Cerebellum
What is the main function of the cerebellum?
Coordination and fine-tuning of voluntary movement.
Which cranial nerve controls smell?
CN I – Olfactory.
What is the basic functional unit of the nervous system?
The neuron
What is the term for sensory signals traveling toward the CNS?
Afferent signals.
What electrical event starts an action potential?
Depolarization.
What type of information does the cerebellum receive to help with balance?
Proprioceptive information.
Which cranial nerve is responsible for hearing and balance?
CN VIII – Vestibulocochlear.
What part of the neuron receives incoming signals?
Dendrites
What is the term for motor signals exiting the CNS toward the body?
Efferent signals.
What is the typical resting membrane potential of a neuron?
Approximately –70 mV.
Damage to the cerebellum causes what type of motor disorder?
Ataxia
Which cranial nerve innervates the muscles of mastication?
CN V – Trigeminal.
What is released into the synaptic cleft during neurotransmission?
Neurotransmitters
Which cortex executes voluntary motor movements?
The primary motor cortex (precentral gyrus).
What disorder results from degeneration of dopamine-producing neurons in the basal ganglia?
Parkinson's disease.
Which cerebellar region is primarily responsible for posture and equilibrium?
The vestibulocerebellum.
Damage to which cranial nerve can cause hoarseness and difficulty swallowing?
CN X – Vagus.
What is the purpose of the myelin sheath?
To speed up electrical conduction along axons.
Which sensory pathway carries pain and temperature information?
The spinothalamic tract.
ALS primarily affects which type of neurons?
Motor neurons.
How does the cerebellum contribute to speech production?
It regulates timing, sequencing, and coordination of articulatory movements.
Which cranial nerve controls tongue movement for articulation and swallowing?
CN XII – Hypoglossal.
What is the name of the process where an action potential jumps between nodes of Ranvier?
Saltatory conduction.
Sensory information from the body is mapped in what cortical structure?
The primary somatosensory cortex (postcentral gyrus).
What is neural plasticity?
The brain’s ability to reorganize, change, and form new neural connections.