Nervous System Quiz 5 Review

Vocabulary flashcards covering the divisions of the nervous system, neuron structure, neurotransmitters, adrenergic receptors, and key cranial nerves.

CNS

Consists of the brain and spinal cord.

PNS

Consists of all nerves outside the brain and spinal cord.

Somatic Nervous System

Controls voluntary movement and skeletal muscles.

Autonomic (ANS)

Controls involuntary functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, respiratory rate, and gland secretion.

Sympathetic

The "fight or flight" division; characterized by increased heart rate, pupil dilation, and decreased digestion.

Parasympathetic

The "rest and digest" division; characterized by decreased heart rate, increased digestion, increased secretions, and pupil constriction.

Dendrites

The part of the neuron that receives incoming signals.

Cell body (soma)

Contains the nucleus, processes information, and maintains neuron function.

Axon

Transmits electrical impulses away from the neuron.

Myelin sheath

Covers the axon and increases the speed of nerve impulse transmission.

Sensory (afferent) neurons

Carries information from receptors toward the CNS.

Motor (efferent) neurons

Carries information from the CNS to muscles and glands.

Interneurons

Connects sensory and motor neurons; important for reflexes and processing.

Acetylcholine (ACh)

Causes skeletal muscle contraction at the neuromuscular junction and mediates parasympathetic functions (rest and digest).

Nicotinic receptors

Located at the neuromuscular junction and autonomic ganglia; they stimulate skeletal muscle contraction.

Muscarinic receptors

Located on parasympathetic target organs such as the heart, digestive tract, and glands.

Norepinephrine (NE)

The main neurotransmitter of postganglionic sympathetic neurons.

Epinephrine (adrenaline)

Released from the adrenal medulla to amplify the sympathetic response.

Alpha-1 receptors

Cause vasoconstriction, leading to increased blood pressure.

Alpha-2 receptors

Decrease neurotransmitter release.

Beta-1 receptors

Located in the heart; increase heart rate and myocardial contractility.

Beta-2 receptors

Located in the bronchial smooth muscle; cause bronchodilation.

CN II (Optic)

Cranial nerve responsible for vision.

CN III (Oculomotor)

Cranial nerve responsible for eye movement, raising the eyelid, and pupil constriction.

CN IV (Trochlear)

Cranial nerve responsible for downward and inward eye movement.

CN V (Trigeminal)

Cranial nerve responsible for facial sensation and chewing.

CN VII (Facial)

Cranial nerve responsible for facial expressions and taste.

CN VIII (Vestibulocochlear)

Cranial nerve responsible for hearing and balance.

CN X (Vagus)

Cranial nerve responsible for heart rate, digestion, and respiratory rate (vital organs).

CN XI (Accessory)

Cranial nerve responsible for shoulder movement and turning the head.