Nervous System Overview
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Questions and Answers

What is the basic structural unit of the nervous system?

neuron

The neuron consists of a cell body which contains the ______.

nucleus

What are the nerve fibers called that carry impulses towards the cell body?

dendrites

What is the single nerve fiber called that carries impulses away from the cell body?

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

What is the lipid called that covers the axons?

<p>myelin sheath</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the 3 functions of the myelin sheath?

<p>It increases the rate of transmission of an impulse, insulates, and maintains the axon.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a synapse?

<p>space between axon of a neuron and dendrites of other neurons</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are neurotransmitters?

<p>Chemicals that help the message cross synapse to next neuron</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are ventricles?

<p>Hollow spaces that contain cerebrospinal fluid</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the largest part of the brain that controls reasoning, thought, memory, speech, sensation, sight, hearing & voluntary movement?

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

What conducts impulses between parts of the brain and is involved in eye reflex actions?

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

What conducts messages to other parts of the brain and is involved in reflex actions such as respiration, chewing, tasting & producing saliva?

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

What is involved in the coordination of muscles, balance, posture, and muscle tone?

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

What is the lowest part of the brain stem that connects to the spinal cord?

<p>medulla oblongata</p> Signup and view all the answers

What carries sensory and motor messages?

<p>spinal cord</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the 3 membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord?

<p>dura mater, arachnoid mater, pia mater</p> Signup and view all the answers

What do cerebrospinal fluid serve as and what are its two functions?

<p>It serves as a shock absorber to protect brain and spinal cord, carries nutrients and helps removes waste.</p> Signup and view all the answers

The peripheral nervous system consists of the ________ and the ________ nervous systems.

<p>somatic, autonomic</p> Signup and view all the answers

How many pairs of cranial and spinal nerves does the somatic system consist of?

<p>12 pairs of cranial nerves, 31 pairs of spinal nerves</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the sympathetic nervous system known for?

<p>fight or flight</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the parasympathetic nervous system known for?

<p>rest and digest</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the sympathetic nervous system do to heart rate, respirations, and blood pressure?

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

What effects does the parasympathetic nervous system have on heart rate, respirations, and blood pressure?

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

What does the sympathetic nervous system do to digestive activity?

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

What effect does the parasympathetic nervous system have on digestive activity?

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

What is homeostasis?

<p>Balanced state in the body</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is paraplegia?

<p>Paralysis of the lower extremities</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is encephalitis?

<p>inflammation of the brain usually caused by a virus, bacteria, or chemical agent</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is hydrocephalus?

<p>excessive cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in ventricles of brain</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is neuralgia?

<p>nerve pain</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a cerebrovascular accident?

<p>a stroke, damage to the brain resulting from a blood clot or hemorrhage</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is epilepsy?

<p>Condition involving abnormal electrical impulses in brain, resulting in seizures or convulsions</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is cerebral palsy?

<p>Disturbance in voluntary muscle action and is caused by brain damage</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is Parkinson's disease?

<p>Chronic progressive condition including degeneration of brain cells</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is amyotrophic lateral sclerosis?

<p>(Lou Gehrig's disease/ALS) chronic degenerative neuromuscular disease</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the nervous system?

<p>Allows body to respond and adapt to changes inside and outside the body</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are afferent nerves?

<p>(Sensory) carry messages from throughout the body to the brain and spinal cord</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are efferent nerves?

<p>(Motor) carry messages from brain and spinal cord to muscles and glands</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are associative nerves?

<p>carry both sensory and motor messages</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the folds in the cerebrum called?

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

What does the diencephalon contain?

<p>thalamus and hypothalamus</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the thalamus do?

<p>Directs sensory impulses to the cerebrum</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the hypothalamus control?

<p>autonomic nervous system, temperature, appetite, etc</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the 3 parts of the brain stem?

<p>midbrain, pons, medulla oblongata</p> Signup and view all the answers

Where is cerebrospinal fluid made?

<p>The choroid plexuses</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is carpal tunnel syndrome?

<p>Swelling in 'tunnel' in wrist puts pressure on nerve and tendons, causing pain &amp; numbness</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is multiple sclerosis?

<p>chronic progressive disease, starts with weakness and numbness in muscles and progresses to muscle tremors, paralysis, difficulty speaking</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is shingles?

<p>Inflammation of nerve cells caused by herpes virus</p> Signup and view all the answers

The brain and spinal cord are a part of which nervous system?

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

Flashcards

Neurons

The basic structural units of the nervous system, responsible for transmitting information.

Cell body

The central part of a neuron containing the nucleus, responsible for controlling the neuron's activities.

Dendrites

Nerve fibers that carry impulses towards the cell body, like receiving antennas.

Axons

Nerve fibers that carry impulses away from the cell body, like sending signals.

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Myelin sheath

A fatty layer covering axons that speeds up impulse transmission, like insulation on electrical wires.

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Synapse

The tiny gap between the axon of one neuron and the dendrites of another, where messages are passed across.

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Neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers released at the synapse that facilitate the transfer of information between neurons.

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Cerebrum

The largest part of the brain responsible for higher functions like thinking, reasoning, memory, and voluntary movement.

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Midbrain

A brain region that relays impulses between brain parts and manages eye reflex actions.

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Pons

A brain region that coordinates messages between brain parts and helps with reflex actions like breathing and chewing.

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Cerebellum

A brain region essential for muscle coordination, maintaining balance, posture, and muscle tone.

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Medulla oblongata

The lowest part of the brainstem responsible for controlling vital functions like heartbeat and breathing.

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Spinal cord

A long, cylindrical structure extending from the brain that carries sensory and motor messages to and from the body.

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Meninges

Three protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord: dura mater (outer), arachnoid mater (middle), and pia mater (innermost).

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Cerebrospinal fluid

A fluid found in the ventricles of the brain that acts as a shock absorber, transports nutrients, and removes waste.

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Peripheral nervous system (PNS)

The part of the nervous system outside the brain and spinal cord, including the nerves that branch out to the body.

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Somatic nervous system

The part of the PNS controlling voluntary movements, such as walking or typing, involving cranial nerves and spinal nerves.

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Autonomic nervous system

The part of the PNS that controls involuntary functions, like heart rate, digestion, and breathing.

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Sympathetic nervous system

A branch of the autonomic nervous system responsible for 'fight or flight' responses, activating the body during stress.

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Parasympathetic nervous system

A branch of the autonomic nervous system responsible for 'rest and digest' responses, calming the body after stress.

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Homeostasis

The state of balance and stability maintained by the body's systems.

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Paraplegia

A neurological condition characterized by paralysis of the lower extremities.

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Encephalitis

Inflammation of the brain, often caused by infection.

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Hydrocephalus

A condition where excessive cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the ventricles of the brain.

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Neuralgia

Pain in a nerve, often sharp and intense.

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Stroke

A cerebrovascular accident (stroke), resulting from a blood clot or hemorrhage in the brain.

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Epilepsy

A neurological disorder characterized by abnormal electrical impulses causing seizures.

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Cerebral palsy

A neurological disorder caused by brain damage affecting voluntary muscle action, causing difficulty with movement and coordination.

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Parkinson's disease

A degenerative neurological disorder characterized by the degeneration of brain cells, leading to tremors, slow movements, and stiffness.

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Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)

A progressive and fatal neurological disease that affects nerve cells responsible for controlling voluntary muscle movement.

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Afferent nerves

Nerves that carry sensory information from the body to the brain.

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Efferent nerves

Nerves that carry motor commands from the brain to muscles and glands.

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Associative nerves

Nerves that relay both sensory and motor information.

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Convolutions

The folds of tissue that greatly increase the surface area of the cerebrum, allowing for more complex functions.

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Diencephalon

A part of the brain that includes the thalamus and hypothalamus, responsible for relaying and regulating essential functions.

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Thalamus

A part of the diencephalon that relays sensory information to the cerebrum.

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Hypothalamus

A part of the diencephalon that manages autonomic functions, such as body temperature, hunger, and thirst.

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Carpal tunnel syndrome

A condition where the nerve and tendon in the wrist are compressed, causing pain and numbness in the hand.

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Multiple sclerosis (MS)

An autoimmune disorder that attacks the myelin sheath of nerves, leading to muscle weakness, tremors, and paralysis.

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Shingles

An inflammation of the nerve cells caused by the herpes virus infection, resulting in painful blisters along the affected nerve.

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Study Notes

Nervous System Overview

  • Neurons are the basic structural units of the nervous system.
  • The neuron consists of a cell body that contains the nucleus.
  • Dendrites are nerve fibers that carry impulses towards the cell body, while axons carry impulses away from it.

Myelin Sheath and Synapse

  • Myelin sheath is a lipid layer covering axons, enhancing impulse transmission.
  • The synapse is the space between the axon of one neuron and the dendrites of another.
  • Neurotransmitters are chemicals that facilitate the crossing of messages across synapses.

Brain Structures and Functions

  • The cerebrum is the largest part of the brain responsible for reasoning, thought, memory, speech, sensation, sight, hearing, and voluntary movement.
  • The midbrain conducts impulses between brain parts and manages eye reflex actions.
  • The pons coordinates messages and reflex actions like respiration and chewing.
  • The cerebellum is crucial for muscle coordination, balance, posture, and muscle tone.

Brain Stem and Spinal Cord

  • The medulla oblongata is the lowest part of the brainstem, controlling vital functions such as heartbeat and respiration.
  • The spinal cord carries sensory and motor messages throughout the body.
  • Meninges are three membranes protecting the brain and spinal cord: dura mater (outer), arachnoid mater (middle), and pia mater (innermost).

Cerebrospinal Fluid

  • Cerebrospinal fluid serves as a shock absorber and transports nutrients while removing waste.
  • It is found in the ventricles, which are hollow spaces within the brain.

Peripheral Nervous System

  • The peripheral nervous system comprises the somatic and autonomic nervous systems.
  • The somatic system includes 12 pairs of cranial nerves and 31 pairs of spinal nerves.

Autonomic Nervous System

  • The sympathetic nervous system is associated with the "fight or flight" response, increasing heart rate, respiration, and blood pressure.
  • The parasympathetic nervous system promotes "rest and digest," decreasing heart rate and enhancing digestive activity.

Homeostasis and Nervous System Disorders

  • Homeostasis refers to the body's balanced state.
  • Paraplegia involves paralysis of the lower extremities, whereas encephalitis is brain inflammation often caused by infection.
  • Hydrocephalus is characterized by excessive cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricles.

Common Nervous System Conditions

  • Neuralgia is nerve pain; a cerebrovascular accident (stroke) results from blood clot or hemorrhage.
  • Epilepsy involves abnormal electrical impulses causing seizures.
  • Cerebral palsy stems from brain damage affecting voluntary muscle action, while Parkinson's disease refers to the degeneration of brain cells.
  • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's disease) is a chronic degenerative neuromuscular disease.

Types of Nerves and Brain Components

  • Afferent nerves (sensory) transport messages to the brain; efferent nerves (motor) send messages from the brain to muscles and glands.
  • Associative nerves relay both sensory and motor messages.
  • Convolutions are the folds in the cerebrum, enhancing its surface area.
  • Diencephalon includes thalamus and hypothalamus; thalamus directs sensory impulses, while hypothalamus manages autonomic functions like temperature and appetite.

Other Conditions

  • Carpal tunnel syndrome results from nerve and tendon compression, causing pain and numbness.
  • Multiple sclerosis leads to muscle weakness, tremors, and paralysis.
  • Shingles is an inflammation of nerve cells due to herpes virus infection.

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Description

Explore the foundational concepts of the nervous system, including the structure and function of neurons, the role of myelin sheaths, and synapses. Delve into the major brain structures and their respective functions, from the cerebrum to the cerebellum. This quiz will test your understanding of how these components work together to facilitate complex behaviors and responses.

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