Introduction to Physiology

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Questions and Answers

Which part of the central nervous system regulates breathing and heart rate?

Thalamus

Medulla (correct)

Cerebellum

Hypothalamus

The amygdala is primarily responsible for regulating body temperature.

False

What structure in the brain is associated with forming new memories?

Hippocampus

The __________ acts as a bridge connecting the cerebellum and medulla.

Pons Signup and view all the answers

Match the following brain structures with their primary functions:

Thalamus = Major sensory relay center Cerebellum = Balance and coordination of movements Hypothalamus = Regulates survival drives and temperature Reticular formation = Responsible for alertness and attention Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the myelin sheath?

To provide insulation and increase the speed of signal transmission Signup and view all the answers

Dendrites are singular structures that send signals to other neurons.

False Signup and view all the answers

Name one of the functions of glial cells in the nervous system.

They provide nourishment for the cell. Signup and view all the answers

Dopamine is associated with the _________ mechanism in the brain.

reward Signup and view all the answers

Match the neurotransmitter with its associated function:

Dopamine = Controls voluntary movements Serotonin = Regulates mood and sleep cycle GABA = Blocks anxiety signals Endorphins = Reduces pain Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of receptor cells in the sensory systems?

To detect energy Signup and view all the answers

The central nervous system includes the spinal cord only.

False Signup and view all the answers

What are the two main divisions of the nervous system?

Central nervous system and peripheral nervous system Signup and view all the answers

The __________ nervous system is responsible for voluntary movement.

somatic Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the peripheral nervous system is activated during intense arousal?

Sympathetic nervous system Signup and view all the answers

Match the following nervous system functions with their respective types:

Somatic nervous system = Voluntary control of skeletal muscles Autonomic nervous system = Involuntary control of internal organs Sympathetic nervous system = Fight or flight response Parasympathetic nervous system = Rest and digest response Signup and view all the answers

The __________ is the fundamental unit of the nervous system.

neuron Signup and view all the answers

The peripheral nervous system is responsible for processing and interpreting incoming sensory information.

False Signup and view all the answers

Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Introduction to Physiology - Nervous System

Physiology is the study of how living organisms and their parts function.
It is fundamental to understanding medicine.
Diseases can be viewed as physiology gone wrong (pathophysiology).
Understanding physiology is vital for the study and practice of medicine.

Objectives

Define physiology.
Describe the levels of organization in an organism.
Provide an overview of human physiology.
Describe the cell as the basic unit of life.
Outline the basic structure and function of cell organelles.
Discuss the hierarchical levels of organization, from cells to body systems.

What is Physiology?

Types of Physiology: Cellular and System
- Cellular physiology focuses on cellular components that determine organ function.
- System physiology studies the coordinated and networked processes that maintain function and adaptation.
- Examples include respiratory and cardiovascular systems working together for homeostasis.
Anatomy vs. Physiology
- Anatomy describes structure.
- Physiology describes function.

Level of Structural Organization

Different levels of organization exist in organisms, from atoms to organ systems.
Atoms combine to form molecules.
Molecules form organelles.
Organelles combine to form cells.
Similar cells form tissues.
Tissues form organs.
Multiple organs form organ systems.
Organ systems work together to maintain homeostasis.

Tissues

Tissues are collections of specialized cells.
Tissues work together to form organs.
Four major tissue types:
- Muscle
- Nervous
- Epithelial
- Connective

Types of Tissues (continued)

Muscle tissues generate mechanical force.
- Skeletal muscles, cardiac muscles, smooth muscles
Nervous tissues initiate, integrate, and conduct electrical signals.

Brain Structure and Chemistry - Communication

Understanding brain structure and chemistry is related to how the nervous system communicates.
Receptor cells in sensory systems detect energy.
Information is transmitted via transduction and sensory/afferent neurons to the nervous system.
Information is received, processed, and leads to perception in the brain.
The brain sends commands via the nervous system to control responses.
This process involves afferent and efferent neurons.
- Afferent neurons carry signals toward the central nervous system.
- Efferent neurons carry signals away from the central nervous system.

The Nervous System

Two main parts: central and peripheral.
- Central nervous system (CNS): control center (brain and spinal cord). Receives, processes, interprets, and stores sensory information.
- Peripheral nervous system: outside the brain and spinal cord; handles CNS input and output. Divided into somatic and autonomic nervous systems.
  - Somatic nervous system: voluntary movement, skeletal muscles, and sensory information.
  - Autonomic nervous system: regulates blood vessels, glands, and internal organs (bladder, stomach, heart). Includes sympathetic and parasympathetic systems. -Sympathetic nervous system is active during stress ("fight or flight"). -Parasympathetic nervous system is active during rest.

The Neuron (Nerve Cell)

The neuron is the fundamental unit of the nervous system.
Has common structures: nucleus, soma (cell body), with specialized structures: axon, dendrites.
- Axon sends signals.
- Dendrites receive signals.
Myelin sheath: insulating layer that speeds signal transmission.
Axon terminals: where the electrical signal becomes a chemical message and communicates to adjacent neurons. -Glial cells support the functions of neurons acting like glue and providing nourishment, removing waste products, and protecting neurons from harm.

Neurotransmitters

Neurotransmitters are essential for neural communication.
Key neurotransmitters include
- Dopamine
- Serotonin
- Endorphins
- Norepinephrine
- GABA
- Glutamate

Brain (continued)

Key brain structures:
- Medulla: regulates breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure.
- Pons: acts as a bridge between the cerebellum and medulla.
- Reticular formation: responsible for alertness and attention.
- Cerebellum: coordinates movement and balance, involved in learned responses.
- Thalamus: major sensory relay center (except smell).
- Hypothalamus: involved in survival drives, temperature regulation, and autonomic system control.
- Amygdala: evaluates sensory information and emotional significance.
- Hippocampus: important for forming spatial memories and new memories.

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Description

This quiz covers the basics of physiology, focusing on the nervous system and its significance in understanding human health and medicine. Explore the levels of organization within organisms, from cells to body systems, and learn about the different types of physiology, including cellular and system physiology.