Nervous and Endocrine Systems Lecture Notes

A comprehensive set of 50 flashcards covering the nervous system, brain anatomy, plant coordination, and the human endocrine system based on the lecture transcript.

What is the specialized tissue that makes up the control center of our bodies?

Nervous tissue

Which cell acts as the basic structural and functional unit of the nervous system?

Neuron or nerve cell

What are the three primary functions of the nervous system mentioned in the notes?

It gets information from the world, collects information from different parts of the body, and helps make decisions to control muscles and glands.

What is the role of the Cell Body (Soma) in a neuron?

It contains the nucleus and other organelles and maintains the cell's functions.

Which tree-like structures receive signals from other neurons and conduct them toward the cell body?

Dendrites

What is the function of the axon in a nerve cell?

It is a long, thread-like structure that carries impulses away from the cell body.

What is the purpose of the myelin sheath covering the axon?

It insulates the axon and speeds up the transmission of nerve impulses.

What are the tiny branches at the ends of neurons that send electrical signals called?

Nerve endings

What is the electrical signal initiated by a stimulus in a neuron called?

Action potential

What is the term for the junction where neurotransmitters are released to transmit signals to the next cell?

Synapse

Which components make up the Central Nervous System ($CNS$)?

The brain and spinal cord

What is the function of the spinal cord within the $CNS$?

It relays signals between the brain and the peripheral nervous system and manages quick reflex actions.

Which structure serves as the brain's primary thinking center and controls voluntary motor actions?

Cerebrum

Which lobe of the cerebrum is responsible for voluntary muscle movements, memory, and speech?

Frontal lobe

Which lobe of the cerebrum is associated with the sense of touch and taste?

Parietal lobe

Which lobe of the cerebrum is responsible for the sense of smell and hearing?

Temporal lobe

Which lobe of the cerebrum handles the sense of vision?

Occipital lobe

Which part of the brain is the midbrain composed of?

Hypothalamus

What physiological urges are controlled by the hypothalamus?

Urges for eating and drinking

What are the three distinct parts of the hindbrain?

Cerebellum, Pons, and Medulla oblongata

Which part of the hindbrain helps maintain balance and manages intentional movements?

Cerebellum

Which part of the brain stem handles automatic actions like heartbeats, breathing, and salivating?

Medulla

Which part of the hindbrain is responsible for regulating respiration?

Pons

How many pairs of cranial nerves and spinal nerves exist in the Peripheral Nervous System ($PNS$)?

$12$ pairs of cranial nerves and $31$ pairs of spinal nerves

Where do visceral nerves originate and what do they connect to?

They emerge from the spinal cord and establish connections with internal organs.

What is a reflex action?

A rapid, sudden, and immediate bodily response to a stimulus.

What is the pathway sequence of a reflex arc?

Stimulus $\rightarrow$ Receptors $\rightarrow$ Sensory neurons $\rightarrow$ Spinal cord $\rightarrow$ Motor neurons $\rightarrow$ Effector

Which type of response is governed by the forebrain, such as talking or writing?

Voluntary Actions

Which type of response is regulated by the mid and hind brain, such as heartbeat?

Involuntary Actions

How do muscle cells move in response to an electrical impulse?

Special proteins change their shape and arrangement, leading to muscle cell shortening.

What plant hormone helps in the growth of plant tissues and is synthesized at shoot tips?

Auxin

Which plant hormone promotes cell division and delays the ageing of cells?

Cytokinin

What are the functions of Gibberellins in plants?

Facilitating stem growth, triggering seed germination, stimulating flowering, and fostering seed development.

Which plant hormone is known for suppressing growth and inducing the wilting of leaves?

Abscisic Acid

Which hormone is a gas and is responsible for fruit ripening?

Ethylene

What is the term for plant movements that are independent of growth?

Nastic movements

What is the specific movement in a touch-me-not plant called?

Thigmonastic movement

Which type of movement describes growth-related responses where the direction is influenced by the stimulus?

Tropic movements

What is positive geotropism and which part of the plant exhibits it?

Growth towards gravity; exhibited by roots.

How do stems respond to light in terms of phototropism?

They exhibit positive phototropism by moving towards the light.

What is an example of positive chemotropism in plants?

The growth of the pollen tube towards the ovule.

What is thigmotropism?

Movement of plant parts in response to touch, such as tendrils around a support.

How do endocrine glands differ from exocrine glands?

Endocrine glands are ductless and release hormones directly into the bloodstream.

Which hormone does the pituitary gland produce that leads to 'Acromegaly' if secreted excessively in adults?

Growth Hormone ($GH$)

What chemical element is required for the synthesis of thyroxine?

Iodine

Which gland has both endocrine and exocrine functions?

Pancreas

What condition results from insufficient insulin production by the pancreas?

Diabetes

Which gland secretes adrenaline to facilitate the flight and fight response?

Adrenal Gland

Which hormones are produced by the ovaries?

Estrogen and progesterone

How does auxin cause a plant to bend towards light?

It diffuses to the shady side of the shoot, stimulating cells there to grow longer, causing the plant to appear to bend.