HUMAN BIOLOGY, BIOMEDICAL ISSUES AND SOCIETY

JOURNAL QUESTIONS

Chapter 13:
The Nervous System

ChPTER 13 Part 1: Overview of Nervous System

  1. What are the three specific functions of the Nervous System? Define sensory receptors and effectors.
  2. Describe the two major divisions of the Nervous System and what structures make up each one?
  3. What are the two types of nervous tissue and what is the function of each?
  4. What are the three types of neurons and their functions?
  5. Describe the structure and function of the three main parts of a neuron. How is a nerve formed?
  6. Describe the myelin sheath, its functions and the cells that form it in the Peripheral Nervous system. What are the Nodes of Ranvier?
  7. Describe the function of a nerve signal (impulse).
  8. Define synapse and describe its three main parts. Why do nerve signals need a synapse?
  9. What is a neurotransmitter, where is it stored, what releases it, what does it have to go across and where does it bind to? How is the neurotransmitter inactivated?
  10. Student Presentations: Name a disease or a how pharmaceutical or illicit drug affects each of the following neurotransmitters: Acetylcholine (Ach), Norepinephrine (NE), Dopamine, Serotonin, GABA, Glutamate and endorphins

Part 2: The Central Nervous System

  1. Describe the location and function of the meninges. What is meningitis? Using the Internet research list three things about meningitis you have learned.
  2. Describe the function two different locations of cerebrospinal fluid. What test is done that uses this fluid? What is hydrocephalus?
  3. Describe the location and functions of the spinal cord. What two types of information pass thru the spinal cord? What is paraplegia and quadriplegia?
  4. Describe the general functions of the cerebrum. What are the cerebral hemispheres? What is the corpus callosum? What are the 4 lobes that make up each cerebral hemisphere?
  5. Describe the cerebral cortex and what does it control.
  6. Briefly describe the function of the following motor areas in the Frontal lobe: Primary Motor Area, Premotor Area, Broca’s Area and Prefrontal Area.
  7. What happens when a person has cerebral palsy?
  8. Describe the function of these sensory areas: Primary Somatosensory, Primary Visual Area, Visual Association Area, Auditory Association Area, Primary taste area and Wernicke’s area?
  9. Describe the functions of the hypothalamus, thalamus and pineal gland.
  10. What are the main functions of the cerebellum? Which professions are particularly helped by the proper functioning of the cerebellum?
  11. Describe the functions of the midbrain, pons and medulla.
  12. Describe the location and importance of the Reticular Activating System (RAS)? How can the RAS be awakened and inactivated?
  13. Why is the Limbic System important in our lives? Describe the basic functions of the Amygdala and Hippocampus.

Part 3: The Peripheral Nervous System

  1. List the structures that make up the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS).
  2. How many pairs of cranial nerves and spinal nerves are there?
  3. What are the two divisions of the Peripheral Nervous System?
  4. What parts of the body does Somatic Nervous System control?
  5. Describe a reflex. Describe the major parts of a reflex arc. Give an example what would cause a reflex arc to start.
  6. Describe the functions of the Autonomic Nervous System.
  7. What are the two major divisions of the Autonomic Nervous System?
  8. Describe the effects of the Sympathetic Division and the Parasympathetic Division. 
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