Nervous System tudy Guide Flashcards
What are neuroglia?
or glial cells) are the supportive cells in the nervous system that play a crucial role in maintaining homeostasis, providing structural support, and assisting with neuronal function. Unlike neurons, neuroglia do not conduct electrical impulses but are essential for the proper functioning of the nervous system.
What are their purposes?
What is a reflex arc and what makes it up?
Neuroglia have several important purposes in the nervous system. Each type of neuroglial cell has specialized functions that contribute to maintaining neuronal health and supporting overall nervous system function.
What is the difference between myelinated and unmyelinated?
The difference between myelinated and unmyelinated fibers lies in the presence or absence of the myelin sheath, a fatty layer that surrounds the axons of neurons. This sheath affects the speed and efficiency of electrical signal transmission along the axon.
What is the purpose of myelination?
The purpose of myelination is to increase the speed and efficiency of electrical signal transmission along the axons of neurons.
How does it influence the look of a neuron?
Myelination influences the appearance of a neuron in several ways, particularly in terms of color, structure, and organization
Where is it found in the brain and in the spinal cord?
Myelination is found in both the brain and the spinal cord, but its distribution differs between white matter and gray matter. The myelinated axons are concentrated in specific regions, while unmyelinated axons are found in different areas.
What are the different parts of the brain?
What makes up each part?
Hypothalamus
Cerebrum
Thalmus
Motor Cortex
Cerebellum
What does each part do?
Cerebrum: Higher cognitive functions, voluntary movement, sensory processing.
Cerebellum: Coordination, balance, fine motor skills.
Diencephaln: Sensory relay (thalamus), regulation of autonomic functions (hypothalamus).
Brainstem: Basic life functions (heartbeat, breathing), reflexes, sleep.
Limbic System: Emotion, memory, motivation.
Ventricles & CSF: Cushions the brain, removes waste, maintains brain environment.
Corpus Callosum: Connects left and right hemispheres for communication.
What lobes control what functions?
Frontal Lobe Voluntary movement, reasoning, planning, decision-making, personality, speech production (Broca’s area), attention.
Parietal Lobe Sensory processing (touch, pain, temperature), spatial awareness, sensory integration, mathematical ability.
Occipital Lobe Visual processing (recognizing shapes, colors, and movement), visual memory.
Temporal Lobe Auditory processing, language comprehension (Wernicke’s area), memory formation (hippocampus), emotion (amygdala).
Where do we find awakeness?
Awakenness, or consciousness, is a complex state that arises from the coordinated activity of multiple regions in the brain
What is the seat of our emotions?
The seat of our emotions primarily lies in the limbic system, a complex set of structures located deep within the brain. The limbic system plays a central role in the regulation and processing of emotions, as well as in memory, motivation, and behavior
What are the various divisons of the nervous System?
The nervous system is a complex network of cells and organs responsible for transmitting signals throughout the body. It is divided into two primary divisions, which are further broken down into more specific parts: CNS, PNS,SNS,ANS
Central vs. Peripheral
The Central Nervous System (CNS) and the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) are two major divisions of the nervous system. They work together to coordinate all of the body’s activities, but they have distinct roles and functions
Somatic vs. autonomic
The somatic nervous system (SNS) and the autonomic nervous system (ANS) are two subdivisions of the peripheral nervous system (PNS), and they have distinct functions related to the control of muscles and organs.
Sympathetic vs. parasympathetic
The sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions are the two branches of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). They have opposing effects on the body and work together to maintain balance and homeostasis, but they are activated in different situations to manage the body’s response to stress, relaxation, and other physiological needs.
Identify parts of a common nerve
Nerve Fibers (Axons) Long projections of neurons that carry electrical signals. Transmit action potentials between neurons, muscles, and glands.
Endoneurium Thin connective tissue layer around each axon. Protects and nourishes individual nerve fibers.
Fascicles Bundles of axons grouped together. Organizes nerve fibers for efficient signal transmission.
Perineurium Connective tissue layer surrounding fascicles. Protects and supports the bundles of nerve fibers.
Epineurium Outer layer of connective tissue surrounding the entire nerve. Protects and supports the entire nerve; contains blood vessels.
Blood Vessels Arteries and veins supplying oxygen and nutrients. Provide nourishment to nerve tissue.
Node of Ranvier Gaps in the myelin sheath along the axon. Speeds up nerve signal transmission through saltatory conduction.
Myelin Sheath Fatty insulating layer around some axons. Increases the speed of electrical signal transmission.
