Nervous System Functions and Roles

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Questions and Answers

What primary role does the nervous system serve in the body?

To filter blood in the kidneys

To send messages between the brain and different body parts (correct)

To produce hormones for digestion

To provide structural support to organs

Which part of the nervous system is responsible for involuntary actions like digestion?

Autonomic nervous system (correct)

Somatic nervous system

Peripheral nervous system

Central nervous system

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

To transmit signals from the brain to muscles

To initiate muscle contractions

To carry information from the senses to the brain (correct)

To connect motor neurons with each other

Which function is NOT regulated by the nervous system?

Nutrient absorption Signup and view all the answers

How do neurons transmit signals throughout the nervous system?

Using electrical signals Signup and view all the answers

What type of neuron helps you move by sending signals to your muscles?

Motor neurons Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following processes is primarily controlled by the nervous system?

Emotional responses Signup and view all the answers

Interneurons serve what primary function in the nervous system?

Connect motor and sensory neurons Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of postsynaptic potentials (PSPs) in neural communication?

They change the potential in the postsynaptic cell membrane. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs)?

They increase the likelihood of a neural impulse occurring. Signup and view all the answers

Which neurotransmitter is primarily associated with muscle cell function?

Acetylcholine Signup and view all the answers

What is a common effect of increased levels of serotonin due to recreational drug use?

Elevation in mood and perception. Signup and view all the answers

What structure connects the two cerebral hemispheres?

Corpus callosum Signup and view all the answers

Which condition is believed to be related to dopamine deficiency?

Parkinson's disease Signup and view all the answers

Which lobe of the cerebrum is NOT visible from the outside surface of the brain?

Insula Signup and view all the answers

What type of matter primarily constitutes the cerebral cortex?

Gray matter Signup and view all the answers

What are neuropeptides like endorphins known for?

They modulate the activity of other neurotransmitters. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main classification of the nervous system?

Central and peripheral nervous systems. Signup and view all the answers

Which structure acts as a relay station for sensory nerve impulses traveling to the cerebrum?

Thalamus Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following terms describes a deep groove in the brain?

Fissure Signup and view all the answers

What type of neurotransmitter is GABA classified as?

Inhibitory neurotransmitter. Signup and view all the answers

What role does the basal ganglia play in the brain?

Relaying and modifying nerve impulses Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the cerebral white matter?

Connecting different parts of the brain Signup and view all the answers

What are the tiny swellings found at the end of axon terminals called?

Terminal buttons Signup and view all the answers

Which embryonic structure gives rise to the medulla oblongata?

Myelencephalon Signup and view all the answers

What type of neuron is responsible for transmitting information from the body's sense organs to the brain?

Sensory neurons Signup and view all the answers

Which potential occurs when a neuron is inactive and has a negative electrical charge?

Resting potential Signup and view all the answers

What must a neuron reach in order to fire and alter its membrane potential?

Neural threshold Signup and view all the answers

What happens to a neuron's membrane permeability during the action potential?

It allows sodium ions to enter Signup and view all the answers

Which type of neuron conveys information to the body's muscles and organs?

Motor neurons Signup and view all the answers

During depolarization, what occurs with the electrical charge of the neuron?

The charge transitions to positive Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of neurotransmitters within synaptic vesicles?

To assist in the transmission of information between neurons Signup and view all the answers

What occurs if the neural threshold is not reached?

The neuron does not fire Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic of the all or none principle?

Action potentials have the same amplitude if the threshold is reached Signup and view all the answers

During which part of the refractory period is it impossible for a neuron to fire again, regardless of stimulation strength?

Absolute refractory period Signup and view all the answers

What releases neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft?

The action potential in the presynaptic neuron Signup and view all the answers

What happens to neurotransmitters that do not bind to receptors on the postsynaptic neuron?

They are reabsorbed by the presynaptic neuron Signup and view all the answers

What term describes the junction between neurons where communication occurs?

Synapse Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'reuptake' refer to in neuronal transmission?

The recycling of neurotransmitters back into the presynaptic neuron Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic primarily contributes to the continuation of an action potential along the axon?

Cell membrane permeability Signup and view all the answers

What are the two types of nerve fibers found in the peripheral nervous system?

Efferent fibers and afferent fibers Signup and view all the answers

Which division of the peripheral nervous system is responsible for voluntary muscle movement?

Somatic Nervous System Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of the autonomic nervous system?

To relay impulses to involuntary organs and smooth muscles Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the autonomic nervous system is activated during 'fight or flight' responses?

Sympathetic Nervous System Signup and view all the answers

How many pairs of spinal nerves are present in the human body?

31 pairs Signup and view all the answers

What function does the peripheral nervous system NOT perform?

Processing sensory information Signup and view all the answers

Which cranial nerve is responsible for the sense of smell?

Olfactory Nerve Signup and view all the answers

What role does the parasympathetic nervous system play in the body?

Promotes relaxation after stress Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Introduction

The nervous system is crucial for all bodily functions, including movement, thought, and sensation
The nervous system has three main components: brain, spinal cord, and nerves
It regulates processes like digestion that we don't consciously control

What is the nervous system?

The nervous system acts as the body's command center
It consists of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves
Electrical signals (messages) are sent between the brain and body parts
These signals control breathing, movement, speaking, and sight
The nervous system monitors internal and external conditions and adjusts responses accordingly

What does the nervous system do?

The nervous system's primary role is to send messages throughout the body
It controls thoughts, memory, learning, feelings, and movements
It regulates sensory experiences like vision, hearing, taste, touch, and smell

How does the nervous system work?

Nerve cells called neurons transmit electrical signals throughout the body
Signals travel between the brain, skin, organs, glands, and muscles
Information from the environment is sensed (e.g., through eyes, ears, nose) and relayed to the brain
The brain then sends instructions to carry out bodily functions

Nervous System Anatomy

The nervous system has two major subdivisions: central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS)
CNS includes the brain and spinal cord
PNS includes nerves branching from the spinal cord to all body parts
PNS is further divided into the somatic nervous system and autonomic nervous system

What does the nervous system look like?

Nerve cells (neurons) form the basis of the nervous system
There are approximately 100 billion neurons in the brain
Neurons are interconnected throughout the body
The CNS (brain and spinal cord) is like a tree trunk; the branches are nerves and reach all parts of the body

Structure and functions of neuron

The neuron (nerve cell) is the fundamental unit of the nervous system
Neurons comprise dendrites (information receivers), a cell body, an axon (information transmitter), and axon terminals
Neurotransmitters send signals between neurons; synapses are the junctions

Synaptic Transmission

Synapses are junctions between nerve cells
Neurotransmitters are released to transmit signals between neurons
Neurotransmitters bind to receptor sites on target cells, triggering responses in the postsynaptic neuron
Postsynaptic potentials (PSP) are the changes in the postsynaptic neuron's membrane potential due to neurotransmitters

Neurotransmitters

Chemicals that transmit signals between neurons
Different neurotransmitters have different functions and effects on the body
Examples include acetylcholine, norepinephrine, dopamine, serotonin, GABA, and glycine

Transmission of a Nerve Impulse

A nerve impulse is an action potential
Neural impulse is created when a neuron is sufficiently stimulated, causing depolarization
During the action potential, electrical charge within the neuron shifts, sending signals along the axon
After the action potential, the neuron briefly cannot fire again (absolute refractory period) before returning to the resting potential

Peripheral Nervous System

The peripheral nervous system transmits signals between the CNS and the rest of the body
It has two main branches: Somatic and autonomic
The somatic nervous system controls voluntary movement; the autonomic nervous system regulates involuntary actions

Peripheral Nervous System Functions

The peripheral nervous system connects the CNS to the rest of the body and to the surrounding environment
It regulates internal body functions (homeostasis) and controls the strength of muscle contractions
The peripheral nervous system controls the release of secretions from glands

Parts of a Neuron

Dendrites: Receive signals from other neurons
Cell body: Contains the nucleus and other cellular components
Nucleus: Contains genetic material (DNA)
Axon: Conducts signals away from the cell body
Myelin sheath: Insulates the axon, speeding up signal transmission
Axon terminals: Transmit signals to other neurons

Endorphins and substance P

Endorphins modulate the effects of other neurotransmitters; substance P is involved in pain

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Description

Test your knowledge of the nervous system with this quiz that covers its primary functions, types of neurons, and the role of neurotransmitters. Questions explore everything from sensory neurons to the connection between brain hemispheres. Perfect for students studying human biology and anatomy.