Podcast
Questions and Answers
There are ___ cervical spinal nerves.
There are ___ cervical spinal nerves.
8
The spinal cord has a total of ___ segments.
The spinal cord has a total of ___ segments.
31
Each spinal nerve is composed of both ventral (anterior) and dorsal (posterior) nerve ___ .
Each spinal nerve is composed of both ventral (anterior) and dorsal (posterior) nerve ___ .
roots
There are ___ thoracic spinal nerves.
There are ___ thoracic spinal nerves.
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Dermatomes are useful to help localize neurologic levels, particularly in ___.
Dermatomes are useful to help localize neurologic levels, particularly in ___.
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Low serotonin activity is associated with aggression, suicide, impulsive eating and disinhibited sexual behaviour, particularly the onset of ______.
Low serotonin activity is associated with aggression, suicide, impulsive eating and disinhibited sexual behaviour, particularly the onset of ______.
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Glutamate controls the opening of ion channels that allow ______ to pass into nerve cells producing impulses.
Glutamate controls the opening of ion channels that allow ______ to pass into nerve cells producing impulses.
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Decreased GABA can lead to ______ activity.
Decreased GABA can lead to ______ activity.
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Neurons usually do not connect directly to one another. A gap called a ______ controls the transmission of signals.
Neurons usually do not connect directly to one another. A gap called a ______ controls the transmission of signals.
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Ions in the intracellular fluid (inside the cell) have a ______ charge.
Ions in the intracellular fluid (inside the cell) have a ______ charge.
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The network of nerves branching out throughout the body from the brain and spinal cord is called the ______.
The network of nerves branching out throughout the body from the brain and spinal cord is called the ______.
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The optical nerve carries sensory input for ______.
The optical nerve carries sensory input for ______.
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The ______ nerve controls muscles of the eye and eyelid.
The ______ nerve controls muscles of the eye and eyelid.
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The ______ nerve provides sensory input for hearing and equilibrium.
The ______ nerve provides sensory input for hearing and equilibrium.
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The ______ nerve is the longest cranial nerve, controlling the heart, lungs, stomach, and intestines.
The ______ nerve is the longest cranial nerve, controlling the heart, lungs, stomach, and intestines.
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The hypothalamus helps coordinate the ______ and endocrine systems.
The hypothalamus helps coordinate the ______ and endocrine systems.
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The hypothalamus regulates body ______ among other functions.
The hypothalamus regulates body ______ among other functions.
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The ______ secretes hormones that are regulated by the hypothalamus.
The ______ secretes hormones that are regulated by the hypothalamus.
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The cerebellum is responsible for coordinating ______ movements.
The cerebellum is responsible for coordinating ______ movements.
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The brainstem includes three parts: midbrain, pons, and ______.
The brainstem includes three parts: midbrain, pons, and ______.
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The hypothalamus is involved in forming ______ with other brain regions.
The hypothalamus is involved in forming ______ with other brain regions.
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The autonomic nervous system is controlled by the ______ system.
The autonomic nervous system is controlled by the ______ system.
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The cerebellum helps maintain ______, muscle control, and balance.
The cerebellum helps maintain ______, muscle control, and balance.
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The ______ nerve is responsible for autonomic motor functions to the viscera of the thorax and abdomen.
The ______ nerve is responsible for autonomic motor functions to the viscera of the thorax and abdomen.
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The ______ branch of the vagus nerve provides sensory information from the pharynx and larynx.
The ______ branch of the vagus nerve provides sensory information from the pharynx and larynx.
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The ______ laryngeal nerve is a branch of the vagus nerve that supplies the larynx.
The ______ laryngeal nerve is a branch of the vagus nerve that supplies the larynx.
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Nerve ______ is responsible for some somatic motor control over muscles involved in speech and swallowing.
Nerve ______ is responsible for some somatic motor control over muscles involved in speech and swallowing.
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The vagus nerve contains both ______ and sensory functions.
The vagus nerve contains both ______ and sensory functions.
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The vagus nerve sends ______ signals to the heart and lungs.
The vagus nerve sends ______ signals to the heart and lungs.
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The vagus nerve innervates multiple organs, including the ______.
The vagus nerve innervates multiple organs, including the ______.
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There are ______ pairs of spinal nerves branching off the spinal cord.
There are ______ pairs of spinal nerves branching off the spinal cord.
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A depolarized membrane allows ______ (Na+) to flow inside the membrane.
A depolarized membrane allows ______ (Na+) to flow inside the membrane.
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The exchange of ions initiates an ______ potential in the neuron.
The exchange of ions initiates an ______ potential in the neuron.
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Potassium ions rush out of the neuron after ______ ions rush in.
Potassium ions rush out of the neuron after ______ ions rush in.
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The sodium-potassium pump restores the original ______ of the neuron.
The sodium-potassium pump restores the original ______ of the neuron.
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Impulses travel faster when fibers have a ______ sheath.
Impulses travel faster when fibers have a ______ sheath.
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A neurotransmitter is released from the ______ terminal into the synaptic cleft.
A neurotransmitter is released from the ______ terminal into the synaptic cleft.
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The ______ of the next neuron has receptors that are stimulated by the neurotransmitter.
The ______ of the next neuron has receptors that are stimulated by the neurotransmitter.
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The nervous system is divided into the central nervous system and the ______ nervous system.
The nervous system is divided into the central nervous system and the ______ nervous system.
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The peripheral nervous system consists of motor nerves and ______ nerves.
The peripheral nervous system consists of motor nerves and ______ nerves.
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The autonomic nervous system is divided into the sympathetic and ______ nervous systems.
The autonomic nervous system is divided into the sympathetic and ______ nervous systems.
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Study Notes
Nervous System Overview
- The nervous system is a complex network of nerve fibers and cells connecting the brain and spinal cord to all organs in the body.
- It carries messages to the brain for interpretation.
- It's responsible for controlling conscious activities, intelligence, memory, language, and muscle functions.
Nervous System Organization
- Two main divisions: Central Nervous System (CNS) and Peripheral Nervous System (PNS).
- CNS includes the brain and spinal cord.
- PNS includes all neural tissue outside the CNS. Divided into sensory and motor divisions bringing information to and from the CNS respectively.
- The motor division of the PNS further subdivides into somatic (controlling skeletal muscle) and autonomic (regulating smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, glands, and adipose tissue).
Components of the Nervous System
- Brain: Complex organ responsible for higher-order functions.
- Spinal cord: Connects the brain to the peripheral nervous system, responsible for reflexes and relaying signals.
- Cranial nerves (12 pairs): Connected directly to the brain and control special senses (smell, sight, hearing, taste, balance), movement of some muscles, sensations from face, neck and upper chest, and autonomic functions in those regions.
- Spinal nerves (31 pairs): Connected to the spinal cord, innervate the body and provide sensation and motor control.
Functional Organization of the PNS
- Sensory (afferent) division: Carries sensory input from sense organs to the CNS. Includes somatic sensory (skin, body wall, limbs) and visceral sensory (internal organs).
- Motor (efferent) division: Carries motor commands from the CNS to effectors (peripheral tissues). Further divided into somatic (skeletal muscles) and autonomic (smooth, cardiac muscle, glands). The autonomic system further divides into sympathetic (fight-or-flight) and parasympathetic (rest-and-digest).
Four Primary Functions of the Nervous System
- Sensing the world (Vision, Hearing, Smell, Taste, Touch).
- Transmitting Information.
- Processing Information
- Producing a response
Neural Tissue Organization
- White matter: Bundles of axons (tracts) sharing common functions.
- Ganglia: Groupings of neuron cell bodies.
- Nerve: Bundles of axons encased in tissue.
- Spinal nerves: Nerves extending to from the spinal cord.
- Cranial nerves: Extend from the brain
Brain Structure
- Cerebrum: Large front portion responsible for voluntary activity, memory, language, receiving and processing sensory information from the rest of the body, and controlling motor functions. Includes four lobes (Frontal, Parietal, Temporal, Occipital).
- Cerebellum: Smaller portion towards the back, coordinates movement, posture, muscle control, and balance.
- Brainstem: Connects the brain and spinal cord. Includes midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata. Controls vital functions like breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, alertness, arousal.
- Basal Nuclei: Masses of gray matter involved in certain muscular activities and controlling movements.
Structures of the Brain (continued)
- Thalamus: Sensory relay center, directs sensory information to the appropriate parts of the brain
- Hypothalamus: Involved in homeostasis and regulating functions. Controls visceral activities. Links endocrine and nervous systems.
Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)
- Made in choroid plexuses (ventricles of the brain)
- Cushions and nourishes brain and spinal cord
- Clear fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord
- Circulates in the subarachnoid space and in the ventricles
Blood-Brain Barrier
- Tight junctions between endothelial cells (capillaries) in the brain.
- Highly selective transport mechanisms which allow passage of nutrients, O2, and CO2.
- Not a barrier against some lipid soluble molecules and some drugs
Memory
- Forming memories is a complex process not fully understood.
- Working memory and long-term memory are viewed as distinct.
Models of Memory
- Atkinson-Shiffrin Model: Proposed a three-stage memory process (Sensory Registers, Short-Term Store (STS), Long-Term Store (LTS)).
- Craik & Lockhart Model: Explains the idea of memory is processed in different ways—based on depth of processing.
Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) Subdivisions
- Cranial nerves: 12 pairs arising from the brain
- Spinal nerves: 31 pairs arising from the spinal cord
- Sensory nerves: Carry impulses from sensory receptors to the CNS; also called afferent neurons.
- Motor nerves: Carry impulses from the CNS to muscles and glands, also called efferent neurons
Sensory Receptors
- Located in sense organs
- Receive stimuli from the environment and transmit to neurons; used in photoreception, chemoreception, mechanoreception, thermoreception.
Sensory receptors categories
- Thermoreceptors: Respond to temperature changes.
- Mechanoreceptors: Respond to physical deformation of cells (e.g., touch, pressure, vibration, stretch, hearing and balance)
- Photoreceptors: Respond to light energy (e.g., vision).
- Chemoreceptors: Respond to chemicals (e.g., taste, smell, blood chemistry).
- Nociceptors: Respond to painful stimuli.
Cranial Nerves and their Functions
- Olfactory, Optic, Oculomotor, Trochlear, Trigeminal, Abducens, Facial, Vestibulocochlear, Glossopharyngeal, Vagus, Accessory, Hypoglossal
Spinal Nerves and Dermatomes
- Spinal nerves are 31 pairs that branch off the spinal cord
- Dermatomes are specific areas of skin innervated by a particular spinal nerve
Reflexes
- Automatic, involuntary motor response to a stimulus
- Information processing occurs in the spinal cord.
- Various steps in a reflex arc
Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)
- Controls involuntary actions of the body (smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, glands). Divided into sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions
ANS Divisions
- Sympathetic - "Fight or flight" response—prepares the body for action
- Parasympathetic - "Rest and digest"—regulates normal bodily functions at rest
Function of the Somatic Nervous System
- Control of voluntary activities (skeletal muscles).
Neurotransmitters (both sympathetic and parasympathetic)
- Acetylcholine(ACh)
- Norepinephrine (NE)
- Epinephrine (Ep)
- Serotonin(5HT)
- Dopamine
- Glutamate
- Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)
Aging and Nervous System
- Age-related changes in brain size, weight, neuron loss, blood flow, and synaptic organization.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the fundamentals of neuroscience with this engaging quiz. Covering spinal nerves, neurotransmitters, and nerve functions, it challenges your understanding of key concepts in the field. Perfect for students of biology or related disciplines.
