Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

Human Biology > Nerves > Flashcards

Nerves Flashcards

(61 cards)

Start Studying
1
Q

The peripheral Nervous system includes what

A

Cranial & Spinal nerves. Ganglia which is a cluster of nervous cells outside of the CNS

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What are the two main categories of nervous tissue cells

A

Neurons (functional units) Glial cells (Protect and provude nutrients & immune functions to neurons)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Describe Neuroglia e.g. glial cells

A

smaller than neurons but more numerous, unable to propagate action potentials, able to divide and multiply & in disease they fill space previously occupied by neuons like scar tissue

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Which glial cells are found in the CNS

A

Astrocytes, Microglia, Epdndymal cells, Oligodendrocytes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Which glial cells are found in the PNS

A

Satillite & schwann cells

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What are some characteristics of Astrocytes

A

Star-shape, Maintain chemical environment, blood-brain barrier, forms scar tissue after brain injury, provide nutrients to neurones, take up excess neurotransmitters (e.g. stop muscle contraction)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

what are some characteristics of Microglia

A

Protects CNS by phagocytosis of invading microbes, clear away debris and dead cells

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

what are some characteristics of Ependymal cells

A

Epithelial cells which line ventricles of the brain and the central canal of the spinal chord. Form cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) Encourage movement of CSF with cilia. selectivelly permeable to allow exchange of fluid substances acros lining

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

what are some characteristics of oligodendrocytes (CNS)

A

Provide structural support, forms myelin sheath to help with the conduction of the action potential along an axon,

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

what are some characteristics of Schwann cells (PNS)

A

only associated with one axonal segment, wraps around in a spiral around the axons of motor cells. forming a myelin sheath. Makes up white matter

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What us white matter mad from

A

Schwann cells forming myelin sheaths, All other neural tissue is grey matter

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

what are some characteristics of satellite cells (PNS)

A

arranged around the cell bodies of neurons, regulate chemical environment involved in repair

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What types of tumours are typically found in the nervous system

A

gliomas due to being glial cells. symptoms depend of location and size

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What does demyelination refer to in disorders of the nervous system

A

when the myelin sheath is detroyed this stops action potentials being conducted. e.g. Multiple sclerosis, Guillain barre syndrome

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Which side of the body does the left side of the cerebellum control

A

left side. its the cerebrum that controls opposites

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

what are the two structure shapes the brain can be

A

Lissencephalic (smooth) or Gyrencephalic (grooved)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What are the names of the ridges and grooves in the human brain

A

ridges - gyri

grooves - sulci

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What is the cerebellum responsible for

A

little brain controls movement, 3 lobes, anterior posterior and flocculonodular

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Describe the brainstem

A

imformation transfer. Regulates vital body functions (breathing, body temperature, sleep) 3 sections - Midbrain - vision, hearing , motor control - Pons - pneumotaxic centre - Medulla Oblongata - cardiac, respiratory, vasomotor, vomiting

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Describe the ventricular system in the brain

A

4 cavities which are interconnected, filed with CSF which is produced by the choroid plexus. Acts as a shock absorber to avoid damage

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Describe the roles of the meninges

A

3 sections - Dura mater (skull cap, tough outer layer)
Arachnoid (under dura)
sub arachnoid space contains CSF
Pia Mater - inner layer

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Describe the spinal column segmentation

A

cervical (8 segments)
Thoracic (12 segments)
Lumbar (5 segments)
Sacral (5 segments)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Describe the organisation of the nervous tissue in the spinal chord and the roles the play

A

butterfly shape of grey matter surrounded by white matte. Dorsal horn deals with sensory information & Ventral horn deals with motor information

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Describe the roles of the 3 funicular in the spinal chord

A

Dorsal - ascending sensory axons
Lateral - ascending & descending
Ventral - descending axons

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
What are the 5 structural features which are used to classify neurons
``` No. of neurites Dendritic tree structure Axon length Neurotransmitter connections ```
26
What are the three types of connections neurons can make
- Snsory (afferent) neurons: relay sensory information from the bodys sensory surfaces towards the CNS e.g.temp, pain. - Interneurons: form connections between different neural circuits - Motorneurons (efferent): carry nerve impulses away from the CNS to muscles e.g. contraction of muscle
27
How are the CNS & PNS connected
spinal roots. sensory afferents enter CNS via Dorsal root. Efferent motor neurons exit CNS via ventral root. Afferent & Efferent nerve fibres travel together in mixed Spinal nerves in the PNS
28
Why is the resting membrane potential -70mV
Resting membrane is 25-30 times more permeable to K then Na. Na wants to flow in & K wants to flow out
29
What are the individual components required to establish a potential difference
impermeable membrane, with specialised ion channels, different concentrations of Na & K across the membrane
30
What is the threshold depolarisation value required for an action potential and what happens when this occurs
-55mV cause a VSD voltage sensitive domain to open, allowing Na into the system along the electrochemical gradient (passive) therefore depolarising it to +35mV
31
What happens once the membrane potential reaches +35mV
K VSD opens allowing K ions to move down the electrochemical gradient to hyperpolarise the cell.
32
Are myelinated nerve fibres faster or slower & give examples
faster. Autonomic - smooth/cardiac muscle, Sensory: muscle position.
33
what is the name of the exposed part of the axon without a sheath round it
Nodes of Ranvier
34
'Saltatory' conduction is used across the Ranvier nodes what is this
impulse jumping from node to node 50 times faster than in non myelinated fibres
35
Electrical synapses use what type of junction
gap junctions, which allow ions to pass between cells i.e. pass on an electrical signal
36
What is the name of the area between two synapses
synaptic cleft. the synapse also includes the pre and post synaptic neuron
37
Briefly describe the process of transferring ab impulse across a synapse
presynaptic neuron releases neurotransmitter NT binds to receptor on the post synaptic neuron this produces a response in the post synaptic neuron Each presynaptic neuron only releases one type of neurotransmitter
38
Describe Temporal summation and Spatial summation in the context of generating action potentials
Temporal - Excitatory neuron 1 fires twice in quick succession Spatial - Exn 1 & 2 fire together or in quick succession
39
Somatic nervous system controls what
voluntary movements
40
Describe the areas in the frontal lobe and the roles they play
Prefrontal Cortex - higher cognitive function Motor Cortex - planning, control & execution of movement Broca's Area - production of speech found in left hemisphere Broca's aphasia (when someone can read and talk but cannot understand speech)
41
Describe the main areas in the Parietal lobe and the functions they provide
Sensory information. Primary somatosensory cortex - postcentral gyrus - tactile sensation - sensory homunculus posterior parietal cortex - integration of sensory information- spatial perception & attention - cognitive functions
42
Describe the main areas of the Occipital lobe and the functions they provide
Visuel processing: Primary visual Cortex - located around CALCARINE SULCUS - receive visual information from the THALAMUS - 6 layers Other areas of visual cortex V2 - V5 etc...
43
Describe the main areas of the temporal lobe and the functions they provide
Auditory cortex - hearing, speech, words, pitch, tone | Wernicke's area - language comprehension
44
How many pairs of cranial and spinal nerves are there
``` 12 cranial nerves, 1,2,8 are sense organs 3,4,6 eye muscles 11 neck§ muscles 12 tongue muscles 31 spinal nerves ```
45
define reflex
rapid involuntary movement in response to a stimulus and it completely subconscious
46
Describe the reflex arc of a monosynaptic reflex
afferent (sensory) neuron relays information to the integration centre (spinal chord) which forms a synapse with the efferent (motor neuron)
47
Describe the reflex arc of a polysynaptic reflex
sensory neuron forms a synapse with an inter neuron which forms a synapse with the motor neuron
48
Describe the process of the knee jerk reflex
stimulus causes stretch in the muscle which is detected by the sensory receptor, fires action potentials. information enters the spinal column via the dorsal column forming a direct synapse with the motor neuron which causes contraction of the muscle
49
Describe a polysynaptic reflex e.g. withdrawal
Pain receptor relay information through afferent neuron. information enters spinal chord via dorsal column. synapse is formed with inter neuron which forms a synapse with a motor neuron which causes muscle contraction
50
How can a tendon jerk reflex be described as polysynaptic
in the spinal chord a interneuron synapse is formed which forms a synapse with the motor neuron to cause an inhibitory response in the antagonist muscle to the active muscle e.g. hamstring
51
What is the difference between a control (closed loop) and protective reflexes (open loop)
control - Stimulus feedback causes response which acts on the stimulus, Muscle stretch leads to muscle contraction Protective - Stimulus feedback has no affect on the stimulus, Pin prick leads to withdrawal from pin
52
which structures are included as part of the PNS
Spinal nerves + most cranial nerves
53
The parasympathetic nervous system deals with what?
rest & digest
54
Describe the neurons in the pathway for the ANS
2 preganglionic from CNS to auto gnanglion & postganglionic from ganglion to target tissue
55
Name the neurotransmitters used un the somatic and ANS
somatic - Acetylcholine (ACh) | ANS - Pregnaglionic ACh, Postganglionic ACh, noradrenaline (sympathetic) or ACh (parasympathetic)
56
Name the receptors in the Somatic and ANS
somatic - Nicotinic in skeletal muscle | ANS - Nicotinic in gnagnlia, Muscarinic (parasympathetic) or adrenergic in target tissue (Sympathetic)
57
Describe the location of the preganglionic neurons in the sympathetic and parasympathetic pathways
parasympathetic - spinal chord levels S2-S4 | sympathetic - Spinal chord levels T1 - L2
58
Which system in the ANS is faster and why
parasympathetic is faster - the myelinated section is longer
59
Name a structure which is only supplied by the sympathetic system
parietal distribution, e.g. body wall, supply blood vessels which supply body wall, sweat glands, skin and hairs, blood vessels
60
What is a general trend of organs with a duel supply of sympathetic and parasympathetic
sympathetic - increases rate and contractility | parasympathetic - decreases rate and contractility
61
Which nervous system controls the gut
Enteric nervous system

Human Biology (12 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions