Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the primary function of the medulla oblongata?
What is the primary function of the medulla oblongata?
Which part of the central nervous system is responsible for reflex actions?
Which part of the central nervous system is responsible for reflex actions?
What role does the cerebellum play in motor functions?
What role does the cerebellum play in motor functions?
How does the hypothalamus contribute to homeostasis?
How does the hypothalamus contribute to homeostasis?
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What happens to the body when the cerebellum is affected?
What happens to the body when the cerebellum is affected?
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What is NOT a method of transferring short-term memory to long-term memory?
What is NOT a method of transferring short-term memory to long-term memory?
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Which function does the thalamus serve in the brain?
Which function does the thalamus serve in the brain?
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Which lobe of the brain is primarily responsible for interpreting auditory data?
Which lobe of the brain is primarily responsible for interpreting auditory data?
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What is the primary association of the limbic system?
What is the primary association of the limbic system?
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Which part of the brain is involved in voluntary movement and decision-making?
Which part of the brain is involved in voluntary movement and decision-making?
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Which statement best describes the difference between white matter and grey matter in the spinal cord?
Which statement best describes the difference between white matter and grey matter in the spinal cord?
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What is the role of the primary sensory cortex in the parietal lobe?
What is the role of the primary sensory cortex in the parietal lobe?
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What characterizes Alzheimer's disease in the brain?
What characterizes Alzheimer's disease in the brain?
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Which area of the brain is primarily involved in generating movement?
Which area of the brain is primarily involved in generating movement?
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What happens to fine motor control as the number of motor neurons increases?
What happens to fine motor control as the number of motor neurons increases?
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What sensory information is interpreted by the occipital lobe?
What sensory information is interpreted by the occipital lobe?
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What is a common symptom of a concussion?
What is a common symptom of a concussion?
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What causes seizures in epilepsy?
What causes seizures in epilepsy?
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Which infection can lead to confusion and behavior changes?
Which infection can lead to confusion and behavior changes?
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What is a potential outcome of rabies virus infection?
What is a potential outcome of rabies virus infection?
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Which symptom is associated with meningitis?
Which symptom is associated with meningitis?
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What is the primary function of the central nervous system (CNS)?
What is the primary function of the central nervous system (CNS)?
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Which type of nerve is responsible for carrying information away from the central nervous system?
Which type of nerve is responsible for carrying information away from the central nervous system?
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What function does the sympathetic nervous system primarily serve?
What function does the sympathetic nervous system primarily serve?
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Which neurotransmitter is primarily released by the sympathetic nerves?
Which neurotransmitter is primarily released by the sympathetic nerves?
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What is the effect of the parasympathetic nervous system on heart rate?
What is the effect of the parasympathetic nervous system on heart rate?
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Which of the following best describes the role of motor neurons in the autonomic nervous system?
Which of the following best describes the role of motor neurons in the autonomic nervous system?
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Which statement about the autonomic nervous system is false?
Which statement about the autonomic nervous system is false?
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What happens during a sympathetic nervous system response?
What happens during a sympathetic nervous system response?
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Study Notes
Divisions of the Nervous System
- Central Nervous System (CNS): Brain and spinal cord. Receives, processes, and transfers information.
- Peripheral Nervous System (PNS): Nerves outside CNS. Sensory nerves carry information toward CNS; Motor nerves carry information away from CNS.
- Somatic subdivision: Stimulates skeletal muscles.
- Autonomic subdivision: Stimulates smooth muscles and glands.
- Sympathetic nerves, function for "fight or flight" response. Opposes parasympathetic division.
- Parasympathetic nerves, function for relaxation, normal body functions.
Components of the Nervous System
- Sensory input (input): Signals from the environment.
- CNS: Brain and spinal cord receive, process, and send signals.
- Motor output (output): Signals from CNS to muscles or glands.
- Somatic division: Controls skeletal muscles.
- Autonomic division: Controls smooth muscles and glands.
- Parasympathetic: Rest and digest.
- Sympathetic: Fight or flight.
Nervous System Function
- Sensory neurons receive data from inside and outside the body and transmit it to interneurons in the CNS.
- The CNS processes information, formulates an action plan, and stimulates motor neurons.
- Motor neurons execute the action plan by stimulating muscle contraction or glands.
Motor Neurons: Somatic
- Voluntary: Conscious control of skeletal muscles. Signals come from the primary motor cortex.
- Involuntary: Spinal reflexes; quicker responses. Example: Withdrawing from a sharp object.
Motor Neurons: Autonomic
- Not under conscious control. Stimulates smooth muscles and glands.
- Crucial for homeostasis. Controls heart rate, breathing, blood pressure, etc.
- Sympathetic nerves: "Fight or flight" reaction.
- Parasympathetic nerves: Relaxation and normal bodily functions.
- Sympathetic releases epinephrine/norepinephrine (hormones) which activates body for action quickly. This response is felt after about 20 seconds. Parasympathetic nerves use acetylcholine which promotes relaxation.
Central Nervous System: Spinal Cord
- Relays information between the brain and the peripheral nervous system.
- Responsible for reflexes.
- Sensory nerves enter the dorsal side; motor nerves exit on the ventral side.
- White matter: myelinated neurons that ascend and descend the spinal cord.
- Grey matter: unmyelinated axons, dendrites, cell bodies, and synapses.
Brain: Hindbrain
- Medulla oblongata (brain stem): Monitors blood oxygen and carbon dioxide levels, controls heart rate, breathing, blood pressure, digestion, and reflexes (coughing, sneezing, swallowing). Connects to the spinal cord and rest of the brain.
- Cerebellum: Coordinates basic movements and balance, maintains posture, learned motor programs (like juggling, riding a bike). Affected by alcohol.
Brain: Forebrain
- Hypothalamus: Regulates hormone secretions of the pituitary gland, helps maintain homeostasis by monitoring body temperature, hunger, thirst, and blood solute concentration. Important in sex drive.
- Thalamus: Relays touch sensory input to the cerebral cortex; Processes some outgoing motor signals.
- Limbic system: Involved in emotions and short-term memory. Associated with strong emotions and instincts (love, fear, anger, sorrow). Works with the hypothalamus (basic desires: hunger, thirst, sex). The impulses from the limbic system and hypothalamus pass through the thalamus to the cerebral cortex, enabling control of both emotions and basic desires.
- Short-term memory (up to several hours) is controlled by the limbic system. The limbic system also transfers short-term memories into long-term memories stored in the cerebral cortex. Methods for transferring short-term memory include speaking out loud, writing, and repeating things in conversation.
- Cerebral Cortex: Four primary regions that govern different functions.
- Frontal lobe: Voluntary movement (including speech), planning, decision-making, abstract thought, personality traits, and long-term memory
- Parietal lobe: Receives sensory information from skin (touch), interpretation of touch, and taste information
- Occipital lobe: Primary visual cortex, processes visual input and data
- Temporal lobe: Receives auditory information (including speech), interpretation of auditory input, and smell information
Alzheimer's Disease
- A degenerative disease, usually starting after age 65.
- Frontal lobe and limbic system affected.
- Abnormal protein amyloid plaques and tangled neurons.
- Progressive memory loss, irritability, and personality changes.
- Eventually the person cannot care for themselves.
Disorders of the Nervous System
- Concussion: Blow to the head disrupts brain's electrical activity; symptoms include blurred vision, headaches, balance problems, short-term memory loss, and possible loss of consciousness.
- Epilepsy: Abnormal electrical activity in the brain leading to seizures; uncontrolled movements; due to drugs, brain injuries, or inheritance. Treatable with anti-convulsants.
- Infections:
- Encephalitis: Viral inflammation of the brain, leading to fever, headaches, seizures, confusion, behavior changes, and difficulty controlling movement. Could result in coma or death.
- Meningitis: Inflammation of tissues surrounding the brain, caused by viruses or bacteria; symptoms include fever, severe headache, stiff neck, pain, confusion, and seizures. Can lead to permanent brain damage or death.
- Rabies: Virus that infects neurons and travels to the brain, causing death of brain cells; symptoms include hallucinations, seizures, coma, and eventual death. Mammal bites can transmit the disease. No cure once symptoms appear.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the divisions and components of the nervous system, including the Central Nervous System (CNS) and Peripheral Nervous System (PNS). This quiz covers sensory input, motor output, and the autonomic subdivisions. See how well you understand the roles of sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves!
