Unit 3: Nervous System Functioning

Question 1

Central Nervous System

Answer 1

Comprises of the brain and the spinal cord. Main function is to process information received from the body’s internal and external environments, and to activate appropriate responses

Question 2

Spinal Cord

Answer 2

The long, thin bundle of nerve tissue that extends from the base of the brain to the lower back.

Question 3

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Answer 3

The entire network of nerves located outside the PNS. Main function is to transmit information to and from the CNS.

Question 4

Somatic Nervous System (SNS)

Answer 4

A network of nerves that carries sensory information to the CNS and motor information from the CNS.

Question 5

What is sensory information also known as?

Answer 5

Afferent (coming into the CNS)

Question 6

What us motor information also known as?

Answer 6

Efferent (leaving the CNS)

Question 7

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

Answer 7

A subdivision of the PNS that connects the CNS to the body’s internal organs (heart, stomach and liver) and glands (sweat, salivary and adrenal glands) providing feedback to the brain about their activities.

Question 8

Sympathetic Nervous System

Answer 8

Activates internal muscles, organs and glands to prepare the body for vigorous activity or to deal with a stressful or threatening situation.

Question 9

Parasympathetic Nervous System

Answer 9

Helps maintain the internal body environment in a steady, balanced state of normal functioning which has the effect of counterbalancing the activities of the sympathetic nervous system.

Question 10

Conscious response

Answer 10

A reaction that involves awareness

Question 11

Unconscious response

Answer 11

A reaction that does not involve awareness and is involuntary, unintentional and automatic, in which we cannot ordinarily control its occurrence.

Question 12

Spinal reflex (reflex arc)

Answer 12

An unconscious, involuntary and automatically occurring response to certain stimuli without any involvement of the brain.

Question 13

Neuron

Answer 13

An individual nerve cell that is specialized to receive, process and/or transmit information.

Question 14

Dendrite

Answer 14

An extension of a neuron that detects and receives information from other neurons.

Question 15

Axon

Answer 15

A single, tube-like extension that transmits neural information to other neurons.

Question 16

Myelin

Answer 16

A white, fatty substance that surrounds and insulates the axon which allows for rapid movement of the transmission of neural information along the axon.

Question 17

Axon terminals

Answer 17

Small branches at the end of axon collaterals.

Question 18

Terminal button (synaptic vesicle, synaptic button)

Answer 18

Small structure like a sac that stores and secretes neurotransmitters that are manufactured by the neuron and carries its chemical message to other neurons and cells

Question 19

Synaptic gap

Answer 19

The tiny space between the terminal buttons of one neuron and the dendrites of another.

Question 20

Synapse

Answer 20

The site where communication occurs between adjacent neurons

Question 21

Presynaptic neuron

Answer 21

Neurotransmitters are released from the pre-synaptic neuron into the synapse.

Question 22

Postsynaptic neuron

Answer 22

Neurotransmitters are received from the synapse onto the postsynaptic neuron.

Question 23

Neurotransmitter

Answer 23

A chemical substance produced by a neuron that carries a message to other neurons or cells in muscles, organs or other tissue.

Question 24

Excitatory effect

Answer 24

Stimulation/activation of the postsynaptic neurons to perform their functions.

Question 25

Inhibitory effect

Answer 25

Blocking/prevention of postsynaptic neurons from firing.

Question 26

Glutamate (Glu)

Answer 26

The primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the CNS.

Question 27

What is Glutamate associated with?

Answer 27

Enhanced learning and memory, perception, thinking and movement.

Question 28

Gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA)

Answer 28

The primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the CNS.

Question 29

Lock-and-key process

Answer 29

The neurotransmitter is the key and the receptor site is the lock but only for a specific key.

Question 30

Parkinson’s disease

Answer 30

a CNS neurodegenerative disorder characterised by both motor and non-motor symptom due to the decreased levels of dopamine in the substantia nigra.

Question 31

What are the four key symptoms of Parkinson’s disease?

Answer 31

Tremor, muscle rigidity, slowness of voluntary movement, balance problems