Skip to main content
Back

Nervous System Fundamentals - Anatomy & Physiology

Control buttons has been changed to "navigation" mode.
1/20

Terms in this set (20)

  • What are the four main steps in nervous system function?

    Sensory input, integration, motor output, and response.

  • What is the primary role of the central nervous system (CNS)?

    The CNS acts as the integration and command center of the nervous system.

  • What structures make up the peripheral nervous system (PNS)?

    Cranial nerves, spinal nerves, peripheral nerves, and ganglia.

  • What is the difference between afferent and efferent pathways?

    Afferent pathways carry sensory input toward the CNS; efferent pathways carry motor output away from the CNS.

  • Name the main structural parts of a neuron and their functions.

    Cell body: biosynthesis and reception; dendrites: receive signals; axon hillock: initiates action potential; axon: conducts action potentials; terminal boutons: release neurotransmitters.

  • What is the role of Nissl bodies in neurons?

    Nissl bodies are rough ER and ribosomes responsible for protein production and membrane renewal.

  • Describe the difference between multipolar, bipolar, and pseudounipolar neurons.

    Multipolar: many dendrites, one axon; most common in CNS. Bipolar: one dendrite, one axon; special sensory. Pseudounipolar: one process splits into two branches; general sensory neurons.

  • What are neuroglia and their general function?

    Neuroglia are support cells that protect, nourish, insulate neurons and retain the ability to divide.

  • Which glial cells myelinate axons in the CNS and PNS respectively?

    Oligodendrocytes myelinate CNS axons; Schwann cells myelinate PNS axons.

  • What is the function of nodes of Ranvier?

    They are gaps between myelin segments that allow saltatory conduction, speeding up action potential transmission.

  • What is the difference between gray matter and white matter in the CNS?

    Gray matter contains neuron cell bodies and synapses for integration; white matter contains myelinated axons for long-distance communication.

  • What connective tissue layers surround peripheral nerves from inner to outer?

    Endoneurium surrounds individual axons, perineurium surrounds fascicles, and epineurium surrounds the entire nerve.

  • List the five components of a reflex arc in order.

    Receptor, sensory neuron, integration center, motor neuron, effector.

  • What distinguishes a monosynaptic reflex from a polysynaptic reflex?

    Monosynaptic reflexes have one synapse between sensory and motor neurons; polysynaptic reflexes involve one or more interneurons.

  • What is reciprocal inhibition during the patellar reflex?

    The quadriceps motor neuron is activated while an interneuron inhibits the hamstring motor neuron, allowing relaxation of the opposing muscle.

  • Describe the difference between serial and parallel neural processing.

    Serial processing passes signals along one pathway; parallel processing sends input simultaneously along multiple pathways.

  • What is a converging neural circuit?

    Many neurons synapse on one neuron, integrating multiple inputs.

  • What is a diverging neural circuit?

    One neuron sends output to many targets through terminal branches.

  • Why is CNS axon regeneration limited compared to the PNS?

    CNS glia inhibit growth and do not form guiding tubes; astrocytes form scar tissue blocking regrowth.

  • What is multiple sclerosis and how does it affect the nervous system?

    An autoimmune disease damaging CNS myelin, disrupting conduction and causing neurological symptoms.