16. Central Nervous System Flashcards
What is the structure and function of the nervous system?
Structure: central nervous system and peripheral nervous system Function: autonomic (involuntary) and somatic (voluntary)
What is the difference between a neuron and a nerve?
Neuron is just one cell, a nerve is a bundle of neurons which exist only outside the central nervous system
What is the structure and function of a myelin sheath?
Structure: coated with a fatty layer of myelin Function: provides electrical insulation to conduct nerve impulses
What is the structure of the brain?
A hollow structure formed formed from a tube. Contains white matter (myelinated axons) and grey matter (unmyelated axons)
What is the fluid contained contained in the central cavity in the brain?
Cerebrospinal fluid - inside ducts and chambers
What are the six sections of the brain? And what do they do?
Cerebrum -‘higher functions’ conscious though, behaviour, learning
Thalamus- relay stations to regulate impulse to and from the cerebrum
Hypothalamus - link between the nervous and endocrine system
Pituitary gland- ‘master’ endocrine gland
Cerebellum - position and coordinating
Brainstem - basic involuntary control functions (breathing)
What are cranial nerves apart of and what do they do?
Its part of the peripheral nervous system - they have 12 motor and sensory nerves to control sense, salivary glands, muscles of face etc
Where is the spinal cord located and what does it do? (3 points)
Its an extension of the brain into the vertebral column It allows - communicated between the brain and body - communication between parts of the spinal cord -integration for reflexes
Which part is white and grey matter in the spinal cord? (Myelinated)
There is central grey matter And peripheral white matter
What are spinal nerves apart of and where do they enter and leave?
Part of the peripheral nervous system Enter/leave the spinal cord
What are synapses?
Connections between neurons
What is ganglia? What is its function?
Sits where large numbers of nerves form synapses (outside the CNS) Ganglia allow integration of information without CNS insolvent
What happens with an action potential reaches a terminal?
The release of neurotransmitters inot the synaptic cleft
What does direct synaptic transmission require?
The binding of neurotransmitters to Ligand- gated ion channels
What does neutransmitter binding cause?
Cause ion channels to open to create a postsynaptic potential
What is the order of reflexes? (5 steps)
Receptor
Afferent neuron
Synapse
Efferent neuron
Effector organ
