Human Nervous System Quiz
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Questions and Answers

The sympathetic nervous system triggers which of the following responses in the human body?

  • Decreased breathing rate and increased digestion.
  • Increased salivation and relaxed muscles.
  • Increased heart rate and dilated pupils. (correct)
  • Decreased heart rate and constricted pupils.

    • What is the primary function of interneurons within the central nervous system?

  • Facilitating communication between sensory and motor neurons. (correct)
  • Carrying sensory information from the body to the brain.
  • Transmitting signals directly to muscle cells.
  • Releasing hormones into the bloodstream.

    • Which of the following accurately describes the direction of impulse transmission in a neuron?

  • From axon to cell body to dendrites
  • From axon to dendrites to cell body
  • From dendrites to cell body to axon (correct)
  • From cell body to axon to dendrites

    • How do cranial nerves differ from spinal nerves in terms of their attachment to the central nervous system?

    <p>Cranial nerves attach to the undersurface of the brain, while spinal nerves attach to the spinal cord. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    If a person encounters a dangerous situation and their heart rate increases, pupils dilate, and breathing becomes rapid, which part of the nervous system is primarily responsible for these changes?

    <p>Sympathetic nervous system (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary role of neurotransmitters at a synapse?

    <p>To transmit the signal across the gap between neurons. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following accurately describes the movement of an impulse through a neuron?

    <p>From dendrite to cell body to axon. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Nodes of Ranvier are crucial for efficient nerve impulse transmission because they:

    <p>are the location of the Na+/K+ pumps that propagate the action potential. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    While walking outside on a hot day, your body temperature rises. Which type of sensory receptor is primarily responsible for detecting this change?

    <p>Thermoreceptors (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is the ability to respond to a stimulus essential for an organism's survival?

    <p>It enables the organism to adapt to environmental changes, avoid danger, and obtain resources. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which part of the brain is primarily responsible for regulating vital functions like breathing and heart rate?

    <p>Brain stem (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    If a person is having difficulty with balance and coordination, which part of the brain is most likely affected?

    <p>Cerebellum (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The spinal cord primarily functions as what?

    <p>A channel for signals between the brain and the body (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which division of the nervous system is responsible for voluntary control of skeletal muscles?

    <p>Somatic Nervous System (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following lists the correct lobes of the cerebrum?

    <p>Frontal, Parietal, Temporal, Occipital (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of the peripheral nervous system (PNS)?

    <p>To connect the central nervous system to the organs and limbs (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of spinal nerves within the somatic nervous system?

    <p>Transmitting motor and sensory signals between the spinal cord and the body (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The brain stem consists of, among other parts, the...

    <p>Medulla, pons and midbrain (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following sensory receptors is responsible for detecting light?

    <p>Photoreceptors (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following sensations is NOT primarily detected by general receptors?

    <p>Smell (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    If someone is experiencing difficulty maintaining balance, which type of receptor is most likely malfunctioning?

    <p>Mechanoreceptors (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes how the brain perceives images formed on the retina?

    <p>Upside down and backwards (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of proprioceptors?

    <p>Maintaining muscle tone and detecting stretch (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A person reports a diminished sense of taste while experiencing a cold. Which of the following is the MOST likely explanation for this?

    <p>Inflammation in the nasal cavity impairs olfactory receptors, which significantly contributes to the perception of taste. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why are visceral nociceptors important for maintaining homeostasis?

    <p>They respond to internal stimuli like stretch, oxygen deprivation and chemicals from damaged cells. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of receptor is responsible for the sensation of heat on the skin?

    <p>Thermoreceptors (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following scenarios would most likely be associated with the release of oxytocin from the posterior pituitary?

    <p>A new mother nursing her infant. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A patient presents with elevated levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). This most likely indicates an issue with which of the following?

    <p>The thyroid gland's ability to produce thyroxine. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    If a researcher is investigating the impact of light exposure on sleep patterns, which gland's activity would they most likely be monitoring?

    <p>The pineal gland. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A person is experiencing excessive water loss due to impaired kidney function. Which hormone, produced by the hypothalamus and released by the posterior pituitary, is most likely deficient?

    <p>Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH). (E)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following correctly pairs a hormone produced by the anterior pituitary with its primary target tissue?

    <p>Growth hormone (GH) - Many tissues (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is pain from a heart attack often felt in the left arm, a phenomenon known as referred pain?

    <p>The brain misinterprets visceral pain signals from the heart as originating from the more common somatic pain pathways of the left arm. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes the key difference between the nervous system and the endocrine system in terms of the speed and duration of their effects?

    <p>The nervous system has rapid, short-lasting effects while the endocrine system has slower, longer-lasting effects. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which endocrine organ is responsible for the regulation of metabolism?

    <p>Thyroid gland (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the endocrine system maintain homeostasis in the body?

    <p>Through feedback mechanisms that respond to changes in the body's internal environment. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In a feedback loop controlling body temperature, what role does the central nervous system (CNS) play after a change in the homeostatic environment is detected?

    <p>It sends a signal to initiate a response from the body to counteract the change. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A key characteristic of hormones is that they are effective in small amounts. What does this imply about the mechanisms they affect?

    <p>They modulate pre-existing mechanisms within the target cells. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary distinction between endocrine and exocrine glands?

    <p>Endocrine glands secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream, while exocrine glands use ducts to secrete substances onto surfaces. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do hormones affect target cells to bring about a cellular change?

    <p>By initiating a cascade of intracellular events after binding to specific receptors. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Flashcards

    Somatic Nervous System

    Part of the nervous system attached to the spinal cord controlling voluntary movements.

    Autonomic Nervous System

    Controls involuntary body functions with sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions.

    Sympathetic Nervous System

    Part of the autonomic system activated under stress, initiating fight or flight response.

    Neuron

    Basic functional cell of the nervous system that transmits impulses.

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    Dendrite

    Part of a neuron that receives stimuli and carries impulses toward the cell body.

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    Schwann Cells

    Cells that produce the myelin sheath around axons.

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    Synapse

    The junction between two neurons where impulses are transferred.

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    Neurotransmitters

    Chemicals that transmit signals across the synapse between neurons.

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    Reflex Arc

    The pathway that a reflex follows, from stimulus to response.

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    Mechanoreceptors

    Sensory receptors that detect pressure and movement.

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    Central Nervous System (CNS)

    The main processing center comprising the brain and spinal cord.

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    Brain

    An organ in the skull that organizes and distributes body information.

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    Spinal Cord

    A channel for signals between the brain and body, controlling reflexes.

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    Cerebrum

    The largest part of the brain that controls higher brain functions.

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    Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

    Connects the CNS to limbs and organs, facilitating communication.

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    Brain Stem

    Connects the brain to the spinal cord, controlling automatic functions.

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    Lobes of the Cerebrum

    Regions of the cerebrum including frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital.

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    Special Senses

    Senses with specialized receptors for specific stimuli: smell, taste, sight, hearing, and equilibrium.

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    Chemoreceptors

    Sensory receptors that detect chemicals, used in smell and taste.

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    Photoreceptors

    Light-sensitive cells in the retina responsible for vision.

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    General (Somesthetic) Senses

    Receptors for touch, pressure, temperature, pain, and proprioception distributed throughout the body.

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    Proprioceptors

    Sensory receptors that detect body position and movement, located in joints and muscles.

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    Taste Buds

    Cluster of sensory receptors on the tongue that detect different flavors: sweet, sour, bitter, salty, and MSG.

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    Nociceptors

    Pain receptors that respond to harmful stimuli, helping maintain homeostasis.

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    Hypothalamic Hormones

    Hormones produced in the hypothalamus that regulate the pituitary gland.

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    Posterior Pituitary

    Part of the pituitary gland that releases hormones produced in the hypothalamus, like oxytocin and ADH.

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    Oxytocin

    Hormone released from the posterior pituitary involved in labor, milk ejection, and social bonding.

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    Thyroid Gland

    Gland that wraps around the trachea, secreting thyroxine which regulates metabolism.

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    Thyroxine

    Hormone produced by the thyroid that controls metabolic rates in the body.

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    Referred Pain

    Pain perceived in a different location from its source, often in deeper tissue.

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    Endocrine System

    A system of glands that secrete hormones affecting bodily functions.

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    Hormone

    Chemical messenger secreted by glands, affecting target cells distantly.

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    Exocrine Gland

    Glands that secrete substances through ducts to surfaces.

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    Endocrine Gland

    Glands that secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream.

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    Homeostasis

    The body's ability to maintain stable internal conditions despite changes.

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    Feedback Mechanism

    A process where the body responds to changes in homeostasis to return to equilibrium.

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    Major Endocrine Organs

    Glands such as the hypothalamus, pituitary, and thyroid that produce hormones.

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    Study Notes

    Module 3: Coordinated Functions

    • This module covers the coordinated functions of the nervous, endocrine, and reproductive systems.

    The Nervous System

    • Identify and describe the major divisions, parts, and functions of the nervous system.
    • Describe the generalized functions of the system as a whole.
    • Describe major nervous system disorders.

    Divisions of the Nervous System

    • The nervous system consists of the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS).
    • The CNS includes the brain and spinal cord.
    • The PNS includes somatic and autonomic nervous systems.
    • The somatic nervous system controls voluntary movements, relaying information to and from skin and skeletal muscles.
    • The autonomic nervous system controls involuntary functions, relaying information to internal organs.
      • The sympathetic nervous system controls organs during times of stress.
      • The parasympathetic nervous system controls organs when the body is at rest.

    Central Nervous System (CNS)

    • The CNS is the main processing center of the nervous system, consisting of the brain and spinal cord.
    • The brain is an organ within the skull, functioning as an organizer and distributor of information for the body. It has three main parts. The brain stem (medulla, pons, midbrain) connects the brain to the spinal cord and controls automatic functions (breathing, digestion, heart rate, blood pressure). The cerebellum controls posture, balance, and coordination. The cerebrum (largest part) controls activity and thought, and its lobes include frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital. The diencephalon contains the thalamus and hypothalamus..
    • The spinal cord serves as a channel for signals between the brain and the rest of the body and controls simple musculoskeletal reflexes without input from the brain.

    Neuron/Nerve Cell

    • The basic functional unit of the nervous system is the neuron, also called a nerve cell.
    • Neurons transmit impulses, and three types exist: sensory neurons bring messages to the CNS, motor neurons carry messages from the CNS, and interneurons are between sensory and motor neurons in the CNS.
    • Neurons have a cell body with a nucleus and most of the cytoplasm.
    • Dendrites receive stimuli and carry impulses toward the cell body.
    • Axons carry impulses away from the cell body. Schwann cells produce myelin, a fatty layer around the axon that allows for faster transmission. Nodes of Ranvier are gaps in the myelin sheath allowing for faster impulse transmission.
    • Billions of neurons exist in the body and form organs like the brain and spinal cord; some parts have 12-14 billion in one part alone.

    Nerve Impulses

    • Impulses are self-propagating, with a mechanism involving Na+ and K+ pumps.
    • Synapses are the junctions between neurons. Neurotransmitters transmit signals across synapses to signal from one neuron to another.

    Synapse

    • The synapse is the junction between neurons. Neurotransmitters are released from one neuron to another neuron across the synapse.

    Neurotransmitters

    • Neurotransmitters are chemicals in the junction that allow signals to be started in the next neuron.

    Reflex Arch

    • The reflex arch describes the pathway of sensory signals.

    Sense Organs

    • The nervous system relies on five main sense organs - eyes, ears, nose, tongue, and skin - for receiving information from the environment.
    • A stimulus is any factor from the environment that causes a nerve impulse.
    • A response is the body's reaction to a stimulus.

    Sensory Receptors

    • They receive input, generate receptor potentials, and generate action potentials in neurons.

    5 Types of Sensory Receptors

    • Mechanoreceptors: pressure, stretch, movement, balance.
    • Thermoreceptors: external and internal temperature.
    • Pain receptors: lack of O₂, chemicals from damaged cells.
    • Chemoreceptors: changes in O₂, CO₂, H+ ions (pH), and chemicals that stimulate taste and smell receptors.
    • Photoreceptors: light.

    Distribution of Receptors in the body

    • Special Senses (eyes, ears, balance, taste, and smell): receptors are located in the head and are innervated by cranial nerves.
    • General Senses (somesthetic, somatosensory): widely distributed in skin, muscles, tendons, joints, and viscera. Detect touch, pressure, stretch, heat, cold, pain, blood pressure, and chemistry.

    The Senses

    • Smell: chemoreceptors (chemicals).
    • Taste: chemoreceptors.
    • Sight: photoreceptors (light).
    • Hearing: mechanoreceptors.
    • Equilibrium (balance): mechanoreceptors.
    • General senses: tactile touch, heat, cold, pressure, and movement and pain.

    Major Sense Organs

    • Vision - eye.
    • Hearing - ear.
    • Taste - taste receptors.
    • Smell - olfactory system.
    • Skin - hot, cold, pressure, pain

    Eye

    • Details of the eye anatomy are presented

    Images

    • The image formation process with cornea and lens.

    Visual Pathway

    • The pathway of visual information from eyes to brain

    Ear

    • Details of the ear's anatomy are presented

    Taste Buds

    • Chemical receptors (sweet, sour, bitter, salty, MSG).

    Olfactory Receptors

    • Chemical receptors in the nasal cavity.

    General Senses

    • Skin receptors (touch, pressure, heat, cold, pain).
    • Proprioceptors (stretch receptors in joints, ligaments, tendons).
    • Pain receptors (skin, skeletal muscle, visceral).

    Muscle Spindles

    • Modified muscle fibers with sensory nerve endings wrapped around the middle — detect stretch and cause reflex contraction

    Pain Receptors

    • Somatic nociceptors - from skin and skeletal muscle
    • Visceral nociceptors - receptors helping maintain internal homeostasis
    • Respond to stretch, low oxygen, chemicals released from damaged or inflamed cells
    • Referred pain - occurs when visceral pain is misinterpreted as somatic pain, like, during a heart attack.

    Disorders of the Nervous System

    • Epilepsy, seizures, Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, shingles (herpes zoster), cerebral palsy, glaucoma, pink eye (conjunctivitis).
      • Symptoms of disorders and prevention of these conditions.

    Effects of Drugs

    • The effects of drugs (like alcohol, caffeine, nicotine, marijuana) on the nervous system.

    Endocrine System

    • The endocrine system is composed of glands that secrete hormones that regulate almost every cell, organ, and function of the body. It is essential in regulating growth and development, metabolism, as well as reproductive processes and mood.

    Nervous System vs. Endocrine System

    • Comparing nervous system (neurotransmitters, rapid, muscles/glands) to endocrine system (hormones, target cells, longer lasting, cell activities).

    Major Endocrine Organs

    • Hypothalamus
    • Pituitary gland
    • Pineal gland
    • Thyroid gland
    • Parathyroid gland
    • Thymus
    • Adrenal gland
    • Pancreas
    • Ovaries
    • Testes

    Gland Types

    • Exocrine glands: ducts, lumen, and surfaces
    • Endocrine glands: chemical messengers, blood stream

    Endocrine System and Homeostasis

    • Feedback mechanisms ensure homeostasis.

    Feedback Mechanisms

    • Stimulus (change in homeostatic environment), signal to CNS
    • Response: signal from CNS, produce effect, body returns to homeostasis.

    Hormones

    • Chemical messengers secreted by endocrine glands and specific to target cells.
    • Activate cellular changes in 4 different chemical types.

    Control of Endocrine Function

    • Endocrine tissues have positive or negative feedback mechanisms for self-regulation.

    Stimulus, Hypothalamus, Pituitary, and Gland Hormone

    • Stimulus affects the hypothalamus, which releases hormones to pituitary to stimulate glands and release hormones, which affect target tissues, affecting the stimulus.

    Positive Feedback

    • A change triggers more of the same change, common during childbirth—oxytocin stimulates contractions.

    Negative Feedback

    • Most common control mechanism — level of hormone in blood returning to homeostasis shuts off the loop at hypothalamus & pituitary, like control of thyroid hormone — environmental stimulus (low hormone levels) prompts release by hypothalamus and anterior pituitary; high hormone levels cause feedback shut off.

    Basic Structure of Feedback Loop

    • Environmental stimulus → control center (hypothalamus, brain) → hypothalamic hormones → pituitary → target tissue → produces a change → acts negatively or positively on the hypothalamus and anterior pituitary cycle.

    Hormone Action Mechanism

    • Steroid hormones can travel through the membrane of cell and bind to cytoplasmic or nuclear receptors to alter protein synthesis and change gene activity. Protein/peptide hormones bind to receptors on plasma membranes to activate a second messenger (cAMP) and trigger enzymatic reactions, affecting the cell.

    Protein/Peptide Hormones

    • Hydrophilic (water-loving) hormones are too large to pass through cell membranes and require a second messenger system.

    Peptide and Amines

    • Protein hormones signal through a second-messenger system (cAMP, IP3).

    Steroid Hormones

    • Small and hydrophobic, travel in blood with a carrier protein, and bind to intracellular receptors.

    Disorders of the Endocrine System

    • Hypersecretion (too much hormone) and hyposecretion (too little hormone). Target cell insensitivity leads to similar hyposecretion symptoms.
    • Examples: Diabetes (blood glucose increase), Hypoglycemia, Graves' disease (overactive thyroid), goiter (enlarged thyroid)

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    Nervous System Module 3 PDF

    Description

    Test your knowledge on the human nervous system with this quiz that covers various topics including the sympathetic nervous system, neuron functions, and impulse transmission. Each question aims to deepen your understanding of this complex and essential part of human biology.

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