Neurotransmission Process

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Questions and Answers

What is the main function of the corpus callosum in the cerebrum?

To separate the two cerebral hemispheres

To regulate body temperature

To provide the major pathway for communication between the two hemispheres of the cerebral cortex (correct)

To control motor functions

Which lobe of the cerebrum is primarily responsible for processing visual information?

Frontal lobe

Temporal lobe

Parietal lobe

Occipital lobe (correct)

What is the term for the elevated ridges of the cerebral cortex?

Gyri (correct)

Sulci

Fissures

Gaps

What is the primary function of the cerebral cortex?

To process sensory information Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the groove between two gyri?

Sulcus Signup and view all the answers

Which area of the cerebrum is responsible for primary motor functions?

Area 4 Signup and view all the answers

What is the estimated weight of the human brain?

1,400 grams Signup and view all the answers

How many neurons are estimated to be present in the human brain?

100 billion Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of the central nervous system?

To facilitate communication and coordination in the body Signup and view all the answers

What is the peripheral nervous system composed of?

12 pairs of cranial nerves and 31 pairs of spinal nerves Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the autonomic nervous system?

To control involuntary actions, such as heart rate and digestion Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of glial cells in the CNS?

To provide structural support and maintenance functions Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the myelin sheath?

To facilitate the transmission of electrical signals along the axon Signup and view all the answers

What occurs at the synapse?

Chemical substances make it possible for messages to cross the synapse to a target receptor Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the axon?

To transmit messages from one cell to another Signup and view all the answers

What are the two main divisions of the nervous system?

Central nervous system and peripheral nervous system Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the thalamus?

Relay station for incoming and outgoing nerve impulses Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the hypothalamus?

Autonomic nervous control, cardiovascular control, and appetite control Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the cerebellum?

Maintenance of muscle tone, coordination of muscle movements, and maintenance of balance Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the brain is divided into four lobes?

Cerebrum Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the cerebral cortex?

Control of emotions and consciousness Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the brain is responsible for the 'fight or flight' response?

Sympathetic nervous system Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the diencephalon?

Relay station for incoming and outgoing nerve impulses Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the brain stem?

Connects the cerebrum to the spinal cord Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the cerebrum?

Integration of sensory information and control of voluntary movements Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the pons?

Part of the brain stem that connects the cerebrum to the spinal cord Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Synaptic Transmission

Synaptic transmission begins with action potential conduction to the axon terminal.
Depolarization of the axon terminal opens voltage-gated Ca2+ channels.
Vesicles respond by fusing with the presynaptic membrane, releasing neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft.
Neurotransmitters bind with receptors on the postsynaptic cell that are ligand-gated ions, causing a change in membrane potential.
After inactivation, neurotransmitters are re-absorbed into the presynaptic terminal and stored in vesicles until the next action potential arrives.

Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis is a demyelinating disease affecting the central nervous system.
The most likely target of this disease is the oligodendrocytes, which are responsible for producing myelin in the CNS.

Brain Structure

The brain weighs approximately 1,400 grams or 3 pounds.
It consists of 100 billion neurons.
The brain is protected by the meninges and cerebrospinal fluid.
Without oxygen, brain damage occurs within 4-8 minutes.

Cerebrum

The cerebrum is the largest part of the brain, weighing approximately 2 pounds.
It consists of the cerebral cortex (gray matter) and two hemispheres separated by the longitudinal fissure.
The cerebrum has fissures (deeper) and sulci (shallow) and gyri or convolutions (elevated ridges between the sulci).
The corpus callosum is a large bundle of nerve fibers that connects the two hemispheres of the cerebral cortex.
The cerebral cortex is responsible for the higher functions of the nervous system.

Cerebral Cortex

The cerebral cortex has a continuous layer of gray matter that wraps around either side of the forebrain.
Extensive folding in the cerebral cortex enables more gray matter to fit into the limited space.
The cerebral cortex has four lobes on each hemisphere: frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital.

Brain Function

Different areas of the cerebral cortex are associated with different functions, such as:
- Primary visual perception/cortex (Area 17 and 18)
- Primary auditory sensation (Area 41 and 42)
- Primary auditory cortex (Area 22 and 23)
- Primary somatosensory cortex (Area 3, 1, and 2)
- Primary motor cortex (Area 4)

Aphasia

Aphasia is a disorder characterized by loss of speech and language.
Expressive aphasia is a condition where individuals have difficulty speaking or writing.
Receptive aphasia is a condition where individuals have difficulty understanding spoken or written language.
Areas of the cerebral cortex related to aphasia include Broca's area (expressive) and Wernicke's area (receptive).

Diencephalon

The diencephalon is located between the cerebrum and the midbrain.
It consists of the thalamus, which acts as a relay station for incoming and outgoing nerve impulses, and the hypothalamus, which is responsible for various functions such as autonomic nervous control, temperature control, and appetite control.

Cerebellum

The cerebellum is located behind the pons and below the cerebrum.
It has two hemispheres connected by the vermis.
The cerebellum is responsible for maintaining balance, muscle tone, and coordinating muscle movements.

Brain Stem

The brain stem consists of the midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata.
It connects the cerebrum to the spinal cord.

Memory

Memory is the storage of old and new information.
The hippocampus of the limbic system plays a key role in memory formation.
Memory can be short-term or long-term.

Coverings of the Brain

The brain has three coverings: dura mater, arachnoid mater, and pia mater.
The dura mater is the outermost layer, the arachnoid mater is the middle layer, and the pia mater is the innermost layer.

Ventricles of the Brain

The brain has four ventricles: right and left lateral ventricles, the third ventricle, and the fourth ventricle.
The ventricles produce cerebrospinal fluid, which is responsible for transporting nutrients and removing waste products from the brain.

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)

CSF is formed inside the ventricles and circulates through the ventricles and the central canal of the spinal cord.
It is responsible for transporting nutrients and removing waste products from the brain.
The blood-brain barrier is a selectively permeable barrier that separates the bloodstream from the CSF.

Spinal Cord

The spinal cord begins at the foramen magnum of the occipital bone and ends at the second lumbar vertebra.
It has 31 pairs of spinal nerves and is protected by the meninges and other tissues.
The spinal cord is responsible for carrying messages from the sensory neurons to the brain and from the brain to the motor neurons.

Peripheral Nervous System

The peripheral nervous system consists of nerves that connect the brain and spinal cord with sensory receptors, muscles, and glands.
The peripheral nervous system is divided into the afferent system, which conveys information from the periphery to the brain, and the efferent system, which conveys information from the brain to the periphery.

Efferent Peripheral System

The efferent peripheral system is divided into the somatic nervous system, which responds to changes in the external environment, and the autonomic nervous system, which controls involuntary functions.
The autonomic nervous system is further divided into the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems.

Autonomic Nervous System

The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for the "fight or flight" response, which prepares the body for action.
The parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for the "rest and digest" response, which promotes relaxation and recovery.

Cranial and Spinal Nerves

There are 12 pairs of cranial nerves and 31 pairs of spinal nerves.
The cranial nerves originate from the brain and brain stem, while the spinal nerves originate from the spinal cord.

Reflex Arc

A reflex arc is a simple, unconscious, and involuntary response to a stimulus.
It consists of a receptor, a sensory neuron, an interneuron, a motor neuron, and an effector.

Neuroanatomy

The brain is the central nervous tissue contained within the cranium.
The spinal cord is the extension of nervous tissue within the vertebral column.
The nerves are the nervous tissue that reaches out from the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body.

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Description

This quiz covers the steps involved in synaptic transmission, from action potential conduction to neurotransmitter release and binding.