Lecture 1 - Brain Structure and Function

Question 1

What is the CNS made up of?

Answer 1

The Brain and Spinal Cord

Question 2

What is the PNS made up of?

Answer 2

All areas of the nervous system outside the brain and spinal cord.

Question 3

What is the role of the somatic system?

Answer 3

Links the spinal cord with the body and sense organs as well as controlling voluntary behaviour.

Question 4

What is the role of the Autonomic system?

Answer 4

Its serves internal organs and controls automatic functions

Question 5

What are the 2 divisions of the autonomic nervous system?

Answer 5

The sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system

Question 6

What is the role of the sympathetic nervous system?

Answer 6

The fight or flight response, this arouses the body and is an emergency system which stimulates energy resources.

Question 7

What is the role of the parasympathetic nervous system?

Answer 7

The rest and digest response, this relaxes the body and saves energy, is most active after an emotional event.

Question 8

Outline the steps of the sympathetic response

Answer 8

1. The release of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine within the ANS.
2. Acetylcholine actives the sympathetic adrenal-medullary system by stimulating the adrenal medulla to release epinephrine and norepinephrine.

Question 9

What system does the Adrenal -Medullary System work with?

Answer 9

Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA). This constitutes the hormonal component of the stress response.

Question 10

Outline the role of the Somatic Nervous System

Answer 10

Allows for Sensory Input and Movement control. It carries sensory information and motor responses to and from the CNS. Also processes sensory information from external stimuli and is involved in voluntary movements and reflexes.

Question 11

Outline the steps of reflexes in the somatic system

Answer 11

1. The sensory receptor senses a stimulus
2. Sensory neurone transmits signals to the PNS via afferent nerve fibres.
3. The integration centre in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord decodes the signal
4. The signal travels via the ventral horn to the efferent nerve fibres to the effectors
5. Effector muscles respond by contracting

Question 12

What are the 3 major functions on the spinal cord?

Answer 12

1. Conduit for motor information
2. conduit for sensory information
3. A centre for coordinating certain reflexes

Question 13

Types of matter make up the spinal cord?

Answer 13

Grey and White matter

Question 14

What is the Dorsal horn?

Answer 14

In the spinal cord, a site where afferent nerve fibres synapse

Question 15

What is the Ventral horn?

Answer 15

In the spinal cord, a site where efferent nerve fibres synapse.

Question 16

Functions of the spinal cord

Answer 16

1. Neurones in the motor cortex send their axons through the corticospinal tract to connect with motor neurones in the spinal cord. These project out of the cord to correct muscles and control conscious movements.
2. Information also flows in the opposite direct, resulting in involuntary movement.

Question 17

Lateral

Answer 17

Towards the side, away from the middle

Question 18

Medial

Answer 18

Towards the middle, away from the side

Question 19

Ipsilateral

Answer 19

On the same side

Question 20

Contralateral

Answer 20

On the opposite side

Question 21

Anterior/Rostral

Answer 21

In front of, towards the front of the brain but top of the spinal cord

Question 22

Posterior/Caudal

Answer 22

Behind, Towards the back of the brain but the bottom of the spinal cord

Question 23

Superior/Dorsal

Answer 23

Above, towards the top of the brain but at the back of the spinal cord

Question 24

Inferior/Ventral

Answer 24

Below, Towards the bottom of the brain but at the front of the spinal cord

Question 25

What is grey matter made up of?

Answer 25

Neuronal cell bodies

Question 26

What is white matter made up of?

Answer 26

Neuronal axons

Question 27

what are the gross divisions of the brain?

Answer 27

Cerebellum, Brain Stem, Cerebral Cortex

Question 28

What is the Medulla Oblongata

Answer 28

Forms the lower part of the brain stem and is the transition between the brain and the spinal cord. Controls vital functions.

Question 29

What is the Pons?

Answer 29

Form the upper part of the brain stem and connect the rest of the brain to the cerebellum. Bridges the spinal cord and the brain. Controls muscle movement and carries sensory motor info from the PNS. Arousal and automatic functions. Also involved in the sleep and wake cycle.

Question 30

What are the 2 parts of the Midbrain

Answer 30

Tectum (roof) and tegmentum (floor)

Question 31

What are the different parts of the Tectum?

Answer 31

Superior Colliculi (part of the visual system that controls eye movement) Inferior Colliculi (forms part of the auditory pathway and controls pitch perception and startle response.

Question 32

What are the different parts of the Tegmentum?

Answer 32

Periaqueductal gray Reticular formation Red Nuclei Substantia Nigra

Question 33

Periaqueductal Gray function

Answer 33

Specific movement sequences, pain regulation, reproductive and maternal behaviours.

Question 34

Reticular formation function

Answer 34

Sleep, arousal, attention and muscle tone

Question 35

Red nuclei function

Answer 35

Gait, crawling and fine hand movement

Question 36

Substantia Nigra function

Answer 36

Controls dopamine release, relays to basal ganglia. Motor planning, eye movement, reward seeking, learning, addiction.

Question 37

The cerebellum

Answer 37

'small brain' located at the back of the brain. the stem is attached to the pons by cerebellar peduncles.

Question 38

cerebellum function

Answer 38

Controls motor movement and coordination, balance and equilibrium, automated movement sequences, fine movement and muscle tone. Also involved in Automatic language processing.