Nervous system!

Question 1

Define neuroscienece

Answer 1

Study of the nervous system

Question 2

Name three different approaches to neuroscience

Answer 2

E.g. cellular/molecular, behavioural, cognitive, computational, clinical

Question 3

Define Dale’s Law

Answer 3

that each neuron has a specialised function

Question 4

What are neuronal fibres

Answer 4

Outgrowths of neurons

Question 5

What is the neural unit?

Answer 5

The fact that the brain is made up of individual neurons that contain specialized features.

Question 6

Name the three basic parts of a neuron

Answer 6

The dendrites, the cell body, and the axon

Question 7

How many layers is the human neocortex made up from?

Answer 7

6

Question 8

Name the two types of responses a neuron can exhibit depending on the stimulus

Answer 8

Tonic (repeated triggering) and Phase (a single firing)

Question 9

True of false: Potassium moves freely through channels whilst sodium is tightly regulated.

Answer 9

True

Question 10

What does the refractory period ensure?

Answer 10

Uni-directional movement

Question 11

How do the nodes of Ranvier affect voltage speed?

Answer 11

They increase the speed as they allow the signal to “jump” down the axon.

Question 12

Name two ways in which transmission can be sped up

Answer 12

Giant axons and myelination.

Question 13

What happens when myelin is lost/degrades? Give an example.

Answer 13

A range of autoimmune diseases can develop such as multiple sclerosis

Question 14

What stimulates the release of transmitters from intracellular vesicles?

Answer 14

Voltage-gated calcium channels in the presynaptic neuron

Question 15

What do ionotropic and metabotropic mean in terms of signalling receptor speed?

Answer 15

Ionotropic = fast and metabotropic = slow

Question 16

What does the hypothalamus control? Name the three things.

Answer 16

Endocrine regulation, autonomic function, and limbic function.

Question 17

Define the neural doctrine

Answer 17

The concept that the nervous system is made up of discrete individual cells

Question 18

What is the major biological difference seen in the human brain when compared to other mammals?

Answer 18

Much larger and more developed frontal cortex

Question 19

Name the four main areas of the human brain

Answer 19

Telencephalon, Diencephalon, Mesencephalon and the cerebellum

Question 20

What makes up the telecephalon?

Answer 20

Cortex and the deeper structures of the cerebrum

Question 21

What makes up the diencephalon?

Answer 21

The thalamus and the hypothalamus

Question 22

What makes up the Mesencephalon?

Answer 22

The midbrain, the pons and the medulla

Question 23

Where are the most sophisticated functions of our brain located?

Answer 23

The top and front of our brains.

Question 24

What is the function of cerebrospinal fluid?

Answer 24

To insulate the brain

Question 25

What does the blood-brain barrier ensure?

Answer 25

That only essential molecules pass into the brain

Question 26

What are the two branches of the autonomic system?

Answer 26

Sympathetic and parasympathetic

Question 27

True or false: The parasympathetic and sympathetic systems work one at a time.

Answer 27

False- they are both constantly active

Question 28

Where do preganglionic sympathetic and parasympathetic fibres originate from? What do they both secrete?

Answer 28

Sympathetic = spinal cord. parasympathetic = brain and lower spinal cord. Both secrete acetylcholine.

Question 29

What do postganglionic sympathetic and parasympathetic fibres secrete? What are the specific names for both types of fibres?

Answer 29

sympathetic = norepinephrine and adrenergic. parasympathetic = acetylcholine and cholinergic

Question 30

What does the Adrenal cortex secrete?

Answer 30

Mineralocorticoids and glucocorticoids

Question 31

What arteries supply the brain with blood?

Answer 31

The internal cortical arteries and the vertebral arteries.

Question 32

What doe the Internal Carotid arteries and the vertebral arteries combine to form?

Answer 32

The circle of Willis

Question 33

What is a stroke?

Answer 33

The interruption of blood flow to the brain causing cell death.

Question 34

What do stroke symptoms and aftermath depend on?

Answer 34

Location of stroke, type of stroke and time before treatment.

Question 35

True or false: the endocrine system is uni-directional

Answer 35

False - it is bi-directional

Question 36

What are the two types of signals that can be recieved by a postsynaptic neuron?

Answer 36

Excitatory and inhibitory

Question 37

Briefly describe how a neuroendocrine signal is transmitted (presynaptic neuron to target cell.)

Answer 37

presynaptic neuron --> postsynaptic neuron --> bloodstream --> target cell.

Question 38

What are endocrine cells specialized for?

Answer 38

synthesis, storage, release

Question 39

Where are receptors for hormones located within cells?

Answer 39

The cytoplasm or cell membrane

Question 40

Name the three CNS endocrine glands

Answer 40

Pineal gland, hypothalamus, pituitary gland

Question 41

How do most nuclei in the hypothalamus communicate with the endocrine system?

Answer 41

Via the pituitary gland

Question 42

What major hormones are released from the ANTERIOR pituitary gland?

Answer 42

Growth hormone (gnRH), LH and FSH

Question 43

What 2 major hormones are released from the posterior pituitary gland?

Answer 43

Vasopressin and oxytocin

Question 44

True or false: Oestrogen operates with both negative and positive feedback loops?

Answer 44

True

Question 45

What is the function of Leydig cells and where are they found?

Answer 45

Found in the seminiferous tubules and produce testosterone in response to LH

Question 46

What is the function of Sertoli cells and where are they found?

Answer 46

Found in the seminiferous tubules and stimulate sperm maturation.

Question 47

What do theca cells produce?

Answer 47

Androstenedione

Question 48

at do Granulosa cells produce?

Answer 48

Oestrogen

Question 49

What are the two parts of the adrenal gland?

Answer 49

The adrenal cortex and the adrenal medulla

Question 50

What responses do the adrenal medulla and cortex stimulate?

Answer 50

Medulla = fight or flight response. Cortex = stress response

Question 51

What does the pineal gland secrete?

Answer 51

Melatonin

Question 52

What determines if an endocrine cell can synthesise a hormone or not?

Answer 52

Which enzymes it produces

Question 53

What governs most sex differences?

Answer 53

Aromatase levels and distribution

Question 54

define stress

Answer 54

Anything that puts the body out of homeostatic balance

Question 55

What is the process of allostasis?

Answer 55

The maintenance of stability through physiological or behavioural change.

Question 56

Describe the relationship between stress and health

Answer 56

As stress levels increase, health worsens

Question 57

How is the circadian rhythm regulated?

Answer 57

Through environmental factors

Question 58

What is the suprachiasmatic nucleus?

Answer 58

A group of specialised cells located in the hypothalamus

Question 59

What does the suprachiasmatic nucleus activate?

Answer 59

Secretion of melatonin from the pineal gland

Question 60

How is melatonin supressed and how is it measured?

Answer 60

Melatonin is supressed by light exposure and is measured through the blood or saliva

Question 61

Name two negative consequences of insufficient sleep + state of social jetlag

Answer 61

decreases in cognitive and academic performance, safety, mental health, physical health.

Question 62

True or false: The SCN clock cells act in a synchronised fashion?

Answer 62

True