Neuro 335

Name the main cells that make up the nervous system

Answer explanation

Glial, neuronal bodies, dendrites

Describe the 7 major divisions of the CNS and their functions

Answer explanation

Thalamus - relay center for all synaptic input/motor control, Hypothalamus - Homeostatic center of the brain, Cortex - higher brain function, Medulla - BP regulation, respiration, Midbrain - links thalamus to other brain areas, spinal cord - carries all info from rest of body, Pons - movement and sensory information, Cerebellum - balance, motor skills, and procedural learning, Corpus callosum - links to hemispheres of brain

What are the different lobes, what do they do, and what is the naming terminology?

Answer explanation

Parietal lobe - sensory processing and attention, top/back. Frontal lobe - movement, decision making and planning at the front. Temporal lobe - hearing, speech, complex visual at the temples/side. Occipital lobe - process visual information at the back of the cortex

What are the 3 major components of a Neuron?

Answer explanation

Neuron body (soma), axons, and dendrites

How does myelination relate to speed of information transmission?

Answer explanation

More heavily myelinated axons will increase the speed of transmission of electrical signals/information

What are the steps in neurotransmitter action in the synapse?

Answer explanation

Neurons transmit an AP through their axons to the presynaptic terminal of the synapse. The action potential causes the vesicle to fuse with the presynaptic membrane, releasing the neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft. These bind to the post-synaptic receptors to either excite or inhibit further neurotransmitter release

Explain the difference between neuropeptides and small molecules

Answer explanation

Neuropeptides are molecules like acetylcholine and epinephrine which are fast acting, whereas small molecules are slow acting proteins and other hormones

Explain how action potentials are generated in neurons and how epilepsy correlates with these

Answer explanation

Action potentials are generated by a change in the membrane potential of postsynaptic neurons. Epilepsy occurs when the changes occur too rapidly as there isn't enough calcium inhibition by GABA or the ion channels regulating this process are mutated

What are the main differences between the Dorsal column pathway and the anterolateral pathway?

Answer explanation

Dorsal column pathway travels through the dorsal roots of the spinal cord, crosses over at the medulla, and is responsible for fine touch and vibration with large myelinated fast transmitting nerve fibers. The anterolateral pathway travels through the anterolateral region of the spinal cord, crossover occurs at the entry into the spinal cord, responsible for pain, with small unmyelinated nerves

Name the 3 different types of somatic sensor receptors

Answer explanation

Mechanoreceptive, Thermoreceptive, Nociceptive