Neurobiology 4 - Dr. Safiyyah Iqbal

Comprehensive flashcards covering the structural and functional divisions of the nervous system, spinal anatomy, brain regions, and related clinical disorders as presented in APES 1000 Neurobiology 4.

What are the two main structural parts of the nervous system and their primary roles?

The Central Nervous System (CNS) consisting of the brain and spinal cord for processing information and sending instructions, and the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) consisting of nerves outside the CNS that send messages from the brain to the rest of the body.

How does the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) regulate movement and internal environment?

It uses sensory neurons to inform the CNS of stimuli from receptors and motor neurons (effectors) to carry signals from the CNS to muscles and glands.

Differentiate between the Somatic and Autonomic Nervous Systems regarding control and output.

The Somatic system involves conscious/voluntary control over skeletal muscles using one neuron to connect the CNS to the organ; the Autonomic system involves unconscious/involuntary control over smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, or glands using two neurons to connect the CNS to the organ.

How many pairs of cranial and spinal nerves constitute the Peripheral Nervous System?

There are $12$ pairs of cranial nerves and $31$ pairs of spinal nerves.

Which structures attach spinal nerves to the spinal cord and what are their functions?

The Ventral root carries $AP$ signals away from the spinal cord (motor), while the Dorsal root carries sensory neurons with incoming signals to the spinal cord.

Contrast the Sympathetic and Parasympathetic divisions of the Autonomic system.

The Sympathetic division is for 'fight or flight' (arousal/energy generation), while the Parasympathetic division is for 'rest and digest' (calming/self-maintenance).

What is the key neurotransmitter for the Sympathetic Division and what are its physiological effects?

Norepinephrine; it increases heart rate and respiration, raises blood pressure, dilates pupils, and slows digestion/urine/saliva production.

What is the key neurotransmitter for the Parasympathetic Division and what are its physiological effects?

Acetylcholine; it lowers heart rate and respiration, increases digestion, and permits defecation and urination.

What are spinal reflexes and provide three examples.

Involuntary responses mediated primarily by the spinal cord with little brain involvement; examples include the flexor (withdrawal) reflex, crossed extensor reflex, and stretch reflex (e.g., knee jerk).

List the three protective membranes (meninges) of the CNS from the outermost to the innermost layer.

Dura mater, arachnoid, and pia mater.

Distinguish between the White matter and Grey matter of the spinal cord.

White matter is the outer portion consisting of myelinated ascending and descending nerve tracts; Grey matter is the centre portion containing cell bodies and dendrites.

Mention the three major divisions of the brain and their specific components.

Hindbrain (Medulla oblongata, cerebellum, pons), Midbrain (coordinates muscle groups for vision and hearing), and Forebrain (Hypothalamus, Thalamus, Limbic system, Cerebrum).

Match the four lobes of the Cerebral Cortex to their primary functions.

Occipital (visual information), Temporal (auditory/language comprehension), Parietal (skin sensory information), and Frontal (motor activity/speech/conscious thought).

Define Encephalitis and Meningitis as infections of the nervous system.

Encephalitis is the inflammation of the brain caused by viral infection, while Meningitis is the inflammation of the meninges caused by viral or bacterial infection.

What characterizes Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease at the neural level?

Parkinson's involves the degeneration of dopamine-releasing neurons; Alzheimer's is characterized by the accumulation of the abnormal protein beta amyloid, leading to progressive memory lapses and dementia.