PYC1501: Exam date 7 June 2023
Exam preparation consist of:
Notes on the nervous system
All the quizzes on the nervous system – from 2017 to2023
Goodluck on your studying! –
The brain
The brain consists of billions of neurons, which are specialized cells responsible for transmitting
information. Each neuron can form connections, called synapses, with thousands of other neurons,
creating a vast network for communication and information processing in the brain.
"The space between the skull and the brain is filled with fluid called cerebrospinal fluid, which is
produced by the brain and surrounds it."
"The brain is also protected by the blood‑brain barrier that keeps out certain harmful substances."
"The brain is richly supplied with blood vessels that carry important substances such as oxygen and
glucose to the brain and transport waste products like carbon dioxide from the brain cells."
The brain has a rich network of blood vessels that deliver vital substances, including oxygen and
glucose, which are essential for the brain's energy and metabolic needs. Additionally, these blood
vessels help remove waste products, such as carbon dioxide, produced by brain cells during their
normal functioning.
The brain's capillaries, which are tiny blood vessels, have unique properties that make them highly
selective and restrict the passage of many substances, including drugs. This selective permeability of
brain capillaries creates the blood-brain barrier, which prevents the free entry of drugs into the brain
tissue. Overcoming this barrier is a significant obstacle in developing effective treatments for brain
disorders.
Quiz
What is the estimated number of neurons in the brain?
a) 1 billion
b) 10 billion
c) 100 billion
What is the function of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)?
a) Carrying nutrients to the brain
b) Protecting the brain from injuries
c) Transmitting electrical signals in the brain
What is the role of the blood-brain barrier?
a) Ensuring a steady supply of oxygen to the brain
b) Facilitating the communication between neurons
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,c) Protecting the brain from harmful substances
What do the blood vessels in the brain transport?
a) Carbon dioxide from the brain cells
b) Waste products to the brain
c) Glucose and oxygen to the brain
Why is the passage of drugs more difficult in the brain compared to the rest of the body?
a) The brain has a higher number of blood vessels
b) The brain has a lower production of cerebrospinal fluid
c) The brain's capillaries are impermeable to many substances, creating the blood-brain barrier
The cerebral cortex, the outer layer of the brain, has a textured surface with bumps and grooves.
These bumps and grooves, also known as fissures, create a resemblance to the shape of a pecan
nut.
"The cerebral cortex is composed of tissue made up mostly of cell bodies that have a grey colour, and
this is why it is called grey matter."
➢ "The brain consists of two halves, called cerebral hemispheres (‘half rounds’)."
➢ "The two hemispheres are connected by a thick band of fibers called the corpus callosum,
which allows the right and left cerebral hemispheres to communicate with each other."
➢ "The left side of the brain controls mainly the right side of the body, and likewise, the right
side of the brain controls mainly the left side of the body. This is called contralateral control."
➢ "Some parts of the body are controlled by the same side of the brain, which is called
ipsilateral control."
"For example, when an elderly person has a stroke or brain infarct in the left hemisphere of the
brain, the result is often a loss of sensation and motor control in the right arm and leg."
Quiz
What gives the cerebral cortex its pecan nut-like appearance?
a) Fissures
b) Cell bodies
c) Grey matter
What is the primary composition of the cerebral cortex?
a) Neuronal axons
b) Grey matter
c) White matter
What connects the two cerebral hemispheres?
a) Corpus callosum
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, b) Cerebrospinal fluid
c) Cerebral fissure
What is the function of the corpus callosum?
a) Regulating blood flow in the brain
b) Controlling emotions and memory
c) Enabling communication between cerebral hemispheres
What is contralateral control in the brain?
a) Same side of the brain controlling the same side of the body
b) Opposite side of the brain controlling the opposite side of the body
c) Opposite side of the brain controlling the same side of the body
Which side of the brain controls mainly the left side of the body?
a) Left hemisphere
b) Right hemisphere
c) Both hemispheres equally
What is the term for same-side control of certain body parts in the brain?
a) Contralateral control
b) Ipsilateral control
c) Bilateral control
In the event of a stroke in the left hemisphere, which side of the body may be affected?
a) Left side
b) Right side
c) Both sides equally
What is the main function of the grey matter in the cerebral cortex?
a) Processing sensory information
b) Transmitting electrical signals
c) Regulating blood flow
What is the role of fissures in the cerebral cortex?
a) Connecting neurons across hemispheres
b) Providing structural support to the brain
c) Creating surface bumps and grooves
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