Nervous System Overview Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of the Sympathetic Division of the Autonomic Nervous System?

Monitors internal organ health

Promotes rest and digest functions

Facilitates fight or flight response (correct)

Regulates voluntary muscle movement

Which part of a neuron is responsible for transmitting electrical signals away from the cell body?

Soma

Myelin sheath

Dendrites

Axon (correct)

What distinguishes the Parasympathetic Division from the Sympathetic Division in the Autonomic Nervous System?

Both divisions manage voluntary muscle control

Parasympathetic only regulates respiratory functions

Parasympathetic leads to rest and digest responses, while Sympathetic leads to fight or flight (correct)

Sympathetic promotes digestion while Parasympathetic increases heart rate

What is the role of myelin sheath in neurons?

To insulate the axon and increase signal conduction speed Signup and view all the answers

Which division of the Peripheral Nervous System is primarily responsible for voluntary movements?

Somatic Nervous System Signup and view all the answers

Which component of the nervous system primarily monitors internal stimuli like hunger and pain?

Visceral Sensory Signup and view all the answers

What are the basic building blocks of the nervous system?

Neurons Signup and view all the answers

In which part of the Peripheral Nervous System would you find the Enteric Nervous System?

Functioning independently in the gastrointestinal tract Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the myelin sheath?

To insulate axons and speed up impulse conduction Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the nodes of Ranvier?

To facilitate saltatory conduction Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the neuron is responsible for receiving signals from other neurons?

Dendrite Signup and view all the answers

What surrounds each individual axonal fiber and Schwann cells in a nerve?

Endoneurium Signup and view all the answers

Which layer encases the entire nerve?

Epineurium Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the paraneurium in nerve anatomy?

To provide additional support to the epineurium Signup and view all the answers

Which structure assists in the formation of myelin in the peripheral nervous system?

Schwann cells Signup and view all the answers

What is a fascicle in nerve anatomy?

A bundle of nerve fibers organized for efficient signal transmission Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of the autonomic nervous system?

Regulating involuntary bodily functions Signup and view all the answers

Which branch of the autonomic nervous system is primarily responsible for 'fight or flight' responses?

Sympathetic Nervous System Signup and view all the answers

Which pathway in the sympathetic nervous system involves preganglionic neurons bypassing the sympathetic chain ganglia?

Splanchnic nerves and collateral ganglia pathway Signup and view all the answers

Where do sympathetic preganglionic neurons originate?

T1-L2 spinal segments Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is true regarding the structure of sympathetic neurons?

Preganglionic fibers are short and postganglionic fibers are long. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the parasympathetic nervous system?

Conserving energy and promoting 'rest and digest' activities Signup and view all the answers

Which structure is involved in the direct pathway to the adrenal medulla in the sympathetic nervous system?

Preganglionic neurons that do not synapse at any ganglia Signup and view all the answers

What type of tissue surrounds the epineurium as a protective layer?

Loose areolar tissue Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) Overview

The PNS connects the CNS (brain and spinal cord) to the rest of the body
It consists of nerves outside the brain and spinal cord
It has two main divisions: Sensory (afferent) and Motor (efferent)

Sensory Division (Afferent)

Carries signals from the body to the CNS
Divided into:
- Somatic Sensory: Detects external stimuli (skin, muscles, joints, special senses) and is consciously perceived (touch, temperature, pain)
- Visceral Sensory: Monitors internal stimuli in organs (heart, lungs, stomach), and is usually unconsciously perceived (hunger, internal pain)

Motor Division (Efferent)

Carries signals from the CNS to the body
Divided into:
- Somatic Nervous System: Controls voluntary movements (skeletal muscles)
- Autonomic Nervous System (ANS): Controls involuntary functions (smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, glands)

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

Part of the PNS governing involuntary functions
Divided into:
- Sympathetic Division: "Fight or Flight" response, activates during stress. Increases heart rate, dilates pupils, inhibits digestion
- Parasympathetic Division: "Rest and Digest" response, calms the body during relaxation. Slows heart rate, constricts pupils, stimulates digestion
The ANS also has specialized nervous pathways.

Neuron Anatomy

Soma (cell body): Contains the nucleus and organelles. It maintains neuron structure and provides energy.
Dendrites: Branching fibers that receive signals from other neurons. They can form multiple dendritic trees.
Axon: A long projection transmitting electrical signals away from the cell body and joins the cell body at the axon hillock. Insulated by the myelin sheath for faster signal conduction
Myelin sheath: Fatty layer insulating axons, speeding up impulse conduction.
Nodes of Ranvier: Gaps in the myelin sheath that facilitate saltatory conduction, speeding up signal transmission.
Schwann cells: Myelinate axons of peripheral neurons and support nerve function and repair.

Anatomy of a Nerve

Endoneurium surrounds each individual axonal fiber and Schwann cells
Perineurium surrounds groups of axons, forming fascicles (bundles)
Fascicle is a bundle of nerve fibers organized for efficient signal transmission
Epineurium is the outermost layer encasing the entire nerve
Paraneurium (Mesoneurium) is the loose areolar tissue surrounding the epineurium for added support

Cranial Nerves

There are 12 pairs of cranial nerves, numbered I through XII. Each plays specific roles in the body, including sensory (e.g. Olfaction), vision (e.g. Optic), eye movement, face sensation and expression, hearing and balance, and motor (e.g. tongue movements).

Forelimb Nerves

Radial Nerve: controls extension of the elbow, carpus, digits, supination of the paw. Provides sensation.
- Deep branch: Deep branch innervates extensor muscles of the forelimb.
- Superficial Branch: Provides sensory information to the skin.
Median Nerve: Travels deep, flexes muscles of the forearm, flexes carpal and digital joints. Provides sensory information to the palmar side of the forepaw and dorsal surface.
Ulnar Nerve: flexes wrist and digits, sensation to forepaw and 5th digit.

Hindlimb Nerves

Femoral Nerve: Straightens leg and moves the hip (innervates sartorius, iliacus and quadriceps femoris muscles)
Tibial Nerve: Supplies movement to the lower leg (innervates gastrocnemius, superficial digital flexor, deep digital flexor, and popliteus muscles)
Common Peroneal Nerve: Supplies movement to the lower leg.
Sural Nerve: Detect foot position, purely sensory nerve functioning
Saphenous Nerve: Provides sensation to the medial aspect of lower leg and medial foot, purely sensory nerve
Plantar Nerve: Provides sensation to the foot, innervates palmar muscles.

Reproductive and Urinary Nerves

Male System: Sympathetic (hypogastric nerve) regulates ejaculation; parasympathetic (pelvic nerve) promotes erection and ejaculation; somatic (pudendal nerve) aids in erection and ejaculation.
Female System: Sympathetic (hypogastric nerve) regulates uterine contractions and tone; parasympathetic (pelvic nerve) facilitates vasodilation; somatic (pudendal nerve) controls external genitalia

Enteric Nervous System (ENS)

Local nervous system of the gut
Composed of two plexuses:
Myenteric (Auerbach): Coordinates contractility of circular and longitudinal muscle to produce peristalsis
Submucosal (Meissner): Governs movement of water and electrolytes.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the functions and structures of the nervous system with this quiz. From the roles of different divisions of the autonomic nervous system to the components of neurons, challenge yourself to learn more about how our bodies process information. Perfect for biology students aiming to deepen their understanding of the nervous system.