Nervous System Part 2

Here is a highly detailed and comprehensive set of flashcards covering everything in the nervous system notes:

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### Nervous System Overview

Flashcard 1

Q: What are the three main functions of the nervous system?

A: Sensory input, integration/processing, and motor output.

Flashcard 2

Q: Name the two main cell types in the nervous system.

A: Neurons and neuroglia.

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### Neuron Structure and Function

Flashcard 3

Q: What is the basic structure of a neuron?

A: Cell body, dendrites (receive signals), and axon (transmits signals).

Flashcard 4

Q: What is the function of the myelin sheath?

A: To insulate axons and increase the speed of nerve impulse conduction.

Flashcard 5

Q: What are nodes of Ranvier?

A: Gaps in the myelin sheath where ion exchange occurs, speeding up impulse transmission.

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### Neuroglia Types and Roles

Flashcard 6

Q: What are the four types of neuroglia in the CNS?

A: Astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, microglia, and ependymal cells.

Flashcard 7

Q: What is the primary function of Schwann cells in the PNS?

A: They produce the myelin sheath around peripheral nerve fibers.

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### Membrane Potential and Action Potentials

Flashcard 8

Q: What is resting membrane potential?

A: The stable, negative charge of a neuron at rest (about -70 mV).

Flashcard 9

Q: Define depolarization.

A: The process where the inside of a neuron becomes less negative, initiating an action potential.

Flashcard 10

Q: What is an action potential?

A: A rapid change in membrane potential that allows neurons to transmit signals.

Flashcard 11

Q: Explain repolarization.

A: Returning the membrane potential to its resting negative state after an action potential.

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### Synapses and Neurotransmitters

Flashcard 12

Q: What is a synapse?

A: The junction between two neurons where neurotransmitters facilitate signal transmission.

Flashcard 13

Q: Name an excitatory neurotransmitter and its role.

A: Glutamate; it increases the likelihood of an action potential in the postsynaptic neuron.

Flashcard 14

Q: Name an inhibitory neurotransmitter and its function.

A: GABA; it decreases the likelihood of an action potential in the postsynaptic neuron.

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### CNS vs. PNS Structure

Flashcard 15

Q: What does the Central Nervous System (CNS) consist of?

A: The brain and spinal cord.

Flashcard 16

Q: What is the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS), and what does it include?

A: Nerves outside the CNS, including cranial and spinal nerves.

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### CNS - Spinal Cord Structure and Function

Flashcard 17

Q: How many segments does the spinal cord have?

A: 31 segments, each with a pair of spinal nerves.

Flashcard 18

Q: What are the main functions of the spinal cord?

A: To transmit impulses to and from the brain and to house spinal reflexes.

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### Meninges

Flashcard 19

Q: What are the three layers of the meninges?

A: Dura mater, arachnoid mater, and pia mater.

Flashcard 20

Q: Describe the dura mater.

A: The tough outermost layer, containing blood vessels, forming partitions, and a sheath around the spinal cord.

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### Brain Structure - Lobes and Regions

Flashcard 21

Q: What are the four main lobes of the cerebrum?

A: Frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital.

Flashcard 22

Q: What is the function of the cerebrum?

A: It is involved in sensory processing, motor control, and higher mental functions like reasoning and memory.

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### Brainstem and Functions

Flashcard 23

Q: What are the three parts of the brainstem?

A: Midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata.

Flashcard 24

Q: What is the role of the medulla oblongata?

A: It regulates vital functions like heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate.

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### Cranial Nerves

Flashcard 25

Q: How many pairs of cranial nerves are there?

A: Twelve pairs.

Flashcard 26

Q: What is the primary function of the optic nerve (Cranial Nerve II)?

A: Vision.

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### Spinal Reflexes and Reflex Arcs

Flashcard 27

Q: What is a reflex arc?

A: The pathway followed by nerve impulses in a reflex, involving sensory and motor neurons.

Flashcard 28

Q: Give an example of a simple reflex.

A: The patellar reflex, also known as the knee-jerk reflex.

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### Ventricles and CSF

Flashcard 29

Q: What are ventricles in the brain?

A: Connected cavities filled with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) that protect and nourish the brain.

Flashcard 30

Q: Where is cerebrospinal fluid produced?

A: In the choroid plexuses of the ventricles.

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### Limbic System

Flashcard 31

Q: What is the primary role of the limbic system?

A: It controls emotions and behavior, influencing survival instincts.

Flashcard 32

Q: Name a key structure in the limbic system associated with emotion.

A: The amygdala.

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### Diencephalon Functions

Flashcard 33

Q: What is the function of the thalamus?

A: It sorts and directs sensory information to appropriate areas of the cerebral cortex.

Flashcard 34

Q: How does the hypothalamus contribute to homeostasis?

A: It regulates vital functions like body temperature, hunger, and the endocrine system.

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### Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

Flashcard 35

Q: What are the two divisions of the autonomic nervous system?

A: Sympathetic (activates "fight or flight") and parasympathetic (promotes "rest and digest").

Flashcard 36

Q: Which neurotransmitter is primarily associated with the sympathetic nervous system?

A: Norepinephrine.

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### Sensory and Motor Pathways

Flashcard 37

Q: What are ascending tracts in the spinal cord responsible for?

A: Carrying sensory information to the brain.

Flashcard 38

Q: What are descending tracts?

A: Pathways that carry motor signals from the brain to muscles or glands.

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### Hemispheric Dominance

Flashcard 39

Q: Which hemisphere is typically dominant for language-related activities?

A: The left hemisphere.

Flashcard 40

Q: What functions are typically associated with the nondominant hemisphere?

A: Nonverbal functions, body orientation in space, and emotional expression.

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### Basal Nuclei and Movement

Flashcard 41

Q: What is the role of the basal nuclei?

A: To help control voluntary movement and produce dopamine.

Flashcard 42

Q: Which diseases are associated with altered activity in the basal nuclei?

A: Parkinson’s disease and Huntington’s disease.

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### Cerebellum

Flashcard 43

Q: What are the primary functions of the cerebellum?

A: Coordinating muscle activity, maintaining posture, and ensuring smooth movements.

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### Nerve Plexuses

Flashcard 44

Q: Name the main spinal nerve plexuses.

A: Cervical, brachial, and lumbosacral plexuses.

Flashcard 45

Q: Which plexus includes the phrenic nerve, and what is its function?

A: Cervical plexus; it controls the diaphragm for breathing.

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This extensive set of flashcards provides a detailed and precise overview of each key aspect of the nervous system covered in your notes. Let me know if you'd like to add even more or further details on specific topics!