NERVOUS SYSTEM ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY, ANATOMY AND
PHYSIOLOGY, NERVOUS SYSTEM, NERVOUS SYSTEM PHYSIOLOGY
AND ANATOMY EXAM REVISION QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (ALREADY GRADED A+) (2024 UPDATE)
Thalamus - ANSWER- Relay center to/from cortex. All sensory information first stops at
thalamus before proceeding to cortex. Multiple sub-nuclei "integrate" incoming sensory signals.
Hypothalamus - ANSWER- Maintains homeostasis by regulating metabolic processes
(temperature, hunger, thirst, etc.)
Amygdala - ANSWER- Plays a role in emotional processing. Particularly unpleasant emotions
such as fear and aggression. Decrease in size results in being unfearful. Increase in size results in
being overly anxious, aggressive, and fearful
Cerebellum - ANSWER- Coordinates motor output and regulates muscle tone. Compares
intended movement coming from the motor cortex with actual movement sensation coming from
the joints and muscles and makes corrections. Based on past experiences
Pons - ANSWER- Bulbous protrusion from brainstem. Filled with ascending/descending tracts
to/from the spinal cord and also to/from the cerebellum. Regulates breathing patterns
Medulla Oblongata - ANSWER- Contains autonomic nuclei that control fundamental life
processes required for human life. Respiration, heart rate, etc.
Neuromuscular junction - ANSWER- Location where brain communicates with muscles
, Spinal cord - ANSWER- a long, thin, tubular bundle of nervous tissue and support cells that
extends from the medulla oblongata in the brainstem to the lumbar region of the vertebral column
Cerebellum - ANSWER- a major feature of the hindbrain responsible for body movements and
balance
Cerebrum - ANSWER- the principal and most anterior part of the brain in vertebrates, located
in the front area of the skull and consisting of two hemispheres, left and right, separated by a fissure
Midbrain - ANSWER- relays sensory and motor impulses; serves important functions in motor
movement, particularly movements of the eye, and in auditory and visual processing.
Pons - ANSWER- part of the brain stem, assists with regulation of breathing
Medulla oblongata - ANSWER- part of brain stem, regulates heart rate, blood pressure, and
breathing, and controls the reflexes of coughing, sneezing, and vomiting
Pituitary gland - ANSWER- a pea-sized structure located at the base of the brain, just below
the hypothalamus, to which it is attached via nerve fibers. It is part of the endocrine system and
produces critical hormones, which are chemical substances that control various bodily functions
Hypothalamus - ANSWER- lower portion of diencephalon which acts as an autonomic center
regulating metabolism, heart rate, blood pressure, thirst, hunger, energy level, and body
temperature
Thalamus - ANSWER- middle portion of diencephalon which relays sensory impulses up to
the sensory cortex (aka the cerebrum); regulates sleep and consciousness
PHYSIOLOGY, NERVOUS SYSTEM, NERVOUS SYSTEM PHYSIOLOGY
AND ANATOMY EXAM REVISION QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (ALREADY GRADED A+) (2024 UPDATE)
Thalamus - ANSWER- Relay center to/from cortex. All sensory information first stops at
thalamus before proceeding to cortex. Multiple sub-nuclei "integrate" incoming sensory signals.
Hypothalamus - ANSWER- Maintains homeostasis by regulating metabolic processes
(temperature, hunger, thirst, etc.)
Amygdala - ANSWER- Plays a role in emotional processing. Particularly unpleasant emotions
such as fear and aggression. Decrease in size results in being unfearful. Increase in size results in
being overly anxious, aggressive, and fearful
Cerebellum - ANSWER- Coordinates motor output and regulates muscle tone. Compares
intended movement coming from the motor cortex with actual movement sensation coming from
the joints and muscles and makes corrections. Based on past experiences
Pons - ANSWER- Bulbous protrusion from brainstem. Filled with ascending/descending tracts
to/from the spinal cord and also to/from the cerebellum. Regulates breathing patterns
Medulla Oblongata - ANSWER- Contains autonomic nuclei that control fundamental life
processes required for human life. Respiration, heart rate, etc.
Neuromuscular junction - ANSWER- Location where brain communicates with muscles
, Spinal cord - ANSWER- a long, thin, tubular bundle of nervous tissue and support cells that
extends from the medulla oblongata in the brainstem to the lumbar region of the vertebral column
Cerebellum - ANSWER- a major feature of the hindbrain responsible for body movements and
balance
Cerebrum - ANSWER- the principal and most anterior part of the brain in vertebrates, located
in the front area of the skull and consisting of two hemispheres, left and right, separated by a fissure
Midbrain - ANSWER- relays sensory and motor impulses; serves important functions in motor
movement, particularly movements of the eye, and in auditory and visual processing.
Pons - ANSWER- part of the brain stem, assists with regulation of breathing
Medulla oblongata - ANSWER- part of brain stem, regulates heart rate, blood pressure, and
breathing, and controls the reflexes of coughing, sneezing, and vomiting
Pituitary gland - ANSWER- a pea-sized structure located at the base of the brain, just below
the hypothalamus, to which it is attached via nerve fibers. It is part of the endocrine system and
produces critical hormones, which are chemical substances that control various bodily functions
Hypothalamus - ANSWER- lower portion of diencephalon which acts as an autonomic center
regulating metabolism, heart rate, blood pressure, thirst, hunger, energy level, and body
temperature
Thalamus - ANSWER- middle portion of diencephalon which relays sensory impulses up to
the sensory cortex (aka the cerebrum); regulates sleep and consciousness
