Nervous System Quiz

List the 4 lobes of the cerebrum and describe their basic functions.

1. frontal

   1. personality characteristics, decision-making, movement, speech, smell

2. parietal

   1. object identical, spatial relationships, pain, touch

3. temporal

   1. short-term memory, speech, rhythm

4. occipital

   1. vision

 List 3 functions of the cerebellum.

1. balance, movement, memory

Where, in the brain, is the medulla oblongata located? What are 2 functions of the medulla oblongata?

1. lowest portion of the brain stem

2. 2 functions: regulates circulation and breathing

What are 2 functions of the hypothalamus?

1. hunger/thirst, sex drive, mood, sleep, blood pressure

Define/describe an action potential.

1. define: a rapid sequence of changes in the voltage across a membrane

2. describe: It is used by neurons to transmit signals across the body. Firstly, the charge of the neuron changes. Then, the action potential is fired and travels down the length of the axon.

What is the function and location of cerebrospinal fluid?

1. liquid that protects the brain and spinal cord

2. located in hollow spaces of brain and spinal cord

Define/describe the following terms: gray matter, white matter.

1. Gray matter- outer layer of the brain, high concentration of neuronal bodies, controls movement, memory, and emotions (plays a role in all human functions though)

2. White matter - connects neurons from different brain regions to each other

Define/describe the following terms (structure and/or function and/or purpose, etc.)

1. depolarization

   1. process of changes in electrical potential across a neuron's cell membrane

   2. rapid rise of potential

   3. caused by opening of sodium ion channels within plasma membrane

      1. influx of cations (esp sodium and calcium)

2. Amygdala

   1. major emotion processing center (also memory and decision-making)

   2. located just above ear in temporal lobes

3. hippocampus

   1. responsible for memory and learning

   2. found in inner folds of temporal lobe

4. Schwann cell

   1. type of glial cell that surrounds neurons

   2. Function: protection (keeps neurons alive), forms myelin sheath around nerve fibers

5. Node of Ranvier

   1. located in between Schwann cells

   2. specialized regions in the neuron that are not insulated by myelin

6. myelin sheath

   1. insulating layer that forms around nerves

   2. made of protein and fats

   3. quick and efficient electrical impulses

Define/describe saltatory conduction.

1. process by which action potentials are rapidly and efficiently spread along myelinated neurons

   1. impulse jumps from one node to another

2. occurs only at Nodes of Ranvier