Organization of the Nervous System Flashcards
(34 cards)
What are directional terms used for?
They help locate one structure in relation to another.
What is the Central Nervous System (CNS)?
The control centre of the body which includes the brain and the spinal cord
What are the two main parts of the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)?
- Somatic Nervous System
- Autonomic Nervous System
What does the Somatic Nervous System control?
Voluntary control of skeletal muscles and conscious movement
What is the function of sensory neurons?
They carry information to the CNS (e.g., touch, pain, temperature, etc.)
What does the Autonomic Nervous System regulate?
Internal organs such as heart rate, digestion, and breathing.
What is the role of the sympathetic nervous system?
‘Fight or flight’ response to dangers or stressors.
What is the main function of the cerebrum?
Processes sensory information, makes decisions, controls behavior, emotions, and movement.
What is the function of the cerebellum?
Involved in motor coordination and possibly other mental processes.
What do gyri and sulci refer to in brain anatomy?
- Gyri: raised ridges on the brain’s outer surface
- Sulci: grooved indentations between gyri
What is the primary function of the frontal lobe?
Responsible for executive functions such as attention, critical thinking, and impulse control.
What does the primary somatosensory cortex process?
Touch, pain, and proprioception.
Which lobe is involved in sensory processing, particularly hearing?
Temporal Lobe.
What is the main function of the occipital lobe?
Visual processing.
What is the role of the thalamus?
Acts as a relay station for sensory information.
What does the hypothalamus regulate?
Homeostasis, including body functions like temperature, hunger, and thirst.
What is the function of microglia?
Brain’s immune cells that digest invaders and waste.
What do astrocytes do?
Help form the blood-brain barrier and absorb harmful ions and waste.
What is the function of oligodendrocytes?
Form myelin sheaths that insulate axons and speed up signal transmission.
What distinguishes grey matter from white matter?
- Grey Matter: neuronal cell bodies, dendrites, unmyelinated axons
- White Matter: mostly myelinated axons
What is the role of the limbic system?
Involved in emotion, memory, and motivation.
What is the function of the amygdala?
Emotion processing center, especially for fear and aggression.
What does the hippocampus do?
Essential for long-term memory formation.
Fill in the blank: The axon hillock is where ______ begins.
action potential
