Nervous System Anatomy & Physiology

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Questions and Answers

What primarily constitutes white matter in the nervous system?

Nerve cell bodies

Neurotransmitter receptors

Unmyelinated axons

Myelinated axons (correct)

Which structure acts as the command center of the central nervous system?

Spinal cord

Nerves

Cerebellum

Brain (correct)

What is the primary function of the cerebellum?

Coordinates muscle movements (correct)

Produces hormones

Processes visual information

Regulates blood pressure

Which part of the brainstem is responsible for regulating heartbeat and breathing?

Medulla Oblongata Signup and view all the answers

Which of these components is not part of the hindbrain?

Cerebrum Signup and view all the answers

What role does the reticular formation play in the brainstem?

Controls the sleep-wake cycle Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of the cerebrum?

Perform higher cognitive functions Signup and view all the answers

Which component connects the forebrain with the cerebellum and medulla?

Pons Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of motor (efferent) neurons?

To conduct messages from the central nervous system towards muscles or glands. Signup and view all the answers

What type of neuron is typically found as a sensory neuron?

Unipolar neuron Signup and view all the answers

Which neuroglial cell type is responsible for maintaining the blood-brain barrier?

Astrocytes Signup and view all the answers

Which glial cell type is involved in the production and circulation of cerebrospinal fluid?

Ependymal cells Signup and view all the answers

Which type of neural cell forms the myelin sheath around axons in the peripheral nervous system?

Schwann cells Signup and view all the answers

What process do microglia perform within the central nervous system?

Engulf and remove damaged tissues and microbes Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes a multipolar neuron?

One axon and multiple dendrites Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a key function of neurons?

Respond to stimuli and convert them to nerve impulses Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the nervous system?

Rapid communication through electrical and chemical signals Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the neuron is responsible for transmitting information toward the cell body?

Dendrites Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of sensory (afferent) neurons?

To bring information to the central nervous system from the rest of the body Signup and view all the answers

What structure coats the axon and speeds up nerve impulse conduction?

Myelin Sheath Signup and view all the answers

Which function does NOT belong to the nervous system?

Digestion of food Signup and view all the answers

What are the gaps in the myelin sheath called?

Nodes of Ranvier Signup and view all the answers

Which neuron type connects one neuron to another within the central nervous system?

Interneuron Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the cell body of a neuron?

It is the main part that houses the nucleus and organelles. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of neurotransmitters in the nervous system?

To serve as chemical signals between neurons Signup and view all the answers

What structure holds neurotransmitter molecules before they are released into the synaptic cleft?

Synaptic vesicles Signup and view all the answers

What term describes the space between two communicating nerve cells?

Synaptic cleft Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following processes is NOT a method for the removal of neurotransmitters from the synaptic cleft?

Exocytosis Signup and view all the answers

What is defined as the ability of neurons to transmit impulses to other cells?

Conductivity Signup and view all the answers

Which component of nervous tissue is primarily involved in information processing?

Gray matter Signup and view all the answers

What effect do neurotransmitters have on postsynaptic membranes?

They can result in either excitatory or inhibitory responses. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the role of the presynaptic terminal in neurotransmission?

It releases neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the corpus callosum?

To connect the cerebral hemispheres Signup and view all the answers

Which lobe of the cerebral cortex is primarily responsible for processing visual information?

Occipital Lobe Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the limbic system is crucial for long-term memory formation?

Hippocampus Signup and view all the answers

What is the main role of the basal nuclei in the brain?

Control muscle activity and posture Signup and view all the answers

Which function is primarily associated with the left hemisphere of the cerebrum?

Language and reasoning Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the thalamus in the brain?

Relaying sensory information to the cerebral cortex Signup and view all the answers

Which lobe of the cerebral cortex is responsible for processing auditory and olfactory information?

Temporal Lobe Signup and view all the answers

What exists between the midbrain and the cerebrum, serving as a mass of gray matter?

Thalamus Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Nervous System Overview

Functions for rapid communication through electrical and chemical signals.
Involves coordination through impulse conduction from sensory inputs to motor outputs.
Responsible for maintaining homeostasis and supporting mental activities such as consciousness, memory, and emotions.

Key Functions of the Nervous System

Receives sensory input.
Integrates information.
Controls motor output.
Supports mental activity.
Aids in homeostasis.

Neurons: Functional Units

Neurons communicate with each other, muscles, and glands through neural impulses.
Impulses are generated by the movement of charged ions across cell membranes.

Parts of a Neuron

Cell Body: Contains the nucleus, mitochondria, and organelles for energy and protein synthesis.
Dendrites: Short extensions that transmit information toward the cell body, varying from one to thousands in number.
Axon: Conducts impulses away from the cell body; myelin sheath enhances conduction speed with gaps called Nodes of Ranvier.

Types of Neurons by Function

Sensory (Afferent): Carries input to the central nervous system (CNS).
Interneuron: Connects neurons within the CNS.
Motor (Efferent): Sends commands from the CNS to muscles or glands.

Types of Neurons by Structure

Unipolar: Single process that branches into a dendrite and axon; predominant in sensory neurons.
Bipolar: One dendrite and one axon; found in sensory organs like eyes and ears.
Multipolar: Multiple dendrites and one axon; consists of motor and interneurons.

Neuroglial Cells

Support cells in the nervous system; types include:
- Astrocytes: Provide structural support and maintain selective permeability.
- Microglia: Act as phagocytes, removing debris and pathogens.
- Ependymal Cells: Line ventricles and produce cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
- Oligodendrocytes: Form myelin sheath in the CNS.
- Schwann Cells: Form myelin sheath in the peripheral nervous system (PNS).
- Satellite Cells: Surround neuron cell bodies, regulating material exchanges.

Functions of Neurons

Irritability: Ability to respond to stimuli and generate nerve impulses through changes in membrane electrical potential.
Conductivity: Transmission of impulses to other neurons, muscles, or glands, involving neurotransmitter release at synapses.

Synapse Structure

Synaptic Cleft: Space between communicating neurons.
Presynaptic Terminal: End of the axon, containing neurotransmitter vesicles.
Postsynaptic Membrane: Contains receptors for neurotransmitters, facilitating signal transmission to target cells.

Neurotransmitters

Chemical signals that transmit messages between neurons; can be excitatory or inhibitory.
Removal mechanisms include diffusion, enzymatic breakdown, or reuptake into presynaptic terminals.

Nervous Tissue Composition

Gray Matter: Contains neuron cell bodies and dendrites; involved in information processing.
White Matter: Composed of myelinated axons; facilitates communication across the CNS.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Comprises the brain and spinal cord; central command center for the body.
Controls organ functions and generates muscle activity patterns.

Brain Regions

Hindbrain: Includes cerebellum (motor coordination), medulla oblongata (vital functions), and pons (connects brain regions).
Midbrain: Connects forebrain to hindbrain; regulates survival functions.
Forebrain: Houses the cerebrum (higher functions) and diencephalon (relay and homeostatic functions).

Cerebrum

Divided into hemispheres, each controlling opposite body sides and exhibiting distinct functions (e.g., language vs. spatial abilities).
Features gyri (ridges) and sulci (grooves) to increase surface area.

Cerebral Structures

Corpus Callosum: Connects cerebral hemispheres for coordinated functioning.
Cerebral Cortex: Outer layer responsible for processing sensory information and voluntary movement.
Limbic System: Associated with emotions and memory; includes the hippocampus and amygdala.
Basal Nuclei: Regulate motor activity and posture by inhibiting unintended movements.

Diencephalon Functions

Thalamus: Acts as a relay station for sensory and motor signals in the brain.

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Description

Explore the complex workings of the nervous system in this quiz. Learn about its rapid communication methods, integration of sensory input and motor output, and how it plays a crucial role in maintaining homeostasis and mental activities such as consciousness and memory.