Lecture 03

• What are the integrated functions of the CNS?

  Reflexes, voluntary motor control, language, sleep, emotions, learning
• What are the types of movement in the CNS?

  • Involuntary movements (reflexes)
  • Voluntary movements (goal directed)
• What is the purpose of the pupillary reflex?

  Protects the retina from damage
• What is the knee-jerk reflex classified as?

  Innate reflex
• What is a reflex arc?

  • Pathway for reflex actions
  • Involves sensory neurons, interneurons, and motor neurons
• What type of reflex is the stretch reflex?

  Polysynaptic
• How does the stretch reflex work?

  Involves sensory neuron synapsing to motor neuron
• What neurotransmitter is released to contract the quadriceps in the stretch reflex?

  ACh (Acetylcholine)
• What is the role of association neurons in the stretch reflex?

  Inhibit motor neuron in hamstrings
• What happens when the hamstrings are inhibited during the stretch reflex?

  They relax
• What is the function of the ascending axon in the stretch reflex?

  Send signals to the brain stem
• What triggers the withdrawal reflex?

  Pain from stepping on a nail
• What type of reflex is the papillary light reflex?

  Cranial reflex
• What is the pathway of the papillary light reflex?

  Photoreceptors → afferent neurons → midbrain nuclei
• What are the areas involved in voluntary motor control?

  • Synapses at the medulla
  • Ascends towards cerebral cortex
  • Involves 3 synapses
• What are the differences between pyramidal and extrapyramidal tracts?

  • Pyramidal: Direct, voluntary movement
  • Extrapyramidal: Indirect, automatic movement
• What is the role of the cerebellum in motor control?

  Critical for motor coordination
• What is the function of the basal nuclei?

  Regulate voluntary movements
• How does disruption in basal ganglia affect movement?

  Can lead to Parkinson’s disease
• Where is Broca's area located?

  Frontal lobe
• What is the function of Wernicke's area?

  Decode and integrate language
• What are the states of sleep?

  • Slow-wave sleep
  • REM sleep
• What neurotransmitter is associated with the awake state?

  Acetylcholine
• What are the components of learning and memory?

  • Learning: Acquisition of new information
  • Memory: Retention of information
  • Types: Procedural, declarative, short-term, long-term
• What is procedural memory?

  Implicit memory for skills
• What is declarative memory?

  Explicit memory for facts and events
• What is the duration of short-term memory?

  Seconds to hours
• What is the process of consolidation in memory?

  Transfer from short-term to long-term memory
• What is plasticity in the nervous system?

  Ability to change and adapt
• What are the functional areas of the cerebrum?

  • Motor areas
  • Sensory areas
  • Association areas