All flashcards
Flashcard 1: What is the largest part of the human brain?
Answer: The cerebrum. Contains four lobes responsible for higher-order thinking.
Flashcard 2: What is the primary neurotransmitter in the parasympathetic system?
Answer: Acetylcholine. Promotes calming, restorative functions like digestion.
Flashcard 3: Identify the two divisions of the autonomic nervous system.
Answer: Sympathetic and parasympathetic systems. Work in opposition to maintain bodily balance.
Flashcard 4: What is the function of the autonomic nervous system?
Answer: To control involuntary bodily functions. Controls heart rate, breathing, and other automatic processes.
Flashcard 5: What is the primary neurotransmitter in the sympathetic system?
Answer: Norepinephrine. Activates fight-or-flight responses and arousal.
Flashcard 6: What is the primary neurotransmitter in the parasympathetic system?
Answer: Acetylcholine. Promotes calming, restorative functions like digestion.
Flashcard 7: What is the blood-brain barrier?
Answer: A selective permeability barrier protecting the brain. Filters harmful substances while allowing nutrients through.
Flashcard 8: What is the role of the myelin sheath?
Answer: To insulate axons and speed up impulse transmission. Fatty layer that increases signal speed up to 100x faster.
Flashcard 9: What is the role of the frontal lobe?
Answer: To control voluntary movement and cognitive functions. Houses personality, decision-making, and motor cortex.
Flashcard 10: Identify the two divisions of the autonomic nervous system.
Answer: Sympathetic and parasympathetic systems. Work in opposition to maintain bodily balance.
Flashcard 11: Identify the function of the spinal cord.
Answer: To transmit information between the body and brain. Protected highway for neural signals traveling to/from brain.
Flashcard 12: What is the function of the ventral root of a spinal nerve?
Answer: To carry motor information from the CNS. Contains motor neuron axons exiting spinal cord.
Flashcard 13: What is the dorsal root of a spinal nerve responsible for?
Answer: To carry sensory information to the CNS. Contains sensory neuron cell bodies entering spinal cord.
Flashcard 14: Identify the function of the spinal cord.
Answer: To transmit information between the body and brain. Protected highway for neural signals traveling to/from brain.
Flashcard 15: What is the role of Schwann cells?
Answer: To produce myelin in the peripheral nervous system. Wrap around axons to form protective myelin coating.
Flashcard 16: Which cells support and protect neurons?
Answer: Glial cells. Provide structural support, nutrition, and immune protection.
Flashcard 17: What is the function of the brainstem?
Answer: To regulate basic life functions such as breathing. Includes medulla, pons, and midbrain; controls survival functions.
Flashcard 18: What is the main role of the temporal lobe?
Answer: To process auditory information and memory. Houses auditory cortex and hippocampus for memory formation.
Flashcard 19: What is the function of the ventral root of a spinal nerve?
Answer: To carry motor information from the CNS. Contains motor neuron axons exiting spinal cord.
Flashcard 20: Which cells form the myelin sheath in the CNS?
Answer: Oligodendrocytes. Specialized glial cells that myelinate central nervous system axons.
Flashcard 21: What is an action potential?
Answer: A rapid rise and fall in membrane potential. The electrical signal that travels down a neuron's axon.
Flashcard 22: Define 'synapse' in the context of neural communication.
Answer: A junction between two neurons. Where chemical communication occurs between neurons.
Flashcard 23: What is the primary role of neurons?
Answer: To transmit nerve impulses. Specialized cells that conduct electrical signals throughout the body.
Flashcard 24: What structures are included in the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)?
Answer: Cranial nerves and spinal nerves. All nerves outside the brain and spinal cord.
Flashcard 25: What are the components of the Central Nervous System (CNS)?
Answer: The brain and spinal cord. Brain controls thoughts and behavior; spinal cord relays signals.
Flashcard 26: Identify the two main parts of the nervous system.
Answer: Central Nervous System and Peripheral Nervous System. CNS processes information; PNS connects CNS to body parts.
Flashcard 27: What is the main function of the nervous system?
Answer: To coordinate body activities by transmitting signals. Acts as the body's control system, integrating and responding to stimuli.
Flashcard 28: Which part of the brain regulates balance and coordination?
Answer: The cerebellum. Located behind brainstem; coordinates smooth movements.
Flashcard 29: What role does the parasympathetic nervous system play?
Answer: To promote 'rest and digest' activities. Conserves energy and promotes recovery after stress.
Flashcard 30: What is the function of the sympathetic nervous system?
Answer: To prepare the body for 'fight or flight'. Increases heart rate, dilates pupils, releases stress hormones.