Comprehensive Nervous System and Brain Function Quizlet

What are the two main parts of the nervous system?

Central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS).

What structures make up the central nervous system?

The brain and spinal cord.

What is the primary function of the central nervous system?

Processes information sent from sensory receptors and activates appropriate responses.

What is the role of the peripheral nervous system?

Transmits information from the organs, glands, and muscles to and from the central nervous system.

What are the three main functions of the nervous system?

Reception, processing, and response.

How does the nervous system receive information?

Through receptor cells in sensory organs and from the internal environment of the body.

What is the function of the brain in the nervous system?

To process information received through nerve pathways and direct actions within the body.

What is the spinal cord and its primary function?

A long column of nerve tissue that links the brain to the rest of the body, receiving sensory information and sending motor messages.

What is a spinal reflex?

An involuntary response initiated by the spinal cord that does not require the brain.

What is the purpose of a spinal reflex?

To save time and protect the brain by responding quickly to threats.

What happens during a spinal reflex?

A threat is perceived, the PNS sends a message to the spinal cord, which removes the body part from the threat without involving the brain.

What is paraplegia?

Complete or partial paralysis in both legs and parts of the lower abdomen due to spinal cord injury.

What is quadriplegia?

Complete paralysis resulting in loss of movement and sensation in all four limbs due to spinal cord injury.

What is the relationship between the CNS and PNS?

They work together to receive and process sensory information and coordinate responses.

What are the components of the hindbrain?

Cerebellum, medulla, and pons.

What are the components of the forebrain?

Thalamus, hypothalamus, and cerebral cortex.

What are the two types of neurons in the somatic nervous system?

Motor (efferent) neurons and sensory (afferent) neurons.

What is the function of the sympathetic nervous system?

Prepares the body for 'fight or flight' responses.

What is the function of the parasympathetic nervous system?

Calms the body and conserves energy.

What is the significance of the spinal cord being encased in the backbone?

It protects the spinal cord and supports its structure.

What is meant by voluntary and involuntary functions in the nervous system?

Voluntary functions are conscious actions (like catching a ball), while involuntary functions are automatic responses (like sweating to cool down).

What are the primary causes of spinal cord injuries?

Accidents (sports, vehicle, workplace, violence), diseases (e.g., motor neuron disease), and infections.

What does the PNS stand for and what is its function?

Peripheral Nervous System; it transmits information between sense organs, muscles, and glands to the CNS, and from the CNS to the rest of the body.

What parts of the body are included in the PNS?

All parts of the body except the brain and spinal cord.

What are the two divisions of the Peripheral Nervous System?

Somatic Nervous System (SNS) and Autonomic Nervous System (ANS).

What is the function of the Somatic Nervous System?

It transmits sensory information to the CNS and motor information from the CNS, controlling voluntary muscles and spinal reflexes.

What does the acronym SAME stand for in relation to the Somatic Nervous System?

Sensory = Afferent, Motor = Efferent.

What is the role of the Autonomic Nervous System?

It controls involuntary muscles and glands.

What are the two divisions of the Autonomic Nervous System?

Sympathetic division and Parasympathetic division.

What is the primary function of the Sympathetic Nervous System?

To prepare the body for 'fight or flight' responses during stress or threat.

What are some physiological responses of the Sympathetic Nervous System?

Increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, expanded airways, contracted muscles, increased glucose production, and decreased digestive activity.

What is the primary function of the Parasympathetic Nervous System?

To calm the body down after stress, promoting 'rest and digest' activities.

What are some physiological responses of the Parasympathetic Nervous System?

Decreased heart rate, decreased blood pressure, constricted airways, increased digestion, and relaxed bladder.

How does the Sympathetic Nervous System affect the pupils?

It dilates (expands) the pupils to allow more light in.

How does the Parasympathetic Nervous System affect the salivary glands?

It increases salivation.

What effect does the Sympathetic Nervous System have on the heart?

It accelerates the heart rate.

How does the Sympathetic Nervous System affect the bronchioles of the lungs?

It dilates (expands) the bronchioles.

What is the role of the liver in relation to the Sympathetic Nervous System?

It increases the release of glucose to maintain energy levels.

What effect does the Parasympathetic Nervous System have on the bladder?

It increases contractions of the bladder.

What are neurons and their role in the nervous system?

Neurons are tiny nerve cells that are the building blocks of the nervous system, transmitting messages throughout the body.

What are the three types of neurons?

Sensory neurons, interneurons, and motor neurons.

What is the function of sensory neurons?

They receive information from sensory receptors and transmit it to the central nervous system.

What is the role of interneurons?

They exist only in the central nervous system and carry and integrate messages between sensory and motor neurons.

What do motor neurons do?

They transmit messages from the central nervous system to muscles, glands, and organs.

What is the primary function of motor neurons?

They enable muscle movement, gland secretion, and the activation of organs.

What is motor neuron disease (MND)?

MND is a group of diseases that affect the motor nerves.

What are common symptoms of motor neuron disease?

Mild weakness in the lower body that gradually worsens and spreads to the upper body, causing paralysis and breathing difficulties.

What is the typical cause of motor neuron disease?

In rare cases, a genetic mutation can cause MND, but there is usually no known cause.

Is there a known cure for motor neuron disease?

No, there is currently no known cure.

What is the structure of a neuron?

A neuron consists of a soma (cell body), dendrites, an axon, axon terminals, and a myelin sheath.

What is the function of the soma in a neuron?

The soma contains genetic information, maintains the neuron's structure, and provides energy for activities.

What role do dendrites play in a neuron?

Dendrites detect and receive information from other neurons and transmit it to the soma.

How does the axon function in a neuron?

The axon sends messages away from the cell body (soma) to other cells in the body.

What are axon terminals and synaptic buttons?

Axon terminals are at the end of each axon, and synaptic buttons are small swellings that contain neurotransmitters.

What is the myelin sheath?

The myelin sheath is a white fatty covering that protects axons and helps prevent interference with other axons.

What happens when the myelin sheath is damaged?

Damage to the myelin sheath, as seen in multiple sclerosis, slows down or interrupts neural communication.

What are some effects of multiple sclerosis?

Effects include disturbances of sensations or movements, muscular weakness, loss of coordination, speech difficulties, and visual disturbances.

What is a synapse?

The synapse is the point of communication between two neurons, separated by a small gap known as the synaptic gap.

What is an action potential?

An action potential is a neural impulse that travels along the neuron from the dendrites to the axon terminals.

What occurs at the axon terminals during an action potential?

A chemical neurotransmitter is released into the synapse towards another nerve cell.

What is the role of neurotransmitters?

Neurotransmitters are chemical substances that transfer neural information between neurons.

What is the difference between excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters?

Excitatory neurotransmitters activate an action potential in another neuron, while inhibitory neurotransmitters block the receiving neuron from firing an action potential.

What is the lock and key model in neurotransmitter function?

The lock and key model describes how neurotransmitters search for the correctly shaped receptor sites on the dendrites of postsynaptic neurons.

What happens when neurotransmitters bind to receptors on postsynaptic neurons?

They can either inhibit or excite the postsynaptic neuron.

What is the significance of the shape of neurotransmitters?

Each type of neurotransmitter has a chemically distinct shape that determines its interaction with receptor sites.

What is the induced fit model in relation to neurotransmitters?

The induced fit model describes how an enzyme (excitatory) and substrate interact, while an inhibitor acts as a competitive inhibitor.

What are the key excitatory neurotransmitters?

Glutamate and Adrenalin.

What are the key inhibitory neurotransmitters?

GABA and Endorphins.

What is the primary function of glutamate?

It is the primary excitatory neurotransmitter involved in anxiety, hyperactivity, impulsivity, movement, and motor control.

What is the primary function of GABA?

It is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter that promotes calming, good sleep, sensory integration, and better processing.

How do glutamate and GABA levels interact in children with autism?

Children with autism often have excessive glutamate and low GABA, disrupting the balance necessary for proper nervous system function.

What role does serotonin play in the brain?

Serotonin is involved in mood regulation, onset of sleep, body temperature, perception, and impulse behaviors.

What can low levels of serotonin lead to?

Low levels of serotonin can lead to depression.

How do antidepressants affect serotonin?

Antidepressants block the reabsorption of serotonin to relieve depressive symptoms.

What are endorphins and their primary function?

Endorphins are produced for pain relief and can induce euphoria and sleep.

How is dopamine involved in emotional responses?

Dopamine helps regulate emotional responses and is involved in pleasure and reward sensations.

What is the effect of stimulants like amphetamine on dopamine?

Stimulants trigger the production of dopamine, impacting the addiction pathway.

What are the symptoms of Parkinson's disease?

Symptoms include tremors, slowed movements (bradykinesia), rigid muscles, impaired posture and balance, shuffling gait, and changes in speech and writing.

What is the average weight of the adult human brain?

The adult human brain weighs approximately 1.5 kg.

What is the role of cerebral fluid?

Cerebral fluid fills the gap between the skull and the brain, protecting it from damage.

What are the major regions of the brain?

Cerebellum, Medulla, Pons, Reticular formation, Thalamus, Hypothalamus, and Cerebral cortex.

What is the impact of alcohol on neurotransmitters?

Alcohol acts as a depressant, enhancing GABA's inhibitory effects and preventing glutamate from entering cells.

What are the behavioral effects of heroin?

Heroin, as a depressant, leads to sleepiness, withdrawal from social interactions, and immediate pleasurable feelings.

What are the cognitive effects of ecstasy?

Ecstasy can cause anxiety and altered perception, affecting cognition, mood, and memory.

What are the biopsychosocial impacts of brain function?

The impacts are categorized into biological, psychological, and social aspects.

What is the hindbrain?

The hindbrain contains most of the brainstem and includes structures like the cerebellum, medulla, and pons.

What is the role of the spinal column in relation to the brain?

It is the brain's only connection to the rest of the body.

What basic bodily processes does the hindbrain regulate?

Heart rate, blood pressure, respiration, sleeping, waking, and coordination.

What are the three main structures of the hindbrain?

Pons, medulla, and cerebellum.

Describe the cerebellum's shape and size.

It is cauliflower-shaped and about the size of a tennis ball.

What functions is the cerebellum responsible for?

Coordination of movements, posture, balance, rapid movements, and learning and memory of motor responses.

Where is the medulla located and what is its primary function?

It is located just above the spinal cord and connects the brain to the spinal cord, controlling vital involuntary functions.

What vital functions does the medulla control?

Swallowing, breathing, heart rate, and sneezing.

What can damage to the medulla result in?

Damage is often fatal and can interrupt breathing or heartbeat.

Where is the pons located and what is its role?

Just above the medulla, it plays a role in sleeping, dreaming, and waking up.

What effect does damage to the pons have on sleep?

It can result in a person being put into a semi-permanent sleep-like state.

What is the midbrain's location and its primary function?

Located between the hindbrain and forebrain, it integrates and coordinates sensory and motor processes, particularly vision and hearing.

What is the reticular formation and its importance?

A network of neurons extending from the brain stem to the midbrain, it filters stimuli and is suppressed under general anesthesia.

What is the forebrain and what percentage of the brain does it comprise?

The largest part of the brain, comprising about 90%.

What are the main structures of the forebrain?

Hypothalamus, thalamus, and cerebrum.