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Biology > The Nervous System > Flashcards

The Nervous System Flashcards

1
Q

What does the CNS consist of

A

Brain and spinal cord

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2
Q

What does the PNS consist of

A

Nerves

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3
Q

what are the stages in responding to a stimulus?

A

Detected by receptors

Transmission of impulse

Integration (processed)

Response

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4
Q

what is a neuron

A

a nerve cell

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5
Q

What is a sensory neuron

A

A Sensory Neuron takes a message from a sense organ to
the CNS.

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6
Q

what is a motor neoron

A

A Motor Neuron takes a message from the CNS to a muscle
or gland.

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7
Q

what do interneurons do?

A

carry impules between sensory and motor neurons
Carries Impulse within the CNS only.

Transfers impulse from one nerve to another.

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8
Q

myelin sheath

A

Myelin Sheath: Acts as an insulator, speeds up transmission
of nerve impulse.

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9
Q

axon terminal?

A

Axon terminals: Each contain a neurotransmitter swelling.

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10
Q

what is an effector?

A

Effectors are organs or tissues that carry out the action of the CNS.

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10
Q

cell body?

A

Cell Body: Contains nucleus, produces neurotransmitters

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11
Q

axon?

A

Axon: Carries impulse away from the cell body.

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12
Q

schwann cell

A

Schwann Cells: Produce the myelin sheath.

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12
Q

neuro transmitter swellings?

A

Neurotransmitter swelling: Release neurotransmitters that
carry the impulse from one nerve to the next

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13
Q

dendrite?

A

Dendrite: Carries impulses towards the cell body.

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14
Q

what way do impulses travel

A

dendrites to axon

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15
Q

what does a motor neuron do?

A

Carries electrical impulse from CNS to effector (muscle).

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16
Q

what produces a myelin sheath?

A

Myelin sheath produced by Schwann cells

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17
Q

what are the nodes of Ranvier

A

Gaps in the myelin sheath that speed up electrical impulses by allowing them to jump from node to node.

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18
Q

what is a threshold?

A

Is the minimum stimulus required for an impulse to be
carried.

Any stimulus below the threshold has no effect.
A stimulus at or above the threshold causes an electrical impulse to travel along the neuron.

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19
Q

what causes a nerve impulse

A

A nerve impulse is caused by the movement of ions (charged particles) across the membrane of the neuron.

20
Q

what is meant by all or nothing

A

If the threshold is reached an impulse is carried, but if the
threshold is not reached no impulse is carried.

The size of the impulse is not affected by the size of the stimulus (as long as it is above the threshold level).

21
Q

what is a synsapse?

A

A synapse is where two neurons come into close contact. It consists of:
The pre-synaptic neuron (axon terminal).
The post-synaptic neuron (dendrite).

22
Q

what is the gap between a synapse called

A

The tiny gap between them is called the synaptic cleft.
Impulses cannot cross the synapse.

23
what is the refractory period?
The Refractory Period is a short time span after a neuron has carried an impulse during which a stimulus fails to cause a response.
23
describe how impulses are moved along in terms of the ions
When the threshold is reached, the axon or dendrite changes its permeability to ions. This causes the inside of the axon to become positive and the outside to become negative. The change in charge moves along the axon as a chain reaction.
24
what ions are on the outside of node of ranvier?
sodium ions
25
what ions are on the inside of node of ranvier?
potassium ions
26
where does the change in permeability occur?
Its only at Nodes of Ranvier where the change in permeability and movement of ions occur.
27
how do you know if a nerve is a sensory or a motor?
28
explain how synapses work
An impulse reaches the axon terminal of the pre-synaptic neuron. This stimulates neurotransmitter swellings in the pre-synaptic neuron to release neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters are chemical substances such as noradrenaline and dopamine. They are produced in the cell bodies or neurotransmitter swellings. The neurotransmitter diffuses across the synaptic cleft. On reaching the post-synaptic neuron, the neurotransmitter binds to protein receptors on its cell membrane. This causes a new impulse to be generated in the post-synaptic neuron. After transmission, the neurotransmitter is either: Broken down in the synaptic cleft by special enzymes. Reabsorbed by the pre-synaptic neuron.
29
what is the function of a synapse
Transmit impulses: Allow the transfer of signals from one neuron to another or to an effector. Control impulse direction: Ensure impulses travel in one direction only. Prevent overstimulation of effectors: Regulate the response by stopping neurotransmitter production when stimulation is constant, allowing us to adapt to stimuli such as noise or pain.
29
in the brain what is white matter composed of
White matter: composed of axons.
29
name a type of neurotransitter
Dopamine and Acetylcholine.
30
in the brain what is grey matter composed of
in the brain what is grey matter composed of
30
what is between layers surrounding the brain\
The space between the inner two meninges is filled with Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) which also acts as a shock absorber.
30
what are the layers surrounding the brain called
three layers of membranes called the meninges.
30
what are symptoms and treatment options for Parkinson's
Symptoms: Tremors of the hands and/or legs Siff joints Shuffling walk A fixed stare Difficulty with ADL’s Treatment: Physiotherapy Dopamine substitute drugs (Levodopa).
30
name a disease in the nervous system and what causes it
parkinsons A failure to produce the neurotransmitter dopamine in the brain.
31
what is the function of the cerebrum
Cerebrum: controls thought, memory ,sensory activities and motor control.
32
what is the function of the thalamus
Thalamus: directs sensory messages to the cerebrum.
33
what is the function of the hypothalamus
Hypothalamus: regulates homeostasis, including body temperature and appetite.
34
what is the function of the cerebellum
Cerebellum: controls balance and coordination.
34
what is the function of the medulla oblangata
Medulla oblongata: controls involuntary functions like breathing and heart rate.
35
what is the function of the pituitary gland
Pituitary: acts as the master hormone gland. Releases hormones that regulate various physiological processes, including growth.
36
what is the function of the pineal gland
Pineal gland: controls sleep/wake cycles (secretes melatonin).
37
what does the dorsal root ganglion hold/
The dorsal root ganglion contains a collection of sensory neuron cell bodies.
38
in the spinal cord what is the white matter
Contains axons covered in a myelin sheath, which allows for faster impulse transmission.
39
in the spinal cord what is the grey matter
Contains cell bodies, dendrites, and interneurons.
40
what is a reflex action
A reflex action is an automatic, involuntary response to a stimulus.
41
what isa reflex arc
A reflex Arc is the pathway taken by a nerve impulse in a reflex action.
42
what effect does cocaine have on the nervous system
Prevents the normal breakdown of dopamine, causing euphoria

Biology (23 decks)

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