General Overview
What is the primary function of the nervous system?
The nervous system coordinates and controls the body's activities by transmitting signals between different parts of the body.
What are the main components of the CNS?
Central Nervous System
What does the PNS consist of?
The PNS consists of nerves and ganglia outside the brain and spinal cord.
What is the basic unit of the nervous system?
The neuron.
What are neurotransmitters?
Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that transmit signals across synapses between neurons.
Which two main parts make up the nervous system?
The central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS).
Which part of the brain is responsible for processing sensory information and controlling voluntary movements?
The cerebrum.
What are the two main divisions of the PNS?
The somatic nervous system and the autonomic nervous system.
What part of the neuron receives signals from other neurons?
The dendrites.
Which neurotransmitter is primarily involved in muscle contraction?
Acetylcholine.
Which type of cells are responsible for transmitting electrical impulses in the nervous system?
Neurons.
What is the function of the cerebellum?
The cerebellum is responsible for coordinating voluntary muscle movements and maintaining balance.
What is the role of the autonomic nervous system?
The autonomic nervous system regulates involuntary functions like heartbeat, digestion, and breathing.
What is the function of the axon in a neuron?
The axon transmits electrical impulses away from the cell body to other neurons or muscles.
Which neurotransmitter is associated with mood regulation and is often linked to depression?
Serotonin.
What is the role of the spinal cord in the nervous system?
The spinal cord serves as a pathway for signals between the brain and the rest of the body.
What part of the brain controls autonomic functions like heartbeat and breathing?
The medulla oblongata.
What is the function of the sympathetic nervous system?
The sympathetic nervous system prepares the body for 'fight or flight' responses in stressful situations.
What is the gap between two neurons called?
The synapse.
Which neurotransmitter is associated with the 'reward system' and pleasure?
Dopamine.
What is the protective structure surrounding the brain and spinal cord called?
The meninges.
What are the different lobes of the cerebrum, and what do they control?
The frontal lobe (thinking, planning, movement), parietal lobe (sensory information),temporal lobe (hearing, memory), and occipital lobe (vision).
What is the function of the parasympathetic nervous system?
The parasympathetic nervous system promotes 'rest and digest' functions, calming the body down after stress.
What is the role of the myelin sheath around neurons?
The myelin sheath speeds up the transmission of electrical signals along the axon.
What neurotransmitter is involved in regulating sleep and wakefulness?
Norepinephrine.