Neurology

This set of flashcards covers the key concepts and functions of the nervous system, neurons, synapses, action potentials, sensory pathways, and the roles of neurotransmitters within the context of neurology.

What is the nervous system composed of?

A complex network of nerve tissue including the brain, spinal cord, and nerves.

What are the main functions of the nervous system?

Sends electrical and chemical signals, detects changes, coordinates with other systems, and regulates thoughts, movements, and responses.

What are the two main divisions of the nervous system?

The Central Nervous System (CNS) and the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS).

What is a neuron?

The structural and functional unit of the nervous system responsible for signaling and communication.

What are the main parts of a neuron?

Cell body, dendrites, axons, axon hillock, axon terminal branches, and synaptic terminal.

What is the role of sensory neurons?

They carry information from sensory receptors to the Central Nervous System.

What is the function of interneurons?

They process and integrate information within the CNS, interpreting sensory input and coordinating responses.

What do motor neurons do?

They transmit signals from the CNS to muscles or glands, enabling movement and activity.

What is grey matter in the spinal cord?

It contains cell bodies, dendrites, unmyelinated axons, and CNS glial cells, and is the site of integration and processing.

What is white matter in the spinal cord?

It surrounds grey matter, consists of myelinated axons, and facilitates rapid signal transmission.

What distinguishes Schwann cells?

They are the main glial cells of the PNS, producing and maintaining the myelin sheath.

What functions do astrocytes serve in the CNS?

They maintain homeostasis, provide structural support, regulate ion concentrations, and connect neurons to blood supply.

What is the resting membrane potential of a neuron?

Typically -70 mV, indicating that it is negative inside and positive outside.

What causes depolarization in a neuron?

An influx of positive ions, typically through the opening of sodium channels.

What is an action potential?

An electrical signal that travels along the neuronal membrane, initiated when depolarization reaches a certain threshold.

What is saltatory conduction?

A process where action potentials jump from one node of Ranvier to the next, increasing speed of transmission.

What is the role of neurotransmitters in synapses?

They transmit information from one neuron to another or to a muscle or gland, altering postsynaptic potentials.

What is the difference between excitatory and inhibitory postsynaptic potentials?

Excitatory potentials move the membrane potential closer to threshold, while inhibitory potentials move it farther from threshold.

What are the four basic functions of sensory pathways?

Transmission, detection, encoding, and integration of sensory information.

What are mechanoreceptors?

Sensory receptors that detect physical deformation caused by mechanical energy.

What are the five basic tastes detected by gustatory receptors?

Sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami.

What is the primary role of the cochlea in hearing?

It transduces mechanical pressure waves into nerve impulses.

What is the nervous system composed of?

A complex network of nerve tissue including the brain, spinal cord, and nerves.

What are the main functions of the nervous system?

Sends electrical and chemical signals, detects changes, coordinates with other systems, and regulates thoughts, movements, and responses.

What are the two main divisions of the nervous system?

The Central Nervous System (CNS) and the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS).

What is a neuron?

The structural and functional unit of the nervous system responsible for signaling and communication.

What are the main parts of a neuron?

Cell body, dendrites, axons, axon hillock, axon terminal branches, and synaptic terminal.

What is the role of sensory neurons?

They carry information from sensory receptors to the Central Nervous System.

What is the function of interneurons?

They process and integrate information within the CNS, interpreting sensory input and coordinating responses.

What do motor neurons do?

They transmit signals from the CNS to muscles or glands, enabling movement and activity.

What is grey matter in the spinal cord?

It contains cell bodies, dendrites, unmyelinated axons, and CNS glial cells, and is the site of integration and processing.

What is white matter in the spinal cord?

It surrounds grey matter, consists of myelinated axons, and facilitates rapid signal transmission.

What distinguishes Schwann cells?

They are the main glial cells of the PNS, producing and maintaining the myelin sheath.

What functions do astrocytes serve in the CNS?

They maintain homeostasis, provide structural support, regulate ion concentrations, and connect neurons to blood supply.

What is the resting membrane potential of a neuron?

Typically -70 mV, indicating that it is negative inside and positive outside.

What causes depolarization in a neuron?

An influx of positive ions, typically through the opening of sodium channels.

What is an action potential?

An electrical signal that travels along the neuronal membrane, initiated when depolarization reaches a certain threshold.

What is saltatory conduction?

A process where action potentials jump from one node of Ranvier to the next, increasing speed of transmission.

What is the role of neurotransmitters in synapses?

They transmit information from one neuron to another or to a muscle or gland, altering postsynaptic potentials.

What is the difference between excitatory and inhibitory postsynaptic potentials?

Excitatory potentials move the membrane potential closer to threshold, while inhibitory potentials move it farther from threshold.

What are the four basic functions of sensory pathways?

Transmission, detection, encoding, and integration of sensory information.

What are mechanoreceptors?

Sensory receptors that detect physical deformation caused by mechanical energy.

What are the five basic tastes detected by gustatory receptors?

Sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami.

What is the primary role of the cochlea in hearing?

It transduces mechanical pressure waves into nerve impulses.

What is the primary function of the myelin sheath?

It insulates the axon and increases the speed of electrical signal transmission.

What are Nodes of Ranvier?

Gaps in the myelin sheath along an axon where action potentials are regenerated during saltatory conduction.

What is the specific role of the axon hillock?

It is the region where graded potentials are summed, and if the threshold is reached, an action potential is initiated.

What is the synaptic cleft?

The small space between the presynaptic and postsynaptic neurons across which neurotransmitters diffuse.

What process immediately follows depolarization in an action potential?

Repolarization, which involves the efflux of positive ions, primarily K^+, to restore the membrane potential.