Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

Human Physiology > Nervous system: Structure > Flashcards

Nervous system: Structure Flashcards

1
Q

cell body of neurone

A

contains nucleus and ribosomes

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

dendrites

A

receive inputs

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

dendritic spines

A

knob-like outgrowths
increase surface area
contain ribosomes

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

axon

A

long process extending from cell body (soma)
transmits outputs to target cells

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

initial segment

A

trigger zone for action potentials

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

axon collateral

A

signal can go sideways

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

axon terminal

A

end of branch

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

varicosities

A

bulging areas where signals can be released
contain neurotransmitters and mitochondria

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

what is myelin made by in the CNS vs in the PNS

A

oligodendrocytes vs schwann cells

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

types of axonal transport

A

anterograde and retrograde
use microtubules as tracks and motor proteins and transport vehicles

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

anterograde transport

A

from cell body to axon terminal
via kinesins (motor protein)
nutrients, vesicles containing neurotransmitters

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

retrograde transport

A

axon terminals to cell body
dyneins (motor protein)
recycled membrane vesicles, growth factors

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

3 functional classes of neurones

A

afferent
efferent
interneurones

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

afferent neurones

A

convey info from tissues/organs TOWARDS CNS

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

efferent neurones

A

convey information AWAY from CNS towards effectors

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

interneurones

A

convey information within CNS
most neurones

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

nerves

A

groups of efferent and afferent neurones together with connective tissue and blood vessels
(A group of many axons traveling together to and from the same
general location in the peripheral nervous system)
NO NERVES IN CNS

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

glial cells

A

make up most of CNS
surround the soma, axon, dendrites and provide physical and metabolic support

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

astrocyte

A

glial cells
remove excess potassium (K⁺) ions and neurotransmitters to maintain the ionic balance.
stimulate endothelial cells of capillaries to form tight junctions, which make up the blood-brain barrier. This barrier controls what substances can enter the brain from the bloodstream, ensuring a stable environment for neurons.

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

microglial cells

A

glial cells
specialised
similar to macrophages in that they remove pathogens and dead/damaged neurones

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

ependymal cells

A

glial cells
fluid filled cavities
regulate flow of cerebrospinal fluid

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

pathway/tract

A

group of axons travelling together in the CNS

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

commissure

A

group of axons
links the right and left
halves of the CNS:

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

ganglia

A

The cell bodies of
neurons with similar
functions in the PNS

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
nuclei
The cell bodies of neurons with similar functions in the CNS
26
cerebral ventricles
four interconnected cavities which are filled with cerebrospinal fluid in brain
27
cerebrum
consists of left and right cerebral hemispheres larger component of forebrain
28
diencephalon
central core of forebrain contains the thalamus, hypothalamus and epithalamus
29
cerebral cortex
outer shell of grey matter part of cerebral hemispheres folded to increase surface area for cortical neurones
30
inner cerebral cortex
layer of white matter mainly myelinated fibre tracts
31
lobes of cerebrum/cerebral cortex
frontal parietal occipital temporal
32
cells of the cerebral cortex
pyramidal cells (major output/excitation) non pyramidal cells (major input cells, receive signals)
33
grey matter
contains subcortical nuclei basal nuclei have an important role in controlling movement/posture contains interneurons, cell bodies and dendrites of efferent neurons, entering axons of afferent neurons, glial cells
34
corpus callosum
Each cortex area is separated by a deep longitudinal division, but are connected by a massive bundle of nerve fibers
35
gyri
folding of brain, ridges
36
sulci
grooves in brain
37
how is the cerebral cortex the integrating area of the nervous system
basic afferent information is processed into meaningful perceptual images control over the systems that govern the movement of the skeletal muscles is refined.
38
thalamus
a collection of several large nuclei- role in general arousal- controlling movement/posture- focusing attention
39
hypothalamus
only 1% of brain mass- homeostatic regulation of internal environment neural and endocrine coordination controls:–Behaviours having to do with preservation of the individual (e.g. eating and drinking) –Behaviours to do with preservation of the species (e.g. reproduction)
40
epithalamus
controls biological rhythms (via pineal gland which produces melatonin)
41
pituitary gland
connected to hypothalamus which regulates it controls several other hormone glands in your body, including the thyroid and adrenals, the ovaries and testicles
42
cerebellum
center for coordinating involuntary movements and for controlling posture and balance. receives information from the muscles and joints, skin, eyes and ears and the parts of the brain involved in control of movement
43
brainstem
contains midbrain, pons and medulla oblongata receives and integrates input from all regions of the central nervous system and is involved with-motor functions-cardiovascular, respiratory control, swallowing-regulates sleep, wakefulness and attention, eye movement
44
bone that protects CNS vs PNS
cranium (skull) vs vertebrae
45
membranes protecting CNS and PNS
Dura mater, Arachnoid mater, Pia mater
46
role of membranes surrounding CNS and PNS
Cover and protect the CNS Protect blood vessels and enclose the venous sinuses Contain cerebrospinal fluid Form partitions in the skull
47
Cerebrospinal fluid
protects and cushions the structures (made by the choroid plexus)
48
blood brain barrier
a protective mechanism that helps maintain a stable environment for the brain. endothelial cells surround capillaries tightly joined by tight junctions. Capillaries are the least permeable in the body: a very selective barrier.
49
white matter
surrounds grey matter and is made up on myelinated axons
50
how do afferent fibres arrive at the spinal cord
from peripheral nerves enter via dorsal roots
51
how do efferent fibres exit the spinal cord
via ventral roots
52
spinal cord
cylinder of soft tissue
53
dorsal horn
grey matter projecting towards back of body
54
ventral horns
grey matter orientated towards front of body
55
nerves making up PNS
43 pairs of nerves in total 12 of which are cranial nerves 31 are spinal nerves
56
categories of spinal nerves (5)
cervical: control muscles, glands. sensory input to neck, shoulders, arms, hands thoracic: associated with the chest and upper abdomen lumbar: associated with the lower abdomen, hips, legs sacral: associated with the genitals, lower digestive tract coccygeal: associated with the tail bone
57
subdivisions of efferent division of PNS
somatic autonomic nervous systems
58
somatic nervous system
skeletal muscle acetylcholine nicotinic ACh receptor
59
autonomic nervous system
smooth and cardiac muscle glands gastrointestinal neurones (GI tract actually controlled by enteric nervous system which is a subdivision of autonomic)
60
parasympathetic nervous system
rest or digest muscarinic acetylcholine receptor neurones have ganglions
61
sympathetic nervous system
fight or flight adrenergic receptors Epinephrine Norepinephrine
62
adrenal medulla
one set of ganglionic neurones form a gland (inner part of the adrenal gland). Nervous system interacting with the endocrine system (cortisol, adrenalin, noradrenalin,…
63
where do sympathetic neurones leave the CNS
from thoracic and lumbar regions
64
where do parasympathetic neurones leave CNS
from brainstem and sacral region
65
positioning of ganglia in sympathetic vs parasympathetic neurones
close to spinal cord vs close to organs being innervated
66
activation pattern of SNS vs PSNS
SNS tends to respond as a single unit (flight or fight, everything engaged) PSNS tends to activate specific organs
67
dual innervation
Some tissues/organs are innervated by both SNS and PSNS reciprocally activated

Human Physiology (12 decks)

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