Anatomy
What are the two main divisions of the nervous system?
The Central Nervous System (CNS) and Peripheral Nervous System (PNS).
What is the primary function of the nervous system?
To receive, process, and respond to internal and external information.
During which life stage does the brain grow the fastest?
Infancy and early childhood.
What is peripheral neuropathy?
Damage to peripheral nerves that causes pain, tingling, and weakness, usually in hands and feet.
Which system allows the nervous system to control movement?
The musculoskeletal system.
What two structures make up the Central Nervous System?
The brain and spinal cord.
What are the three main steps of nervous system activity?
Sensory input → Integration → Motor output.
What happens during synaptic pruning in adolescence?
Unused neural connections are removed to make the brain more efficient.
What is one common cause of peripheral neuropathy?
Diabetes or vitamin B deficiencies (B1, B6, B12), alcohol, drugs, autoimmune diseases, tumors, alcohol
How does the nervous system regulate the cardiovascular system?
By controlling heart rate and blood pressure through autonomic nerves.
What are the three main types of neurons and their roles?
Sensory (send info to CNS), Motor (send info to muscles/glands), and Interneurons (connect neurons within CNS).
What is the difference between voluntary and involuntary control?
Voluntary actions are controlled consciously (e.g., walking), while involuntary actions occur automatically (e.g., heartbeat).
Why do teens sometimes make quick or risky choices?
Because their brains are still growing, and the part that controls decisions and emotions isn’t fully developed yet.
What are two sensory symptoms of peripheral neuropathy?
Numbness and “pins and needles” sensations.
How does the nervous system work with the muscles?
The nervous system sends signals to the muscles to move. When the brain tells a muscle to contract, the body moves.
What is the difference between gray matter and white matter?
: Gray matter contains neuron cell bodies for processing information; white matter has myelinated axons for fast communication.
How does the autonomic nervous system maintain balance in the body?
The sympathetic division activates “fight or flight,” while the parasympathetic division promotes “rest and digest.”
What changes happen in the adult brain around the 30s–40s?
Gradual neuron loss begins
How does peripheral neuropathy affect motor control?
Causes muscle weakness, cramps, and loss of coordination.
How does the nervous system interact with the digestive system?
Through the enteric nervous system, which controls digestion and peristalsis.
What are glial cells, and what do they do?
Support and protect neurons, provide nutrients, remove waste, and form myelin sheaths that insulate axons.
Describe how nerve impulses travel through a neuron.
Electrical signals move from dendrites → cell body → axon → synapse, where neurotransmitters carry the message to the next cell.
What neurological changes occur in senior years?
Neuron and myelin loss slow down signal transmission, leading to slower reactions and reduced memory function.
Name three systems affected by peripheral neuropathy and how they are impacted.
Cardiovascular (irregular heart rate), Digestive (constipation/diarrhea), and Musculoskeletal (muscle weakness).
Explain how multiple systems work together to maintain homeostasis.
The nervous system communicates with the endocrine and cardiovascular systems to adjust temperature, heart rate, and body chemistry. Respiratory system nerves regulates breathing by monitoring blood gas levels and adjusting respiratory rate as needed. Digestive system, nervous system helps controls digestive functions and also receives sensory information about hunger, thirst, and the need to eliminate waste