BBS1004

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Questions and Answers

Which cytoarchitectonic area, according to Brodmann's classification, is MOST critically involved in the intricate processing of somatosensory information, allowing for the fine discrimination of tactile stimuli?

Area 4 (M1) in the frontal lobe
Area 41 and 42 in the temporal lobe
Areas 3a, 3b, 1, and 2 in the parietal lobe (correct)
Area 17 (V1) in the occipital lobe

The arcuate fasciculus, a prominent association fiber tract, exclusively interconnects Wernicke's area and Broca's area within the right cerebral hemisphere, facilitating language processing.

False (B)

In the context of cerebral metabolism, describe the precise mechanism by which astrocytes facilitate neuronal energy requirements during periods of heightened synaptic activity, elaborating on the specific metabolic substrates and transport proteins involved.

Astrocytes supply neurons with lactate, produced from glucose via glycolysis, shuttling it through monocarboxylate transporters (MCTs) to support neuronal oxidative metabolism during high activity.

Within the extrapyramidal motor system, the ______ nucleus, located in the midbrain, assumes a pivotal role in modulating motor control through its dopaminergic projections to the basal ganglia; degeneration of these neurons is a hallmark of Parkinson's disease.

substantia nigra Signup and view all the answers

Match each glial cell type with its primary function in the central nervous system:

Astrocytes = Maintenance of the blood-brain barrier and regulation of the extracellular environment Oligodendrocytes = Myelination of axons to increase the speed of nerve impulse transmission Microglia = Immune defense and scavenging of cellular debris Ependymal cells = Lining the ventricles and production of cerebrospinal fluid Signup and view all the answers

Following a traumatic brain injury, a patient exhibits pronounced deficits in executive functions, such as planning, working memory, and decision-making. Neuroimaging MOST likely reveals damage to which specific region of the cerebral cortex?

The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in the frontal lobe (B) Signup and view all the answers

The central sulcus unequivocally delineates the boundary between the frontal lobe and the temporal lobe, serving as a critical landmark for anatomical orientation.

False (B) Signup and view all the answers

Describe the sequence of events, beginning with an action potential arriving at the presynaptic terminal, that leads to the release of neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft, specifying the critical role of calcium ions.

Action potential arrival triggers calcium influx via voltage-gated calcium channels, prompting vesicle fusion with the presynaptic membrane and subsequent neurotransmitter release into the synaptic cleft. Signup and view all the answers

The ______, a specialized circumventricular organ located near the third ventricle, is critically involved in detecting circulating toxins and modulating the vomiting reflex via its unique access to both the bloodstream and the central nervous system.

area postrema Signup and view all the answers

Match the following cranial nerves with their primary sensory or motor functions:

Optic (II) = Vision Olfactory (I) = Smell Vagus (X) = Autonomic functions (heart, lungs, digestion) Trigeminal (V) = Facial sensation and mastication Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the functional organization of the cerebral cortex?

The cerebral cortex exhibits a hierarchical and distributed organization, with specialized regions interconnected to perform complex cognitive functions. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Spinal cord injuries at the cervical level exclusively result in paraplegia, characterized by impairment in the lower extremities only.

False (B) Signup and view all the answers

Describe the cellular mechanisms underlying long-term potentiation (LTP) at glutamatergic synapses in the hippocampus, delineating the roles of specific receptors and intracellular signaling cascades.

LTP induction involves glutamate release, NMDA receptor activation, Ca2+ influx, and subsequent activation of protein kinases (e.g., CaMKII) leading to enhanced AMPA receptor function and increased synaptic strength. Signup and view all the answers

In the context of the ventricular system, the ______ serve as the primary sites of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) production, accomplished by specialized ependymal cells that actively transport ions and solutes.

choroid plexuses Signup and view all the answers

Match each cortical lobe with its primary functional specialization:

Frontal Lobe = Executive functions, planning, and motor control Parietal Lobe = Sensory processing, spatial awareness Temporal Lobe = Auditory processing, memory, and language Occipital Lobe = Visual processing and perception Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following mechanisms contributes to the selective vulnerability of specific neuronal populations in neurodegenerative diseases?

Differential expression of calcium-buffering proteins (C) Signup and view all the answers

The blood-brain barrier exclusively permits the passage of small, nonpolar molecules, effectively preventing the entry of any therapeutic drugs, regardless of their chemical properties.

False (B) Signup and view all the answers

Describe the role of microglia, detailing how they transform from a resting state to an activated state following neuronal injury, and elaborating on the specific cytokines and chemokines involved in this process.

Microglia transition from resting to activated states, releasing pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., TNF-α, IL-1β), chemokines (e.g., CCL2, CXCL10), and phagocytosing debris to promote inflammation and tissue repair after injury. Signup and view all the answers

The ________, a critical component of the limbic system, is indispensably involved in the formation of new declarative memories, particularly those associated with spatial and contextual information.

hippocampus Signup and view all the answers

Match each type of fiber in the brain with its connection type.

Association fibers = Connect regions within the same hemisphere Commissural fibers = Connect corresponding areas of the left and right hemispheres Projection fibers = Connect cortical and subcortical structures Signup and view all the answers

Which neuroimaging technique uses radioactive tracers to visualize regional cerebral blood flow and metabolic activity, providing insights into brain function during cognitive tasks?

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) (B) Signup and view all the answers

Anaxonic neurons, characterized by the absence of true axons, are exclusively found in the peripheral nervous system, playing a significant role in sensory transduction.

False (B) Signup and view all the answers

Elaborate on the functional significance of the gyri and sulci in the cerebral cortex, explaining how their intricate folding pattern optimizes cortical surface area and enhances cognitive processing capabilities.

Gyri (ridges) and sulci (grooves) increase the cortical surface area, allowing for a greater number of neurons and synaptic connections, thus enhancing cognitive processing capacity and efficiency. Signup and view all the answers

The ________, a critical structure located in the diencephalon, serves as a major relay station for sensory information ascending to the cerebral cortex, filtering and modulating sensory inputs before they reach higher-order processing centers.

thalamus Signup and view all the answers

Match each type of glial cell in the PNS with its function:

Schwann cells = Form myelin sheaths around axons in the PNS Satellite cells = Surround and support neuron cell bodies in ganglia Signup and view all the answers

Which mechanism primarily facilitates the rapid propagation of action potentials along myelinated axons in the central nervous system?

Saltatory conduction from node to node within the myelin sheath (C) Signup and view all the answers

The ventral root of the spinal cord carries exclusively sensory information from the periphery to the central nervous system.

False (B) Signup and view all the answers

Detail the molecular mechanisms by which myelin sheaths enhance the conduction velocity of action potentials along axons, describing the role of specific ion channels and the impact on membrane capacitance.

Myelin reduces membrane capacitance and increases membrane resistance, concentrating voltage-gated Na+ channels at Nodes of Ranvier to facilitate rapid saltatory conduction. Signup and view all the answers

Within the context of synaptic transmission, ionotropic receptors mediate ______ postsynaptic effects compared to metabotropic receptors, primarily due to their direct coupling to ion channels and rapid ionic flux.

faster Signup and view all the answers

Match the region of the brainstem to the associated cranial nerve:

Midbrain = Oculomotor (III), Trochlear (IV) Pons = Trigeminal (V), Abducens (VI), Facial (VII), Vestibulocochlear (VIII) Medulla Oblongata = Glossopharyngeal (IX), Vagus (X), Accessory (XI), Hypoglossal (XII) Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately describes the role of the basal ganglia in motor control?

The basal ganglia modulate cortical activity via thalamic projections to influence movement initiation and execution. (B) Signup and view all the answers

The primary function of the cerebellum is to initiate voluntary movements, with minimal involvement in motor coordination or motor learning.

False (B) Signup and view all the answers

Describe the process of CSF circulation, tracing its flow from the sites of production in the choroid plexuses to its eventual reabsorption into the venous bloodstream, naming the specific structures involved.

CSF flows from choroid plexuses in the lateral ventricles to the third and fourth ventricles, through the cerebral aqueduct, into the subarachnoid space, and is reabsorbed into venous sinuses via arachnoid granulations. Signup and view all the answers

Damage to the ________ nerve would MOST specifically result in a loss of facial sensation and impaired mastication (chewing).

trigeminal Signup and view all the answers

Match the appropriate description to the division of the nervous system:

CNS = Brain and spinal cord PNS = Cranial nerves, spinal nerves and ganglia Signup and view all the answers

Which type of neuron is MOST specialized for transmitting sensory information from the periphery directly to the central nervous system?

Pseudounipolar neuron (D) Signup and view all the answers

White matter is primarily composed of neuronal cell bodies and dendrites, while gray matter consists mainly of myelinated axons.

False (B) Signup and view all the answers

Describe the distinct functional roles of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems in regulating autonomic functions, providing specific examples of their opposing effects on cardiovascular activity and gastrointestinal motility.

Sympathetic activation increases heart rate and decreases gastrointestinal motility, while parasympathetic activation decreases heart rate and increases gastrointestinal motility. Signup and view all the answers

The ________ is a highly vascular membrane closely adherent to the surface of the brain, following the contours of the gyri and sulci, and playing a critical role in nourishing neural tissue.

pia mater Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Cerebrum

Includes cerebral cortex, basal ganglia, hippocampi, and amygdalae. Responsible for higher cognitive functions, perception, motor control, and sensory processing.

Cerebellum

Located at the back of the brain. Coordinates fine motor control, balance, and body position.

Brainstem

Includes medulla, pons, and midbrain. Controls autonomic functions (e.g., heartbeat, breathing) and connects to the spinal cord.