Nervous System

What are the two main parts of the nervous system?

The central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS).

What does the central nervous system consist of?

The brain and spinal cord.

What is the function of the peripheral nervous system?

It connects the CNS to the rest of the body and includes sensory and motor neurons.

What does the somatic nervous system control?

Voluntary movements.

What does the autonomic nervous system regulate?

Involuntary functions such as heart rate and digestion.

What are the two divisions of the autonomic nervous system?

Sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions.

What is the main role of the principal investigator (PI) in a research study?

To manage and maintain the integrity of the study being conducted.

What are the responsibilities of a lab manager?

Overseeing the lab, scheduling, ordering supplies, and maintenance of equipment.

What do lab technicians do?

Conduct hands-on work in the lab, including collecting data and performing tests.

Who are postdoctoral students?

PhD graduates continuing their education, research, and training beyond their doctoral studies.

What is the cerebrum responsible for?

Managing thought, action, and emotion.

What does the cerebellum coordinate?

Balance and fine motor skills.

What does the frontal lobe handle?

Reasoning, planning, and voluntary movement control.

Where is the sensory cortex located?

Part of the parietal lobe, processing sensory input for touch and temperature perception.

What is the function of the occipital lobe?

Responsible for visual information processing.

What does the thalamus do?

Acts as a relay station for sensory and motor signals.

What is the role of the hypothalamus?

Regulates various autonomic functions including temperature control and hunger.

What is the function of the hippocampus?

Involved in the formation of new memories and associated with learning and emotions.

What is the 'master gland' of the endocrine system?

Pituitary gland.

What is the brachial plexus?

A network of nerves responsible for innervating the upper limb.

What does the radial nerve innervate?

The muscles of the posterior arm and forearm.

What is the major function of the ulnar nerve?

Innervates the anterior forearm and intrinsic muscles of the hand.

What do spinal nerves transmit?

Sensory and motor information between the CNS and the rest of the body.

What is a major role of the median nerve?

Responsible for sensation and movement in the hand and forearm.

What does the sciatic nerve innervate?

The posterior thigh, lower leg, and foot.

What is the function of cranial nerves?

Responsible for sensory and motor functions in the head and neck.

What does cranial nerve I (olfactory nerve) relate to?

The sense of smell.

What is the function of cranial nerve II (optic nerve)?

Relays information about the sense of sight.

What ability does cranial nerve III (oculomotor nerve) provide?

Movement of the eye.

What is the role of cranial nerve V (trigeminal nerve)?

In charge of sensation to the face and controls mastication muscles.

What is the function of cranial nerve VII (facial nerve)?

In charge of facial expression.

What does cranial nerve VIII (vestibulocochlear nerve) control?

Hearing and balance.

What is the glossopharyngeal nerve (cranial nerve IX) responsible for?

Oral sensation, taste, and salivation.

What does the vagus nerve (cranial nerve X) control?

Heart rate and blood pressure.

What movement does cranial nerve XI (accessory nerve) control?

Shoulder elevation and head-turning.

What is the hypoglossal nerve (cranial nerve XII) responsible for?

Controls tongue movement.

Why do biomedical scientists perform dissections?

To understand anatomical structures and functions of the nervous system.

What are neurons?

Primary signaling cells of the nervous system, transmitting signals.

What do sensory neurons do?

Transmit sensory information from receptors to the CNS.

What is the function of motor neurons?

Carry signals from the CNS to muscles and glands.

What role do interneurons play?

Connect neurons within the CNS and process information.

What are glial cells?

Cells that provide protection and maintain homeostasis for neurons.

What do astrocytes do?

Provide structural support and regulate blood flow.

What is the function of oligodendrocytes?

Produce myelin in the CNS, insulating axons.

What do microglia respond to?

Injury and disease in the CNS.

What is the major role of Schwann cells?

Form myelin sheaths around axons in the peripheral nervous system.

What does an axon do?

Transmits electrical impulses away from the cell body.

What are axon terminals?

Endpoints of an axon where neurotransmitters are released.

What does the cell body (soma) of a neuron contain?

The nucleus and organelles, responsible for metabolic functions.

What is the function of dendrites?

Receive signals from other neurons and transmit them to the cell body.

What is the myelin sheath?

A protective layer surrounding the axon.

What are neurotransmitters?

Chemical messengers transmitting signals across the synapse.

What are nodes of Ranvier?

Gaps in the myelin sheath allowing ion exchange.

What is an action potential?

A rapid rise and fall in voltage across a cellular membrane.

What does depolarization refer to in a neuron?

The membrane potential becoming less negative when Na+ enters.

What happens during repolarization?

Membrane potential becomes more negative as K+ leaves.

What is the refractory period?

Time following an action potential where the neuron cannot fire again.

What roles do sodium, potassium, and chloride channels play in action potentials?

Sodium channels allow Na+ in for depolarization; potassium channels allow K+ out for repolarization; chloride channels stabilize the membrane potential.

What is the main responsibility of the central nervous system (CNS)?

To process information and coordinate responses.

What are the components of the peripheral nervous system (PNS)?

Sensory and motor neurons that connect the CNS to the rest of the body.

What does the somatic nervous system control?

Voluntary movements of the body.

What is the function of the autonomic nervous system?

Regulates involuntary functions such as heart rate and digestion.

What are the two divisions of the autonomic nervous system?

Sympathetic division (fight-or-flight) and parasympathetic division (rest-and-digest).

How do the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions work together?

They work together to balance each other’s effects and maintain homeostasis in the body.

What is the role of a Principal Investigator (PI)?

To manage and maintain the integrity of a scientific research study or clinical trial.

Can there be more than one Principal Investigator (PI) on a study?

Yes, a study can have multiple PIs.

What are the main responsibilities of a Lab Manager?

Overseeing the lab's operations, scheduling, ordering supplies, and maintaining equipment.

What do Lab Technicians generally do?

Carry out hands-on work such as collecting specimens, performing tests, and calibrating equipment.

Who are Postdoctoral Students?

PhD graduates continuing their education and research beyond their doctoral studies.

What is the cerebrum responsible for?

The largest part of the brain, managing thought, action, and emotion, divided into left and right hemispheres.

What does the cerebellum coordinate?

Balance and fine motor skills, located below the cerebrum.

What is the role of the frontal lobe?

Handles reasoning, planning, and voluntary movement control at the front of the cerebrum.

What does the motor cortex do?

An area in the frontal lobe crucial for planning and executing voluntary movements.

What does the parietal lobe process?

Sensory details like touch and spatial awareness, located behind the frontal lobe.

What is the function of the sensory cortex?

Processes body sensory input for touch and temperature perception, part of the parietal lobe.

What is the temporal lobe's function?

Involved in auditory processing, language, and memory, located below the lateral fissure.

What does the occipital lobe do?

Responsible for processing visual information, located at the back of the cerebrum.

What is the role of the pons in the brain?

Connects parts of the nervous system, regulates breathing, and ferrying signals between the cerebellum and cerebrum.

What does the brain stem control?

Connects the cerebrum and spinal cord, regulating vital functions like heart rate and respiration.

What is the function of the medulla oblongata?

Manages autonomic functions like heart rate and reflexes, part of the brain stem.

What are gyri?

Raised brain ridges that increase the cerebral cortex surface area for enhanced cognitive functions.

What are sulci?

Grooves between gyri that enhance surface area and help organize brain functions.

How do the bends and folds of the brain increase its capability?

They increase surface area, allowing more neurons to be packed into the structure, enhancing the brain's ability to process information.

What is the corpus callosum?

A thick band of nerve fibers connecting the left and right hemispheres of the brain, facilitating interhemispheric communication.

What is the function of the thalamus?

Acts as a relay station for sensory and motor signals, transmitting information to appropriate areas of the cerebral cortex.

What does the hypothalamus regulate?

Various autonomic functions including temperature control, hunger, thirst, circadian rhythms, and influences the endocrine system via the pituitary gland.

What role does the hippocampus play in the brain?

Involved in the formation of new memories and is key in converting short-term memory to long-term memory.

What is the pituitary gland known as?

The 'master gland' of the endocrine system, regulating vital hormonal functions and influencing growth, metabolism, and reproductive processes.

What is the function of the amygdala?

Involved in processing emotions, particularly fear and pleasure, and plays a significant role in the formation of emotional memories.

What is the brachial plexus?

A network of nerves that originates from the spinal cord in the neck region, responsible for innervating the upper limb and providing motor and sensory functions to the shoulder, arm, and hand.

What does the radial nerve innervate?

It innervates the muscles of the posterior arm and forearm, allowing for extension of the elbow, wrist, and fingers.

What is the function of the ulnar nerve?

It innervates the muscles of the anterior forearm and intrinsic muscles of the hand, facilitating movements such as flexion and fine motor skills.

What do spinal nerves do?

They transmit sensory and motor information between the central nervous system and the rest of the body, crucial for reflex actions and voluntary movements.

What is the role of the median nerve?

Responsible for sensation and movement in the hand and forearm, particularly in the thumb, index, and middle fingers.

What does the sciatic nerve innervate?

It innervates the posterior thigh, lower leg, and foot, playing a vital role in leg movement and sensation.

What are cranial nerves?

Nerves that emerge directly from the brain, primarily responsible for sensory and motor functions in the head and neck, including vision, smell, taste, and facial movements.

Cranial Nerve IV (trochlear nerve)

Enables eye movement, specifically controlling the ability to look down and move eyes toward the nose.

Cranial Nerve VI (Abducens nerve)

Enables eye movement, specifically the ability to move eyes away from the nose.

Cranial Nerve VII

Also called the facial nerve, it is responsible for facial expression and can be affected by conditions like Bell's palsy.

Cranial Nerve VIII

Also called the vestibulocochlear nerve, it relays auditory information and maintains balance.