The Nervous System Flashcards
What is the primary function of the nervous system?
To coordinate and control the activities of the body.
True or False: The central nervous system consists of the brain and spinal cord.
True
Fill in the blank: The ________ nervous system is responsible for the ‘fight or flight’ response.
sympathetic
What are the two main divisions of the nervous system?
Central nervous system and peripheral nervous system.
Which part of the nervous system is responsible for voluntary movements?
Somatic nervous system.
Multiple Choice: Which of the following is NOT a type of neuron? A) Motor B) Sensory C) Digestive D) Interneuron
C) Digestive
What is the role of neurotransmitters?
To transmit signals across synapses between neurons.
True or False: The autonomic nervous system controls involuntary bodily functions.
True
Fill in the blank: The ________ is the largest part of the brain.
cerebrum
What is the function of the cerebellum?
To coordinate voluntary movements and maintain balance.
Multiple Choice: Which part of the brain regulates homeostasis? A) Cerebrum B) Hypothalamus C) Cerebellum D) Brainstem
B) Hypothalamus
What type of cell support neurons in the nervous system?
Glial cells.
True or False: The spinal cord is part of the peripheral nervous system.
False
What is a reflex arc?
A neural pathway that controls a reflex action.
Fill in the blank: The ________ nervous system is responsible for maintaining homeostasis.
autonomic
what is the divisions of the nervous system?
What is the PSNS commonly known as?
The PSNS is popularly known as the ‘rest and digest’ system.
What is the usual state of the PSNS?
The PSNS is the body at rest which (to preserve energy) is its usual state.
How does the PSNS help conserve energy?
The PSNS helps to conserve the body’s activity levels and energy by decreasing activity which may be needed later.
What bodily functions does the PSNS regulate?
The PSNS regulates bodily functions like digestion and urination.
What effects does the PSNS have on heart and breathing rates?
The PSNS slows heart and breathing rates and lowers blood pressure as the body enters a state of relaxation.
What does relaxation enable the body to do?
Relaxation enables the body to go into ‘standby’ (recovery mode).
What is the relationship between time spent in a PNS state and health?
The more time spent in a PNS state, the healthier a person is likely to be.
What is the sympathetic nervous system (SPNS) associated with?
The SPNS is associated with the ‘fight or flight’ response in tandem with the endocrine system.
What triggers the SPNS?
The SPNS is triggered when the body is in an ‘alert’ state.
What are some examples of situations that trigger the SPNS?
Examples include crossing the road and hearing a noise late at night.
What physiological changes occur when the SPNS is activated?
Physiological changes include accelerated heart rate, widened bronchial passages, decreased activity of the large intestine, pupil dilation, and sweating.
What hormone is released by the adrenal glands during SPNS activation?
Adrenaline is released from the adrenal glands.
What does the SPNS prepare the body for?
The SPNS prepares the body for physical activity.
What are some responses the SPNS prepares for?
Responses include running away from a threat, standing and facing the threat, or preparing to fight the threat.
Can the SPNS be triggered by emotions other than fear?
Yes, the SPNS can also occur when someone is highly elated or excited.
What does the autonomic nervous system (ANS) transmit and receive information from?
The ANS transmits and receives information from the organs, e.g. heart-rate, breathing, the stress response, digestion, sexual arousal.
Is the autonomic nervous system (ANS) voluntary or involuntary?
The ANS is involuntary; it cannot be controlled consciously.
What are the two subdivisions of the autonomic nervous system (ANS)?
The ANS can be further subdivided into: the sympathetic nervous system (SPNS) and the parasympathetic nervous system (PSNS).
What does the somatic nervous system (SNS) transmit and receive?
The SNS transmits and receives messages from the senses apart from sight.
How are the retina and optic nerve connected to the brain?
The retina and optic nerve are connected directly to the brain.
How do the other senses communicate with the brain?
The other senses — sound, smell, taste, and touch — travel via the SNS to communicate with the brain.
Examples include:
- Touch information from the skin (e.g. the texture of velvet)
- Taste information from the tongue (e.g. the flavour of ketchup)
How does the sense of touch below the neck communicate with the brain?
The sense of touch below the neck uses the SNS to communicate with the spinal cord, which then relays relevant signals to the brain.
What does the SNS direct?
The SNS directs the muscles to move appropriately.
What types of movements does the SNS control?
The SNS controls voluntary, conscious movements.
Examples include:
- Throwing a ball
- Running across a road to get out of the way of an oncoming car
What is the reflex arc and how does it relate to the SNS?
The SNS is also responsible for the reflex arc, which, although automatic (not conscious), still involves the use of muscle movement.
explain the reflex arc
What does the cell body contain?
The cell body contains the cell’s nucleus and all major organelles to maintain the function of the neuron.
What is the role of the nucleus in neurons?
The nucleus directs all metabolic activities.
What are neurofibrils and their function?
Neurofibrils help regulate transportation of cellular material and axon growth and movement.
What do dendrites do?
Dendrites collect electrical impulses from other neurons.
What is the function of the axon?
The axon carries electrical impulses down to the axon terminal.
What is the myelin sheath?
The myelin sheath is a protective layer for the axon that speeds up electrical impulses.
How does myelin affect electrical transmission?
The more myelin that surrounds the axon, the quicker the electrical transmission will travel down the axon.
What are nociceptors and their relation to myelin?
Nociceptors used in pain perception are highly myelinated to increase the speed of transmission.
What are the Nodes of Ranvier?
Nodes of Ranvier are gaps in the myelin layers that contain ion channels for ion exchange.
What is the role of ion channels in the Nodes of Ranvier?
Ion channels allow sodium, potassium, and calcium ions in and out of the axon to support electrical signal transmission.
What surrounds the axon?
The axon is surrounded by supporting neuroglia, such as Schwann cells or oligodendrocytes.
What are axon terminals?
Axon terminals contain synapse junctions which are the endpoint for electrical impulses.
What happens at the synapse junctions?
Electrical impulses trigger synaptic vesicles containing neurotransmitters to cross the synapse to another neuron or muscle/gland.
label a neurone
What is the role of neuroglia cells in relation to neurons?
Neuroglia cells help maintain neurons by providing protection and structural support for nerve cells.
How do neuroglia cells assist during brain development?
They aid in removing dead nerve cells during brain development.
What is the relationship between myelin and action potentials?
Neuroglia cells maintain myelin which surrounds nerve cell axons; the more myelin there is, the faster action potentials travel.
What is the function of neuroglia cells in the blood-brain barrier?
They line the blood-brain barrier, a protective layer that selectively allows certain components in or out of the brain matter.
How do neuroglia cells regulate neurotransmitters?
They regulate neurotransmitters during nervous impulses across a synapse gap, particularly the uptake of neurotransmitters back into neurons.
