Neural Anatomy and functions
Draw and Label a simple neuron, stating the function of each labeled part
What is the cell body (soma), dendrites (receives signals), axons (sends signals), and synaptic terminals (release neurotransmitters).
Explain how a nerve impulse is transmitted through a neuron cilia
What is the movement of ions triggering an electrical impulse that travels along the cilia, initiating the release of neurotransmitters at the synaptic terminals??
Differentiate between sensory, motor, and interneurons and give the function of each
What are sensory neurons (carry signals from sensory organs to the brain and spinal cord), motor neurons (carry signals from the brain and spinal cord to muscles and glands), and inter-neurons ( relay signals between neurons within the brain and spinal cord.
Differentiate between the somatic and autonomic nervous systems with respect to location and chief functions.
Identify and state the functions of these parts of the brain: medulla oblongata, thalamus, hypothalamus, cerebrum, cerebellum, and corpus callosum.
(Answers may vary, but should include functions such as vital functions regulation, sensory relay, homeostasis control, higher brain functions, motor coordination, and interhemispheric communication.)
What is the main function of dendrites in a neuron?
What is to receive signals from other neurons and transmit them to the cell body (soma)?
Explain why the transmission across a synapse is unidirectional.
What is due to the presence of neurotransmitter receptors only on the postsynaptic membrane, preventing signals from traveling backward?
What is the primary role of the peripheral nervous system (PNS)?
What is to connect the central nervous system (CNS) to the rest of the body and carry sensory information to the CNS and motor commands from the CNS to muscles and glands?
Describe the overall function of the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions of the autonomic nervous system.
What is the sympathetic division preparing the body for fight or flight response, while the parasympathetic division promotes relaxation and conserves energy?
What are the two functions of the cerebrum?
What are higher brain functions such as thinking, reasoning, and voluntary movement, and the processing of sensory information?
Describe the structure of myelinated nerve fibers and relate this to the efficiency of impulse conduction.
What is the presence of a myelin sheath, which insulates the axon and increases the speed of impulse conduction by allowing for saltatory conduction?
Identify the major components of a synapse and explain how impulses travel across the synaptic cleft.
What are the presynaptic terminal (axon terminal), synaptic cleft (gap between neurons), and postsynaptic membrane (receptor site), where neurotransmitters are released and bind to receptors to transmit signals?
Explain the concept of reflex arcs and give an example.
What are neural pathways that allow for quick, involuntary responses to stimuli, such as the knee-jerk reflex?
How do the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions work together to maintain homeostasis?
What is by balancing each other's activities to keep bodily functions within normal ranges, with the sympathetic division preparing the body for action during stress, and the parasympathetic division promoting relaxation and conservation of energy during rest?
Discuss the role of the limbic system in emotions and memory.
What is involved in processing emotions, forming memories, and regulating basic survival instincts such as hunger, thirst, and sexual behavior?
Explain the role of neurotransmitters in synaptic transmission
What is to transmit signals from the presynaptic neuron to the postsynaptic neuron by binding to the receptors on the postsynaptic membrane
Discuss the importance of reuptake and enzymatic degradation in terminating the action of neurotransmitters.
What are mechanics that remove neurotransmitters from the synaptic cleft, preventing continuous stimulation of the postsynaptic neuron and allowing for precise control of synaptic signaling.
Discuss the role of glial cells in the nervous system
What are support cells that provide structural support, insulation, and nutrients to neurons as well as participate in neural development and synaptic signaling.
Explain the role of neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine and acetylcholine in the autonomic nervous system
What is to transmit from the autonomic neurons to target cells, regulating various bodily functions such as heart rate, digestion, and pupil dilation
Describe the functions of the frontal lobe and its association areas in executive functions and decision making.
What is to control voluntary movements, decision making, problem solving, and emotional regulation, with association areas responsible for integrating sensory and motor information to guide behavior.
What are the differences of between excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters in terms of their effects on postsynaptic neurons.
Explain the phenomenon of synaptic plasticity and its role in learning and memory
What is the ability of synapses to strengthen or weaken over time in response to activity, playing a crucial role in learning and memory formation by modifying neural circuits?
How does the PNS subdivide into the somatic and autonomic nervous systems?
What is based on their respective functions, with the somatic nervous system controlling voluntary movements of skeletal muscles, and the autonomic nervous system regulating involuntary processes such as heart rate, digestion, and glandular secretion?
Discuss the effects of sympathetic activation on various organs during the "fight or flight" response,
What are increased heart rate and blood pressure, dilation of airways, increased blood flow, release of glucose into the blood stream, and suppression of non-essential bodily functions such as digestion and reproduction.
Explain the concept of lateralization of brain functions and provide examples of lateralized functions in the cerebral hemispheres.
What is the specialization of certain functions in one hemisphere of the brain.