Chapter 11 Study Guide
1. List and describe the three overlapping functions of the nervous system.
Sensory Input- Involves gathering information about the internal and external environments.
Integration- Once sensory information reaches the central nervous system, it is processed and interpreted.
Motor Output- After integration, the brain and spinal cord send out signals to effectors (Muscles and glands) to
produce a response.
2. List and describe in detail the organization of the nervous system beginning with the CNS and PNS down to the
sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions of the ANS. Be sure to include the functions for each division.
CNS-
Brain: The control center for the body, responsible for processing sensory information, coordinating movement,
and regulating emotions and higher-level functions like thought and memory.
Spinal Cord: A major pathway for signals traveling to and from the brain and transmits signals to the PNS.
PNS-
Somatic Nervous System:
Afferent (Sensory) Division: Transmits sensory information from the body to the CNS.
Efferent (Motor) Division: Transmits motor commands from the CNS to skeletal muscles, controlling voluntary
movement.
Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)-
Sympathetic Nervous System: Primarily involved in the "fight-or-flight" response, preparing the body for
stressful situations. It increases heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration rate, while inhibiting digestion and
other non-essential functions.
Preganglionic Neurons: Located in the thoracic and lumbar regions of the spinal cord, with short preganglionic
fibers that synapse with postganglionic neurons in nearby ganglia.
Postganglionic Neurons: Release norepinephrine (NE) on target tissues, except for sweat glands, which release
acetylcholine (ACh).
Parasympathetic Nervous System: Primarily involved in the "rest-and-digest" response, promoting normal bodily
functions like digestion and decreasing heart rate and respiration.
Preganglionic Neurons: Located in the brainstem and sacral regions of the spinal cord, with long preganglionic
fibers that synapse with postganglionic neurons near or in target organs.
3. List and describe the appearance, location, and functions of the neuroglial cells.
Supporting cells in the nervous system, including both the central and peripheral nervous systems.
4. List and describe the functions for all the structures of a motor neuron (figure 11.5).
Cell Body- Contains the neuron's nucleus, genetic material, and organelles. It maintains the neuron's structure
and provides energy for its activities.
Axon- This long, slender projection extends from the cell body and carries signals away from the soma. The axon
is often covered in a myelin sheath, which insulates it and speeds up signal transmission.
Dendrites- These branched extensions receive signals from other neurons. They increase the neuron's surface
area for receiving input.
Neuromuscular Junction- Where the axon terminal of a motor neuron makes contact with a muscle fiber. It's
where neurotransmitters, like acetylcholine, are released to trigger muscle contraction
5. What is the difference between white and gray matter. What is the function of myelin.
, Grey matter is primarily composed of neuron cell bodies and dendrites, responsible for processing information
and conscious perception. White matter, on the other hand, is made up of myelinated axons, which transmit
signals between different brain regions and to the spinal cord. Insulate and protect nerve fibers.
6.
7. Define:
a. Anterograde- is movement away from the cell body
b. Retrograde- Is movement towards the cell body
c. White matter- The paler tissue of the brain and spinal cord, consisting mainly of nerve fibers with their
myelin sheaths
d. Gray matter- The darker tissue of the brain and spinal cord, consisting mainly of nerve cell bodies and
branching dendrites.
8. What are the three structural classes of neurons? What does each look like? Where do you find each?
Unipolar Neurons- These neurons have a single process extending from the cell body, which then divides into
two branches: one acting as a dendrite and the other as an axon.
Bipolar Neurons- These neurons have two processes: one axon and one dendrite, both extending from the cell
body.
Multipolar Neurons- These neurons have a single axon and multiple dendrites extending from the cell body
9. What are the three functional classes of neurons? What is the function of each? Where do you find each?
Sensory neurons carry signals from the body's sensory receptors to the central nervous system. Interneurons,
also called association neurons, connect sensory and motor neurons, facilitating complex neural pathways
within the brain and spinal cord. Motor neurons transmit signals from the central nervous system to muscles
and glands, initiating movement and other bodily responses
10. What are the 2 main types of ion channels? What are the three main types of gated channels? Describe how
each works.
Leak Channels- These channels are always open, allowing ions to flow through the membrane without any
specific regulation. They contribute to the resting membrane potential and help maintain the cell's ion balance.
Gated Channels- These channels open and close in response to various stimuli, including:
Voltage-Gated Channels: Open and close in response to changes in the electrical potential across the membrane.
Ligand-Gated Channels: Open and close when specific molecules (ligands) bind to them, like neurotransmitters.
Mechanically Gated Channels: Open and close in response to mechanical stimuli, like stretching or pressure.
11. Define:
a. Electrochemical gradient- a combination of two factors: an "electrical potential difference" between the
inside and outside of the membrane and a "concentration gradient
b. Voltmeter- an instrument for measuring electric potential in volts.
c. Resting membrane potential- the electrical voltage difference across a cell's membrane when the cell is
at rest.
12. How is the resting membrane potential generated? Where is the concentration of each of the following ions
higher Na+, K+, Ca+2, and Cl-, intracellularly or extracellularly? What is the role of the Na+/K+ pump?
Primarily by the movement of ions across the membrane due to concentration gradients and selective
permeability, and the activity of ion pumps. Extracellular fluid. Transports sodium ions (Na+) out of the cell and
potassium ions (K+) into the cell, both against their concentration gradients.
13. Describe in detail the process of generating a graded potential. Review whether the ion channels are voltage
gated or ligand gated channels.
1. List and describe the three overlapping functions of the nervous system.
Sensory Input- Involves gathering information about the internal and external environments.
Integration- Once sensory information reaches the central nervous system, it is processed and interpreted.
Motor Output- After integration, the brain and spinal cord send out signals to effectors (Muscles and glands) to
produce a response.
2. List and describe in detail the organization of the nervous system beginning with the CNS and PNS down to the
sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions of the ANS. Be sure to include the functions for each division.
CNS-
Brain: The control center for the body, responsible for processing sensory information, coordinating movement,
and regulating emotions and higher-level functions like thought and memory.
Spinal Cord: A major pathway for signals traveling to and from the brain and transmits signals to the PNS.
PNS-
Somatic Nervous System:
Afferent (Sensory) Division: Transmits sensory information from the body to the CNS.
Efferent (Motor) Division: Transmits motor commands from the CNS to skeletal muscles, controlling voluntary
movement.
Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)-
Sympathetic Nervous System: Primarily involved in the "fight-or-flight" response, preparing the body for
stressful situations. It increases heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration rate, while inhibiting digestion and
other non-essential functions.
Preganglionic Neurons: Located in the thoracic and lumbar regions of the spinal cord, with short preganglionic
fibers that synapse with postganglionic neurons in nearby ganglia.
Postganglionic Neurons: Release norepinephrine (NE) on target tissues, except for sweat glands, which release
acetylcholine (ACh).
Parasympathetic Nervous System: Primarily involved in the "rest-and-digest" response, promoting normal bodily
functions like digestion and decreasing heart rate and respiration.
Preganglionic Neurons: Located in the brainstem and sacral regions of the spinal cord, with long preganglionic
fibers that synapse with postganglionic neurons near or in target organs.
3. List and describe the appearance, location, and functions of the neuroglial cells.
Supporting cells in the nervous system, including both the central and peripheral nervous systems.
4. List and describe the functions for all the structures of a motor neuron (figure 11.5).
Cell Body- Contains the neuron's nucleus, genetic material, and organelles. It maintains the neuron's structure
and provides energy for its activities.
Axon- This long, slender projection extends from the cell body and carries signals away from the soma. The axon
is often covered in a myelin sheath, which insulates it and speeds up signal transmission.
Dendrites- These branched extensions receive signals from other neurons. They increase the neuron's surface
area for receiving input.
Neuromuscular Junction- Where the axon terminal of a motor neuron makes contact with a muscle fiber. It's
where neurotransmitters, like acetylcholine, are released to trigger muscle contraction
5. What is the difference between white and gray matter. What is the function of myelin.
, Grey matter is primarily composed of neuron cell bodies and dendrites, responsible for processing information
and conscious perception. White matter, on the other hand, is made up of myelinated axons, which transmit
signals between different brain regions and to the spinal cord. Insulate and protect nerve fibers.
6.
7. Define:
a. Anterograde- is movement away from the cell body
b. Retrograde- Is movement towards the cell body
c. White matter- The paler tissue of the brain and spinal cord, consisting mainly of nerve fibers with their
myelin sheaths
d. Gray matter- The darker tissue of the brain and spinal cord, consisting mainly of nerve cell bodies and
branching dendrites.
8. What are the three structural classes of neurons? What does each look like? Where do you find each?
Unipolar Neurons- These neurons have a single process extending from the cell body, which then divides into
two branches: one acting as a dendrite and the other as an axon.
Bipolar Neurons- These neurons have two processes: one axon and one dendrite, both extending from the cell
body.
Multipolar Neurons- These neurons have a single axon and multiple dendrites extending from the cell body
9. What are the three functional classes of neurons? What is the function of each? Where do you find each?
Sensory neurons carry signals from the body's sensory receptors to the central nervous system. Interneurons,
also called association neurons, connect sensory and motor neurons, facilitating complex neural pathways
within the brain and spinal cord. Motor neurons transmit signals from the central nervous system to muscles
and glands, initiating movement and other bodily responses
10. What are the 2 main types of ion channels? What are the three main types of gated channels? Describe how
each works.
Leak Channels- These channels are always open, allowing ions to flow through the membrane without any
specific regulation. They contribute to the resting membrane potential and help maintain the cell's ion balance.
Gated Channels- These channels open and close in response to various stimuli, including:
Voltage-Gated Channels: Open and close in response to changes in the electrical potential across the membrane.
Ligand-Gated Channels: Open and close when specific molecules (ligands) bind to them, like neurotransmitters.
Mechanically Gated Channels: Open and close in response to mechanical stimuli, like stretching or pressure.
11. Define:
a. Electrochemical gradient- a combination of two factors: an "electrical potential difference" between the
inside and outside of the membrane and a "concentration gradient
b. Voltmeter- an instrument for measuring electric potential in volts.
c. Resting membrane potential- the electrical voltage difference across a cell's membrane when the cell is
at rest.
12. How is the resting membrane potential generated? Where is the concentration of each of the following ions
higher Na+, K+, Ca+2, and Cl-, intracellularly or extracellularly? What is the role of the Na+/K+ pump?
Primarily by the movement of ions across the membrane due to concentration gradients and selective
permeability, and the activity of ion pumps. Extracellular fluid. Transports sodium ions (Na+) out of the cell and
potassium ions (K+) into the cell, both against their concentration gradients.
13. Describe in detail the process of generating a graded potential. Review whether the ion channels are voltage
gated or ligand gated channels.
