The nervous system
What is the difference between gray matter and white matter?
Gray matter contains neuron cell bodies, dendrites, and unmyelinated axons.
White matter consists mainly of myelinated axons that transmit signals quickly.
What is the functional unit of a muscle fiber called?
sarcomere
What part of the brain controls balance and coordination?
the cerebellum
identify this muscle group
latissimus dorsi
Define the term “sarcolemma.”
The plasma membrane of a muscle fiber that conducts electrical impulses.
Which type of neuroglial cell produces myelin in the central nervous system?
Oligodendrocytes
What happens to the sarcomere during muscle contraction?
The sarcomere shortens as actin and myosin filaments slide past one another; the I band and H zone shrink, but the A band remains constant.
what is the occipital lobe responsible for?
Processing visual information
tibialis anterior
What is the role of acetylcholine in muscle physiology?
Neurotransmitter that transmits signals from motor neurons to muscle fibers, initiating contraction
What is the function of the meninges?
They protect the brain and spinal cord by providing a supportive framework and containing cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for cushioning
Differentiate between concentric and isometric contractions.
Concentric contraction: muscle shortens while producing tension.
Isometric contraction: muscle develops tension without changing length.
Name the three meninges layers from superficial to deep.
Dura mater, arachnoid mater, pia mater.
What muscle group is responsible for extending the leg at the knee?
Quadriceps femoris group
Compare smooth, cardiac, and skeletal muscle tissue.
smooth: involuntary, non-striated, found in organs.
Cardiac: involuntary, striated, branched, found in the heart.
Skeletal: voluntary, striated, multinucleated, attached to bones
Which cranial nerve is responsible for facial expression?
Cranial Nerve VII – Facial Nerve.
Explain the role of troponin and tropomyosin in muscle contraction.
Tropomyosin blocks binding sites on actin; when calcium binds to troponin, it moves tropomyosin, allowing myosin to attach to actin and begin contraction.
Identify the inner layer of the eye that contains photoreceptors for vision
retina
Name one muscle found in the cat’s abdominal region
Rectus abdominis or external oblique.
What are sulci and gyri, and why are they important for brain function?
Sulci are grooves and gyri are raised folds on the brain’s surface.
What is the main function of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)?
CSF cushions the brain and spinal cord, provides nutrients, removes waste, and helps maintain stable pressure within the skull.
What ion is necessary for muscle contraction, and where is it stored in the muscle fiber?
Calcium ions (Ca²⁺) are required for contraction, and they are stored in the sarcoplasmic reticulum.
What structure connects the two hemispheres of the brain and allows them to communicate?
The corpus callosum.
What muscle is responsible for flexing the neck and turning the head from side to side?
The sternocleidomastoid
What is myelin, and what is its function?
Myelin is a fatty insulating layer around axons that speeds up the transmission of nerve impulses