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PH1124 > Unit 1 L1 > Flashcards

Unit 1 L1 Flashcards

1
Q

what are the divisions of the nervous system?

A

Central Nervous System (CNS): This includes the brain and the spinal cord, which together receive and process information, and send out signals to the rest of the body.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS): This includes all the nerves that connect the CNS to the rest of the body. The PNS is further divided into two parts:

Somatic Nervous System (SNS): This part of the PNS controls voluntary movements and sensation. It includes the nerves that control the skeletal muscles and transmit sensory information from the skin, muscles, and joints to the CNS.

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS): This part of the PNS controls involuntary actions, such as heartbeat, digestion, and breathing. The ANS is further divided into two parts:

Sympathetic Nervous System: This part of the ANS prepares the body for “fight or flight” responses by increasing heart rate, breathing rate, and blood pressure, among other things.

Parasympathetic Nervous System: This part of the ANS calms the body down and helps it return to its resting state after a stressful situation. It decreases heart rate, breathing rate, and blood pressure, among other things.

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2
Q

what types of cells are there in the nervous system?

A

neurons
glial cells

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3
Q

what types of glial cells are there

A

oligodendrocytes (CNS) / Schwann cells (PNS)
astrocytes
microglia

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4
Q

what is the function of neurons

A

Sensory Input: Some neurons are specialized to detect changes in the environment, such as light, sound, or temperature, and transmit this information to the brain and spinal cord.

Integration: Once the information is received, neurons integrate it with other signals to determine an appropriate response.

Motor Output: Neurons also transmit signals to muscles and glands, which can cause them to contract or secrete substances.

Memory and Learning: Neurons are also involved in processes related to memory and learning, allowing us to store and retrieve information and adapt to our environment.

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5
Q

what is the function of oligodendrocytes/schwann cells?

A

The main function of oligodendrocytes is to produce myelin, a fatty substance that wraps around the axons of neurons in the central nervous system (CNS). Myelin acts as an insulator, allowing electrical signals to travel more efficiently along the axon. Oligodendrocytes are capable of myelinating multiple axons at once, which allows for faster and more efficient signal transmission in the CNS.

On the other hand, Schwann cells myelinate axons in the peripheral nervous system (PNS). Similar to oligodendrocytes, Schwann cells wrap around axons to form myelin sheaths, which increases the speed and efficiency of signal transmission. Schwann cells also play a role in axon regeneration after injury, by guiding the growth of new axons and producing growth factors that promote cell survival.

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6
Q

which cells are responsible for maintaining tight junctions between endothelial cells of blood vessels to support the integrity of the blood brain barrier?
(a) astrocytes
(b) schwann cells/oligodendrocytes
(c) neurons
(d) microglia

A

schwann cells/oligodendrocytes

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7
Q

which glial cells provide metabolic support for neurons?
(a) astrocytes
(b) schwann/oligodendrocytes
(c) epithelial cells
(e) endothelial cells

A

schwann/oligodendrocytes

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8
Q

what types of neurons are found in the PNS?

A

Sensory
motor (somatic/autonomic/enteric)

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9
Q

what comprises the central nervous system?

A
  • brain, receives and processes sensory information, initiates responses, stores memories and generates thoughts and emotions
  • spinal cord, conducts signals to and from the brain and controls reflexes
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10
Q

what types of neurons are there?

A

bipolar
unipolar
multipolar
pyrimidal

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11
Q

draw a basic neuron

A

dendrite
nucleus
soma
axon hillock
nodes of ranvier
axon
myelin sheath
synapse

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12
Q

what is myelin

A

Myelin is a fatty substance that forms a protective sheath around the axons of many neurons in the nervous system. It is produced by specialized cells called oligodendrocytes in the central nervous system (CNS) and Schwann cells in the peripheral nervous system (PNS)

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13
Q

compare and contrast: grey and white matter

A

Grey matter refers to the regions of the brain and spinal cord that contain predominantly cell bodies, dendrites, and unmyelinated axons. The grey color comes from the presence of these neural cell bodies and synapses. In the brain, grey matter is primarily located on the surface, where it forms the outer layer of the cerebral cortex, and in several subcortical regions, such as the basal ganglia and thalamus. In the spinal cord, grey matter is arranged in a butterfly-shaped pattern in the center.

White matter, on the other hand, refers to the regions of the nervous system that contain primarily myelinated axons. The white color comes from the myelin sheaths that insulate the axons, giving them a whitish appearance. In the brain, white matter is located beneath the grey matter, forming the inner part of the cerebral cortex, and in several subcortical regions, such as the corpus callosum, internal capsule, and brainstem. In the spinal cord, white matter is arranged in columns surrounding the grey matter.

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14
Q

how much does a human brain weigh?

A

1.4-1.6 kg

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15
Q

how much of our body mass is the brain?

A

2%

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16
Q

how much energy does the brain consume?

A

25%

17
Q

why does the brain consume so much energy?

A

High metabolic activity: The brain is a highly metabolically active organ that is constantly engaged in a range of processes, including neurotransmission, protein synthesis, and ion transport. These processes require a significant amount of energy in the form of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), which is produced through the breakdown of glucose

glial cells require energy to support their function
the brain has very limited energy reserves unlike other organs
due to the many complex neural networks

18
Q

explain how blood flows through the brain

A

Blood flow to the brain is supplied by the two internal carotid arteries and the two vertebral arteries. These four arteries come together at the base of the brain to form the circle of Willis, which is a ring-shaped structure that helps to distribute blood flow to different regions of the brain. From the circle of Willis, smaller arteries branch off to supply blood to specific areas of the brain

19
Q

what is the function of the blood brain barrier (BBB)

A

The blood-brain barrier is highly selective and only allows small molecules, such as oxygen, carbon dioxide, and water, to freely diffuse across it. Larger molecules, including many drugs and proteins, require special transport mechanisms to cross the barrier.

The blood-brain barrier also plays a critical role in maintaining a stable chemical environment in the brain. It helps to prevent fluctuations in the levels of ions and other substances in the extracellular fluid of the brain, which could disrupt neuronal function.

20
Q

what is CSF?

A

CSF stands for Cerebrospinal fluid. It is a clear, colorless liquid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord, filling the ventricles of the brain and the subarachnoid space.

21
Q

what is the function of CSF?

A

The main functions of CSF are to cushion the brain and spinal cord from shock, to provide nutrients and remove waste products, and to help maintain a stable chemical environment in the central nervous system.

22
Q

which cells produce CSF?

A

Choroid plexus, specialized cells in the brain

23
Q

where is the choroid plexus located?

A

the choroid plexus is located within the lateral ventricles, the third ventricle, and the fourth ventricle of the brain. In the lateral ventricles, the choroid plexus is located in the roof of the ventricles, near the center of the brain. In the third ventricle, the choroid plexus is located along the walls of the ventricle, and in the fourth ventricle, it is located in the floor of the ventricle.

24
Q

in four points, what are the functions of CSF

A
  • buoyancy
  • protection
  • chemical stability/homeostasis
    -prevention of ischemia
25
Q

what is ischemia?

A

Ischemia is a medical term that refers to a lack of blood flow to an organ or tissue in the body. This can occur due to a blockage or narrowing of blood vessels, such as in the case of a blood clot, or due to other factors that reduce blood flow, such as low blood pressure or blood loss.

26
Q

how does CSF help prevent ischemia

A

One way that CSF can indirectly help prevent ischemia is by regulating intracranial pressure. If intracranial pressure becomes too high, it can lead to a reduction in blood flow to the brain, potentially causing ischemia. CSF helps to regulate intracranial pressure by absorbing excess fluid and preventing it from building up in the brain

27
Q

what are the meninges

A

The meninges are a set of three protective membranes that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord. They are located between the bony skull or vertebrae and the brain and spinal cord. The three layers of the meninges, from outermost to innermost, are the dura mater, arachnoid mater, and pia mater

28
Q

what are the 3 layers of the meninges?

A

dura mater
arachnoid membrane
pia mater

29
Q

what is the function of the subarchnoid space?

A
  • provide a cushioning effect for the brain and spinal cord. The CSF within the subarachnoid space acts as a shock absorber, helping to protect the nervous tissue from physical injury or trauma.
  • plays a role in regulating the flow of cerebrospinal fluid through the central nervous system. CSF is produced in the ventricles of the brain and circulates through the subarachnoid space before being reabsorbed into the bloodstream. This circulation of CSF helps to maintain a stable chemical environment in the central nervous system, providing nutrients to the brain and spinal cord while removing waste products
  • mportant in certain medical procedures, such as lumbar puncture or spinal anesthesia. These procedures involve the insertion of a needle into the subarachnoid space to obtain a sample of cerebrospinal fluid or to administer medication directly into the CSF
30
Q

what are the four lobes of the brain

A

frontal
parietal
occipital
temporal

31
Q

how many segments are there in the spinal cord?

A

31

32
Q

list the 12 cranial nerves

A

olfactory
optic
oculomotor
trochlear
trigeminal
abducens
facial
vestibulocochlear
glossopharyngeal
vagus
accessory
hypoglossal

PH1124 (2 decks)

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