Neurophys

• What is the primary function of the nervous system?

  Communication and control network
• How does the nervous system allow organisms to interact with their environment?

  By processing internal and external stimuli
• What are the divisions of the nervous system?

  • Sensory or afferent unit
  • Central processing unit (brain and spinal cord)
  • Motor or efferent unit
• What is the function of the sensory or afferent unit?

  Input unit
• What does the central processing unit do?

  Processes sensory information and generates output
• What is the function of the motor or efferent unit?

  Output unit
• What reflexes does the spinal cord control?

  Walking, withdrawal, and blood vessel control
• What are the higher brain centers responsible for?

  Facilitating or inhibiting spinal cord centers
• What are the major subdivisions of the brain?

  • Prosencephalon (Forebrain)
  • Mesencephalon (Midbrain)
  • Rhombencephalon (Hindbrain)
• What does the diencephalon develop into?

  Thalamus and hypothalamus
• What is the function of the cranial meninges?

  Protect and support the brain
• What are the three layers of cranial meninges?

  Dura mater, arachnoid mater, pia mater
• What is the role of the pia mater?

  Attached to brain surface for support
• What is the organization of the spinal cord?

  • White matter: external, contains axons
  • Gray matter: H-shaped, contains cell bodies
• What are the major cellular components of the nervous system?

  Neurons and neuroglia
• What is the function of neurons?

  Receive stimuli and transmit action potentials
• What are the parts of a neuron?

  Cell body, dendrites, axons
• What are the functions of neuroglia cells?

  • Support and protect neurons
  • Maintain homeostasis
  • Form myelin sheaths
• What is the role of astrocytes?

  Support and nourish neurons
• What do microglia do?

  Act as scavengers in the CNS
• What is the function of ependymal cells?

  Line ventricles and produce CSF
• What do oligodendrocytes do?

  Form myelin sheaths around CNS axons
• What is the blood-brain barrier (BBB)?

  • Protects the brain from toxins
  • Maintains ionic balance
  • Allows selective nutrient transport
• What is the primary function of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)?

  Protection and waste removal
• How is CSF produced?

  Primarily by the choroid plexus
• What are the functions of synapses?

  • Communication between neurons
  • Release of neurotransmitters
  • Signal transmission
• What are the types of synapses?

  Electrical and chemical
• What is a neuronal pool?

  A group of neurons for a specific function
• What are the types of neuronal circuits?

  • Divergent pathways
  • Convergent pathways
  • Reverberatory circuits
  • Parallel afterdischarge
  • Serial processing
• What is an excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP)?

  Temporary depolarization of postsynaptic membrane
• What is the role of inhibitory postsynaptic potential (IPSP)?

  Decreases chance of action potential
• What is reflex action?

  • Involuntary movement
  • Response to a stimulus
  • Fast and automatic
• What is a monosynaptic reflex?

  Reflex with one synapse
• How do divergent and convergent pathways differ?

  Divergent spreads info; convergent combines info
• What is the significance of the blood-brain barrier?

  Protects brain from toxins and maintains homeostasis
• What is the role of the area postrema?

  Detects toxins and triggers vomiting
• What does the median eminence do?

  Releases hormones into the bloodstream
• What is the function of the pineal gland?

  Secretes melatonin for sleep regulation
• What is the clinical significance of the blood-brain barrier?

  Protects against infections but limits treatment
• What is cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) primarily produced by?

  Choroid plexus