Cerebrum Anatomy and Functions

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Questions and Answers

What is the typical size of the gap between cells in a synapse?

30-40 nm

3-5 nm

10-15 nm

20 nm (correct)

Which type of synapse is usually inhibitory?

Dendro-dendritic

Axosomatic

Axoaxonic (correct)

Axodendritic

What is the function of neuromuscular junctions?

To transmit signals between neurons

To control heart rate

To convert electrical impulses into muscle contractions (correct)

To regulate body temperature

What is a characteristic of transmission in small gaps (3-5 nm)?

Transmission is fast Signup and view all the answers

Which type of synapse is highly specialized and uses acetylcholine as a neurotransmitter?

Neuromuscular Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of synapses with larger gaps (20 nm)?

Transmission is slow Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of sensory neurons?

To carry impulses to the CNS Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the fatty substance that insulates axons and helps them conduct electrical signals?

Myelin Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the frontal lobe?

Reasoning, planning, and movement Signup and view all the answers

What type of neuron has one process containing both axon and dendrite?

Unipolar/Pseudounipolar Signup and view all the answers

Which lobe is associated with the perception of visual information?

Occipital lobe Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the fibrous roots that branch out from the cell body?

Dendrites Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the narrow median strip that separates the two hemispheres of the cerebellum?

Vermis Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the cell body?

To maintain the neuron's structure and provide energy Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of the brainstem?

Regulation of vital life functions Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the specialized junction where the axon joins the cell body?

Axon hillock Signup and view all the answers

How many hemispheres are there in the cerebrum?

2 Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the parietal lobe?

Movement, orientation, and recognition of stimuli Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the cerebellum?

Coordinating voluntary muscular movement, posture, and balance Signup and view all the answers

What is the approximate length of the spinal cord in an adult Caucasian male?

45 cm Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the gray matter in the spinal cord?

Receiving and integrating incoming and outgoing information Signup and view all the answers

What is the consequence of damage to the cerebellum?

Clumsy, uncoordinated muscular movement, staggering gait, and inability to carry out smooth, steady, precise movements Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the white matter tracts in the spinal cord?

Highways for nerve impulse propagation Signup and view all the answers

What type of neurons carry sensory information towards the brain?

Afferent neurons Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of microglia cells in the central nervous system?

To remove dead cells and pathogens by phagocytosis Signup and view all the answers

What is the direction of movement of materials in anterograde transport?

Away from the soma Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of oligodendrocytes in the central nervous system?

To myelinate CNS axons Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the two-way passage of proteins, organelles, and other material along an axon?

Axonal transport Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the motor protein involved in retrograde transport?

Dynein Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the space between two nerve cells?

Synaptic cleft Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Synapse Characteristics

Transmission is relatively slow (milliseconds) in small synapses (3-5 nm gap) and fast (almost instant) in larger synapses (20 nm gap)
Synapses can be either inhibitory or excitatory, with signals either remaining strong or disappearing over time
Some synapses are sensitive to pH and hypoxia, while others are not
Synapses can be vulnerable or less vulnerable to fatigue

Synapse Types

Axodendritic (axon to dendrite): most common type, connects axon of one neuron to the dendrites of another
Axosomatic (axon to perikaryon): connects axon of one neuron to the cell membrane of another neuron
Axoaxonic (between axons): usually inhibitory synapses that connect the axon of one neuron to the axon of another
Dendro-dendritic (between dendrites): connects dendrites of two different neurons
Neuromuscular (between axon and effector): specialized synapses that convert electrical impulses into muscle contractions, always use acetylcholine as a neurotransmitter

Brain Structure

Cerebrum

Divided into two hemispheres (left and right)
Each hemisphere divided into lobes (frontal, parietal, temporal, occipital) based on the bones of the cranium
Lobe boundaries marked by deep sulci (central, lateral, and parieto-occipital)

Functions of Cerebrum Lobes

Frontal lobe: reasoning, planning, speech, movement, emotions, problem-solving
Parietal lobe: movement, orientation, recognition, perception of stimuli
Occipital lobe: visual processing
Temporal lobe: perception and recognition of auditory stimuli, memory, speech

Brainstem

Composed of midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata
Connected to the spinal cord
Responsible for basic vital life functions (breathing, heartbeat, blood pressure)

Cerebellum

Situated behind the pons and below the posterior cerebrum
Ovoid in shape with two hemispheres
Associated with coordination of voluntary muscular movement, posture, balance, and certain cognitive functions

Neurons

Types of Neurons

Sensory: carry impulses to the CNS
Motor: carry impulses away from the CNS
Interneurons: carry impulses between other neurons

Structure of a Neuron

Cell body (soma or perikaryon): contains genetic information, maintains structure, provides energy
Nucleus: finely dispersed chromatin, nucleolus
Processes: axons and dendrites

Axon

Long, tail-like structure that joins the cell body at the axon hillock
Insulated with myelin for fast conduction of electrical signals
No ribosomes, with mitochondria, neurofilaments, and microtubules

Dendrites

Fibrous roots that branch out from the cell body
Receive and process signals from the axons of other neurons

Cerebellum Functions

Coordinated voluntary muscular movement, posture, and balance
Involved in certain cognitive functions, such as language
Adapting and fine-tuning motor programs through trial-and-error process

Spinal Cord

Long, thin bundle of nervous tissue that receives and transmits electrical signals throughout the body
White matter tracts: highways for nerve impulse propagation (afferent and efferent neurons)
Gray matter: receives and integrates incoming and outgoing information

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Description

This quiz covers the structure and functions of the cerebrum, including the division into hemispheres and lobes, and their respective functions. Learn about the frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital lobes and how they work together. Test your knowledge of the cerebrum's anatomy and functions!