It contains the autonomic centres such as the cardiac, respiratory and vasomotor (controls blood pressure)

Question 16

What is the cerebellum

Answer 16

The cerebellum ensures balance and coordinated movements

Question 17

What are the cerebral hemispheres

Answer 17

The cerebral hemispheres are contralateral as the left controls sensation and movement on the right and vise versa

Question 18

What are the four lobes of each cerebral hemisphere

Answer 18

The frontal controls conscious movement. The parietal controls sense of touch, the occipital controls vison and the temporal controls hearing and memory

Question 19

What are the meninges

Answer 19

The meninges are the three protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal chord. The outer dura mater, the thin cobweb arachnoid mater in the middle and the dia mater underneath. In the spine there is a space around the dura mater called the epidural space. And beneath the arachnoid mater there is the subarachnoid space filled with cerebrospinal fluid