Nervous System Overview Quiz

Questions and Answers

What makes up the nervous system?

Organs, the brain, spinal cord, nerves, and ganglia.

What do sensory functions do?

Produce thoughts or add to memory.

What do integrative functions do?

Makes decisions.

What do motor functions do?

Signals the brain to move its muscles. Signup and view all the answers

What are the two main subdivisions of the nervous system?

Central Nervous System and Peripheral Nervous System. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the afferent sensory division?

Transmits impulses from the peripheral organs. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the efferent sensory division?

Transmits impulses from the CNS out to the peripheral organs to cause an effect. Signup and view all the answers

What function is performed by the somatic nervous system of the efferent (motor) division?

Supplies motor impulses to the skeletal muscles. Signup and view all the answers

What function is performed by the autonomic nervous system of the efferent (motor) division?

Supplies motor impulses to cardiac muscle, smooth muscle, and the glandular epithelium. Signup and view all the answers

What are the three basic parts of a neuron?

Cell body, one or more dendrites, and a single axon. Signup and view all the answers

What is a function of a dendrite?

To receive signals from other neurons. Signup and view all the answers

What is a function of an axon?

To terminate in many short branches. Signup and view all the answers

What is a myelin sheath?

Segmented, white, fatty substance. Signup and view all the answers

What makes up the white matter in the central nervous system?

Myelinated fibers. Signup and view all the answers

What makes up the gray matter in the central nervous system?

Unmyelinated fibers. Signup and view all the answers

What is the neurilemma, and what is its function?

Plays an important role in the regeneration of nerve fibers. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of oligodendrocytes?

To produce myelin. Signup and view all the answers

Why can't nerve fibers in the central nervous system regenerate?

Because there is no neurilemma. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the functions of the afferent sensory neurons.

Carry impulses from the peripheral sense receptors to the CNS. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the functions of the efferent sensory neurons.

Transmit impulses from the CNS to effector glands. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the functions of the interneurons.

Form the connecting link between the afferent and efferent neurons. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of neuroglia?

To support, nourish, and protect neurons. Signup and view all the answers

What is a synapse?

The region of communication between two neurons. Signup and view all the answers

What is a reflex?

An automatic, involuntary response to some change, either inside or outside the body. Signup and view all the answers

What are some examples of reflexes that take place in the body?

Coughing and sneezing. Signup and view all the answers

What makes up the central nervous system?

The brain and spinal cord. Signup and view all the answers

What three layers make up the meninges, starting with the outer layer?

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

What is the function of the corpus callosum?

Provides a communication pathway between two halves. Signup and view all the answers

What five lobes make up the cerebral hemisphere?

Frontal, parietal, occipital, temporal, and insula. Signup and view all the answers

Where is the cerebral cortex located?

Outermost portion of the cerebrum. Signup and view all the answers

What makes up the cerebral cortex?

It is made up of gray matter and white matter. Signup and view all the answers

What functions are controlled by the cerebral cortex?

Sensory areas, motor areas, and association areas. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the thalamus that makes up the diencephalons?

Impulses to the appropriate region of the cortex for discrimination, localization, and interpretation. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the hypothalamus that makes up the diencephalons?

Maintain homeostasis and regulates many visceral activities. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the epithalamus that makes up the diencephalons?

Involved in puberty and rhythmic cycles in the body. Signup and view all the answers

What structures make up the brain stem?

Midbrain, pons, medulla oblongata. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the cardiac control center located in the medulla?

Adjust heart rate. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the respiratory control center located in the medulla?

Regulates blood pressure. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the vasomotor control center located in the medulla?

Regulates rate, rhythm, and breathing depth. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the cerebellum?

Motor area for subconscious contractions of the skeletal system. Signup and view all the answers

What are ventricles?

Fluid-filled cavities in the brain. Signup and view all the answers

What is the starting point and ending point of the spinal cord?

The foramen magnum and conus medullaris. Signup and view all the answers

How many pairs of spinal nerves are there?

<ol start="31"> <li></li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between ascending tracts and descending tracts of the spinal cord?

Ascending tracts carry sensory information from the body to the brain; descending tracts carry commands from the brain to muscles and glands. Signup and view all the answers

What makes up the peripheral nervous system?

Nerves that branch out from the brain and spinal cord. Signup and view all the answers

What type of nerve fibers make up sensory nerves?

Contain only afferent fibers - long dendrites of sensory neurons. Signup and view all the answers

What type of nerve fibers make up motor nerves?

Have only efferent fibers - long axon or motor neurons. Signup and view all the answers

What type of nerve fibers make up mixed nerves?

Contain both types of fibers. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the olfactory cranial nerve?

Sense of smell. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the optic cranial nerve?

Vision. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the oculomotor cranial nerve?

Eye muscles (including eyelids and lens); cranial nerve #3. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the trochlear cranial nerve?

Moves eyes; cranial nerve #4. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the abducens cranial nerve?

Turns eye laterally. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the facial cranial nerve?

Controls most facial expressions, secretion of tears, and saliva. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the vestibulocochlear cranial nerve?

Hearing and equilibrium. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the glossopharyngeal cranial nerve?

Taste and senses carotid blood pressure. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the vagus cranial nerve?

Senses aortic blood pressure, slows heart rate, stimulates digestive organs, and taste. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the accessory cranial nerve?

Supplies nerves to muscles of the neck, trapezius, and pharyngeal. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the hypoglossal cranial nerve?

Controls tongue movements. Signup and view all the answers

What are some examples of body functions controlled by the autonomic nervous system?

Heart rate, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Signup and view all the answers

What are the functions of the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system?

Preparing the body for stressful or emergency situations. Signup and view all the answers

What are the functions of the parasympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system?

Brings the body back to the normal state. Signup and view all the answers

How is memory affected as the nervous system ages?

Short term memory seems to be affected more than long-term memory. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Nervous System Overview

Composed of organs, the brain, spinal cord, nerves, and ganglia.
Divided into two main subdivisions: Central Nervous System (CNS) and Peripheral Nervous System (PNS).

Functions of the Nervous System

Sensory Functions: Produce thoughts and enhance memory.
Integrative Functions: Responsible for decision-making.
Motor Functions: Signal the brain to initiate muscle movement.

Divisions of the Nervous System

Afferent Sensory Division: Transmits impulses from peripheral organs to the CNS.
Efferent Sensory Division: Sends impulses from the CNS to peripheral organs, causing effects.

Subdivisions of the Efferent Division

Somatic Nervous System: Supplies motor impulses to skeletal muscles.
Autonomic Nervous System: Supplies motor impulses to cardiac muscle, smooth muscle, and glandular epithelium.

Neurons and Their Components

Neuron Structure: Consists of a cell body, one or more dendrites, and a single axon.
Dendrites: Receive signals from other neurons.
Axons: Terminate in multiple branches, facilitating signal transmission.

Myelination and Nervous System Structure

Myelin Sheath: A segmented, white, fatty substance that insulates axons.
White Matter: Composed of myelinated fibers; facilitates rapid signal transmission.
Gray Matter: Comprised of unmyelinated fibers; involved in processing information.

Nerve Fiber Regeneration

Neurilemma: Important for regeneration of nerve fibers; absent in the CNS, hindering regeneration.
Oligodendrocytes: Produce myelin in the CNS.

Neuron Types and Functions

Afferent Sensory Neurons: Carry impulses from peripheral sense receptors to the CNS.
Efferent Sensory Neurons: Transmit impulses from the CNS to effector glands.
Interneurons: Connect afferent and efferent neurons; facilitate communication.

Neuroglia

Support, nourish, and protect neurons; play a crucial role in overall nervous system health.

Synapses and Reflexes

Synapse: Area of communication between two neurons.
Reflex: Automatic, involuntary response to changes inside or outside the body (e.g., coughing, sneezing).

Meninges and Brain Structure

Meninges Layers: Composed of dura mater, dural sinuses, and arachnoid.
Corpus Callosum: Communication pathway between hemispheres of the brain.
Cerebral Lobes: Frontal, parietal, occipital, temporal, and insula.

Brain Regions and Functions

Cerebral Cortex: Outermost layer of the cerebrum; contains gray and white matter; controls sensory, motor, and association areas.
Thalamus: Relays impulses to the appropriate cortical region for processing.
Hypothalamus: Regulates homeostasis and many visceral activities.
Epithalamus: Involved in puberty and circadian rhythms.

Brain Stem and Vital Functions

Brain Stem Components: Midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata.
Medulla Functions: Regulates heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure.

Cerebellum

Functions as the motor area for subconscious coordination of skeletal muscle movements.

Spinal Cord Anatomy

Extends from the foramen magnum to the conus medullaris.
Comprises 31 pairs of spinal nerves, organized into ascending (sensory) and descending (motor) tracts.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Formed by nerves branching from the brain and spinal cord.
Sensory Nerves: Contain only afferent fibers.
Motor Nerves: Contain only efferent fibers.
Mixed Nerves: Contain both afferent and efferent fibers.

Cranial Nerves and Functions

Olfactory (I): Sense of smell.
Optic (II): Vision.
Oculomotor (III): Controls eye muscles.
Trochlear (IV): Eye movement.
Abducens (VI): Lateral eye movement.
Facial (VII): Facial expressions, tears, and saliva.
Vestibulocochlear (VIII): Hearing and balance.
Glossopharyngeal (IX): Taste and carotid blood pressure.
Vagus (X): Heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, and taste.
Accessory (XI): Neck and shoulder muscles.
Hypoglossal (XII): Tongue movements.

Autonomic Nervous System

Functions: Regulates involuntary body functions such as heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure.
Sympathetic Division: Prepares the body for stress ("fight or flight").
Parasympathetic Division: Returns the body to normal state after stress.

Aging and Memory

Short-term memory is more affected by aging compared to long-term memory.

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Description

Test your understanding of the nervous system, including its structure, functions, and subdivisions. This quiz covers the central and peripheral nervous systems, sensory and motor functions, and the role of neurons. Challenge your knowledge with questions about the complexities of how our bodies interpret and respond to stimuli.