Exam 3 Study Guide Nervous System

Question 1

What are the three main functions of the nervous system?

Answer 1

1. Sensory Input (Gathering information)
2. Integration (Processing and interpreting the information)
3. Motor Output (Responding by sending signals to muscles or glands)

Question 2

What are the two main divisions of the entire nervous system?

Answer 2

1. Central Nervous System (CNS): The brain and spinal cord. (The command center)
2. Peripheral Nervous System (PNS): All the nerves that extend from the CNS to the rest of the body. (The communication network)

Question 3

What are the two primary functional divisions of the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)?

Answer 3

• Somatic Nervous System
• Autonomic Nervous System

Question 4

Somatic nervous system

Answer 4

Controls voluntary movements (like skeletal muscles)

Question 5

Autonomic nervous system (motor)

Answer 5

Controls involuntary actions (like heart rate, digestion, glands)

Question 6

Astrocytes (2)

Answer 6

• Anchor neurons
• regulate the chemical environment around neurons

Question 7

Microglia

Answer 7

Act as the nervous system’s immune cells; eat debris and pathogens.

Question 8

Ependymal Cells (2)

Answer 8

• Line the central cavities of the brain and spinal cord
• circulate cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)

Question 9

Oligodendrocytes (CNS) + Schwann Cells (PNS)

Answer 9

Produce Myelin (insulation) for axons

Question 10

What is the primary role of the Myelin sheath?

Answer 10

increase the speed of nerve impulse transmission