HBS Nervous Systems Study Guide

What is the central nervous system made up of?

the brain and spinal cords

What is the peripheral nervous system made up of?

all nerves in the body except brain and spinal cords

What is the autonomic nervous system?

• is a division of the peripheral nervous system that controls involuntary bodily functions, such as heart rate, digestion, and breathing.

• It consists of two main branches: the sympathetic nervous system, responsible for the "fight or flight" response, and the parasympathetic nervous system, which promotes relaxation and rest.

What is the somatic nervous system?

is responsible for voluntary movements and sensory information processing in the body.

Which area of the brain is responsible for visual processing?

The occipital lobe

Which area of the brain is responsible for muscle coordination?

The cerebellum

Which area of the brain is responsible for breathing?

The medulla oblongata, located in the brainstem, controls

Which area of the brain is responsible for happiness?

The limbic system, specifically the amygdala and the prefrontal cortex

Which area of the brain is responsible for language understanding?

The left hemisphere of the brain, specifically the Wernicke's area

Which area of the brain is responsible for thirst and hunger?

The hypothalamus

Which area of the brain is responsible for speech production?

Broca's area, located in the frontal lobe of the brain

Which area of the brain is responsible for movement?

The primary motor cortex, located in the frontal lobe of the brain

Which area of the brain is responsible for smell?

The olfactory bulb, located in the limbic system

Which area of the brain is responsible for reasoning?

The prefrontal cortex

Which area of the brain is responsible for long-term memory?

The hippocampus

Which area of the brain is responsible for hearing?

The temporal lobe

Which area of the brain is responsible for bodily sensations, such as touch?

The somatosensory cortex

Which area of the brain is responsible for taste?

The gustatory cortex, located in the parietal lobe of the brain

Which area of the brain is responsible for blood pressure regulation?

The medulla oblongata, located in the brainstem

Which area of the brain is responsible for sleeping and waking?

• hypothalamus

• is the reticular activating system (RAS).

Which area of the brain is responsible for balance

The cerebellum

Which area of the brain is responsible for problem-solving?

The prefrontal cortex

Which area of the brain is responsible for stress?

The amygdala

What is the function of a neuron?

are specialized cells in the nervous system that transmit information through electrical and chemical signals. They receive, process, and transmit signals, allowing for communication between different parts of the body. They play a crucial role in sensory perception, motor control, memory, and overall brain function.

What is the function of dendrites?

are the branch-like structures on a neuron that receive incoming signals from other neurons. They play a crucial role in transmitting these signals towards the cell body, where the information is processed.

What is the function of an axon?

is responsible for transmitting electrical signals, known as action potentials, away from the neuron's cell body to other neurons, muscles, or glands.

What is the function of the myelin sheath?

is a protective covering that surrounds nerve fibers. Its main function is to insulate and enhance the speed of electrical impulses, allowing for efficient communication between neurons in the nervous system.

What is the function of the nodes of Ranvier?

are gaps in the myelin sheath that surround nerve fibers. Their main function is to facilitate the conduction of nerve impulses by allowing the electrical signals to jump from one node to another, known as saltatory conduction. This process speeds up the transmission of nerve impulses along the axon, ensuring efficient communication between neurons.

What is the function of axon terminals?

the endings of axons: are responsible for transmitting signals from the neuron to other cells, such as muscles or other neurons. They release neurotransmitters, which are chemical messengers, into the synapse to communicate with the receiving cells.

What is the function of synapses?

a small gap at the end of a neuron that allows a signal to pass from one neuron to the next

What is the function of a synaptic cleft?

a small gap between two neurons where neurotransmitters are released to transmit signals from one neuron to another.

What is the function of sensory neurons?

transmit information from sensory receptors to the central nervous system, allowing us to perceive and respond to our environment.

What is the function of interneuron neurons?

also known as association neurons; are responsible for transmitting signals between sensory and motor neurons within the central nervous system.

What is the function of motor neurons?

transmit signals from the central nervous system to muscles and glands, enabling voluntary and involuntary movements and actions.

What is the function of the action potential?

a brief electrical impulse; that transmits electrical signals along the neurons, allowing for communication between different parts of the nervous system.

What is the function of neurotransmitters?

are chemical messengers that transmit signals between nerve cells in the brain and throughout the body, facilitating communication in the nervous system. They play a crucial role in various functions, such as regulating mood, memory, sleep, and muscle movement.

Reaction time

is a voluntary action: the time it takes for a person to respond to a stimulus or event. It measures the speed of processing sensory information and initiating a motor response. Factors like alertness, focus, and practice can affect reaction time.

What factors affect reaction time?

These include age, fatigue, distractions, and the complexity of the task. Additionally, certain medical conditions, such as neurological disorders or the use of certain medications, can also impact reaction time. It is important to note that reaction time can vary from person to person and can be improved through practice and training.

Reflex

A quick and automatic response to a stimulus without conscious thought or effort.

Devic’s Disease (Neuromyelitis)

An autoimmune disorder causing inflammation of the spinal cord and optic nerves. Symptoms include vision loss, muscle weakness, and difficulty with coordination. Can lead to paralysis and permanent disability. Can affect anyone at any age, but it’s more common in women than men.

Epilepsy

Disorder causing recurrent seizures due to abnormal brain activity. Symptoms include convulsions, loss of consciousness, and sensory disturbances.

Fibromyalgia/Central Sensitization Syndrome

Chronic disorder causes widespread pain, fatigue, and cognitive issues. Linked to central sensitization, where the nervous system becomes hypersensitive to pain signals. No known cure, but management includes medication, therapy, and lifestyle changes. Common symptoms include muscle stiffness, sleep disturbances, and memory problems.

Alzheimer’s

Memory disorder is characterized by progressive cognitive decline, affecting thinking, behavior, and daily functioning. Common symptoms include memory loss, confusion, difficulty with language, and disorientation. It is caused by the buildup of abnormal proteins in the brain and has no known cure. Treatment focuses on managing symptoms and improving quality of life.

Multiple Sclerosis

A chronic autoimmune disease affecting the central nervous system, is a condition in which the body attacks itself by mistake. It causes inflammation and damage to the protective covering of nerve fibers, disrupting the flow of information between the brain and the body. Symptoms vary but can include fatigue, difficulty walking, numbness or weakness, and problems with coordination and balance.

Parkinson’s Disease

Progressive neurological disorder affecting movement and coordination. Symptoms include tremors, stiffness, and impaired balance. Caused by the loss of dopamine-producing cells in the brain. Treatments include medication, physical therapy, and deep brain stimulation.

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease

Inherited neurological disorder causing muscle weakness and sensory loss in the limbs. Often leads to foot deformities and difficulty walking.

Huntington’s Disease

A neurodegenerative disorder caused by a genetic mutation. Characterized by progressive loss of motor control, cognitive decline, and psychiatric symptoms. Inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern.

Lou Gehrig’s disease or ALS

Neurodegenerative disease affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, causing loss of muscle control. Symptoms include muscle weakness, difficulty speaking, swallowing, and breathing.

Neurons send signals in the brain + body?

Neurotransmitter + Electrical Signals

What does the autonomic nervous system control?

involuntary responses

Sympathetic

This nervous system branch causes increases in heart rate + breathing

Inhibitory

type of synapse which decreases the chance of the next neuron firing

Endorphins (epinephrine)

regulates heart rate; this type of neurotransmitter is released in response to stress + trauma

Serotonin

is a neurotransmitter that helps regulate - sleep, moods/emotions

Excitatory

type of synapse which increases the chance of the next neuron firing

Acetylcholine

neurotransmitter that is involved in muscle movements

GABA

suppresses anxiety; neurotransmitter that inhibits brain activity

When the nerve cell in an action potential is at rest, the electrical charges around the cell membrane are?

negative inside, positive outside

The charges of depolarization?

positive inside, negative outside

When an action potential is generated in a neuron, the electrical impulse flows from?

Dendrite to axon

What is the correct sequence of action potential movement along a neuron?

1) Dendrite 2) Cell Body 3) Axon 4) Axon Terminal

Which disease have tissues covering the brain?

Meningitis

When the immune system tries to fight of an infection in the brain, the brain may cause?

Encephalitis

Nervous tissues may degenerate/break down

true

Multiple Sclerosis affects CNS. Which part of CNS is affected?

Myelin

Information from PNS to CNS

Afferent Pathway

Information from CNS to PNS

Efferent Pathway

Afferent

Carries sensory information from the body to the brain.

Efferent

Nerves that carry signals away from the central nervous system to the muscles and organs.

Brain Stem

Involuntary responses

Cerebellum

Balance and Coordination

Occipital Lobe

• Sight (visual cortex)

• Visual reception +visual interpretation

Parietal Lobe

• Touch perception (somatosensory cortex)

• Body orientation + sensory discrimination

• Taste (gustatory cortex)

Frontal Lobe

• motor control (premotor cortex)

• problem-solving (prefrontal cortex)

• speech production (Broca’s area)

• smell (olfactory bulb)

Temporal Lobe

• Auditory processing (hearing)

• Language comprehension (Wernicke’s area)

• Memory/Information retrieval (hippocampus)

Hypothalamus

is a small region located in the base of the brain just above the brainstem. It performs the critical function of maintaining homeostasis by regulating blood pressure, temperature, sleep, mood, hunger, and thirst.

Amygdala

a major processing center for emotions