Nervous System Overview Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is a primary function of the central nervous system (CNS)?

Supporting the structure of the spinal nerves

Handling sensory input exclusively from the skin

Carrying signals to and from the spinal cord

Acting as an integrating and command center (correct)

Which part of a neuron is primarily responsible for conducting electrical signals?

Ganglia

Axon (correct)

Cell body

Dendrites

What are ganglia in the peripheral nervous system (PNS)?

Clusters of neuron cell bodies (correct)

Supportive cells for neurons

Nerve fibers connecting the CNS to the PNS

Compressed nerve endings

Which characteristic is NOT associated with neurons?

Replicate frequently for tissue repair Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a function of the nervous system?

Providing responses by activating effector organs Signup and view all the answers

Where are most neuron cell bodies located?

In the central nervous system primarily Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of neurons contributes to their high metabolic rate?

The need to conduct electrical signals rapidly Signup and view all the answers

What structures are included in the peripheral nervous system (PNS)?

Nerves that extend from the brain and spinal cord Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of dendrites in a neuron?

Provide a large surface area for receiving signals from other neurons Signup and view all the answers

How do myelin sheaths contribute to the function of axons?

They prevent the leakage of electrical current and increase impulse conduction speed Signup and view all the answers

What type of neuron transmits impulses toward the CNS?

Sensory neurons Signup and view all the answers

Where are neuron cell bodies primarily located in the brain?

In the gray matter Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes axons from dendrites?

Axons are uniform in diameter and transmit impulses away from the cell body Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of presynaptic neurons in a synapse?

They conduct signals toward a synapse Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes white matter in the brain and spinal cord?

It consists of axons insulated with myelin sheaths Signup and view all the answers

What structure is primarily responsible for insulating axons in the CNS?

Oligodendrocytes Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of the pia mater?

Covering and protecting the central nervous system Signup and view all the answers

Which function is NOT associated with cerebrospinal fluid?

Storing nutrients for the spinal cord Signup and view all the answers

How many pairs of spinal nerves are associated with the spinal cord?

31 pairs Signup and view all the answers

What structure is referred to as the cauda equina?

The network of nerve roots at the end of the vertebral canal Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the brain is primarily responsible for planning and initiating motor movement?

Frontal lobe Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the occipital lobe?

Vision Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a division of the spinal nerves?

Pelvic Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary function of the spinal cord?

Providing a reflex center Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the brainstem is responsible for regulating heart rate and blood pressure?

Medulla oblongata Signup and view all the answers

What role does the pons primarily serve in the nervous system?

Bridge between various parts of the nervous system Signup and view all the answers

Which function is primarily associated with the midbrain?

Processing visual and auditory information Signup and view all the answers

Where does the spinal cord extend from?

The foramen magnum to L1 or L2 vertebra Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of total brain mass do the cerebral hemispheres account for?

83% Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a function of the hypothalamus?

Relay information to the cerebral cortex Signup and view all the answers

Which lobe of the brain is involved in the recognition of objects and faces?

Temporal lobe Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the functions of the diencephalon?

Sensory processing Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the brain is responsible for maintaining posture and equilibrium?

Cerebellum Signup and view all the answers

What hormone is secreted by the pineal gland?

Melatonin Signup and view all the answers

Which component of the brainstem is involved in integrating auditory and visual reflexes?

Midbrain Signup and view all the answers

The epithalamus is primarily associated with which gland?

Pineal gland Signup and view all the answers

What does cerebrospinal fluid primarily aid in concerning the central nervous system?

Nourishing the brain and removing waste Signup and view all the answers

What structure makes up 80% of the diencephalon?

Thalamus Signup and view all the answers

Which lobe of the brain is not primarily associated with sensory functions?

Frontal lobe Signup and view all the answers

What are the three layers of the meninges?

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

Study Notes

Nervous System Functions

Monitors internal and external changes through sensory receptors
Processes and interprets sensory input, generating responses
Activates effector organs to execute responses

Nervous System Structures

Divided into the Central Nervous System (CNS) and Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
CNS: Brain and spinal cord, responsible for integrating and commanding the nervous system
PNS: Nerves extending from the CNS, divided into cranial nerves (brain) and spinal nerves (spinal cord)
Ganglia: Clustered neuronal cell bodies in PNS

Neuron Structure & Function

Billions of neurons form the basic unit of the nervous system
Responsible for conducting electrical signals
Exhibit extreme longevity, do not divide, have high metabolic rate
Components: Cell body (nucleus and cytoplasm) and Processes (dendrites and axons)
Dendrites: Branching processes receiving signals, increasing surface area for interaction, conduct signals towards the cell body
Axons: Single, uniform diameter, transmit nerve impulses away from the cell body
Myelin sheaths: Insulating layers around axons, produced by oligodendrocytes (CNS) and Schwann cells (PNS)
- Prevent electrical current leakage
- Increase signal conduction speed
Synapses: Communication sites between neurons, using chemical messengers
- Presynaptic neuron: Transmits signals towards the synapse
- Postsynaptic neuron: Transmits signals away from the synapse

Neuron Functional Classification

Sensory neurons: Transmit impulses towards the CNS from sensory receptors
Motor neurons: Carry impulses away from the CNS to effector organs
Interneurons: Connect motor and sensory neurons, forming complex neuronal pathways

The Brain

Composed of gray matter (neuronal cell bodies) and white matter (axons)
Gray matter: Outer layer of the brain, center of the spinal cord
White matter: Deep parts of the brain, superficial parts of the spinal cord
Functions:
- Maintain internal environment through autonomic and endocrine systems control
- Perform high-level tasks like intelligence, consciousness, memory, sensory-motor integration, emotions, behavior, and socialization

Brain Structures

Brain stem: Medulla oblongata, pons, midbrain, responsible for passage of fiber tracts, face and head innervation, autonomic behaviors, and sensory reflexes
Cerebellum: Coordinates body movements, maintains posture and equilibrium
Diencephalon: Thalamus, hypothalamus, epithalamus, controls visceral functions and emotions
Cerebrum: Two cerebral hemispheres (83% brain mass), divided into five lobes: frontal, parietal, temporal, occipital, insula

Cerebral Lobes

Frontal: Planning, initiating, and enacting motor movements, higher-level cognitive functions
Parietal: Conscious awareness of somatic sensation, spatial awareness, speech understanding
Temporal: Hearing, smell, object, word, face recognition, language comprehension, emotional response, memory
Occipital: Vision
Insula: Taste

Brain Stem Structures

Medulla oblongata: Lowest part, continuous with spinal cord, transmits signals, contains cardiac, respiratory, and vasomotor centers
- Cardiac: Force and rate of heartbeat
- Respiratory: Rhythm and rate of breathing
- Vasomotor: Regulates blood pressure through blood vessel contraction
Pons: Bulge connecting midbrain and medulla oblongata, serves as a bridge, origin of important nerves, involved in autonomic functions and sleep cycles
Midbrain: Connection between brain and spinal cord, motor movement control (eye movements) and auditory/visual processing

Cerebellum

11% of brain mass, dorsal to pons and medulla oblongata
Smooths and coordinates body movements, maintains posture and equilibrium

Diencephalon

Central core of the forebrain, controls visceral functions and emotions
Thalamus: Relay center for information to cerebral cortex, organizes and modifies signals
Hypothalamus: Visceral control center, regulates autonomic nervous system, body temperature, hunger, thirst, sleep, endocrine system, emotions, motivation, and memory
Epithalamus: Dorsal part, contains pineal gland, secretes melatonin (sleep-wake cycle)

Meninges

Three connective tissue layers surrounding the brain and spinal cord: Dura mater, arachnoid mater, pia mater
Functions: Protect CNS, enclose blood vessels, contain cerebrospinal fluid

Cerebrospinal Fluid

Clear watery fluid in subarachnoid space and CNS cavities
Functions: Buoyancy and cushioning for CNS, protects from compression and blows, nourishes brain, removes waste, carries chemical signals

Spinal Cord

Extends from foramen magnum to L1 or L2 vertebrae
31 pairs of spinal nerves, named by vertebral location (cervical 8, thoracic 12, lumbar 5, sacral 5, coccygeal 1)
Cervical and lumbar enlargements: Areas with larger diameters
Cauda equina: Collection of nerve roots at the end, resembling a horse's tail
Functions: Sensory and motor innervation for the body (except head), two-way conduction between body and brain, reflex center

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Description

Test your knowledge on the functions and structures of the nervous system. This quiz covers the Central and Peripheral Nervous Systems, neuron structure, and signal conduction. Get ready to delve into the complexities of how our nervous system operates!