CNS Physiology Quiz

Brain Structure and Function

• The cerebellum's flocculonodular lobe is responsible for controlling balance and eye movement.
• The primary somatosensory cortex is responsible for processing sensory information from the skin, musculoskeletal system, viscera, and taste buds.
• The glutamatergic neurotransmitter system promotes CNS excitation.
• The neuromodulator serotonin has implications in sleep-wake and circadian cycles, emotion, pain, and locomotion.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

• The CNS comprises the brain and the spinal cord and acts in the analysis and integration of sensory and motor information.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

• The PNS consists of the somatic nervous system and the autonomic nervous system.
• The nervous system provides an organism with the ability to respond to stimuli, regulate bodily functions, and facilitate movement and sensation.

Effective Functioning of the Nervous System

• The effective functioning of the nervous system relies on the integration of neural signals, neurotransmitters, and glial cells.

Nervous System Development

• During initial stages, the neural plate folds in to form the neural tube, which will eventually give rise to the CNS.
• The endoderm layer is predetermined to form the epithelial lining of the GI tract.

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) and Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB)

• The CSF cushions and supports the brain, and also plays a role in the removal of waste products.
• The main function of the BBB is to regulate the exchange of substances between the bloodstream and the CNS.

Brain and Spinal Cord Development

• The next critical process in establishing the brain and spinal cord structures in a mammalian embryo is the formation of the neural tube.

Spinal Cord Function

• The spinal cord's cervical region is responsible for relaying sensory and motor information between the brain and the periphery.

Brain Regions and Functions

• The forebrain differentiates into the telencephalon and diencephalon during development.
• The main function of the brainstem is to regulate basic functions such as breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure.
• The cerebellum is involved in motor coordination, learning, and memory.

Glial Cells

• Oligodendrocytes are a type of glial cell that wraps myelin around axons of neurons to increase the effectiveness and velocity of the transmission of electrical signals.

Brain Regions and Structures

• The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) within the CNS cushions and supports the brain and also plays a role in the removal of waste products.
• The subarachnoid space is a region between the arachnoid and pia mater that contains CSF.
• The gray matter of the CNS consists of unmyelinated nerve cell bodies, dendrites, and axon terminals.
• The brainstem's pons region sits directly above the spinal cord and contains both gray and white matter.

Brain Circuits and Neurotransmitters

• The pontine tegmentum acts as a relay station for information being transferred between the cerebellum and brain.
• The reticular activating system uses neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine, serotonin, and acetylcholine to activate higher brain structures.
• The cholinergic nuclei are located in the brainstem and are involved in the regulation of sleep, arousal, and memory.
• The cholinergic projections impact the thalamus, regulating sensory information processing and transmission.

Sleep and Memory

• Sleep plays a critical role in memory consolidation, strengthening and stabilizing memories.
• The reticular activating system is responsible for regulating the sleep-wake cycle, as well as controlling arousal and attention.