vapt2 quiz 2 nervous system

What is the function of the nervous system?

The communication system of the body. Processes information from the environment and responds to it

List the 3 main systems

Central, peripheral, and autonomic nervous systems

What is the functional unit of the nervous system?

Neuron

What is a neuron?

Nerve cell

What do neurons consist of?

Dendrite, axon, axon terminal

What do dendrites do?

Receives the message from other neurons

What does the axon do?

The message flows across the way

What does the axon terminal do?

Sends the message to the next destination

Describe some specialized features of neurons

Do no reproduce, limited regeneration (but still some; still continue to create new branches with other neurons throughout their lifetime) if damaged, high O2 requirement

What is a neurotransmitter?

Transmits the messages between the nerve cells; they cross the axon terminal of one neuron to the dendrite of another neuron at synapse

What direction is the flow

Dendrite —> axon —> axon terminal —> dendrite etc.

What is a synapse?

When the nerve impulse reaches the end of an axon, it then released a neurotransmitter into the synaptic space (the space between the axon and the dendrite). The neurotransmitter molecules diffuse across the synapse and bind to the receptors on the dendrite of the next neuron

What do enzymes do?

Destroy the neurotransmitter molecules to prevent continuous stimulation of the postsynaptic cell

What are the 2 components of the CNS?

Brain and spinal cord

Where is the brain housed?

In the skull

Where is the spinal cord housed?

In the vertebral column

Name the 3 sections of the brain

Cerebrum, cerebellum, brain stem

Where is the cerebrum located?

Forebrain

What is the cerebellum responsible for?

Coordinates, adjusts and fine tunes movements, direction, balance

What is the brain stem responsible for?

Involuntary responses — maintains body temperature, controls respiration, heart rate, GIT function, blood pressure, appetite/thirst, sleep/wake cycles

What are the lobes of the cerebrum?

Temporal lobe, frontal lobe, parietal lobe, occipital lobe, cerebellum, brain stem

What is the temporal lobe responsible for?

Auditory processing (hearing), language comprehension, memory/information retrieval

What is the frontal lobe responsible for?

Motor control, problem solving, speech production

What is the parietal lobe responsible for?

Touch perception, body orientation and sensory discrimination

What is the occipital lobe responsible for?

Sight (visual cortex), visual reception and visual interpretation

In the PNS, what is the origin and function of the spinal nerves?

Originates from the spinal cord. Innervate muscles, mixed nerves

In the PNS, how many pairs of cranial nerves are there?

12 pairs originating from the brain

What is the 10th pair of the cranial nerves called?

Vagus

What are the two systems of the ANS?

Sympathetic system and parasympathetic system

What is the sympathetic system responsible for?

Fight/flight; body is going to expend a lot of energy, so all focus is on that. Only basic life functions are the focus (breathing, heart rate, gross motor movement)

What is the parasympathetic system responsible for?

Rest/restore; body is at rest, may be trying to restore from “flight.” Normal state — homeostasis

What is the Tapetum Lucidum and what does it do?

Layer of tissue in the eye behind the retina. Reflects visible light back through the retina (increasing the light available to the photoreceptors) — i.e., cats eyes “glowing” in the dark, helps with night vision

What is the Nictitating Membrane and what does it do?

Whitish/translucent/transparent membrane that forms an inner eyelid (third eyelid). Can be drawn across the eye to protect it from dust and keep it moist while still maintaining vision

What is cherry eye?

Disorder where the nictitating membrane (third eyelid) is prolapsed

What is the Conjunctiva?

Mucous membrane (thin, clear) that protects the eyes by lining the inside of the eyelids

What is the lacrimal duct?

Also known as the “tear duct.” Tubes that run from the eyes to the nose. Tear production occurs here

What is the blepharo?

The eyelid

What is a palpebral reflex?

Involuntary blinking when the eyes are touched

What is the canthus?

The outer and inner corners of the eyes where the upper and lower lids meet