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A Level Biology - Unit5 > The Nervous System + Brain > Flashcards

Flashcards in The Nervous System + Brain Deck (30)
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1
Q

How many systems is the mammalian nervous system structurally made up of? What are they?

A

2 systems
Central Nervous system
Peripheral Nervous system

2
Q

What does the Central Nervous System consist of?

A

Brain and spinal cord

3
Q

What does the Peripheral Nervous System consist of?

A

All of the neurones that connect the CNS to the rest of the body. (sensory, motor and relay neurones)

4
Q

How many systems is the mammalian nervous system functionally made up of? What are they?

A

2 systems
Somatic nervous system
Autonomic nervous system

5
Q

What is the difference between somatic and autonomic nervous systems?

A

Somatic- under conscious control (voluntary)

Autonomic- Under subconscious control (involuntary)

6
Q

What is the autonomic nervous system further divided into?

A

Sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system.

7
Q

What is the sympathetic nervous system responsible for?

A

Outcomes are an increase in activity

Fight or flight responses

8
Q

What is the parasympathetic nervous system responsible for?

A

Outcomes are a decrease in activity

Relaxing responses

9
Q

Describe the axon, neurotransmitter and effector in the somatic nervous system.

A

Axon- heavily myelinated
Neurotransmitter- Acetylcholine
Effector- skeletal muscle

10
Q

Describe the axon, neurotransmitter and effector in the autonomic nervous system (symapthetic)

A

Axon- lightly myelinated
Neurotransmitter- noradrenaline
Effector- Smooth muscle, glands, cardiac muscle

11
Q

Describe the axon, neurotransmitter and effector in the autonomic nervous system (parasympathetic)

A

Axon- lightly myelinated
Neurotransmitter- Acetylcholine
Effector- smooth muscle, glands, cardiac muscle

12
Q

What is the brain protected by?

A

The skull and protective membranes called meninges.

13
Q

What are the 5 main areas of the brain?

A
Cerebrum
Cerebellum
Medulla Oblongata
Hypothalamus
Pituitary gland
14
Q

What does the cerebrum control?

A

Voluntary actions like memory, learning, personality and conscious thought

15
Q

What does the cerebellum control?

A

Unconscious functions such as posture, balance and non-voluntary movements

16
Q

What does the medulla oblongata control?

A

Heart rate and breathing rate.

17
Q

What does the hypothalamus control?

A

Regulates temperature and water balance

18
Q

What does the pituitary gland control?

A

Stores and releases hormones that regulate many body functions.

19
Q

What are the three main ways of studying the brain in order to understand its function?

A
Dissections and autopsies
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Computerised tomography (CT) scans
20
Q

Why is the cerebrum highly convoluted?

A

To have an increased surface area.

This increases its capacity for complex activity.

21
Q

What are the two halves of the cerebrum called?

A

Cerebral hemispheres

22
Q

What is the outer layer of the cerebral hemispheres called?

A

Cerebral cortex

23
Q

What kind of functions occur in the cerebral cortex?

A

Reasoning and decision-making

24
Q

What is the main region in the brain that controls movement?

A

The primary motor cortex at the back of the frontal lobe

25
Q

Which side of the brain receives impulses from the right and left side of the body?

A

Right side of body- Left hemisphere of brain

Left side of body- Right hemisphere of brain

26
Q

If someone experiences jerky and uncoordinated movement, what part of the brain is damaged?

A

The cerebellum

27
Q

The hypothalamus has…………..centers. One for the …………nervous system and one for the ……………nervous system.

A

Two
Parasympathetic
Sympathetic

28
Q

What are the three main functions of the hypothalamus?

A

Control of complex behavior (sleeping, aggression)
Control of blood plasma composition
Producing hormones

29
Q

Where is the pituitary gland?

A

At the base of the hypothalamus.

30
Q

What are the two sections of the pituitary gland?

What is their role?

A

Anterior pituitary- produces 6 hormones

Posterior pituitary- stores and releases hormones produced by the hypothalamus