Unit 1: Chapter 15 - Understanding the Structure and Function of the Nervous System

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Bijaya Khanal

Created by

Bijaya Khanal

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What are the preganglionic sympathetic neurons that innervate the adrenal medulla?

Splanchnic nerves

What type of cells are considered modified postganglionic neurons in the adrenal medulla?

Secretory cells

What neurotransmitters are rapidly released by the adrenal medulla during the fight-or-flight response?

Epinephrine and norepinephrine

What is synaptic plasticity?

The ability of brain synapses to change in strength and number throughout life.

What is the primary function of the parasympathetic nervous system?

To conserve and restore energy when a person is at rest.

Where are the nerve cell bodies of the parasympathetic nervous system located?

In the cranial nerve nuclei and the sacral region of the spinal cord.

Which cranial nerves are associated with parasympathetic nerves arising from nuclei in the brainstem?

Oculomotor (III), facial (VII), glossopharyngeal (IX), and vagus (X) nerves.

What is cerebral angiography?

A radiologic technique that demonstrates cerebrovascular blood flow.

What is contralateral control in relation to cerebral impulses?

The phenomenon where cerebral impulses control functions on the opposite side of the body.

What area of the brain is responsible for the motor aspects of speech?

Broca's area

What results from damage to Broca's area?

Expressive aphasia

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Description

Explore the organization of the nervous system, including the central and peripheral systems, nerve injury, regeneration, and the roles of neurons and neurotransmitters in regulating bodily functions and interactions with the environment. Read book chapter 15: https://online.vitalsource.com/reader/books/9780323789899/epubcfi/6/68[%3Bvnd.vst.idref%3DCh015_441-473_B978032378987500015X]!/4/2/6/2[CN]/3:0[%2C15]

Questions

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1. Where are the nerve cell bodies of the parasympathetic nervous system located?

A In the thoracic region of the spinal cord. B In the adrenal medulla. C In the cranial nerve nuclei and the sacral region of the spinal cord. D In the lumbar region of the spinal cord.

2. What is synaptic plasticity?

A The rapid release of epinephrine and norepinephrine. B The transmission of impulses across a synapse. C The ability of brain synapses to change in strength and number throughout life. D The process of neurotransmitter release from vesicles.

3. What is cerebral angiography used to demonstrate?

A Brain magnetic fields. B Brain electrical activity. C Structural characteristics of intracranial mass lesions. D Cerebrovascular blood flow.

4. What does electroencephalography (EEG) detect?

A Electrical impulses arising from the brain's cortical surface. B Structural characteristics of intracranial space-occupying lesions. C Cerebrovascular blood flow. D Magnetic fields induced by brain activity.

5. What is the primary function of the myelin sheath around axons?

A To allow faster nerve impulse conduction B To store neurotransmitters C To protect the neuron from damage D To provide nutrients to the neuron

6. Where is cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) commonly obtained from during a lumbar puncture?

A T1–T2 interspace B L1–L2 interspace C L3–L4 interspace D C1–C2 interspace

7. What type of neurons relay impulses away from the synapse?

A Sensory neurons B Presynaptic neurons C Motor neurons D Postsynaptic neurons

8. What is the primary role of neuroglial cells in the nervous system?

A To transmit electrical impulses B To generate action potentials C To provide supportive and maintenance functions D To store neurotransmitters

9. What happens to the cell body of a neuron in response to trauma?

A It becomes inactive temporarily B It forms new synapses C It swells and may die by chromatolysis or apoptosis D It regenerates immediately

10. What is the primary function of the afferent pathways in the peripheral nervous system (PNS)?

A To innervate skeletal muscles. B To carry sensory impulses toward the central nervous system (CNS). C To transmit motor impulses away from the CNS. D To regulate voluntary motor control.

11. Which cells are primarily responsible for producing myelin in the central nervous system (CNS)?

A Schwann cells B Microglia C Astrocytes D Oligodendrocytes

12. What is the function of dendrites in a neuron?

A To produce myelin in the PNS. B To transmit motor impulses to effector organs. C To carry nerve impulses toward the cell body. D To carry nerve impulses away from the cell body.

13. What is saltatory conduction?

A The formation of new synapses in response to learning. B The process of neurotransmitter release at synaptic knobs. C The process where an action potential leaps between segments of myelin sheath, increasing conduction velocity. D The continuous flow of an action potential along an unmyelinated axon.

14. Which division of the autonomic nervous system is responsible for the 'rest-digest' response?

A Central nervous system B Somatic nervous system C Sympathetic division D Parasympathetic division

15. What is the primary function of sensory neurons?

A To transmit impulses from the CNS to an effector. B To form a neuromuscular junction. C To carry impulses from peripheral sensory receptors to the CNS. D To transmit impulses from neuron to neuron within the CNS.

16. Which type of neuron is most commonly found in the human body?

A Bipolar neurons B Multipolar neurons C Unipolar neurons D Pseudounipolar neurons

17. What is the role of Schwann cells in the peripheral nervous system (PNS)?

A Clearing cellular debris in CNS B Formation of myelin sheath in PNS C Providing structural support in CNS D Formation of myelin sheath in CNS

18. What happens during Wallerian degeneration?

A The myelin sheath remains intact and functional. B The cell body of a neuron divides and forms new axons. C The proximal part of a severed axon regenerates. D The distal part of a severed axon degenerates and disappears.

19. What is the primary function of astrocytes in the central nervous system (CNS)?

A To clear cellular debris through phagocytosis. B To form myelin sheaths around neurons. C To form specialized contacts between neuronal surfaces and blood vessels. D To produce cerebrospinal fluid.

20. Which neurotransmitter is primarily associated with the inhibition of excessive neuronal discharge in epilepsy?

A Serotonin B Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) C Dopamine D Acetylcholine

21. What is the primary role of the thalamus in the brain?

A Controlling voluntary muscle movements B Relay center for sensory and motor information C Regulating sleep-wake cycles D Producing cerebrospinal fluid

22. Which neurotransmitter's decreased secretion is associated with Alzheimer disease?

A Serotonin B Norepinephrine C Dopamine D Acetylcholine

23. What is the effect of temporal summation on a postsynaptic neuron?

A It inhibits neurotransmitter release. B It combines impulses from several neurons simultaneously. C It increases the likelihood of reaching threshold potential through successive rapid impulses. D It decreases the likelihood of an action potential by hyperpolarizing the membrane.

24. Which part of the brain is responsible for maintaining wakefulness and attention?

A Hypothalamus B Reticular formation C Basal ganglia D Cerebellum

25. Which part of the brain is primarily responsible for voluntary motor control?

A Temporal lobe B Occipital lobe C Precentral gyrus D Postcentral gyrus

26. What is the main function of the Wernicke area in the brain?

A Voluntary motor control B Reception and interpretation of speech C Control of eye movements D Memory consolidation

27. Which structure separates the frontal lobe from the parietal lobe?

A Lateral sulcus B Longitudinal fissure C Central sulcus D Parietooccipital sulcus

28. What is the primary function of the occipital lobe?

A Somatic sensory input B Visual processing C Motor control D Auditory processing

29. Which area of the brain is involved in programming motor movements?

A Somatic sensory association area B Primary motor area C Prefrontal area D Premotor area

30. What is the role of preganglionic sympathetic neurons that innervate the adrenal medulla? Read book: https://online.vitalsource.com/reader/books/9780323789899/epubcfi/6/68[%3Bvnd.vst.idref%3DCh015_441-473_B978032378987500015X]!/4/2/6/2[CN]/3:0[%2C15]

A They have no effect on the adrenal medulla. B They cause the slow release of epinephrine and norepinephrine. C They cause the rapid release of epinephrine and norepinephrine. D They inhibit the release of epinephrine and norepinephrine.

Study Notes

Overview of the Autonomic Nervous System and Neural Pathways

This document consolidates key concepts related to the autonomic nervous system, neural pathways, and their roles in bodily functions such as movement, sensation, and stress responses. It highlights the intricate relationships between various systems that maintain homeostasis and facilitate communication within the body.

Autonomic Nervous System

Sympathetic Division

Preganglionic Neurons: Transmit signals to the adrenal medulla via splanchnic nerves without synapsing.
Adrenal Medulla Function: Releases epinephrine and norepinephrine, crucial for activating the fight-or-flight response during stress.

Parasympathetic Division

Energy Conservation: Promotes relaxation and recovery when at rest.
Anatomical Features: Characterized by longer preganglionic fibers that connect closely with target organs through cranial nerves (III, VII, IX, X).

Neural Pathways

Motor Pathways

Pyramidal System: Controls voluntary muscle movements through corticobulbar (head/neck) and corticospinal tracts (limbs/trunk).
Extrapyramidal Tracts: Manage involuntary movements and posture; include rubrospinal and reticulospinal pathways.

Sensory Pathways

Chemical Conduction at Synapses: Impulses are transmitted across synapses using neurotransmitters that bind to receptors on postsynaptic neurons.
Somatic Sensory Processing: The primary somatosensory cortex processes touch, pain, temperature sensations from different body parts.

Key Takeaways

The autonomic nervous system consists of sympathetic (stress response) and parasympathetic (restoration) divisions that work in tandem to regulate bodily functions.
Motor pathways are organized for precise control of voluntary movements while sensory pathways ensure effective communication of sensations from the body to the brain.
Understanding these systems is crucial for diagnosing neurological conditions affecting movement or sensation, emphasizing their interdependence in maintaining overall health.