The Nervous System: Study Guide

Major Functions of the CNS

  • ______of all parts of the body
  • Coordinates all ______
  • ______from stimuli all over the body
  • elicits ______to stimuli, both ______and involuntary

Key Components of the CNS

  • The ______is composed of the ______and Spinal cord.
  • All ______(the PNS) branch off of the ______.
  • Nerve cells, or ______, receive and transmit ______throughout the body.
  • There are ______(we will discuss these as part of the PNS)

The Neuron: Basic Structure and Function (Draw a neuron labeling the following)

  • Dendrites
  • Nucleus
  • Cell Body
  • Axon
  • Myelin Sheath
  • Synaptic Cleft/ Synapse
  • neurotransmitter
  • How can a nerve impulse be transmitted from one neuron to another without their coming in contact with one another? What structures are involved?______

______

What is a ‘nerve impulse?’

  • A nervous impulse is referred to as an ______, a rapid change in ______across the cell membrane (______).
  • After visiting the website, and viewing the animation, explain how an action potential works:

______

______

______

______

  • Your brain and spinal cord are composed of ______sending and receiving messages every second

Gray Matter vs. White Matter

  • Gray matter consists primarily of ______, and capillaries.
  • In contrast, ______, mostly contains ______tracts. The color difference arises mainly from ______.
  • The numerous infoldings, or ______, serve to ______of the cerebrum and cerebellum.

Basic Brain Organization

  • The brain exhibits “______” with 2 hemispheres.
  • It is composed of 4 basic structures:
  • ______
  • ______
  • ______
  • ______
  • The cerebrum is the largest part of the brain, it controls:
  • ______
  • learning
  • ______
  • memory (long and short term)
  • ______
  • language
  • ______
  • conscious motor function (______).

Regions and functions of the Cerebral Cortex

  • Frontal Lobe: ______, ______, ______, ______
  • Parietal Lobe: ______, ______, ______, ______, ______
  • Occipital Lobe: ______
  • Temporal Lobe: He______, ______
  • Describe “Lateralization” with regard cerebral function: ______

______

Brain Organization: The Diencephalon

  • The “______” is composed of the ______and ______.
  • The Thalamus ______and transmits impulses to the ______for processing
  • The Hypothalamus stimulates the ______to secrete various hormones. **
  • The ______is a long band of ______which allows communication between the ______.
  • The ______releases a hormone which ______.
  • Located deep inside the brain, the ______is responsible for ______to long-term memories.
  • The fornix is an ______of nervous tissue adjacent to the thalamus, it connects the ______to the ______.

Brain organization: The Brain Stem

  • The “Brain Stem” is composed of 3 distinct parts: ______, ______, ______
  • Continuous with the ______, It is a small but ______part of the brain.
  • The ______(continuous with the thalamus) acts as a ______for ______and ______l information.
  • The ______relays signals from the ______to the ______, it regulates sleep, ______, bladder control, ______, taste, eye movement, ______, facial sensation, and ______.
  • The ______controls autonomic functions including ______, heart rate, ______, and ______.

Key Components of the CNS: The Cerebellum

  • The cerebellum contributes to:
  • ______
  • precision
  • ______
  • posture
  • ______
  • spatial perception
  • ______
  • Contrary to popular belief, the Cerebellum does NOT ______. Which part of the brain does this? ______
  • The Cerebellum works with the ______(the thalamus) to ______.

Protecting the Brain

  • Directly beneath the ______lie 3 membranes called ______.
  • The 1st layer, just below the ______, is the ______. Tough and thick like a ______, it ______of the brain within the skull.
  • The middle membrane, the ______, looks similar to a ______.
  • Closest to the brain is a membrane called the ______, containing ______which bring ______to the brain and carry ______away from it.
  • Between the arachnoid and the Pia, is clear ______.
  • The brain ______in this fluid, providing ‘______’ as well as ______protection.

The Spinal Cord

  • The spinal cord ______information both to and from the brain. It is ______the brain stem.
  • It is composed of ______, of which there are 3 Types:
  • Draw a picture showing the 3 different types of neural networks here:
  • The spinal cord ______, and sends/receives trillions of signals continuously to ______.

The Sympathetic vs. Parasympathetic Nervous System

  • The ______nervous system is responsible for the ______, which occurs______. It is specifically is responsible for ______that occur when ______…
  • The ______nervous system mobilizes the body's resources under ______conditions; initiating a cascade of ‘______’ responses.

Divisions of the Autonomic Nervous system (ANS): The Enteric Nervous System

  • The ______is a subdivision of the______that directly controls ______.
  • It acts as an______, both with and without ______.
  • Sensory neurons report on ______and ______conditions while the ______in______govern ______of intestinal contents. Other neurons control ______.

Protecting the Spinal Cord

  • The spinal column,composed of numerous ______house and ______the spinal cord. Draw a spinal column labeling the different sections:
  • ______separate vertebrae and ______.

QUIZ!

  1. This lobe of the cerebrum houses your intellect, emotions, and consciousness:
  1. This region of the brain acts as a relay station for sensory input:
  1. These neurons transfer impulses from the brain to skeletal muscle:
  1. This allows communication between the left and right hemispheres of the cerebral cortex:
  1. Balance, posture, and motor skills are coordinated here:
  1. Breathing, heart rate, and other autonomic functions are controlled by this:
  1. Trillions of peripheral nerves branch off of this:
  1. Name one of the 3 protective layers (meninges) found between the cranium (skull) and the brain itself.
  1. This houses and protects the spinal cord:
  1. This lobe of the cerebrum is responsible for initiating movement and sensory input processing: