The Nervous System

Question 1

3 parts of the brain (and their subparts)

Answer 1

The Brain:
1) Forebrain
- Cerebrum
- Diencephalon
2) Midbrain
- Mesencephalon
3) Hindbrain
- Pons
- Medulla
- Cerebellum

Question 2

Cerebrum

Answer 2

• Largest part of the brain.
• Consists of right and left hemispheres separated by corpus callosum
• Each hemisphere contains frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital lobes

Question 3

Diencephalon

Answer 3

• Connects cerebrum with lower structures of the brain
• Consists of thalamus and hypothalamus, which are part of a loop of structures known as the limbic system

Question 4

What is the limbic system and what is it’s function?

Answer 4

The limbic system is a loop of structures that include the thalamus and hypothalamus.
The limbic system is the “emotional brain” and can help in stabilizing emotional behavior.

Question 5

Mesencephalon

Answer 5

• Extends from the pons to the hypothalamus
• Responsible for integration of visual, auditory, and righting reflexes (<– stabilizing one’s body) (maintaining balance and keeping head up)

Question 6

Pons

Answer 6

• Part of the brainstem
• Contains centers for respiration and is associated with sleep

Question 7

Medulla

Answer 7

• Connects the spinal cord and pons
• Responsible for heart rate, respiration, and reflexes like sneezing

Question 8

Cerebellum

Answer 8

• Connects to the brainstem through bundles of fiber tracts
• Concerned with involuntary movement

Question 9

Neurons are composed of:

Answer 9

• Cell body
• Axons
• Dendrites

Question 10

Classes of neurons

Answer 10

• Afferent
• Efferent
• Interneurons (99%)

Question 11

Synapse & Synaptic cleft (practically the same what the fuck)

Answer 11

Synapse: junction between two neurons
Synaptic cleft: the small space between the axon terminals of one neuron and the cell body or dendrites of another
- Electrical impulses through the neuron causes them to release into the synaptic cleft.

Question 12

Neurotransmitters: definition & 4 groups

Answer 12

Neurotransmitters: chemicals stored in axon terminals of the presynaptic neuron
- Cholinergic
- Monoamines
- Amino acids
- Neuropeptides

Question 13

Autonomic nervous system - 2 parts and their functions

Answer 13

1) Sympathetic division
- Dominant in stressful situations (prepares body for fight
or flight)
2) Parasympathetic division
- Dominant in relaxed situations (helps body to recover)

Question 14

Neurotransmitters & their functions (table 2-2 pg. 23)

Answer 14

1) Cholinergics
- Acetylcholine: sleep, arousal, pain perception, movement,
memory
2) Monoamines
- Norepinephrine: mood, cognition, perception, locomotion,
cardiovascular functioning, sleep, and arousal
- Dopamine: movement and coordination, emotions,
voluntary judgement, release of prolactin
- Serotonin: sleep and arousal, libido, appetite, mood,
aggression, pain perception, coordination, judgement
- Histamine: wakefulness; pain sensation and inflammatory
response
3) Amino acids
- Gamma-amino-butyric acid (GABA): (inhibitory amino acid)
slowdown of body activity, reduces the activity of neurons
to which it binds
- Glycine: (inhibitory amino acid) recurrent inhibition of
motor neurons
- Glutamate and aspartate: relay of sensory information and
in the regulation of various motor and spinal reflexes
4) Neuropeptides
- Opioid peptides (endorphins & enkephalins): modulation
of pain and reduced peristalsis
- Substance P: Regulation of pain
- Somatostatin: Depending on part of the brain being
affected, stimulates release of dopamine, serotonin,
norepinephrine, and acetylcholine, and inhibits release of
norepinephrine, histamine, and glutamate. Also acts as a
neuromodulator for serotonin in the hypothalamus

Question 15

Neurotransmitters & their implications for mental illness (table 2-2 pg. 23)