Module 3

Question 1

What are the three main functions of the nervous system?

Answer 1

Sensory input, integration, and motor output.

Question 2

What is the difference between afferent and efferent pathways?

Answer 2

Afferent pathways carry signals to the CNS (sensory), efferent pathways carry signals away from the CNS (motor).

Question 3

What are the two major divisions of the nervous system?

Answer 3

Central Nervous System (CNS) and Peripheral Nervous System (PNS).

Question 4

What are the two divisions of the autonomic nervous system?

Answer 4

Sympathetic (fight or flight) and Parasympathetic (rest and digest).

Question 5

What are the main functions of astrocytes?

Answer 5

Anchor neurons to capillaries, regulate capillary permeability, mop up ions, and recapture neurotransmitters.

Question 6

What is the role of microglia in the CNS?

Answer 6

Act as immune defense cells, phagocytose debris and microorganisms.

Question 7

What is the function of oligodendrocytes?

Answer 7

Form myelin sheaths around CNS neurons.

Question 8

What do Schwann cells do?

Answer 8

Form myelin sheaths around PNS neurons and help regenerate damaged nerves.

Question 9

What is the resting membrane potential of a neuron?

Answer 9

-70 mV.

Question 10

What is the function of the axon hillock?

Answer 10

Initiates the action potential.

Question 11

What happens at a chemical synapse?

Answer 11

Neurotransmitters are released from presynaptic neurons, bind to postsynaptic receptors, and induce a response.

Question 12

What enzyme breaks down acetylcholine?

Answer 12

Acetylcholinesterase.

Question 13

What condition results from botulinum toxin blocking ACh release?

Answer 13

Muscle paralysis.

Question 14

What is the function of dopamine?

Answer 14

Involved in mood, reward, and motor control.

Question 15

Which disease is associated with low dopamine?

Answer 15

Parkinson’s disease.

Question 16

Which neurotransmitter is blocked from reuptake by cocaine?

Answer 16

Dopamine.

Question 17

What is the role of endorphins?

Answer 17

Act as natural painkillers and mood enhancers.

Question 18

What are the four main brain regions?

Answer 18

Cerebral hemispheres, diencephalon, brainstem, cerebellum.

Question 19

What are the functions of the thalamus?

Answer 19

Relay center for sensory information.

Question 20

What does the hypothalamus regulate?

Answer 20

Homeostasis: temperature, hunger, thirst, sleep-wake cycles, hormone release.

Question 21

What is the function of the cerebellum?

Answer 21

Coordinates voluntary movement, posture, and balance.

Question 22

What is the blood-brain barrier?

Answer 22

Protective barrier regulating the passage of substances from blood into brain tissue.

Question 23

What is CSF and where is it produced?

Answer 23

Cerebrospinal fluid, produced in the choroid plexus.

Question 24

What are the three types of white matter tracts in the brain?

Answer 24

Association fibers, commissural fibers, projection fibers.

Question 25

What area controls voluntary speech?

Answer 25

Broca’s area.

Question 26

Where is the primary motor cortex located?

Answer 26

In the precentral gyrus of the frontal lobe.

Question 27

Where is the primary somatosensory cortex located?

Answer 27

In the postcentral gyrus of the parietal lobe.

Question 28

What does the visual association area do?

Answer 28

Interprets visual information using past experiences.

Question 29

Where is the gustatory cortex located?

Answer 29

In the insula lobe, deep to the temporal lobe.

Question 30

What is the function of the multimodal association areas?

Answer 30

Integrate inputs from multiple senses, help with memory, experience, and decision making.

Question 31

What brain area is responsible for understanding language?

Answer 31

Wernicke’s area.

Question 32

What is the result of damage to Wernicke’s area?

Answer 32

Receptive aphasia – inability to understand language.

Question 33

What is the result of damage to Broca’s area?

Answer 33

Expressive aphasia – inability to speak words despite understanding.

Question 34

What does the prefrontal cortex do?

Answer 34

Involved in decision making, personality, judgment, and complex planning.

Question 35

What is the function of the limbic system?

Answer 35

Emotion, motivation, and memory.

Question 36

Which part of the brain regulates circadian rhythm?

Answer 36

Epithalamus via the pineal gland (melatonin secretion).

Question 37

What is the role of the brainstem?

Answer 37

Controls autonomic functions such as breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure.

Question 38

What are the three parts of the brainstem?

Answer 38

Midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata.

Question 39

Which brain region coordinates balance and movement?

Answer 39

Cerebellum.

Question 40

What disorder is caused by degeneration of neurons in the basal nuclei?

Answer 40

Parkinson's disease.

Question 41

What neurotransmitter is deficient in Parkinson’s disease?

Answer 41

Dopamine.

Question 42

What are the ventricles of the brain filled with?

Answer 42

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

Question 43

What is hydrocephalus?

Answer 43

A condition where CSF accumulates in the brain, increasing pressure.

Question 44

What structures form the diencephalon?

Answer 44

Thalamus, hypothalamus, and epithalamus.

Question 45

What happens in Huntington’s disease?

Answer 45

Degeneration of neurons in the basal ganglia causing uncontrolled movements.