What are neural networks composed of? What do neurons contain? - ANS Neural
networks are composed of neurons connected at synapses.
Neurons have a cell body (soma), varying number of dendrites (receive input) and
a single (usually) axon that extends from the cell body (carries excitatory output in
the form of action potentials)
What are glial cells? How do they differ from neurons? - ANS Other neural cells
(glial cells) include: astrocytes and oligodendria in CNS and Schwann cells and
satellite cells in PNS
Glie (neruoglia) differ from neurons in several ways: do not form synapses, have
only one type of projection, are able to divide, and are less electrically excitable
What are astrocytes? What are oligodendria? - ANS Both contained in CNS
Astrocytes - "astroglia" - star-shaped glia cells in the brain and spinal cord
Oligodendria - characterized by variable numbers of sheetlike processes that are
each wrapped around individual axons to form the myelin sheath of nerve fibers in
the central nervous system (compared with Schwann cells in the peripheral
nervous system)
- forms myelin in the central nervous system
,- more numerous in white matter than in gray matter.
What are Schwann cells and Satellite cells? - ANS Both contained in the PNS
Schwann Cells - in the PNS, form the myelin sheath around neuronal axons
Satellite Cells - glial cells that cover the surface of nerve cell bodies in sensory,
sympathetic and parasympathetic ganglia
- similar role to astrocytes in the CNS
What does the CNS and PNS consist of? What do afferent and efferent pathways
control? What do autonomic efferents control? - ANS CNS: Brain and Spinal Cord
PNS: Sensory, somatic, and autonomic
Afferent pathways of the PNS deliver sensory input to the CNS
Somatic efferent pathways control skeletal/striated muscle
Autonomic efferents control smooth muscle
How does the brain and spinal cord INPUT signals?
,How does the brain and spinal cord OUTPUT signals? - ANS Somatic senses, special
senses, and visceral sense send signals along afferents which input information to
the brain and spinal cord.
Output is sent along efferent pathways to: 1) Somatic 2) autonomic pathways
1) Somatic pathways innervated skeletal muscle
2) Autonomic pathways innervate sympathetic and parasympathetic pathways
which innervate the cardiac muscle, smooth muscle, glands, and enteric nervous
system (gastrointestinal tract)
What does the PNS include? What does it interfaces with? - ANS PNS includes all
peripheral nerves exiting the spinal cord (and cranium) as well sensory receptors
(muscle, skin and special senses).
PNS interfaces with the CNS in specialized regions of the spinal cord (ex. dorsal and
ventral horns)
Explain the anatomy of the spinal cord and which pathways/tract are present. -
ANS 1) White matter (outside) and grey matter (inside)
2) Different nerve tracts carry input to of from the brain
3) The Dorsal column medial lamniscus carries sensory input on fine touch,
vibration and proprioception to the brain
4) The Spinothalamic pathway carries sensory input on temperature, crude touch
and pain to the brain
, 5) Corticospinal tracts carry motor signals from the brain to proximal (medial
corticospinal) and distal muscles (lateral corticospinal) to control voluntary (and
some involuntary) movement
What are the functions of the CNS? - ANS - Gather and integrate information from
PNS
- Process and perceive information from PNS
- Organize reflex and autonomic responses
- Planning and executing voluntary movements
- Higher functions like cognition, learning and memory
What are the major regions of the brain? How is the spinal cord divided? - ANS
Major regions:
- cerebrum, cerebellum, pons, medulla, brain stem
Spinal cord is divided into regions named for the vertebra at which their nerve
roots enter or leave
What regions are devoted to the special senses? - ANS Special senses have
devoted regions: visual cortex, auditory cortex, olfactory cortex, gustatory cortex
What are the functional areas of the cerebral cortex? - ANS The cerebral cortex
contains sensory areas for perception, motor areas that direct movement, and
association areas that integrate information
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