Nervous System Quiz

Overview of the Nervous System's Structure and Function

• The nervous system consists of two parts: the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS).
• The CNS includes the brain, brain stem, and spinal cord, while the PNS includes four systems of nerves.
• The CNS and PNS work together by passing signals between one another through sensory receptors, neurons, and responses.
• The brain is divided into three parts: cerebrum, cerebellum, and brain stem, which control thought, movement, emotion, balance, and basic life functions.
• The spinal cord controls reflexes by directing impulses from sensory neurons to motor neurons without involving the brain.
• The PNS links the CNS to muscles and organs, and it is divided into the somatic nervous system and the autonomic nervous system.
• The autonomic nervous system controls involuntary functions through the sympathetic nervous system (fight vs. flight) and the parasympathetic nervous system (calms the body).
• Cells of the nervous system are grouped into two functional categories: neurons and neuroglia.
• Neurons conduct all major functions on their own and are classified as afferent, interneurons, and efferent based on their functions.
• Neuroglia play a supporting role to the neurons and are divided into CNS and PNS.
• The CNS neuroglia includes astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, ependymal cells, and microglia, while the PNS neuroglia includes Schwann cells and satellite cells.
• The nervous system's functional components include the brain, spinal cord, afferent tracts, efferent tracts, and ganglia, which are protected by bony structures, meninges, and the blood-brain barrier. Neuronal circuits are organized into afferent and efferent tracts, gray and white matter, and reflex pathways.