Nervous System Overview & Complexity
46 Questions
0 Views

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

Which statement best explains the relationship between nervous system complexity and lifestyle?

  • The complexity of the nervous system is unrelated to an animal's lifestyle.
  • Predators tend to have larger, more complex nervous systems to support rapid responses and problem-solving. (correct)
  • Larger, more complex nervous systems are typically found in sedentary animals.
  • Predators generally possess simpler nervous systems than herbivores.

    • Which component of the nervous system is responsible for processing information?

  • Nerves
  • Central Nervous System (CNS) (correct)
  • Ganglia
  • Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

    • What is the primary function of astrocytes in the nervous system?

  • Circulate cerebrospinal fluid.
  • Provide insulation to axons.
  • Physically support neurons and maintain the blood/brain barrier. (correct)
  • Act as immunity defense cells.

    • Which of the following describes Schwann cells?

    <p>Cells that provide insulation to axons in the PNS.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role do microglia serve within the CNS?

    <p>Acting as the primary immune defense mechanism.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do nerves function in the nervous system?

    <p>They act as paths for transmitting sensory and motor signals.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which component of the nervous system is analogous to Schwann cells in the PNS?

    <p>Oligodendrocytes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a significant characteristic of ganglia?

    <p>They are clusters of neurons located outside the brain.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main role of the cerebellum in the brain?

    <p>Balance, fine motor control, and proprioception</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which part of the brain is described as the 'mail room' for sensory information?

    <p>Thalamus</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which region of the brain is primarily responsible for involuntary vital processes such as breathing and circulation?

    <p>Brainstem</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

    <p>Maintaining homeostasis and directing hormonal cascades</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the structure of the cerebral cortex enhance its function?

    <p>The folds increase the surface area for more neurons.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary role of the nervous system?

    <p>To collect, process, and respond to stimuli</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which structures are involved in the communication between the cerebellum and cerebrum?

    <p>Pons and Medulla Oblongata</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What best describes the function of the midbrain?

    <p>Coordinating body movement and consciousness</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of glial cell acts as a physical support in the central nervous system?

    <p>Astrocytes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What defines the type of function a neuron can perform?

    <p>The form of the neuron</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In which brain region is the pineal gland located, and what is its primary function?

    <p>Diencephalon; producing melatonin</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement best describes the role of the corpus callosum?

    <p>It facilitates communication between the left and right hemispheres of the cerebrum.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of neurons are characterized by having one single process that splits into two branches?

    <p>Pseudounipolar neurons</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following cells is responsible for the formation of myelin in the peripheral nervous system?

    <p>Schwann cells</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do neurons primarily communicate information?

    <p>Via electrical and chemical signals</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the function of microglia in the nervous system?

    <p>Serve as the immune defense for the central nervous system</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of neuron would most likely be involved in sensory processing?

    <p>Pseudounipolar neurons</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role does the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the hypothalamus play?

    <p>Regulates sleepiness through the pineal gland</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which brain function is considered a form of neuronal plasticity?

    <p>Short-term memory creation in the hippocampus</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What evidence is highlighted by structural MRI in cases of massive strokes?

    <p>Reduction in the volume of the cerebral cortex</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens to memories that are not transferred from the hippocampus?

    <p>They are discarded and forgotten</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does neuronal plasticity allow the brain to do in response to injury?

    <p>Rewire and form new connections</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the context of stroke recovery, what is indicated by longitudinal fMRI studies?

    <p>Gradual representation of movement in the contralateral cortex</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which part of the brain is notably associated with higher-level processes such as thought and memory?

    <p>Cerebral cortex</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is necessary for the brain’s remodeling in response to damage?

    <p>Active learning and rehabilitation processes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of cerebrospinal fluid?

    <p>To carry nutrients, hormones, and wastes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which part of the nervous system primarily contains axons?

    <p>White matter</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of nerve carries information away from the CNS?

    <p>Efferent nerves</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the simplest example of neuronal interaction in the human nervous system?

    <p>Reflex action</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which division of the autonomic nervous system is associated with the 'fight or flight' response?

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

    Which term best describes the involuntary control of smooth and cardiac muscles?

    <p>Autonomic control</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of neuron primarily detects changes in body position and spinal cord communication?

    <p>Sensory neurons</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main role of the autonomic nervous system?

    <p>Control involuntary actions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements about gray matter is false?

    <p>Gray matter is located on the outside of the brain.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What best describes the function of interneurons?

    <p>They mediate communication between sensory and motor neurons.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement characterizes the parasympathetic nervous system's function?

    <p>Enhances digestion and energy conservation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What occurs to reflexes as humans develop from infancy to adulthood?

    <p>They are lost.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which component of the nervous system is primarily responsible for processing sensory information?

    <p>Central nervous system</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Nervous System Overview

    • Nervous system collects, processes, and responds to internal and external stimuli
    • Components include neurons and neuroglia (support cells)
    • Neurons have different shapes (unipolar, pseudo-unipolar, bipolar, multipolar) affecting their function
    • Glial cells include astrocytes (physical support), ependymal (cerebrospinal fluid), microglia (immune system), oligodendrocytes (myelin in CNS), Schwann cells (myelin in PNS), and satellite cells (physical support).

    Nervous System Complexity

    • Sensory systems range from simple (e.g., eyespots) to complex (e.g., humans)
    • Complexity of nervous systems is linked to lifestyle (predators tend to have more complex systems for problem solving, while sessile animals do not)

    Human Nervous System

    • Divided into the CNS (central nervous system) and PNS (peripheral nervous system)
    • PNS: transmits sensory and motor signals
    • CNS: processes information
    • Additional terminology: nerves (bundles of axons), ganglia (clusters of neurons), and glia (nervous support cells)

    Glial Cells

    • Astrocytes: physical support, maintain blood-brain barrier.
    • Microglia: immune defense for CNS.
    • Oligodendrocytes: CNS myelin support.
    • Schwann cells: PNS myelin support. (analogous to oligodendrocytes)
    • Ependymal cells: produce and circulate cerebrospinal fluid

    Central Canal and Ventricles

    • Embryonic dorsal nerve cord develops into the CNS
    • Central canal (spinal cord) and ventricles (brain) contain cerebrospinal fluid
    • Cerebrospinal fluid is made from blood filtering and carries nutrients, hormones, and wastes
    • Gray matter: contains neuron cell bodies (in brain: cortical; in PNS: medullary)
    • White matter: contains axons (in brain: medullary; in PNS: cortical)

    PNS and CNS Interactions

    • PNS gathers information and relays it to the CNS
    • CNS determines the response
    • Reflexes are the simplest example of PNS/CNS interaction: involuntary, stereotypical response to stimulus without conscious thought

    PNS Divisions

    • Afferent nerves carry information toward the CNS
    • Efferent nerves carry information away from CNS
    • Motor system (part of somatic nervous system): communicates with skeletal muscles (mostly voluntary)
    • Autonomic system: communicates with smooth & cardiac muscles and glands (mostly involuntary)
      • Sympathetic: excitatory ("fight-flight-freeze")
      • Parasympathetic: calming ("rest-and-digest")

    The Brain

    • Divided into forebrain, midbrain, and hindbrain
    • Forebrain: smell, sleep, learning complex processing
    • Midbrain: directs sensory input to appropriate regions
    • Hindbrain: involuntary vital processes (breathing, circulation, motor coordination)
    • Proportions differ across species, indicating lifestyle

    Brain Anatomy Overview

    • Brainstem: connects to spinal cord and regulates vital functions
    • Diencephalon: between brainstem and cerebrum; controls emotions, hormones, and behaviors
    • Cerebellum: posterior to brainstem; critical for balance, coordination, and muscle memory
    • Cerebrum: largest part of brain; responsible for voluntary actions, sensory information, memory, learning, abstract thought

    Brainstem Details

    • Medulla Oblongata: maintains normal vital processes and regulates heart rate and breathing
    • Pons: communication between cerebellum and cerebrum; and vital functions like balance and swallowing.
    • Midbrain: relays auditory, touch, and visual information; coordinates body movement and regulates consciousness

    Diencephalon Details

    • Thalamus: transfers sensory information from brainstem to cerebrum; influences mood, emotions, and consciousness.
    • Epithalamus: contains pineal gland, which produces melatonin (influences cyclical behavior)
    • Hypothalamus: maintains homeostasis and directs hormonal cascades through pituitary gland.

    Cerebellum Details

    • Posterior to brainstem; wrinkled appearance similar to cerebrum, but smaller
    • Used in proprioception (sense of bodily location in space), balance, coordination, and muscle memory

    Cerebrum Details

    • Largest part of brain; controls voluntary actions, sensory information, memory, and learning
    • Highly convoluted with folds to increase surface area
    • Divided into two hemispheres connected by corpus callosum

    Conscious Thought

    • Specific brain areas (frontal, parietal, temporal, occipital lobes) are associated with specific functions

    Brain Physiology

    • Some brain functions are localized, but most involve multiple areas
    • Sleep, for example, involves the brainstem, cerebrum, and diencephalon
    • Brain damage can trigger remodeling (neuronal plasticity) with possible recovery through changes to synapses
    • Memory involves temporary and long-term storage, with short-term memories often residing in the hippocampus and transferred to the cerebral cortex for long-term storage

    Brain Recovery

    • Motor recovery after a stroke is demonstrated through functional MRI imaging and shows evidence of the brain adapting and re-wiring.

    Studying That Suits You

    Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

    Quiz Team

    Related Documents

    Nervous System PDF

    Description

    Test your knowledge on the nervous system's structure and complexity. This quiz covers the roles of neurons and glial cells, as well as the differences between the central and peripheral nervous systems. Understand how nervous systems vary in complexity based on different organisms.

    More Like This

    Use Quizgecko on...
    Browser
    Open
    Browser
    Browser