Neuroscience 1

Question 1

What are the different types of neurones?

Answer 1

Motor
Sensory
Interneurones
Pyramidal cells

Question 2

What are the different types of cells to do with neuroscience?

Answer 2

Oligodendrocytes
Astrocytes
Microglia
Ependymal cells

Question 3

What living creatures have nervous systems (NSs)?

Answer 3

Animals but not plants

Question 4

What are the main purposes of the nervous system?

Answer 4

Rapid control of movement
Collect information on environment
Process information
Produce a response
Integrating centre for homeostasis
Source of emergent properties e.g. emotions and intelligence

Question 5

What does the brain do?

Answer 5

Thinking/reasoning
Emotions
Language/communication
Memory

Question 6

What is the brain made of?

Answer 6

Neurones
Glial cells
Connective tissue

Question 7

What are neurones?

Answer 7

“Processing units”
Fast electrical wiring
Integration centres for multiple signals

Question 8

What are glial cells?

Answer 8

Metabolic support for neurones
Blood-brain barrier
Immunity

Question 9

What is connective tissue

Answer 9

Keeps everything together
Mechanical protection
Blood supply

Question 10

What makes the brain and spinal cord not solid?

Answer 10

Contains hollows (ventricles and canals)
Suspended in cerebral spinal fluid

Question 11

How is the neural tube formed?

Answer 11

The neural plate of the ectoderm folds

Question 12

What does the neural tube form?

Answer 12

Spinal cord and brain

Question 13

What do neural crest cells form?

Answer 13

Diffuse neuroendocrine system and the peripheral nervous systems

Question 14

What are the three primary brain vesicles?

Answer 14

Prosencephalon (forebrain)
Mesencephalon (midbrain)
Rhombencephalon (hindbrain)

Question 15

Where are the primary brain vesicles found?

Answer 15

The rostral end of the neural tube

Question 16

What does the forebrain develop into?

Answer 16

Cerebrum and Dienchephalon

Question 17

What does the hindbrain develop into?

Answer 17

Metencephalon (pons)
Myelencephalon (Medulla)

Question 18

What are the regions of the cortex?

Answer 18

Frontal lobe (Reward, motivation motor cortex, higher functions)
Parietal lobe (Speech, somatosensory cortex)
Occipital lobe (Visual cortex)
Temporal lobe (Memory formation, processing sensory info, emotions?)
Insula cortex (Integration of functions?)

Question 19

What are Brodman areas of the cortex?

Answer 19

50+ parts identified by cytology/morphology, having distinct functions

Question 20

What is the purpose of the Limbic system?

Answer 20

Emotional responses

Question 21

What is the purpose of the Basal Ganglia?

Answer 21

Movement coordination

Question 22

What is the purpose of the Hippocampus?

Answer 22

Memory formation
Synaptic plasticity - Cellular model for memory formation
Lesions and neurodegeneration affect short term memory

Question 23

What is the purpose of the Thalamus?

Answer 23

Sensory gateway
All sensory signals synapse onto thalamic neurones
Info relayed from thalamus to cortex

Question 24

What is the purpose of the Hypothalamus?

Answer 24

Endocrine interface
Sleep/wake cycle
Emotions
Homeostasis core (Appetite, thirst, temp, circadian rhythms)

Question 25

What is the purpose of the Cerebellum?

Answer 25

A "mini brain" Contains as many neurones as the CNS Complex series of movements Input from somatosensory cortex via pontine nucleus (20m neurones) and spinal tracts Outputs mostly via thalamus ventral lateral nucleus

Question 26

What is the purpose of the Brain stem?

Answer 26

Housekeeping functions e.g. Breathing, coughing, heart rate, digestion, swallowing Major structures: Midbrain, Pons, Medulla oblongata Origin of 10/12 of cranial nerves All tracts between brain and spine run through brainstem

Question 27

Do glial cells outnumber neurones?

Answer 27

Yes

Question 28

What do ependymal cells do?

Answer 28

Produce CSF

Question 29

What do Astrocytes do?

Answer 29

Metabolic support for neurones BBB formation

Question 30

What do oligodendrocytes do?

Answer 30

Myelination of CNS neurones

Question 31

What are microglia?

Answer 31

CNS immune cells

Question 32

What are the meninges?

Answer 32

Connective tissue around the brain

Question 33

What are the three layers of the Meninges?

Answer 33

Dura mater Arachnoid membrane Pia mater

Question 34

What are Arachnoid granulations responsible for?

Answer 34

Drainage of CSF

Question 35

What is the CSF?

Answer 35

Filtered blood plasma, produced in choroid plexuses in ventricles

Question 36

What are the functions of the CSF?

Answer 36

Shock absorber Nutrient supply Waste product removal Floats the brain and spinal cord

Question 37

What are neurones needed for?

Answer 37

Fast, precise and targeted signals Coordinating different processes simultaneously Rapidly linking stimuli to actions Processing information

Question 38

How do interneurons work?

Answer 38

Small, simple short processes Provide local connections within the CNS One dendritic and one axonal

Question 39

How do sensory neurons work?

Answer 39

One process, divides into 2 One running to CNS One runs to sensory areas of the body

Question 40

How do motor neurons work?

Answer 40

Large cell body to provide metabolic support for large axon Many dendritic processes

Question 41

How do pyramidal neurons work?

Answer 41

Multiple complex processes e.g. hippocampal - memory formation

Question 42

How do neurones harness electricity?

Answer 42

Cell membrane is highly permeable to ions Allows formation of ion gradients (membrane potential) Allows electrical signalling and excitability