BIO 180 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I Lecture Study Guide

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering key vocabulary from the Nervous System and Central Nervous System topics in Human Anatomy and Physiology I.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Consists of the brain and spinal cord; responsible for processing and transmitting information.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Includes all neural elements outside the CNS; connects the CNS to the rest of the body.

Afferent Nerves

Sensory nerves that carry signals to the CNS.

Efferent Nerves

Motor nerves that carry signals away from the CNS.

Somatic Nervous System

The part of the PNS that controls voluntary movements of skeletal muscles.

Autonomic Nervous System

The part of the PNS that involuntarily controls smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, and glands.

Sympathetic Division

Part of the autonomic nervous system that prepares the body for 'fight or flight' response.

Parasympathetic Division

Part of the autonomic nervous system that promotes 'rest and digest' activities.

Neuron

The basic functional unit of the nervous system responsible for transmitting impulses.

Axon

The long, slender projection of a neuron that conducts electrical impulses away from the cell body.

Dendrite

Short extensions of a neuron that receive signals from other neurons.

Myelin

A fatty substance that surrounds and insulates the axons of many neurons, speeding up nerve impulses.

Nodes of Ranvier

Gaps in the myelin sheath that facilitate rapid conduction of nerve impulses.

Schwann Cell

A type of glial cell that produces myelin in the PNS.

Axoplasm

The cytoplasm of the axon; contains organelles and provides structural support.

Resting Membrane Potential

The electrical potential of a neuron at rest; typically around -70 mV.

Graded Potential

A temporary change in the membrane potential that can vary in size; can lead to action potentials.

Action Potential

A rapid and temporary change in the membrane potential that occurs when a neuron depolarizes.

Depolarization

The process of reducing the membrane potential, making it less negative.

Repolarization

The process of restoring the membrane potential to its resting state following depolarization.

Hyperpolarization

An increase in the membrane potential, making it more negative than its resting state.

Refractory Period

The period following an action potential during which a neuron is unable to fire another action potential.

Saltatory Conduction

The process by which nerve impulses jump from one node of Ranvier to another along a myelinated axon.

Continuous Conduction

The uninterrupted propagation of action potentials along non-myelinated axons.

All-or-None Law

The principle that an action potential occurs fully or not at all, regardless of stimulus strength.

Neurotransmitter

Chemicals that transmit signals across a synapse from one neuron to another.

EPSP (Excitatory Postsynaptic Potential)

A postsynaptic potential that makes a neuron more likely to fire an action potential.

IPSP (Inhibitory Postsynaptic Potential)

A postsynaptic potential that makes a neuron less likely to fire an action potential.

Summation

The process by which multiple synaptic potentials combine to affect the likelihood of an action potential.

Facilitation

A process that increases the likelihood of a neuron firing due to increased neurotransmitter release.

Meninges

Three protective membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord: dura mater, arachnoid mater, and pia mater.

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)

A clear fluid that circulates in and around the brain and spinal cord, providing protection and cushioning.

Spinal Cord

The main pathway for transmitting information between the brain and the rest of the body.

Spinal Nerves

Nerves that emerge from the spinal cord to innervate the body.

Reflex Arc

The neural pathway that mediates a reflex action, including sensory and motor neurons.

Reflex Classification

Reflexes can be classified as monosynaptic or polysynaptic, based on the number of synapses involved.

Dural Folds

Extensions of the dura mater that separate different parts of the brain.

White Matter

Areas of the CNS rich in myelinated axons, responsible for communication between different brain regions.

Gray Matter

Areas of the CNS containing neuron cell bodies, dendrites, and unmyelinated axons.

Sulcus

A groove or indentation on the surface of the brain.

Gyrus

A rounded elevation or ridge on the surface of the brain.

Cranial Nerves

Twelve pairs of nerves that emerge directly from the brain and brainstem.

Limbic System

A complex system in the brain associated with emotions, memory, and drive.

EEG (Electroencephalogram)

A test used to measure electrical activity of the brain.

Alzheimer's Disease

A progressive neurodegenerative disorder that causes memory loss and cognitive decline.

Epilepsy

A neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures due to abnormal brain activity.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

An autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system, leading to the deterioration of myelin.

Polio

A viral disease that can cause paralysis and muscle weakness.

Sciatica

Pain that radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve, often caused by herniated disc.

Shingles

A viral infection characterized by a painful rash, resulting from the reactivation of the chickenpox virus.

Parkinson's Disease

A progressive nervous system disorder that affects movement, causing tremors and stiffness.

Meningitis

Inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord.

Huntington's Disease

A hereditary disorder that causes the progressive breakdown of nerve cells in the brain.

Nerve Plexus

A network of interwoven nerves that supply a specific region of the body.

Epineurium

The outermost layer of connective tissue surrounding a nerve.

Perineurium

The protective sheath surrounding a bundle of nerve fibers (fascicle).

Endoneurium

A delicate layer of connective tissue surrounding individual nerve fibers.

Choroid Plexus

Structure in the ventricles of the brain that produces cerebrospinal fluid.

Ventricles

Four interconnected cavities in the brain filled with cerebrospinal fluid.

Ependymal Cells

Glial cells that line the ventricles of the brain and assist in the production and circulation of cerebrospinal fluid.

Choroid Plexus

A network of blood vessels in the ventricles of the brain that produces cerebrospinal fluid.

Pons

Part of the brainstem, serving as a relay between cerebellum and cerebrum.

Cerebellum

Part of the brain responsible for coordinating voluntary movements and maintaining posture.

Hypothalamus

Brain region controlling the pituitary gland and various autonomic functions.

Thalamus

The relay station of the brain that processes sensory information before sending it to the cerebral cortex.

Amygdala

A brain region involved in emotion regulation and the formation of emotional memories.

Hippocampus

A brain region critical for the formation of new memories.

Mammillary Bodies

Small round bodies located on the undersurface of the brain, involved in memory processing.

Fornix

A fiber tract in the brain that connects the hippocampus to other structures.

Pituitary Gland

The master gland of the endocrine system, controlling other glands and various bodily functions.

Cranial Nerve I (Olfactory Nerve)

Responsible for the sense of smell.

Cranial Nerve II (Optic Nerve)

Responsible for vision.

Cranial Nerve III (Oculomotor Nerve)

Controls most of the eye's movements and pupil constriction.

Cranial Nerve IV (Trochlear Nerve)

Controls the superior oblique muscle of the eye.

Cranial Nerve V (Trigeminal Nerve)

Responsible for sensation in the face and motor functions such as biting and chewing.

Cranial Nerve VI (Abducens Nerve)

Controls the movement of the lateral rectus muscle, responsible for outward gaze.

Cranial Nerve VII (Facial Nerve)

Controls the muscles of facial expression and conveys taste sensations.

Cranial Nerve VIII (Vestibulocochlear Nerve)

Involved in hearing and balance.

Cranial Nerve IX (Glossopharyngeal Nerve)

Involved in taste sensation and swallowing.

Cranial Nerve X (Vagus Nerve)

Controls muscles for voice, throat, and digestive tract.

Cranial Nerve XI (Accessory Nerve)

Controls shoulder and neck muscles.

Cranial Nerve XII (Hypoglossal Nerve)

Controls tongue movements.

Cranial Nerve I (Olfactory Nerve)

Responsible for the sense of smell.

Cranial Nerve II (Optic Nerve)

Responsible for vision.

Cranial Nerve III (Oculomotor Nerve)

Controls most of the eye's movements and pupil constriction.

Cranial Nerve IV (Trochlear Nerve)

Controls the superior oblique muscle of the eye.

Cranial Nerve V (Trigeminal Nerve)

Responsible for sensation in the face and motor functions such as biting and chewing.

Cranial Nerve VI (Abducens Nerve)

Controls the movement of the lateral rectus muscle, responsible for outward gaze.

Cranial Nerve VII (Facial Nerve)

Controls the muscles of facial expression and conveys taste sensations.

Cranial Nerve VIII (Vestibulocochlear Nerve)

Involved in hearing and balance.

Cranial Nerve IX (Glossopharyngeal Nerve)

Involved in taste sensation and swallowing.

Cranial Nerve X (Vagus Nerve)

Controls muscles for voice, throat, and digestive tract.

Cranial Nerve XI (Accessory Nerve)

Controls shoulder and neck muscles.

Cranial Nerve XII (Hypoglossal Nerve)

Controls tongue movements

Precentral gyrus

Located at the back of the frontal lobe, primary motor cortex

Post central gyrus

Located the beginning of the parietal lobe is the primary sensory cortex

What is the frontal lobe associated with?

Primary motor cortex

Memory

Predicting consequences

Emotions

Smell

Occipital lobes are associated with?

Visual cortex, conscious perception of vision

Parietal lobes are associated with?

Primary sensory cortex

Conscious touch, pressure, vibration, pain, and temp

Temporal lobes are associated with?

Auditory cortex-conscious hearing

Olfactory cortex-conscious smell

Long term memory

Language recognition