The Nervous System Overview
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The Nervous System Overview

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of mirror neurons?

  • To fire only during physical exertion
  • To enhance auditory processing
  • To help understand others' intentions (correct)
  • To regulate emotional responses

    • Which of the following abilities may be influenced by mirror neurons?

  • Musical talent
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Visual acuity
  • Language development (correct)

    • How do mirror neurons contribute to empathy?

  • By enabling feelings of compassion and concern (correct)
  • By increasing emotional distance from others
  • By promoting self-awareness
  • By enhancing memory recall

    • In what context might stimulating the mirror neuron system be beneficial?

    <p>To assist stroke victims in recovery</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role do mirror neurons play in the imitation behavior of young children?

    <p>Imitation may stem from inborn behaviors associated with mirror neurons</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the resting potential of a neuron?

    <p>-70 mV</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What occurs during depolarization of a neuron?

    <p>The inside becomes less negative or even positive.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What term describes the period when a neuron cannot fire after an action potential?

    <p>Absolute refractory period</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following molecules can turn a neuron 'on'?

    <p>Neurotransmitters with excitatory effects</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the function of synaptic vesicles?

    <p>To store neurotransmitters in fluid</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which process involves the breakdown of neurotransmitters by enzymes in the synapse?

    <p>Enzymatic degradation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What describes the fluid-filled space between neurons?

    <p>Synaptic gap</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens to neurotransmitters after they bind to receptor sites?

    <p>They need to diffuse away or be reabsorbed before the next stimulation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of the axon in a neuron?

    <p>To carry electrical messages away from the cell body</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which division of the peripheral nervous system is responsible for the 'fight or flight' response?

    <p>Sympathetic Division</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which part of the neuron is responsible for receiving messages from other neurons?

    <p>Dendrites</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of interneurons in the spinal cord?

    <p>To connect neurons to each other and process information</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which structure of the neuron contains the nucleus and maintains cell function?

    <p>Soma</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the term 'contralateral conduction' refer to in the brain?

    <p>Processing information from one hemisphere to the other</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which component of the nervous system connects the brain and spinal cord with the rest of the body?

    <p>Peripheral nervous system</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What purpose do sensory neurons serve in the nervous system?

    <p>Transmit signals from sensory receptors to the spinal cord and brain</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role does acetylcholine (ACh) play in the nervous system?

    <p>It stimulates muscle cells to contract.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which neurotransmitter is primarily involved in controlling arousal levels and motor function?

    <p>Dopamine</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which option is an effect of excessive glutamate levels?

    <p>Neurons may become overexcited and die</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens when dopamine levels are low?

    <p>Development of Parkinson's disease</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which neurotransmitter is primarily responsible for calms anxiety?

    <p>GABA</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the relationship between serotonin and mood regulation?

    <p>Low levels are associated with depression</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes the function of norepinephrine?

    <p>It induces physical and mental arousal.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What effect do agonists have on neurotransmitters?

    <p>They enhance the action of neurotransmitters.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role do the basal ganglia play in the brain?

    <p>Facilitating slow voluntary movements</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which structure is primarily responsible for memory consolidation?

    <p>Hippocampus</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of the thalamus in the brain?

    <p>Sending sensory information to the cortex</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which lobe of the brain is involved in higher order mental functions such as reasoning and problem solving?

    <p>Frontal lobe</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for the wrinkling of the cerebral cortex that allows for a larger area of cortical cells?

    <p>Corticalization</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What function is primarily associated with the amygdala?

    <p>Memory of fear and emotional response</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which lobe is primarily responsible for integrating sensory information related to body position?

    <p>Parietal lobe</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which structure regulates various bodily functions such as temperature and hunger?

    <p>Hypothalamus</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    The Nervous System

    • The nervous system is responsible for sensing, processing, and responding to information from the environment
    • Peripheral nervous system (PNS) connects the outer portions of the body with the CNS
      • Somatic division controls voluntary movements (e.g., walking, talking)
      • Autonomic division controls involuntary functions (e.g., breathing, heart rate)
        • Sympathetic nervous system activates the "fight-or-flight" response
        • Parasympathetic nervous system calms the body after a stressful event
    • Central nervous system (CNS) consists of the brain and spinal cord
      • Brain processes information and controls behavior
        • Hemispheres are connected by the corpus callosum
        • Hindbrain controls basic life functions, such as breathing and heart rate
        • Midbrain involved in movement and attention
        • Forebrain involved in higher-level cognitive functions, such as language and thought
      • Spinal cord serves as an information superhighway
        • Interneurons connect neurons to each other
        • Reflexes are automatic behaviors that bypass the brain for faster responses

    The Neuron

    • Dendrites receive messages from other neurons
    • Soma (cell body) keeps the neuron alive and functioning
      • Contains the nucleus
    • Axon carries messages out to other cells
      • Messages travel in one direction
    • Resting potential is the electrical charge of a neuron at rest
      • Inside of the neuron is negatively charged relative to the outside
    • Action potential is the electrical signal that travels down the axon
      • Neuron quickly reverses its electrical charge
    • Absolute refractory period is when the neuron cannot fire
    • Relative refractory period is when the neuron is more resistant to firing
    • Neurotransmitters are chemicals that transmit signals across the synapse, having excitatory or inhibitory effects
      • Excitatory increases the likelihood of the receiving neuron firing
      • Inhibitory decreases the likelihood of the receiving neuron firing

    Sending the Message

    • Synaptic vesicles store neurotransmitters
    • Neurotransmitters are released into the synapse, where they bind to receptor sites on the next neuron
    • Synaptic gap is the fluid-filled space between neurons
    • Receptor sites are proteins that bind to specific neurotransmitters
    • Diffusion is when neurotransmitters drift away from the synapse
    • Reuptake is when neurotransmitters are reabsorbed by the sending neuron
    • Enzymatic degradation is when enzymes break down neurotransmitters

    How Neurons Fire

    • All or none principle: Neurons fire completely or not at all
    • Threshold for firing is the minimum amount of stimulation needed to trigger an action potential
    • Firing rate is the frequency of action potentials
    • Refractory period limits how quickly a neuron can fire again

    Neurotransmitters and their Functions

    • Acetylcholine (ACh) - involved in muscle movement, learning, and memory
      • Excitatory or inhibitory
    • Dopamine - involved in movement, attention, learning, and pleasure
      • Excitatory
    • GABA - the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain, involved in anxiety regulation
      • Inhibitory
    • Glutamate - the primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain, involved in learning and memory
      • Excitatory
    • Norepinephrine - involved in arousal, alertness, and mood
      • Excitatory
    • Serotonin - involved in mood, sleep, appetite, and aggression
      • Excitatory or inhibitory

    The Brain

    • Subcortical structures are located beneath the cerebral cortex
      • Basal ganglia plays a role in motor movement
      • Limbic system involved in emotions and motivated behaviors
      • Thalamus relays sensory information (except smell) to the cortex
      • Hypothalamus responsible for regulating basic body functions (e.g., temperature, hunger)
      • Hippocampus involved in memory consolidation (long-term memory)
      • Amygdala processes fear and emotional responses
      • Cingulate cortex involved in emotional and cognitive processing

    Cerebral Cortex

    • The** cerebral cortex** is the outer layer of the brain responsible for higher-level functions
      • Lobes - frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital
        • Frontal lobe - involved in planning, reasoning, and personality
        • Parietal lobe - processes sensory information (touch, temperature, pain)
        • Temporal lobe - processes auditory information and language
        • Occipital lobe - processes visual information

    Mirror Neurons

    • Mirror neurons fire both when a person performs an action and when they observe someone else performing the same action
    • May play a role in empathy, imitation, and understanding intentions
    • May be involved in language development and learning
    • May be helpful for treating stroke victims and people with emotional problems

    Common Neurological Disorders and Diseases

    • Parkinson's Disease - characterized by tremors, rigidity, and slowed movement
      • Related to dopamine deficiency in the substantia nigra
    • Alzheimer's Disease - a progressive neurological disease that causes memory loss and cognitive decline
      • Characterized by the buildup of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain
    • Multiple Sclerosis (MS) - an autoimmune disease that attacks the myelin sheath of neurons, disrupting the transmission of nerve impulses
      • Causes a range of symptoms, such as fatigue, weakness, and vision problems
    • Depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia - are psychological disorders with neurological underpinnings
      • Involve imbalances in neurotransmitter systems

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    Description

    Explore the intricate workings of the nervous system, including the central and peripheral systems. Learn about the somatic and autonomic divisions and their roles in voluntary and involuntary functions. Delve into the brain's structure and its various functions from basic life support to advanced cognitive abilities.

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