The Nervous System

Question 1

What is the sensory function of the nervous system?

Answer 1

Sensory receptors detect internal or external stimuli then carried into the brain and spinal

Question 2

What is the integrative function of the nervous system?

Answer 2

The system processing and analysing information and making decisions

Question 3

What is the motor function of the nervous system?

Answer 3

Elicit motor responses by activating effectors (muscles and glands)

Question 4

What are the 2 types of cells in the nervous system?

Answer 4

• Neuroglia (glial cells)

- Neurons

Question 5

Which neuroglia cells are found in the CNS?

Answer 5

• Oligodendrocytes
• Astrocytes
• Microglia
• Ependymal cells

Question 6

Which neuroglia cells are found in the PNS?

Answer 6

• Satellite cells

- Schwann cells

Question 7

What are the 3 main parts of a neuron?

Answer 7

• Cell body
• Dendrites
• Axon

Question 8

How are neurons classified structurally?

Answer 8

Classified according to the number of processes extending from the cell body

• Bipolar
• Unipolar
• Multipolar

Question 9

How are neurons classified functionally?

Answer 9

Classified according to which direction the nerve impulse is conveyed with respect to CNS

• Sensory/ afferent
• Motor/ efferent
• Interneurons

Question 10

What is a myelin sheath?

Answer 10

Schwann cells or oligodendrocytes wrap around the axons of most neurons

Question 11

What do myelinated nerves do?

Answer 11

Transmit impulses faster and the myelin sheath can help to repair damaged neurons if the damage is to the axon or dendrites

Question 12

What protects the CNS?

Answer 12

• Bones of the skull
• Meninges and CSF
• Blood brain barrier

Question 13

What does the cerebrospinal fluid do?

Answer 13

lubricates and nourishes CNS and constantly circulates

Question 14

What are the 4 major regions of the brain?

Answer 14

• Cerebrum
• Diencephalon
• Brain stem
• Cerebellum

Question 15

What are the 3 structures of the diencephalon?

Answer 15

• Thalamus
• Hypothalamus
• Epithalamus

Question 16

What does the cerebrum consist of?

Answer 16

• Frontal lobe
• Parietal lobe
• Occipital lobe
• Temporal lobe

Question 17

What is the reticular activating system?

Answer 17

The RAS is a set of connected nuclei in the brain that is responsible for regulating wakefulness and sleep - wake transitions

Question 18

What are the functions of the cerebellum?

Answer 18

Its functions are to coordinate the skeletal muscle contractions, body posture and balance

Question 19

What are the cranial nerves?

Answer 19

Nerves originating directly from the brain and brainstem. There are 12 in total and they carry a range of motor, sensory and autonomic functions

Question 20

What is a spinal nerve?

Answer 20

A spinal nerve is a mixed nerve, which carries motor, sensory and autonomic signals between the spinal cord and the body

Question 21

How many pairs of spinal nerves are there?

Answer 21

In the human body there are 31 pairs of spinal nerves, one on each side of the vertebral column