Nervous System Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What are the primary components of the central nervous system (CNS)?

Somatic and autonomic nervous system

Brain and peripheral nerves

Spinal cord and sensory receptors

Brain and spinal cord (correct)

Which of the following best describes the role of the autonomic nervous system?

Transmits sensory information to the brain

Manages reflex actions

Regulates essential bodily functions unconsciously (correct)

Controls voluntary muscle movements

What is the function of dendrites in a neuron?

Transmit electrical impulses away from the cell body

Protect the axon from damage

Receive neurotransmitters for communication (correct)

Provide energy for neuronal metabolism

Which statement is true regarding the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system?

Prepares the body for 'fight or flight' Signup and view all the answers

Which type of neuron is primarily involved in transmitting information from sensory organs to the central nervous system?

Unipolar Signup and view all the answers

What initiates the action potential in a neuron?

Flow of positive ions into the cell Signup and view all the answers

What happens to neurotransmitters after they are released into the synaptic cleft?

They are broken down by enzymes Signup and view all the answers

Which process refers to the formation of new neurons?

Neurogenesis Signup and view all the answers

What role do SSRI's play in synaptic transmission?

Prevent reuptake of serotonin Signup and view all the answers

In what part of the brain is grey matter primarily located?

Cell bodies Signup and view all the answers

What is a neuron's resting state characterized by?

Closed sodium and potassium channels Signup and view all the answers

What phenomenon describes the brain's ability to adapt and change over time?

Neuroplasticity Signup and view all the answers

Which type of neuroscience studies the genetic and cellular basis of nervous system function?

Neurobiology Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary effect of synaptic pruning?

Removal of unnecessary synapses Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following processes is NOT involved in neuronal death?

Neurogenesis Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of neurotransmitters in the synapse?

To pass signals to the next neuron Signup and view all the answers

How does synaptic plasticity primarily affect the brain?

By enhancing the strength of existing synapses Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements correctly describes an agonistic drug?

It enhances the effects of neurotransmitters Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary impact of neurogenesis on the brain?

It results in the formation of new neurons Signup and view all the answers

What does the process of synaptogenesis refer to?

The creation of new synapses Signup and view all the answers

Which factor does NOT significantly affect neuronal signaling?

Skin color Signup and view all the answers

When action potential reaches the axon terminal, what happens?

Neurotransmitters are released into the synaptic cleft Signup and view all the answers

What is the main characteristic of grey matter in the brain?

It mainly consists of neuronal cell bodies Signup and view all the answers

Which process is associated with the reabsorption of neurotransmitters after they perform their function?

Reuptake Signup and view all the answers

What is functional reorganization in the context of the brain?

The redistribution of brain functions due to injury or experience Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions of the autonomic nervous system?

Sympathetic is responsible for 'fight or flight,' while parasympathetic is for 'rest and digest.' Signup and view all the answers

Which part of a neuron is primarily responsible for carrying electrical impulses away from the cell body?

Axon Signup and view all the answers

Which type of neuron has a single axon and a single dendrite and is often involved in sensory processes?

Bipolar Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the myelin sheath surrounding an axon?

To increase the speed of electrical signal transmission. Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of the somatic nervous system primarily describes its function?

Enables motor control of skeletal muscles. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Central Nervous System (CNS)

CNS comprises the brain and spinal cord.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

PNS connects the CNS to the rest of the body.
Somatic Nervous System:
- Transmits sensory information and controls voluntary movement.
- Sensory (sensation)
- Motor (muscle contraction, movement)
- Via spinal nerves (spinal cord)
- Via cranial nerves (brainstem)
Autonomic Nervous System:
- Maintains essential bodily functions without conscious control.
- Breathing, pupil dilation, sexual arousal, swallowing, digestion
- Sympathetic ("fight or flight")
- Parasympathetic ("rest and digest")

Neurons

Fundamental units of the nervous system.
Cell body: Maintains the cell (metabolism).
Axon: Myelin-coated fiber carrying electrical impulses.
Dendrite: Receives neurotransmitters for communication.

Types of Neurons

Multipolar
Pyramidal
Purkinje
Bipolar
Unipolar

Neuronal Communication

Action potential: Electrical signal traveling down the axon.
Ion channels allowing ions to flow, creating a negative charge inside the axon and a positive charge outside.
- Sodium and potassium channels are closed when the neuron is at rest.
Depolarization: Temporary shift in membrane potential (negative to positive) due to action potential.
Communication via synapses (where neurons meet).
Action potential triggers neurotransmitter release into the synaptic cleft.
Neurotransmitters bind to specific receptors on the receiving neuron.
Receptors are neurotransmitter-specific, activated only by their corresponding neurotransmitter or by a chemical that mimics it.

Synapses

Postsynaptic receptors, when activated, open ion channels.
Enzymes break down free neurotransmitters.
Neurotransmitters are reabsorbed by the axon terminal.

Drug Action

Drugs affect neurotransmission in various ways.
- SSRIs block serotonin reuptake.
- Agonists mimic neurotransmitters to trigger receptors.
- Antagonists block receptors.
- Some drugs directly affect ion channels

Biological Factors Affecting Neurons

Proteins can malfunction (e.g., Alzheimer's).
Cell generation, regeneration, and metabolism are crucial (neurodevelopment, stem cells).
- Other aspects of body's metabolism (oxygen, glucose, hormones, nutrients) are also important

Brain Structure

Grey matter: Cell bodies (brain's computation centers).
White matter: Axons (brain's cabling).
Fatty tissue gives white matter its color.
Cortex: Outer layer of grey matter, highly folded for increased surface area, responsible for higher cognitive functions.

Neuroplasticity

Brain's ability to change structure/function due to experience.
Synaptic plasticity: Changes in connection strengths between synapses.
Synaptogenesis and synaptic pruning: Creation and removal of synapses.
Neurogenesis: Creation of new neurons.
Neuronal migration: Neurons moving from their origin to their destination.
Neural cell death (damage, over-excitation, disease, apoptosis).
Functional reorganization: Redistributing brain functions (e.g., blind person reading braille).
Practice can reduce brain activity associated with a task.

Neuroscience Methods

Direct interventional studies (drugs, lesions, genetic changes, electrical stimulation).
Measurement of brain tissue (in vivo, post-mortem).
Indirect examination (neuroimaging).
Behavioral/performance testing, experience (symptoms).

Neurobiology

Study of the biological processes in the nervous system.
Includes neuronal signaling, cell physiology, genetics, interventions, and pathologies.

Systems Neuroscience

Study of neural networks, from small groups of neurons to large-scale circuits.

Psychopharmacology

Study of substances that affect mental states.
Includes medications (e.g., antipsychotics affect dopamine receptors), common drugs (e.g., caffeine, nicotine), street drugs (e.g., MDMA, LSD), and industrial chemicals (e.g., toluene).

Neuropsychology

Study of how brain structure and function relate to thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
Standardized tests and experimental tasks.
Examines cognition (e.g., left-sided hemi spatial neglect).

Cognitive Neuroscience

Study of the neural correlates of thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.
Usually involves neuroimaging techniques and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS).

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Description

Test your knowledge on the components of the central and peripheral nervous systems, including neurons and their types. This quiz covers essential functions and structures involved in the nervous system. Perfect for students studying biology or neuroscience.