Organization of the Nervous System and Neuron Structure

ORGANIZATION OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM

Key Responses for Nervous System Subdivisions

  • Choose the key responses that best correspond to the descriptions provided in the following statements. Insert the appropriate letter or term in the answer blanks.

Key Choices

  • A. Autonomic nervous system

  • B. Central nervous system (CNS)

  • C. Peripheral nervous system (PNS)

  • D. Somatic nervous system

Descriptions and Corresponding Answers

  1. Nervous system subdivision that is composed of the brain and spinal cord

    • Answer: B (Central nervous system (CNS))

  2. Subdivision of the PNS that controls voluntary activities such as the activation of skeletal muscles

    • Answer: D (Somatic nervous system)

  3. Nervous system subdivision that is composed of the cranial and spinal nerves and ganglia

    • Answer: C (Peripheral nervous system (PNS))

  4. Subdivision of the PNS that regulates the activity of the heart and smooth muscle, and of glands; it is also called the involuntary nervous system

    • Answer: A (Autonomic nervous system)

  5. A major subdivision of the nervous system that interprets incoming information and issues orders

    • Answer: B (Central nervous system (CNS))

  6. A major subdivision of the nervous system that serves as communication lines, linking all parts of the body to the CNS

    • Answer: C (Peripheral nervous system (PNS))

NERVOUS TISSUE - STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION

Differences Between Neurons and Neuroglia

  • This exercise emphasizes the difference between neurons and neuroglia. Indicate which cell type is identified by the following descriptions.

Key Choices

  • A. Neurons

  • B. Neuroglia

Descriptions and Corresponding Answers

  1. Support, insulate, and protect cells

    • Answer: B (Neuroglia)

  2. Demonstrate irritability and conductivity, and thus transmit electrical messages from one area of the body to another area

    • Answer: A (Neurons)

  3. Release neurotransmitters

    • Answer: A (Neurons)

  4. Are amitotic

    • Answer: A (Neurons)

  5. Able to divide; therefore are responsible for most brain neoplasms

    • Answer: B (Neuroglia)

NEURON STRUCTURE

Match Anatomical Terms to Neuron Functions

  • Relative to neuron anatomy, match the anatomical terms given in Column B with the appropriate descriptions of functions provided in Column A.

Column A - Functions

  1. Releases neurotransmitters

  2. Conducts local electrical currents toward the cell body

  3. Increases the speed of impulse transmission

  4. Location of the nucleus

  5. Generally conducts impulses away from the cell body

  6. Clustered ribosomes and rough ER

Column B - Anatomical Terms

A. Axon
B. Axon terminal
C. Dendrite
D. Myelin sheath
E. Neuron cell body
F. Nissl bodies

Descriptive Correspondences

  1. Releases neurotransmitters

    • Answer: B (Axon terminal)

  2. Conducts local electrical currents toward the cell body

    • Answer: C (Dendrite)

  3. Increases the speed of impulse transmission

    • Answer: D (Myelin sheath)

  4. Location of the nucleus

    • Answer: E (Neuron cell body)

  5. Generally conducts impulses away from the cell body

    • Answer: A (Axon)

  6. Clustered ribosomes and rough ER

    • Answer: F (Nissl bodies)