Basics of the CNS

Question 2

What are the two main divisions of the nervous system?

Answer 2

Central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS).

Question 3

What structures are part of the CNS?

Answer 3

The brain and spinal cord.

Question 4

What is the structure of the PNS?

Answer 4

Connects the CNS to the limbs and organs; includes 12 cranial nerves and 31 spinal nerve pairs.

Question 5

What is the foramen magnum?

Answer 5

The large opening at the base of the skull where the brain connects to the spinal cord.

Question 6

What are afferent nerves?

Answer 6

Nerves that carry sensory information to the CNS.

Question 7

What are efferent nerves?

Answer 7

Nerves that carry motor commands from the CNS to the muscles and glands.

Question 8

What are the divisions of the autonomic nervous system?

Answer 8

Sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.

Question 9

What is the role of the sympathetic nervous system?

Answer 9

Activates ‘fight or flight’ response.

Question 10

What is the role of the parasympathetic nervous system?

Answer 10

Promotes ‘rest and digest’ activities.

Question 11

What are the main types of neurons?

Answer 11

Unipolar, bipolar, multipolar, pseudo-unipolar.

Question 12

Which neuron type is most common in the CNS?

Answer 12

Multipolar neurons.

Question 13

What are glial cells?

Answer 13

Support cells in the nervous system providing nourishment, insulation, and protection.

Question 14

What do astrocytes do?

Answer 14

Maintain the blood-brain barrier and regulate the CNS environment.

Question 15

What is the function of oligodendrocytes?

Answer 15

Produce myelin in the CNS.

Question 16

What is the function of Schwann cells?

Answer 16

Produce myelin in the PNS.

Question 17

What are microglia?

Answer 17

Immune cells of the CNS acting as macrophages.

Question 18

What do ependymal cells do?

Answer 18

Line brain ventricles and help circulate cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

Question 19

What are microtubules?

Answer 19

Cytoskeletal structures composed of alpha and beta tubulin involved in transport and structure.

Question 20

What is the role of tau protein?

Answer 20

Stabilises microtubules in neurons.

Question 21

What condition is associated with hyperphosphorylation of tau?

Answer 21

Alzheimer’s disease.

Question 22

What is saltatory conduction?

Answer 22

The jumping of action potentials between nodes of Ranvier in myelinated neurons.

Question 23

What are nodes of Ranvier?

Answer 23

Gaps in the myelin sheath where voltage-gated ion channels are concentrated.

Question 24

Why do action potentials travel in one direction?

Answer 24

Due to the refractory period of sodium channels.

Question 25

What is the primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the CNS?

Answer 25

Glutamate.

Question 26

What is paired-pulse facilitation?

Answer 26

Enhanced neurotransmitter release due to residual calcium from a prior action potential.

Question 27

What are the three meninges that protect the CNS?

Answer 27

Dura mater, arachnoid mater, pia mater.

Question 28

What produces cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)?

Answer 28

The choroid plexus.

Question 29

What are the three main functions of CSF?

Answer 29

Shock absorption, buoyancy, and nutrient/waste transport.

Question 30

What is the circle of Willis?

Answer 30

A circulatory anastomosis that supplies blood to the brain.

Question 31

What is locked-in syndrome?

Answer 31

A condition of paralysis except for eye movement due to basilar artery occlusion.

Question 32

Which capillaries form the blood-brain barrier?

Answer 32

Continuous capillaries with tight junctions.

Question 33

What is the function of the medulla oblongata?

Answer 33

Controls autonomic functions like breathing and heart rate.

Question 34

What does the pons do?

Answer 34

Regulates sleep, respiration, and acts as a relay station.

Question 35

What brain region processes sensory and motor functions?

Answer 35

The midbrain.

Question 36

What is the function of the thalamus?

Answer 36

Processes sensory input to the cerebral cortex.

Question 37

What is the function of the hypothalamus?

Answer 37

Regulates autonomic, endocrine, and visceral functions.

Question 38

What is the hippocampus responsible for?

Answer 38

Memory formation.

Question 39

What is the amygdala responsible for?

Answer 39

Emotional processing and coordination of autonomic responses.

Question 40

What does the cerebral cortex control?

Answer 40

Higher cognitive functions including thought, language, and voluntary movement.

Question 41

What are sulci and gyri?

Answer 41

Sulci are grooves and gyri are ridges on the brain's surface.

Question 42

What is the function of the spinal cord?

Answer 42

Transmits information and coordinates reflexes.

Question 43

What are dorsal horn cells?

Answer 43

Spinal neurons that receive sensory input.

Question 44

What are ventral horn cells?

Answer 44

Spinal neurons that send motor output.

Question 45

What part of the brain controls speech planning?

Answer 45

Wernicke’s area in the temporal lobe.

Question 46

What part of the brain controls speech production?

Answer 46

Broca’s area in the frontal lobe.