Nervous system

Question 1

What are the 2 main divisions of the nervous system?

Answer 1

• Central nervous system
• Peripheral nervous system

Question 2

What is the somatic nervous system responsible for?

Answer 2

Carrying sensory and motor information to and from the central nervous system

Question 3

Describe synaptic transmission

Answer 3

Refers to the process by which a nerve impulse passes across the synaptic cleft from one neuron to another

Question 4

Define hormones

Answer 4

The body’s chemical messengers , they travel through the blood stream and influence different body processes like mood and stress response

Question 5

What are axons?

Answer 5

Axons carry the electrical impulse down the length of the neuron

Question 6

Why are young people more likely to recover from brain trauma

Answer 6

During infancy and childhood rapid growth occurs forming 15000 synaptic connections which increases brain function

Question 7

What is Wernicke’s area

Answer 7

The part of the brain that deal with language comprehension and is located in the temporal lobe

Question 8

What is the autonomic division responsible for?

Answer 8

Controls involuntary movements like heart rate and breathing rate

Question 9

Describe the 4 steps of synaptic transmission

Answer 9

1- Information is passed down the axon of the neuron as an electrical impulse known as action potential

2- Once the electrical impulse reaches the end of the axon it needs to be transferred to another neuron or tissue

3- It must cross over the synaptic gap between presynaptic neuron and post synaptic neuron

4- When the electrical impulses reach the synaptic vesicles they release there contents of neurotransmitters

5- Neurotransmitters then carry the signal across the synaptic gap

6- They bind to receptor sites on the post synaptic cell

Question 10

Where are sensory neurons found?

Answer 10

In the eyes, ears, tongue and skin

Question 11

Where do sensory neurons carry nerve impulses too?

Answer 11

Spinal cord and brain

Question 12

Where are relay neurons found?

Answer 12

The brain and spinal cord

Question 13

What is the responsibility of relay neurons?

Answer 13

Allow sensory and motor neurons to communicate

Question 14

Where are motor neurons found?

Answer 14

In the Central Nervous System and control muscle movements

Question 15

What do motor neurons do when they are stimulated

Answer 15

Release neurotransmitters that bind to the receptors on muscles to trigger a response which lead to movement