Nervous System Functioning

A major function of the spinal cord is to

• protect the spinal column.

• connect the brain and central nervous system.

• initiate voluntary muscle movements.

• connect the brain and peripheral nervous system.

You are working quietly in the library when a friend sneaks up from behind and scares you, making your heart race. At this time, your _____ nervous system would be dominant.

• parasympathetic

• sympathetic

• somatic

• central

Sensory pathways carry information to the _____ and motor pathways carry information from the _____ .

• somatic nervous system; peripheral nervous system

• central nervous system; somatic nervous system

• central nervous system; central nervous system

• peripheral nervous system; peripheral nervous system

A mosquito lands on your arm. You watch it carefully then move your hand to swat it. Your sensation and response are due to _____ activity.

• spinal reflex

• autonomic nervous system

• somatic nervous system

• parasympathetic nervous system

Parkinson’s disease motor symptoms are most commonly associated with

• an excessive amount of dopamine in motor pathways.

• loss of dopamine as it travels along motor pathways.

• overproduction of dopamine in the substantia nigra.

• a depleted amount of dopamine in the substantia nigra.

Sensory information is best described as _____ information.

• afferent

• efferent

• internal

• external

The _____ nervous system automatically restores bodily systems to their normal level of functioning after the need for heightened activity has passed.

• somatic

• central

• sympathetic

• parasympathetic

Jana was diagnosed with paraplegia after a horse riding accident and can no longer walk. She is unable to do so because her _____ nervous system cannot communicate with her _____ nervous system.

• central; autonomic

• somatic; central

• somatic; sympathetic

• autonomic; sympathetic

The autonomic nervous system

• controls movements of skeletal muscles.

• initiates movements of skeletal muscles.

• controls the activities of visceral muscles, organs and glands.

• controls virtually all thoughts, feelings and behaviours.

A synapse is

• a neural connection.

• a type of neurotransmitter.

• the place where neurons communicate.

• the part of the neuron on which small extensions grow.