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Questions and Answers
What are the two major divisions of the nervous system?
What are the two major divisions of the nervous system?
What type of neurons transmit information toward the central nervous system?
What type of neurons transmit information toward the central nervous system?
Which structure connects the two cerebral hemispheres?
Which structure connects the two cerebral hemispheres?
What is the approximate weight of the average adult human brain?
What is the approximate weight of the average adult human brain?
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What is primarily responsible for the unique qualities of a person, such as thoughts and emotions?
What is primarily responsible for the unique qualities of a person, such as thoughts and emotions?
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What encompasses the most substantial part of the human brain?
What encompasses the most substantial part of the human brain?
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Which part of the nervous system carries nerve signals between the body and the brain?
Which part of the nervous system carries nerve signals between the body and the brain?
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How many neurons does the average adult human brain contain?
How many neurons does the average adult human brain contain?
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What type of neurons does the somatic nervous system primarily control?
What type of neurons does the somatic nervous system primarily control?
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Which division of the autonomic nervous system is responsible for the fight-or-flight response?
Which division of the autonomic nervous system is responsible for the fight-or-flight response?
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What is the primary function of the reflex described, such as the patellar reflex?
What is the primary function of the reflex described, such as the patellar reflex?
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What is activated when the quadriceps contracts during the patellar reflex?
What is activated when the quadriceps contracts during the patellar reflex?
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What does the parasympathetic division primarily regulate?
What does the parasympathetic division primarily regulate?
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During a reflex action involving the quadriceps, what happens to the hamstring muscle?
During a reflex action involving the quadriceps, what happens to the hamstring muscle?
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Which system is responsible for involuntary movements that are often self-protective?
Which system is responsible for involuntary movements that are often self-protective?
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How do spinal nerves function in relation to sensory information?
How do spinal nerves function in relation to sensory information?
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What role do interneurons play in the patellar reflex?
What role do interneurons play in the patellar reflex?
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Which of the following best describes the somatic nervous system's control of skeletal muscles?
Which of the following best describes the somatic nervous system's control of skeletal muscles?
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Which lobe of the brain is primarily responsible for interpreting touch information?
Which lobe of the brain is primarily responsible for interpreting touch information?
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What percentage of the brain's neurons are estimated to be contained within the cerebral cortex?
What percentage of the brain's neurons are estimated to be contained within the cerebral cortex?
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Which part of the brain helps maintain homeostasis?
Which part of the brain helps maintain homeostasis?
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Which brain structure is primarily involved in processing spatial information?
Which brain structure is primarily involved in processing spatial information?
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What is the outer sheath of the spinal cord made up of?
What is the outer sheath of the spinal cord made up of?
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Which part of the brain is associated with emotional regulation?
Which part of the brain is associated with emotional regulation?
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What type of neurons carry signals from sensory receptors to the central nervous system?
What type of neurons carry signals from sensory receptors to the central nervous system?
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What main functions does the medulla oblongata serve?
What main functions does the medulla oblongata serve?
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Which part of the nervous system includes all nervous tissue outside the central nervous system?
Which part of the nervous system includes all nervous tissue outside the central nervous system?
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Where are the relay centers for sensory signals located in the brain?
Where are the relay centers for sensory signals located in the brain?
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What is one of the primary roles of the reticular formation?
What is one of the primary roles of the reticular formation?
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Which type of information is primarily processed by the right hemisphere?
Which type of information is primarily processed by the right hemisphere?
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Which structure lies between the cerebrum and the brain stem?
Which structure lies between the cerebrum and the brain stem?
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What do ventral roots of the spinal cord contain?
What do ventral roots of the spinal cord contain?
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Study Notes
Nervous System Structure
- The nervous system is a network of cells that detect changes, communicate, and control body functions.
- It has two main divisions: central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS).
Central Nervous System (CNS)
- Consists of the brain and spinal cord.
- The brain is the control center, interpreting signals and sending responses via the spinal cord.
- The spinal cord serves as a communication highway between the brain and body.
Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
- Made up of neurons whose cell bodies are outside the brain and spinal cord.
- Afferent neurons transmit sensory information to the CNS.
- Efferent neurons transmit signals away from the CNS.
Brain
- Weighs approximately 1.4 kg (2% of body weight).
- Contains about 100 billion neurons.
- Oversees body functions and interprets information, impacting thoughts, feelings, memories, and emotions.
- Dedicated to maintaining homeostasis (internal balance).
Cerebrum
- The largest part of the brain, characterized by folds.
- Divided into two hemispheres connected by the corpus callosum.
- Composed of four lobes: frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital.
- The cerebral cortex is the folded outer layer containing a significant portion of the brain's neurons.
- Different areas interpret sensory information and control motor responses.
- Language and speech centers primarily reside in the left hemisphere; spatial reasoning, in the right.
Diencephalon
- Lies between the cerebrum and brainstem.
- Contains relay centers for brain signals.
- The thalamus directs sensory signals to the cerebral cortex.
- The hypothalamus maintains homeostasis and regulates hormone production.
- The limbic system within the diencephalon is involved in emotion, memory, and motivation.
Brainstem
- Connects the cerebrum to the spinal cord.
- Comprised of midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata.
- Midbrain processes visual and auditory information.
- Pons relays communication between cerebral hemispheres and cerebellum.
- Medulla oblongata regulates heart rate, respiration, and homeostasis.
- The reticular formation within the brainstem controls attention and sleep/wake cycles.
Cerebellum
- Located below and behind the cerebral hemispheres.
- Coordinates muscle action, posture, and rapid movements.
- Receives sensory input from muscles, tendons, joints, eyes, and ears.
Spinal Cord
- A column of nervous tissue extending from the medulla oblongata down the vertebral column.
- Carries signals between the brain and body ("superhighway").
- Has an outer layer of white matter and inner core of gray matter (consisting of neurons, dendrites, and axons).
Peripheral Nervous System (continued)
- Relays signals via cranial (12 pairs) and spinal nerves (31 pairs).
- Nerves are bundles of axons and dendrites.
- Each spinal nerve includes dorsal and ventral roots.
- Dorsal roots carry sensory information into CNS.
- Ventral roots carry motor signals to muscles and glands.
- Interneurons relay information between neurons.
Sensory Division
- Part of the PNS that receives sensory input from the internal and external environment.
- Relays sensory input via cranial and spinal nerves.
Motor Division
- Part of the PNS that allows reactions based on sensory information.
- Composed of the somatic and autonomic systems.
Somatic Nervous System
- Controls voluntary movement of skeletal muscles.
- Responsible for reflexes (involuntary, often protective movements).
Autonomic Nervous System
- Controls internal body conditions by regulating smooth muscles (e.g., blood vessels, organs).
- Regulates functions like respiration, heartbeat, and digestion.
- Divided into:
- Sympathetic division (activated during stress, redirects blood flow).
- Parasympathetic division (controls routine conditions, normalizes blood flow).
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Description
Test your knowledge on the structure of the nervous system, including the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS). Explore the roles of the brain and spinal cord in communication and control within the body. This quiz covers key concepts and functions essential to understanding how our body processes information.
