Anatomy of the Nervous System

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What is the basic unit of the nervous system?

Nerve cell body

Neuron (correct)

Dendrite

Synapse

What is the function of the autonomic nervous system?

Regulation of voluntary movements

Regulation of involuntary movements

Regulation of heart rate and blood pressure (correct)

Regulation of conscious thought

What is the function of the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions of the autonomic nervous system?

Regulation of opposing actions on organs (correct)

Regulation of voluntary movements

Regulation of conscious thought

Regulation of involuntary movements

What is the main function of Voltage-gated potassium channels in the nervous system?

To generate and propagate electrical impulses Signup and view all the answers

What type of neurons are associated with P/Q-type channels?

Purkinje neurons in the cerebellum Signup and view all the answers

How do cranial nerves connect to the CNS?

Through variable connections Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of neurotransmitters in the nervous system?

Transmission of signals Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of ligand-gated ion channels?

To allow ions to pass through the membrane in response to a ligand Signup and view all the answers

What is unique about the structure of ligand-gated ion channels?

They have two domains: transmembrane and extracellular Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of nerve cells besides conducting impulses?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the synapse?

To facilitate communication between neurons Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of synapses between different types of excitable cells?

They have varying structures Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the synaptic terminal?

To release neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the junctional folds in the sarcolemma?

To create a large surface area for neurotransmitter binding Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of neurotransmitter binding to receptors on the motor end plate?

The passage of Na+ into the cell Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of acetylcholine (ACh) in muscle contraction?

To bind to receptors in the motor end plate and induce muscle contraction Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the motor neuron in muscle contraction?

To conduct signals from the brain or spinal cord to the muscle Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the synaptic cleft?

To allow the diffusion of neurotransmitters between the synaptic terminal and the motor-end plate Signup and view all the answers

What is the enzyme responsible for converting histidine to histamine?

Histamine decarboxylase Signup and view all the answers

Where is histamine stored in mast cells and basophiles?

In granules, associated with heparin Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of H2 blockers?

To block acid secretion from parietal cells of the stomach Signup and view all the answers

What is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter within the brain?

GABA Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of motor neurons that may contribute to their involvement in ALS disease?

Extreme size of cells Signup and view all the answers

How is histamine rapidly inactivated?

By diamine oxidase (histaminase) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a proposed pathogenic mechanism in ALS?

Neuroinflammation Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of glutamate in ALS?

It is a chemical messenger that can be toxic to nerve cells Signup and view all the answers

What is the enzyme responsible for converting glutamate to GABA?

Glutamate decarboxylase Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of ALS pathology?

Loss of cortical pyramidal motor neurons Signup and view all the answers

What is a possible trigger of ALS, according to some scientists?

Autoimmune responses Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the process by which glutamate can cause damage to nerve cells?

Excitotoxicity Signup and view all the answers