The Brain Flashcards
(17 cards)
Hypothalamus
- hormone secretion
- integrating system for autonomic nervous system
- thermoregulation
- hunger and satiety centres
- thirst centres
3 components of brain stem
Midbrain
Pons
Medulla
Cranial nerves arising from brain stem
3, 4, 5, 6, 7
What is a neurone?
A nerve cell - basic functional unit of the nervous system. Relays information between different regions of the central nervous system, between the CNS and PNS and between the CNS and other body systems.
What is a nerve?
A bundle of axons carrying information from the CNS to the rest of the body or from the rest of the body to the CNS
2 components of diencephalon
Thalamus and hypothalamus
Cerebellum
- location
- functions
Lies posterior to brain stem.
Involved in maintenance of balance, posture and muscle tone.
Coordinates movement.
Thalamus
Important relay centre for sensory information
Brainstem
- contains?
Contains ascending and descending nerve fibre tracts.
Contains vital centres such as cardiovascular and respiratory centres.
Subarachnoid space
- where is it?
- what’s it for?
Located between pia and arachnoid mater.
Contains CSF.
What is grey matter composed of?
Nerve cell bodies.
Outside of the brain eg. Cortex and basal nuclei and inner part of spinal cord.
What is white matter composed of?
Axons and myelin. Inner part of the brain and outer part of the spinal cord.
What is the role of axons?
Transmission of information
What is the role of dendrites?
Receipt of information
What can CNS nerve cells communicate with?
Other nerve cells, muscle and glands
What happens in depolarisation?
Sodium channels open.
Sodium moves in.
Reversal of electrical potential - inside of cell becomes positive.
What happens in repolarisation?
Sodium channels close.
Potassium channels open.
Potassium moves out.
Return of electrical potential so inside becomes negative.
