Neuroscience and Neuromuscular Function Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What are the two major components of the nervous system?

Peripheral nervous system (correct)

Somatic nervous system

Autonomic nervous system

Central nervous system (correct)

What are the two major functions of the nervous system?

Central nervous system

Autonomic nervous system (correct)

Somatic nervous system (correct)

Peripheral nervous system

Where are CNS components housed?

Bone

Where are PNS components mostly located?

Outside of bone Signup and view all the answers

What does the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) control?

Involuntary activities of viscera Signup and view all the answers

The ANS divides into which two subsystems?

Sympathetic system Signup and view all the answers

What functions does the Sympathetic system serve?

Dilates pupils Signup and view all the answers

Which system counteracts the responses of the sympathetic system?

Parasympathetic system Signup and view all the answers

What does the Somatic Nervous System control?

Voluntary bodily functions Signup and view all the answers

What is the soma?

Cell body Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of dendrites?

Transmit information toward soma Signup and view all the answers

What does an axon do?

Transmits information away from soma Signup and view all the answers

What is the axon hillock?

Junction of the axon and the soma Signup and view all the answers

What does the myelin sheath do?

Speeds up neural conduction Signup and view all the answers

What are Nodes of Ranvier?

Areas between myelinated segments Signup and view all the answers

What are telodendria?

Long, thin projections Signup and view all the answers

What do end buttons contain?

Synaptic vesicles Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of mitochondria in end buttons?

Responsible for energy generation and protein development Signup and view all the answers

What do neurotransmitters do?

Activate the next neuron in a chain of neurons Signup and view all the answers

What is the synaptic cleft?

Gap between two neurons Signup and view all the answers

Neurons communicate through _ by means of ________ substance.

synapse, neurotransmitter Signup and view all the answers

Which division of the nervous system serves involuntary functions?

Automatic nervous system Signup and view all the answers

Which division of the nervous system serves voluntary functions?

Somatic nervous system Signup and view all the answers

What is an action potential (AP) of a neuron?

Change in electrical potential that permits ion exchange Signup and view all the answers

What does depolarization refer to?

Raising intracellular potential to +30 mV very rapidly Signup and view all the answers

What is propagation in the context of neurons?

Spreading effect of wave action Signup and view all the answers

Communication between neurons of the nervous system occurs at the _________

synapse Signup and view all the answers

__ passing through the cleft will either or the postsynaptic neuron.

neurotransmitter, synaptic, excite, inhibit Signup and view all the answers

If a neuron is excited sufficiently, an ___________ will be generated.

action potential Signup and view all the answers

What occurs when a neuron membrane is stimulated to ___________ the neuron?

depolarize Signup and view all the answers

What is resting membrane potential?

The electrical potential measurable prior to excitation Signup and view all the answers

The _ period after excitation is an interval during which the neuron cannot be excited to fire. With adequate stimulation, the neuron may fire during the ___ period.

absolute refractory, relative refractory Signup and view all the answers

What is muscle composed of?

Thick and thin myofilaments Signup and view all the answers

What is the neuromuscular junction?

Point where nerve and muscle communicate Signup and view all the answers

What is a motor unit?

Basic unit of skeletal muscle control Signup and view all the answers

What are slow twitch fibers?

Take longer time to move Signup and view all the answers

What are fast twitch fibers?

Involved in fine and rapid muscle action Signup and view all the answers

What do muscle spindles provide information about?

Degree and rate of change in muscle length Signup and view all the answers

What conveys sensation of muscle length change to the CNS?

Afferent innervations Signup and view all the answers

What do Golgi Tendon Organs (GTO) monitor?

Degree of muscle tension during muscle contraction Signup and view all the answers

____________ provide feedback to the neuromotor system about muscle length, tension, motion, and position.

Muscle spindles Signup and view all the answers

Muscle spindles running parallel to the intrafusal muscle fibers sense lengthening of muscle, whereas ______________ sense muscle tension during active contraction.

Golgi tendon organs Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Nervous System Overview

Composed of the Central Nervous System (CNS) and Peripheral Nervous System (PNS).
Functions divided into Somatic Nervous System (voluntary control) and Autonomic Nervous System (involuntary control).

Central and Peripheral Nervous System

CNS housed within bone (skull and vertebral column).
PNS primarily located outside of bone.

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

Regulates involuntary activities of viscera.
Divided into Sympathetic System (arousal, activation) and Parasympathetic System (rest, relaxation).

Sympathetic vs. Parasympathetic Systems

Sympathetic System: Causes vasoconstriction, increases blood pressure, and dilates pupils.
Parasympathetic System: Counters sympathetic responses, slows heart rate, reduces blood pressure, and constricts pupils.

Neurons Structure

Soma: Cell body, associated with gray matter.
Dendrites: Receive signals, form a dendritic tree.
Axon: Transmits signals away from soma, typically one per neuron.
Myelin Sheath: Fatty layer around axons, speeds up conduction, associated with white matter.
Nodes of Ranvier: Gaps in myelin crucial for signal propagation.

Communication and Synapses

Synaptic cleft: Gap between adjacent neurons.
Neurotransmitters: Compounds released into the synaptic cleft to activate the next neuron.
Presynaptic neuron: Sends signal; postsynaptic neuron: receives signal through receptor sites.

Types of Synapses

Axodendritic: On dendrites, common sites for synapses.
Axosomatic: On soma, generally inhibitory.
Axoaxonic: On axons, modulatory effects.

Types of Neurons

Monopolar (Unipolar): Single process from soma.
Bipolar: Two processes, involved in sensory functions such as smell and hearing.
Multipolar: More than two processes, common in communication within the CNS.

Glial Cells and Support

Astrocytes: Provide structural support, assist in nutrient transport.
Interneurons: Facilitate communication between other neurons, reside in the CNS.
Motor neurons (efferent): Activate muscle responses; sensory neurons (afferent): convey sensory information to CNS.

Muscle Function and Types

Motor Units: Basic unit of muscle control, consisting of a motor neuron and the muscle fibers it innervates.
Slow Twitch Fibers: Endure longer contractions, found in postural muscles.
Fast Twitch Fibers: Quick, powerful contractions, suited for rapid movements.

Muscle Spindles and Golgi Tendon Organs

Muscle Spindles: Detect change in muscle length, maintaining muscle tone.
Golgi Tendon Organs: Monitor tension within tendons during contractions, working alongside muscle spindles.

Electrical Properties

Action Potential: Brief change in electrical potential, necessary for neuron firing.
Depolarization: Rapid rise in intracellular potential.
Resting Membrane Potential: Electrical potential before neuron excitation.

Transport Mechanisms

Passive Transport: No energy required for ion movement.
Active Transport: Energy-dependent ion movement across membranes.

Feedback Mechanisms

Afferent Innervations: Relay muscle length changes to the CNS.
Efferent Innervations: Send impulses for intrafusal fiber contractions to maintain muscle tone.

Functional Divisions

Automatic Nervous System: Manages involuntary activities; Somatic Nervous System: Responsible for voluntary control.

Refractory Periods

Absolute Refractory Period: Time post-excitation where neuron cannot fire.
Relative Refractory Period: Neuron can fire with sufficient stimulus.

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Description

Test your knowledge on neurons and the neuromuscular system with these flashcards. Learn about the central and peripheral nervous systems, their functions, and anatomical components. Perfect for students studying neuroscience or related fields.