Unit A: The Nervous and Endocrine Systems

Question 1

Homeostasis

Answer 1

relative stability within the body

Question 2

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Answer 2

Brain and Spinal Cord
•Integrates and processes information sent by nerves

Question 3

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Answer 3

Nerves
•Carry sensory messages to the CNS and send information from the CNS to muscles and glands

Question 4

Autonomic (unconscious)

Answer 4

controls glandular secretions and the functioning of smooth and cardiac muscle

Question 5

Somatic (conscious)

Answer 5

receptors in the head and extremities, carry info to and from the CNS to skeletal muscles

Question 6

Neurons

Answer 6

carry chemical messages
•The structural functional unit of the NS
•Respond to stimuli and transmit signals
•Three types – sensory, inter and motor

Question 7

Glial Cells

Answer 7

account for half the volume of the NS
•Nourish the neurons, remove their wastes and defend against infection
•Individual neurons are organized into tissues called nerves

Question 8

Polarization

Answer 8

the process of generating a resting membrane potential
•Usually around -70mV

Question 9

The Action Potential

Answer 9

occurs at the nodes of Ranvier

Question 10

Depolarization

Answer 10

occurs if the membrane potential goes higher than -70mV. If it hits -55mV dramatic changes occur

Question 11

Threshold

Answer 11

-55mV, once reached, the permeability of the axon changes

Question 12

Depolarization

Answer 12

sodium flows in

Question 13

Repolarization

Answer 13

potassium flows out

Question 14

Hyperpolarization

Answer 14

potential goes below -70mV, cannot refire (refractory period)

Question 15

Acetylcholine

Answer 15

A neurotransmitter used by spinal cord neurons to control muscles and regulate memory. acetylcholine is excitatory.

Question 16

Dopamine

Answer 16

The neurotransmitter that produces feelings of pleasure when released by the brain reward system. usually inhibitory.

Question 17

GABA
(gamma-aminobutyric acid)

Answer 17

The major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain.

Question 18

Glutamate

Answer 18

The most common excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain.

Question 19

Glycine

Answer 19

A neurotransmitter used mainly by neurons in the spinal cord.
inhibitory neurotransmitter.

Question 20

Norepinephrine

Answer 20

Acts as a neurotransmitter and a hormone. In the peripheral ner- vous system, it is part of the fight-or-flight response. In the brain, it acts as a neurotransmitter regulating normal brain processes. usually excitatory, but is inhibitory in a few brain areas

Question 21

Serotonin

Answer 21

A neurotransmitter involved in many functions including mood, appetite, and sensory perception. In the spinal cord, serotonin is inhibitory in pain pathways.

Question 22

Hindbrain

Answer 22

Cerebellum, Medulla, Pons

Question 23

Midbrain

Answer 23

relay station for visual and auditory info

Question 24

Forebrain

Answer 24

Thalamus, Hypothalamus, Cerebrum

Question 25

Cerebellum

Answer 25

unconscious coordination of posture, reflexes and body movements. Also includes fine motor skills

Question 26

Medulla

Answer 26

controls involuntary responses such as heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, swallowing and coughing

Question 27

Pons

Answer 27

relays info from the left and right cerebrum, cerebellum and the rest of the brain

Question 28

Thalamus

Answer 28

another relay station for the senses (except smell)

Question 29

Hypothalamus

Answer 29

Helps to regulate homeostasis in the body. Coordinates action of the pituitary gland by producing and releasing hormones

Question 30

Cerebrum

Answer 30

Frontal – intelligence, memory, personality and voluntary muscle movements Parietal – skin and body position Temporal - auditory Occipital - visual

Question 31

Broca’s Area

Answer 31

coordinates muscles for speaking and translates thought into speech. If damaged speech would be impaired but understanding language would still remain

Question 32

Wernicke’s Area

Answer 32

language comprehension. If damaged words would still be uttered but they wouldn’t make sense

Question 33

Somatic

Answer 33

voluntary

Question 34

Autonomic

Answer 34

involuntary

Question 35

Sympathetic

Answer 35

fight or flight!

Question 36

Parasympathetic

Answer 36

rest and digest

Question 37

Photoreceptors

Answer 37

rods and cones

Question 38

Chemoreceptors

Answer 38

tongue and nose

Question 39

Mechanoreceptors

Answer 39

touch, position, pressure (skin, hair and ears)

Question 40

Thermoreceptors

Answer 40

skin