BIO 2311 Final Exam Study Guide

Flashcards covering key topics from BIO 2311 lecture notes, including spinal cord anatomy, brain structures and functions, neural pathways, and autonomic nervous system.

Spinal Cord

Extends from the foramen magnum to the level of L1/L2 vertebrae.

Cervical Enlargement

Serves upper limbs.

Lumbar Enlargement

Serves lower limbs.

Conus Medullaris

The end of the spinal cord.

Gray Matter (Horns)

Inner part of the spinal cord cross-section.

White Matter (Funiculi)

Outer part of the spinal cord cross-section; houses tracts.

Types of Funiculi

Anterior, lateral, and posterior.

Meninges of the Spinal Cord

Dura mater, arachnoid mater, pia mater.

Epidural Space

Fat-filled space used for injections.

Subarachnoid Space

Filled with CSF and used for spinal taps.

Brain Stem

Mesencephalon (midbrain), pons, medulla oblongata.

Lobes of the Brain

Frontal, parietal, temporal, occipital.

Central Sulcus

Separates frontal and parietal lobes.

Lateral Sulcus

Separates temporal lobe from others.

Brain Ventricles

2 lateral (cerebrum), 3rd (diencephalon), 4th (brainstem/cerebellum).

Interventricular Foramen

Connects lateral and 3rd ventricles.

Cerebral Aqueduct

Connects 3rd and 4th ventricles.

Hemispheric Lateralization

Left = language, logic; right = spatial, creativity.

Brain Waves

Alpha (relax), beta (alert), theta (light sleep), delta (deep sleep).

Brain Waves Measurement

Measured via EEG.

Diencephalon Parts

Epithalamus (melatonin), thalamus (relay), hypothalamus (homeostasis).

Cerebellum

Coordinates movement; vermis, hemispheres, cortex, arbor vitae.

Brain Development

Telencephalon forms cerebrum, rhombencephalon forms brainstem and cerebellum.

Cranial Nerves

I (olfactory - sensory), II (optic - sensory), III (oculomotor - motor), IV (trochlear - motor), VI (abducens - motor), VIII (vestibulocochlear - sensory), X (vagus - mixed).

Sensory Pathway Neurons

1st order (PNS to spinal cord), 2nd order (crosses over, to thalamus), 3rd order (to cortex).

Posterior Column Pathway

Fine touch, vibration.

Spinothalamic Pathway

Pain, temperature.

Spinocerebellar Pathway

Proprioception (does not decussate).

Lower Motor Neuron

Connects to muscle; damage causes paralysis.

Corticospinal (Pyramidal) Tract

Conscious control.