System Function: Nervous - Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination Mblex
- Which type of neuron primarily connects sensory and motor neurons within the CNS?
- Interneuron (association neuron). Interneurons facilitate communication and integration between sensory and motor pathways in the CNS.
- What is the basic functional unit of the nervous system?
- Neuron. Neurons transmit electrical impulses rapidly to enable communication throughout the nervous system.
- What is the function of the axon on a neuron?
- Conducts impulses away from the cell body. The axon propagates action potentials from the cell body to synaptic terminals for signal transmission.
- What is the primary function of the brainstem (medulla and pons)?
- Regulates vital autonomic functions such as breathing and heart rate. The brainstem controls essential life-sustaining processes via autonomic neural circuits.
- Which two divisions make up the autonomic nervous system (ANS)?
- Sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions. These divisions of the ANS work antagonistically to regulate involuntary physiological responses.
- What is the autonomic nervous system (ANS) primarily responsible for controlling?
- Involuntary activity of smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, and glands. The ANS regulates involuntary functions to maintain internal balance without conscious effort.
- Which ANS division is described as "rest-and-digest"?
- Parasympathetic division. The parasympathetic division promotes conservation and restoration of energy during relaxed states.
- Which type of neuron carries impulses from the CNS to muscles or glands?
- Motor (efferent) neuron. Efferent neurons transmit commands from the CNS to effectors like muscles for action execution.
- Which ANS division is described as "fight-or-flight"?
- Sympathetic division. The sympathetic division activates energy-mobilizing responses during stress or emergencies.
- What is the main function of the cerebrum?
- Conscious thought, memory, sensation, and voluntary movement. The cerebrum's cortex handles higher-order functions essential for cognition and motor control.
- Identify the ANS effect: decreased heart rate and increased digestion belong to which division?
- Parasympathetic division. These effects conserve energy by slowing heart rate and stimulating digestive processes.
- What is the somatic nervous system responsible for controlling?
- Voluntary control of skeletal muscles. The somatic system enables conscious control over skeletal muscles via voluntary motor pathways.
- What is the function of dendrites on a neuron?
- Receive incoming signals toward the cell body. Dendrites collect synaptic inputs from other neurons and convey them to the soma for integration.
- What is a reflex arc in the nervous system?
- Automatic response pathway: receptor to effector via spinal cord. Reflex arcs enable rapid, involuntary responses to stimuli bypassing higher brain centers.
- What is a synapse in nervous system physiology?
- Junction where a neuron communicates with another cell. Synapses allow neurotransmitter release from presynaptic neurons to influence postsynaptic cells.
- What is the primary function of the cerebellum?
- Coordinates balance, posture, and smooth voluntary movement. The cerebellum fine-tunes motor activity and maintains equilibrium through sensory integration.
- Which type of tissue is primarily responsible for rapid communication in the body?
- Nervous tissue. Nervous tissue, composed of neurons and glia, facilitates quick signal transmission for coordination.
- What is the myelin sheath and what is its main effect on conduction?
- Insulating layer that increases impulse conduction speed. Myelin, produced by glial cells, forms a sheath that facilitates saltatory conduction for faster nerve impulses.
- Identify the ANS effect: increased heart rate and bronchodilation belong to which division?
- Sympathetic division. These effects prepare the body for action by enhancing cardiovascular and respiratory functions.
- Which type of neuron carries impulses from receptors to the CNS?
- Sensory (afferent) neuron. Afferent neurons relay sensory information from peripheral receptors to the CNS for processing.
- What is the primary function of the nervous system in the human body?
- Receives stimuli, integrates information, and coordinates responses. This system detects internal and external stimuli through sensory receptors, processes the data in the CNS, and directs responses via effectors to maintain homeostasis.
- What is the role of the spinal cord in nervous system function?
- Conducts signals to and from the brain and mediates reflexes. The spinal cord serves as a conduit for neural signals and processes local reflex actions.