Nervous System: CNS and PNS

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of the thalamus in the diencephalon?

Acts as a relay station for sensory information

What are the two main divisions of the cerebrum?

Left and right hemispheres

What is the primary function of the medulla oblongata in the brainstem?

Regulates vital functions like breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure

What is the function of the hypothalamus in the diencephalon?

Regulates body temperature, hunger, thirst, and controls the endocrine system Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the ventricles in the brain?

Producing cerebrospinal fluid, which cushions the brain and spinal cord. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the cerebellum?

Coordinates voluntary muscle movements, balance, and posture Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of the spinal cord?

Acting as a communication pathway between the brain and the peripheral nervous system. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the basal ganglia?

Coordinates voluntary movements and plays a role in procedural learning Signup and view all the answers

What are the three layers of protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord?

Dura mater, arachnoid, and pia mater. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the reticular formation?

Regulates arousal, sleep-wake cycles, and attention Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of cerebrospinal fluid?

Acting as a cushion, providing buoyancy and protecting the CNS from mechanical injury. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the limbic system?

Involved in emotions, memory, and basic survival instincts Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of the blood-brain barrier?

Regulating the passage of molecules between the bloodstream and brain tissue. Signup and view all the answers

What are the two main components of the peripheral nervous system?

The somatic nervous system and the autonomic nervous system. Signup and view all the answers

What type of responses are mediated by reflex arcs in the somatic nervous system?

Quick, automatic responses to stimuli. Signup and view all the answers

What is the sympathetic nervous system responsible for?

Preparing the body for quick, intense action during the 'fight or flight' response. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the lower respiratory tract?

The exchange of gases, allowing oxygen to be absorbed into the bloodstream and carbon dioxide to be expelled from the body. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the pleura in the lungs?

The pleura reduces friction during breathing by containing a small amount of fluid between its double-layered membrane. Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference in the number of lobes between the right and left lungs?

The right lung has three lobes, while the left lung has two lobes. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of sensory neurons in the nervous system?

Sensory neurons carry sensory information. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of neuroglia in the nervous system?

Neuroglia support and protect neurons. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the synapse in the nervous system?

The synapse is the junction between neurons, allowing signal transmission. Signup and view all the answers

What are the components of the central nervous system (CNS)?

The components of the CNS are the brain and spinal cord. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of motor neurons in the nervous system?

Motor neurons control muscles. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Central Nervous System (CNS)

The CNS consists of the brain and spinal cord, responsible for cognitive functions, sensory processing, motor control, and regulation of involuntary bodily functions.
The brain is divided into three main parts: Forebrain, Midbrain, and Hindbrain, each with specific functions.
Gray matter contains neuron cell bodies, while white matter consists of myelinated nerve fibers.

Brain

The Cerebrum is responsible for conscious thought, voluntary actions, sensory perception, and language, and is divided into two hemispheres (left and right) with four lobes (frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital).
The Cerebellum coordinates voluntary muscle movements, balance, and posture.
The Brainstem consists of the Medulla Oblongata, Pons, and Midbrain, and is involved in regulating vital functions, sleep, respiration, and facial movements.
The Diencephalon is composed of the Thalamus, which acts as a relay station for sensory information, and the Hypothalamus, which regulates body temperature, hunger, thirst, and controls the endocrine system.
The Limbic System is involved in emotions, memory, and basic survival instincts and consists of the hippocampus, amygdala, and hypothalamus.
The Basal Ganglia coordinates voluntary movements and plays a role in procedural learning.
The Reticular Formation regulates arousal, sleep-wake cycles, and attention.

Spinal Cord

The Spinal Cord acts as a communication pathway between the brain and the peripheral nervous system, transmitting signals to and from the body.

Meninges and Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)

The Meninges are three layers of protective membranes (dura mater, arachnoid, and pia mater) that surround the brain and spinal cord.
The Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) provides buoyancy and protects the CNS from mechanical injury.

Blood-Brain Barrier

The Blood-Brain Barrier protects the brain from harmful substances by regulating the passage of molecules between the bloodstream and brain tissue.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

The PNS is an extensive network of nerves and ganglia outside the central nervous system, comprising the Somatic Nervous System (SNS) and the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS).
The SNS controls voluntary movements and sensory information from the external environment, and consists of sensory (afferent) neurons and motor (efferent) neurons.
The ANS regulates involuntary bodily functions, maintaining internal balance and responding to stress, and is further divided into the sympathetic and parasympathetic branches.

Neurons and Neuroglia

Neurons transmit electrical signals and are composed of a cell body, dendrites, and axon.
There are three types of neurons: sensory neurons, motor neurons, and interneurons.
Neuroglia (Glial Cells) support and protect neurons, and include astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, Schwann cells, microglia, and ependymal cells.

Synapse

The Synapse is the junction between neurons, allowing signal transmission, and consists of the presynaptic terminal, synaptic cleft, and postsynaptic membrane.

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Description

This quiz covers the basics of the Nervous System, including the Central Nervous System (CNS) and Peripheral Nervous System (PNS), their components, functions, and divisions.