Lab Practical 1 Quizlet

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Processes sensory input and motor output; includes brain and spinal cord.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Connects CNS to limbs; includes cranial and spinal nerves.

Sensory (Afferent) Division

Carries signals to the CNS from sensory receptors.

Motor (Efferent) Division

Carries signals away from the CNS to effectors.

Somatic Nervous System

Controls voluntary skeletal muscle movements.

Visceral Nervous System

Controls involuntary functions of cardiac and smooth muscles.

Dendrites

Receive signals from other neurons.

Cell Body (Soma)

Processes information and contains the nucleus.

Axon

Transmits impulses away from the neuron cell body.

Axon Terminals

Release neurotransmitters at synapses.

Myelin Sheath

Insulates axons and speeds up nerve impulses.

Multipolar Neuron

One axon, multiple dendrites; common in CNS.

Bipolar Neuron

One axon, one dendrite; found in special senses.

Unipolar Neuron

Single process that splits; found in sensory neurons.

Astrocytes

Support neurons and maintain blood-brain barrier.

Microglia

Act as immune cells in the CNS.

Ependymal Cells

Line ventricles and produce cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

Oligodendrocytes

Form myelin sheath around CNS neurons.

Schwann Cells

Form myelin sheath around PNS neurons.

Satellite Cells

Support neuron cell bodies in ganglia.

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)

Fluid that cushions and nourishes the brain and spinal cord.

Neural Pathway

Sequence of neurons transmitting signals from stimulus to response.

Superior Sagittal Sinus

CSF reabsorption into the bloodstream.

Lateral Ventricles

Largest ventricles, one in each hemisphere.

Third Ventricle

Located in the middle of the brain.

Cerebral Aqueduct

Narrow passageway for cerebrospinal fluid.

Fourth Ventricle

Located near the brainstem and cerebellum.

Subarachnoid Space

CSF flows around the brain and spinal cord.

Frontal Lobe

Controls reasoning, movement, and decision-making.

Parietal Lobe

Processes sensory information like touch and pain.

Temporal Lobe

Processes hearing, memory, and language functions.

Gyri

Raised ridges or folds on the brain's surface.

Sulci

Shallow grooves between the gyri.

Fissure

Deep groove, e.g., longitudinal fissure.

Rostral

Direction toward the front of the brain.

Caudal

Direction toward the back of the brain.

Longitudinal Fissure

Separates the left and right cerebral hemispheres.

Central Sulcus

Separates frontal lobe from parietal lobe.

Lateral Sulcus

Separates temporal lobe from frontal and parietal lobes.

Human Brain

Larger, more complex, and vertically positioned.

Sheep Brain

Smaller, elongated, and horizontally positioned.

Finger-to-Nose Test

Assesses coordination by touching nose and target.

Monosynaptic Reflex

One synapse, fast response, e.g., knee-jerk reflex.

Polysynaptic Reflex

Multiple synapses, slower, more complex reflex.

Muscle Spindles

Detect muscle stretch, trigger reflex to resist.

Golgi Tendon Organs

Detect tension in tendons, prevent muscle overuse.

Patellar Reflex

Leg kicks forward, tests L2-L4 spinal segments.

Biceps Brachii Reflex

Forearm flexes, tests C5-C6 spinal segments.

Calcaneal Reflex

Foot points downward, tests S1-S2 spinal segments.

Babinski Reflex

Plantar reflex test, checks neurological function.

Positive Babinski

Toes fan out; normal in newborns.

Negative Babinski

Toes curl inward; normal in adults.

Mechanoreceptors

Detect touch, pressure, vibration.

Nociceptors

Detect pain via free nerve endings.

Thermoreceptors

Detect temperature changes, hot and cold.

Chemoreceptors

Detect chemical changes like taste and smell.

Proprioceptors

Detect body position and movement.

Punctate Distribution

Receptors unevenly distributed; some areas more sensitive.

Absolute Temperature

Actual temperature measurement of an object.

Relative Temperature

Temperature perception compared to a previous stimulus.

Sensory Adaptation

Receptors cease responding to constant stimuli.

Phasic Receptors

Adapt quickly to stimuli changes.

Tonic Receptors

Adapt slowly, responding to ongoing stimuli.

Two-Point Discrimination Test

Measures touch receptor density via distance felt.

Mapping Warm, Cool, and Fine Touch Receptors

Determines location and density of temperature receptors.

Temperature Judgment

Perception changes based on prior temperature exposure.

Proprioceptive Judgment

Tests body awareness without visual input.

Merkel's Discs

Detect light touch and pressure, slow adapting.

Meissner's Corpuscles

Detect fine touch and vibration, rapid adapting.

Free Nerve Endings

Detect pain, temperature, and crude touch.

Referred Pain

Pain felt in different location due to nerve pathways.

Tastebud

Contains taste hair cells detecting taste molecules.

Taste Buds

Contain taste hair cells detecting taste molecules.

Papillae

Bumps on the tongue housing taste buds.

Olfactory Epithelium

Nasal cavity tissue aiding flavor perception.

Cranial Nerves

12 pairs of nerves that come directly from the brain and brainstem. They control senses (sight, smell, taste, hearing, touch) and movements (eye, face, tongue, swallowing, neck, and internal organs).

Facial Nerve (VII)

Facial expressions, taste (front 2/3 of tongue) (sensory & motor)

Glossopharyngeal Nerve (IX)

Taste (back 1/3 of tongue), swallowing (sensory & motor)

Vagus Nerve (X)

Controls heart, digestion, and autonomic functions (sensory & motor)

Medulla Oblongata

Brainstem area processing taste signals.

Thalamus

Sensory processing center for taste information.

Gustatory Cortex

Brain region for taste perception in insula.

Sclera

Outer layer maintaining eye shape and protection.

Choroid

Middle layer with blood vessels nourishing the eye.

Retina

Inner layer with photoreceptors detecting light.

Anterior Chamber

Space filled with aqueous humor in front of lens.

Posterior Chamber

Space filled with aqueous humor behind the lens.

Vitreous Chamber

Largest chamber filled with vitreous humor.

Optic Nerve (Cranial Nerve II)

Nerve that carries impulses for sense of sight (sensory)

Optic Chiasm

Point where some optic nerve fibers cross.

Optic Tract

Carries visual signals to the thalamus.

Cornea

Transparent layer focusing light onto the retina.

Fovea Centralis

Area with highest cone concentration for sharp vision.

Optic Disc

Blind spot where optic nerve exits the eye.

Optic Nerve

Carries visual signals to the brain.

Occipital Lobe

Processes visual information from the eyes.

Astigmatism Test

Detects uneven cornea/lens causing blurred vision.

Visual Acuity

Measures sharpness of vision (20/20 standard).

Pupillary Reflex Test

Tests pupil reaction to varying light conditions.

Ishihara Test

Identifies color blindness using colored dot plates.