Nervous system

Question 1

What 2 structures are a part of the CNS?

Answer 1

Brain and spinal cord

Question 2

What makes up the PNS?

Answer 2

peripheral nerves and ganglia

Question 3

What 2 cell classes make up the nervous system (CNS & PNS)?

Answer 3

Neurons and glia

Question 4

What is the function of neurons?

Answer 4

transmission of information

Question 5

What is the function of glia?

Answer 5

Provide support for neurons

Question 6

How many types of glia is there? How many in each division of the nervous system?

Answer 6

5 basic types (4 in CNS, 1 in PNS)

Question 7

Name 2 functions of dendrites

Answer 7

• Receive input from other cells

- Collect info and send to cell body

Question 8

Name 2 functions of the cell body

Answer 8

• Contains nucleus and organelles

- Sums input from dendrites

Question 9

Name 2 functions/features of the axon

Answer 9

• Carries electrical impulses (action potential)

- May or may not have myelin sheath

Question 10

Name 2 functions of the axon terminal

Answer 10

• End of the axon

- Releases neurotransmitters

Question 11

In the CNS, what is a group of cell bodies generally called?

Answer 11

A nucleus

Question 12

In the CNS, what is a bundle of axons generally called?

Answer 12

A track

Question 13

In the CNS, what is a group of cell bodies called on exception? What is this exception?

Answer 13

Grey matter

- in cerebral cortex and spinal cord

Question 14

In the CNS, what is a bundle of axons called on exception? What is this exception?

Answer 14

White matter

- in cerebral cortex and spinal cord

Question 15

In the PNS, what is a group of cell bodies called?

Answer 15

Ganglion

Question 16

In the PNS, what is a bundle of axons called?

Answer 16

A nerve

Question 17

What event occurs at the axon hillock?

Answer 17

Summation of inputs and initiation of AP

Question 18

Name the 4 morphological types/shapes of neurons

Answer 18

Multipolar, bipolar, unipolar, anaxonic

Question 19

Name the 4 types of glia in the CNS

Answer 19

Astrocytes, microglia, ependymal cells, oligodendrocytes

Question 20

Name the type glial cell found in the PNS

Answer 20

Schwann cells

Question 21

What are 3 functions of astrocytes?

Answer 21

• Supply nutrients to neurons
• Ensheath blood capillaries to control what nutrients go in/out of neuron
• Injury response

Question 22

What are 2 functions of microglia?

Answer 22

• Start immune response if needed (these are the immune cells of the CNS)
• Engulf microorganisms/debris

Question 23

Name 2 functions of ependymal cells

Answer 23

• Line fluid filled spaces of brain/spinal cord

* Have cilia that beat rhythmically in a particular direction to circulate cerebral spinal fluid

Question 24

Name 2 functions of oligodendrocytes

Answer 24

• Support nerve fibres (axons)

* Make myelin sheath

Question 25

Where are Schwann cells found

Answer 25

Ensheathing most neurons in the PNS, lined up along axon

Question 26

What is the function of Schwann cells? (brief)

Answer 26

To ensheath PNS neuron axons with myelin by wrapping in many layers of plasma membrane (lipid = fat)

Question 27

What 2 types of cells provide myelin sheath?

Answer 27

Oligodendrocytes (CNS) and Schwann cells (PNS)

Question 28

What is the myelin sheath?

Answer 28

Layers of lipid wrapped around axon

Question 29

What are the gaps between schwann cells called?

Answer 29

Nodes of Ranvier

Question 30

What is the function of the Nodes of Ranvier?

Answer 30

To increase conductivity velocity

Question 31

What is a synapse?

Answer 31

The space between output zone of one cell and input zone of another

Question 32

Why aren't neurons electrically coupled?

Answer 32

Because chemical transmission = allows flexibility = can transmit more and different signals via the different neurotransmitters and receptors

Question 33

Which direction does afferent info flow in?

Answer 33

Ascending: information into the brain (e.g. sensory info in)

Question 34

What direction does efferent info flow in?

Answer 34

Descending: response that comes out of brain (e.g. motor response)