Nervous Systems Review

Review flashcards based on key concepts from the nervous systems lecture.

What are the basic components of nervous systems?

Circuits of neurons and supporting cells.

What is cephalization?

The clustering of sensory organs at the front end of the body.

What nervous system structure do cnidarians possess?

Interconnected neurons arranged in nerve nets.

How is the central nervous system (CNS) organized in vertebrates?

It is composed of the brain and spinal cord.

What is the function of glial cells?

To nourish, support, and regulate neurons.

What role do astrocytes play in the nervous system?

They participate in the formation of the blood-brain barrier.

Which part of the vertebrate nervous system is responsible for involuntary functions such as breathing and digestion?

The autonomic nervous system.

What neurotransmitter is released by preganglionic neurons in the autonomic nervous system?

Acetylcholine.

What is the function of the medulla oblongata?

To control automatic functions such as heart rate and respiration.

What type of memory relies on the connections formed in the cerebral cortex?

Long-term memory.

What process describes the ability of the nervous system to be remodeled after birth?

Neuronal plasticity.

Where does long-term potentiation (LTP) primarily occur?

In the synapses of the vertebrate brain.

What is a key characteristic of schizophrenia?

Hallucinations and delusions.

What are the two main forms of depressive illness?

Major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder.

Which neurotransmitter is primarily associated with the brain's reward system?

Dopamine.

What is the impact of the enteric nervous system?

It exerts control over the digestive tract, pancreas, and gallbladder.

What brain structure is involved in the processing of olfactory input?

The forebrain.

Which structure is primarily responsible for regulating sleep?

The reticular formation.

In which part of the brain is the suprachiasmatic nucleus located?

The hypothalamus.

What role does the hypothalamus play in the body?

It acts as a control center for homeostasis, including the body's thermostat.

What is the corpus callosum?

A thick band of axons that enables communication between the right and left cerebral cortices.

What is Broca's area responsible for?

Speech production.

What effect does damage to Wernicke's area have on language?

Inability to understand language.

What is lateralization in brain function?

The distinction in function between the left and right hemispheres.

What cognitive functions are associated with the left hemisphere?

Language, math, and logical operations.

What is the primary physiological characteristic of Parkinson's disease?

Death of dopamine-secreting neurons leading to motor control issues.

What type of glia forms tracks for neuron migration during development?

Radial glia.

What is a significant cause of Alzheimer's disease?

Formation of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles.

What is the therapeutic drug used for Parkinson’s disease?

L-dopa.

What factors contribute to nervous system disorders like depression?

Genetic and environmental factors.

What happens to synapses during embryonic development?

Only half of the synapses that form survive into adulthood.

What is the role of the thalamus?

To direct different types of sensory input to distinct locations in the brain.

How does sleep contribute to memory?

It may play a role in the consolidation of learning and memory.

What characterizes the midbrain's function?

It receives and integrates sensory information.

What is the function of the cerebellum?

To coordinate movement and balance.

What is the role of the hippocampus in memory?

It is essential for short-term memory formation.

What is neuroplasticity's link to autism spectrum disorder?

A defect may underlie impaired communication and social interaction.

How do antidepressants typically work?

By increasing the activity of biogenic amines in the brain.

What is long-term potentiation's (LTP) relation to learning?

LTP strengthens synapses and is involved in memory formation.

What is one major function of the pons?

To transfer information between the peripheral and central nervous systems.

How does the brainstem regulate arousal and sleep?

Through networks that control awareness of the external world.

What is the importance of the anterior neural tube during development?

It gives rise to the forebrain, midbrain, and hindbrain.

What is one major characteristic of glial cells?

They have numerous functions to support neurons.

What is one of the primary consequences of dopamine pathway alterations in addiction?

Long-lasting changes in the reward circuitry.

What is a characteristic of bipolar disorder?

Manic and depressive phases.

What does a ‘split-brain’ effect result from?

Severing connections between the two hemispheres.