The Nervous System

Question 1

What are the three functions of neurons

Answer 1

to receive, process and communicate info

Question 2

identify the three types of neurons

Answer 2

motor, inter, sensory

Question 3

sensory neurons are ________ meaning they bring info ____ the brain

Answer 3

afferent, to

Question 4

motor neurons are ________ meaning they bring info _____ the brain

Answer 4

efferent, from

Question 5

where are interneurons located, and what is their function

Answer 5

located in the CNS, carries signals between sensory and motor neurons as well as processing impulses

Question 6

define homeostasis and list examples of when the body tries to bring the body to this state

Answer 6

homeostasis is the maintenance of the constant internal environment in the change of external conditions. e.g change in temperature, hunger, thirst, sleep

Question 7

define receptors and list the 4

Answer 7

receptors are special types of nerve cells that may be located in sense organs. different types of receptors respond to particular stimuli. - mechano, chemo, thermo, photo

Question 8

describe what each of the receptors do, and where they are located

Answer 8

mechanoreceptor: responds to touch, in skin
chemoreceptor: responds to chemicals, in tongue, nose, blood vessels
thermoreceptor: responds to temperature, in skin
photoreceptor: responds to light, in eyes

Question 9

the control centre processes the information from the receptor and determines an appropriate response that is sent to the effector. what is the effector?

Answer 9

a muscle or gland that recieves the message from the CNS to respond.

Question 10

what is ‘action potential’?

Answer 10

the electric charge in the neuron

Question 11

neurons connect to eachother through…

Answer 11

synapses

Question 12

what is the myelin sheath, and its purpose?

Answer 12

it is made of fat and protein, it insulates the neuron and speeds up transmission. they are produced by the schwann cells.

Question 13

what are the two pathways of the nervous system, and what are they made up of

Answer 13

central nervous system and peripheral nervous system. the CNS consists of the brain and spinal chord. the PNS is everything else.

Question 14

what does the PNS split into?

Answer 14

somatic and autonomic

Question 15

explain somatic nervous system and provide an example

Answer 15

voluntary functions, coordinates reflexes
e.g holding a pen

Question 16

explain autonomic nervous system and what is it split into?

Answer 16

occurs without conscious effort/ involuntary
sympathetic and parasympathetic

Question 17

sympathetic nervous system _________ activity of muscles, organs and glands
also known as __________

Answer 17

increases, fight or flight

Question 18

parasympathetic nervous system _________ activity of muscles, organs and glands
also known as __________

Answer 18

decreases, rest and digest

Question 19

what happens to the body when the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system are activated?

Answer 19

sympathetic: eyes dilate, digestion inhibited, lungs expand, faster heart rate, sweat glands increase, bladder relaxes
parasympathetic: eyes contract, stimulates digestion, lungs contract, slower heart rate, sweat glands decrease, bladder contracts.

Question 20

explain multiple sclerosis?

Answer 20

an autoimmune disease where the body mistakenly attacks the brain and spinal chord.
the myelin sheath is damaged which means the messages are not clearly transmitted.

Question 21

what are some symptoms of multiple sclerosis?

Answer 21

motor control issues, visual problems, lack of coordination, memory loss.

Question 22

what are reflexes?

Answer 22

they are actions carried out quickly that do not have to be sent to the brain as a matter of survival. the sensory message goes to the spinal chord