The Nervous System + Brain Flashcards
How many systems is the mammalian nervous system structurally made up of? What are they?
2 systems
Central Nervous system
Peripheral Nervous system
What does the Central Nervous System consist of?
Brain and spinal cord
What does the Peripheral Nervous System consist of?
All of the neurones that connect the CNS to the rest of the body. (sensory, motor and relay neurones)
How many systems is the mammalian nervous system functionally made up of? What are they?
2 systems
Somatic nervous system
Autonomic nervous system
What is the difference between somatic and autonomic nervous systems?
Somatic- under conscious control (voluntary)
Autonomic- Under subconscious control (involuntary)
What is the autonomic nervous system further divided into?
Sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system.
What is the sympathetic nervous system responsible for?
Outcomes are an increase in activity
Fight or flight responses
What is the parasympathetic nervous system responsible for?
Outcomes are a decrease in activity
Relaxing responses
Describe the axon, neurotransmitter and effector in the somatic nervous system.
Axon- heavily myelinated
Neurotransmitter- Acetylcholine
Effector- skeletal muscle
Describe the axon, neurotransmitter and effector in the autonomic nervous system (symapthetic)
Axon- lightly myelinated
Neurotransmitter- noradrenaline
Effector- Smooth muscle, glands, cardiac muscle
Describe the axon, neurotransmitter and effector in the autonomic nervous system (parasympathetic)
Axon- lightly myelinated
Neurotransmitter- Acetylcholine
Effector- smooth muscle, glands, cardiac muscle
What is the brain protected by?
The skull and protective membranes called meninges.
What are the 5 main areas of the brain?
Cerebrum Cerebellum Medulla Oblongata Hypothalamus Pituitary gland
What does the cerebrum control?
Voluntary actions like memory, learning, personality and conscious thought
What does the cerebellum control?
Unconscious functions such as posture, balance and non-voluntary movements
What does the medulla oblongata control?
Heart rate and breathing rate.
What does the hypothalamus control?
Regulates temperature and water balance
What does the pituitary gland control?
Stores and releases hormones that regulate many body functions.
What are the three main ways of studying the brain in order to understand its function?
Dissections and autopsies Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) Computerised tomography (CT) scans
Why is the cerebrum highly convoluted?
To have an increased surface area.
This increases its capacity for complex activity.
What are the two halves of the cerebrum called?
Cerebral hemispheres
What is the outer layer of the cerebral hemispheres called?
Cerebral cortex
What kind of functions occur in the cerebral cortex?
Reasoning and decision-making
What is the main region in the brain that controls movement?
The primary motor cortex at the back of the frontal lobe
