nervous system overview

Question 1

what are the functions of the nervous system?

Answer 1

communication, regulating interval events, organising behaviour, info storage, sensations, perceptions, emotions

Question 2

what is the fucntion of glia cells?

Answer 2

supportive, nutritive cells, form myelin (schwann and oligodendrocytes)

Question 3

give examples of glia cells and there function

Answer 3

astrocytes - nutrient supply to CNS neurones
microglia - defence
epindymal cells - produce cerebrospinal fluid
oliogodendricytes - myelin formation in CNS
schwann cells - myelin formation in PNS

Question 4

what is the function of neurons?

Answer 4

generate and transmitt signals

Question 5

what does the CNS contain?

Answer 5

brain and spinal cord

Question 6

what does the PNS contain?

Answer 6

spinal nerves and cranial nerves

Question 7

what name is given to nerve fibres running towards the CNS?

Answer 7

afferents

Question 8

what name is given to nerve fibres running away from the CNS?

Answer 8

efferents

Question 9

which name is given to nerves which carry non-conscious info?

Answer 9

visceral

Question 10

which name is given to nerves which carry conscious info?

Answer 10

somatic

Question 11

how many pairs of spinal nerves are there?

Answer 11

31

Question 12

name the spinal nerves and state how many pairs are within that group

Answer 12

8 cervical
12 thoracic
5 lumbar
5 sacral
1 coccygeal

Question 13

name the area of skin that is mainly supplied by a sensory spinal neuron

Answer 13

dermatome

Question 14

what is a myotome?

Answer 14

a block of muscle which is supplied by spinal motor axons

Question 15

what is a nerve plexus?

Answer 15

branching network of intersecting nerves, it is composed of afferent and efferent fibres

Question 16

what are peripheral nerves?

Answer 16

carry info to and from CNS

Question 17

what are afferent signals in somatic nerves associated with?

Answer 17

sensation/perception

Question 18

do afferent signals from internal organs (viscera) give rise to sensation?

Answer 18

no

Question 19

give an example of a response by an efferent (motor) nerve in the somatic NS

Answer 19

muscle contraction

Question 20

which muscles do the autonomic NS controls?

Answer 20

smooth muscle, cardiac muscle and some glands

Question 21

working your way out from the axon, name the structure of a peripheral nerve

Answer 21

axon, schwann cell, perimysium, epimysium

Question 22

name the 3 types of myelinated nerve axons

Answer 22

A alpha, A beta, A delta

Question 23

name the unmyelinated type of nerve axon

Answer 23

C (sensory and some autonomic)