Use LEFT and RIGHT arrow keys to navigate between flashcards;
Use UP and DOWN arrow keys to flip the card;
H to show hint;
A reads text to speech;
29 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
|
2. What are the two kinds of signals that neurons use? Say how (or where) each travels through a series of neurons. |
Neurons use receiving and sending signals. The soma receives signals, while the axon is used for sending signals. |
|
|
3. What is the overall function of the nervous system? |
The function of the nervous system is to send signals from one cell to another, or from one part of the body to the others. |
|
|
4. What do sensory neurons do? What do motor neurons do? What is the neuromuscular junction? |
Sensory neurons are nerve cells that transmit sensory information (sight sound etc). Motor neurons are a nerve cell that resides in the spinal cord and whose fiber (axon) sends signals to the spinal cord to directly or indirectly control muscles. The neuromuscular junction connects the nervous system to the muscular system via synapses between nerve and muscle fibers, AKA muscle cells. |
|
|
5. Describe how a reflex, such as pulling your hand away from a hot stove, works. Point out the different type of neurons involved along the way. Your answer should make it clear why you do not have to think, "Ouch, I better pull my hand away!" |
Reflexes are protective actions involving the spinal cord and/or the brain. In a reflex, the impulse (message) travels from receptors through a sensory neuron to the spinal cord. The neuron in the spinal cord sends the impulse message directly to a motor neuron which makes it respond.
1. Receptors in hand feel something hot. (feels hot) 2. Send messages to spinal cord. (Hand tells spine this hot) 3. Neurons in spinal cord transfer the message from sensory neurons to motor neurons. (Spine tells muscle cell men this hot) 4. Motor neurons send message to arm muscle. (Muscle cell men tell muscle man this hot) 5. Arm contracts and pulls away from heat. (Muscle man ain't have none this) |
|
|
6. What are the three categories of reflexes we tested in lab? How does conscious thought affect each type of reflex? Based on the effects of conscious thought, how complex are the pathways for each type? |
Somatic Reflexes - (Knee jerk) No conscious thought involved during this reflex. The reflex allows actions to occur rather quickly by activating spinal motor neurons w/o the delay of routing signals.
Autonomic reflexes - (Pupil reflex) Little conscious thought. Neurons communicate with spinal cord, which relay message to muscle cells almost immediately.
Learned Reflexes - (reactions with the ruler) Requires conscious thought in addition to decision making. Must process ruler dropping, reply to questions etc. |
|
|
1. Describe one method of chemical birth control. Be sure to include the precise names of the hormones in the treatment (research may be required), how they are administered, how long they are effective, and how they prevent pregnancy. |
Spermicide is a contraceptive substance that destroys sperm. It is inserted vaginally prior to intercourse to prevent pregnancy. Some brands are Advantage-S, Conceptrol and Crinone. Pregnancy rate with spermicide alone is generally higher than other methods. However spermicide is typically used with other contraceptives, such as condoms. |
|
|
2. Describe one surgical method of birth control. |
Vasectomy is a surgical procedure for male sterilization and/or permanent birth control. The males vasa deferentia are severed and then tied in a manner to prevent sperm from ejaculating, preventing fertilization. |
|
|
3. Describe how the RU-486 abortion pill works. Be sure to describe the two pharmaceuticals in this treatment and how each works. |
Mifepristone or RU-486 is a synthetic steroid compound. The pill works by blocking the hormone progesterone. Without that hormone, the lining of the uterus breaks down and pregnancy cannot continue. Misoprostol is a second medicine you would take during this time. This causes the uterus to empty itself. Antibiotics are also giving before taking the abortion pill in a preventative fashion. |
|
|
4. How does the morning after pill work differently than the abortion pill? Why do some not consider taking the morning after pill to be an abortion? |
The morning after pill is an EC, or Emergency contraception. It is a form of birth control that is to be taken after intercourse, which may prevent pregnancy. The pill is a drug that is intended to disrupt or delay ovulation or fertilization. It is not considered to be an abortion because it is still a preventative measure, not an abortion. |
|
|
5. What is the technical name of the surgical abortion procedure? Describe the procedure. |
Aspiration is a surgical abortion procedure performed during the first 6-16 weeks of carrying the fetus. An anesthetic is administered to the cervix. The cervix is then stretched with rodes. Once wide enough, a plastic tube connected to a suction device is inserted into the uterus to suction out the fetus and the placenta. The procedure lasts ~15 minutes, however the patient generally stays at the clinic for a few hours. |
|
|
|
Bulbourethral glands (2): Secretion of gelatinous seminal fluid called pre-ejaculate. This fluid helps to lubricate the urethra for spermatozoa to pass through, and to help flush out any residual urine or foreign matter. (< 1% of semen)
|
|
|
|
Testes |
|
|
3. Why does semen need to be alkaline? What fluids in the reproductive tracts are potentially harmful to sperm?
|
The normal environment of the vagina is a hostile one for sperm cells, as it is very acidic (from the native microflora producing lactic acid), viscous, and patrolled by immune cells. The components in the seminal plasma attempt to compensate for this hostile environment. Basic amines such as putrescine, spermine, spermidine and cadaverine are responsible for the smell and flavor of semen. These alkaline bases counteract the acidic environment of the vaginal canal, and protect DNA inside the sperm from acidic denaturation.
|
|
|
4. What structures are erectile in the male and female reproductive tracts? Why do these structures become erect? What causes the inside of the vagina to become "wet" when a female is sexually aroused? |
The penis for men, and the clitoris for females. They become erect to enable sexual activities. It becomes "wet" as a form of lubricant for when the penetration occurs.
|
|
|
5. What are the structures in the male and female that sperm have to travel through from production to fertilization of the egg? List them in order.
|
Semineferous tubules> epididymis> dectus deferens> ejaculatory duct> urethra> vagina> cervix> uterus> fallopian tube
|
|
|
6. What are the roles of the three main hormones in the male reproductive system? What is the source of each of these hormones?
|
Luteinizing Hormone: The pituitary gland
|
|
|
7. Describe what occurs during ovulation. Describe what occurs during menstruation.
|
The egg is released from the ovary during ovulation. Menstruation is the periodic discharge of blood and mucosal tissue from the inner lining of the uterus through the vagina.
|
|
|
8. Describe the menstrual/uterine cycle as completely as you can. Be sure to include the roles of the four main hormones and mention the sources of these hormones. |
The menstrual cycle can be described by the ovarian or uterine cycle.
Menstruation: the first phase of the uterine cycle. The flow of menses normally serves as a sign that a woman has not become pregnant.
Proliferative phase: uterus gets bigger because of estrogen. ovarian follicles secrete extra estradiol and estrogen. the estrogen initiates the formation of a new layer in the uterus.
Secretory phase: final phase where the corpus luteum produces progesterone which plays a vital role in making it supportive of the early pregnancy by increasing blood flow and uterine secretions and reducing the ability to contract muscles in the uterus. |
|
|
|
prolactin: a protein that in humans is best known for its role in enabling female mammals to produce milk
|
|
|
10. What hormone is produced by the embryo to ensure that pregnancy is maintained? What does this hormone do specifically?
|
Progesterone. Progesterone stimulates the thickening of the uterine lining in anticipation of implantation of a fertilized egg |
|
|
11. What ruptures when a pregnant woman's "water" breaks? What is the "water?" |
The amniotic sac surrounds your baby and when it breaks, amniotic fluid or "water" comes out. |
|
|
12. Describe 3 different methods of birth control. At least one of these should rely on synthetic hormones. |
Birth control pills, a hormonal patch, or a condom. |
|
|
8. Choose two drugs (illegal, prescription, over-the-counter, or otherwise) and describe how they affect the nervous system. Your answer should include the affected neurotransmitters and brain regions as well as the overall effects of the drugs |
Axona: a medical food marketed for the management of alzheimer's. It affects Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEIs) slow the breakdown of acetylcholine (ACh), a key neurotransmitter involved in learning and memory.
Amerge: is a triptandrug marketed by GlaxoSmithKline and is used for the treatment of migraine headaches. neurotransmission from sensory fibers from dural and vascular tissue, while sparing transmission from other trigeminal fibers, probably through inhibition of neuropeptide transmitter release |
|
|
9. What are the four lobes of the cerebral cortex? What is at least one function of each? |
Frontal Lobe: recognizing concesquences
Parietal lobe: touch localization without other sensory input
Occipital lobe: The occipital lobe is divided into several functional visual areas. Each visual area contains a full map of the visual world
Temporal lobe: memory and sensory processing |
|
|
10. Why are some areas of the body highly represented in the motor/somatosensory cortices (plural of cortex) while others are not? Name two areas of the body that seem to represented out of proportion of their actual size. |
We've just had them as our go-to for so long that it's stuck. Sight and sound are primarily used. |
|
|
11. Other than modern imaging (MRI, CT, etc.), how can we learn about the functions of various regions of the human brain in living people who have given informed consent? |
controlled brain surgery on very specific parts of the brain while the patient is awake and tell us what he's experiencing |
|
|
12. What is the function of the limbic system? How do each of the different parts of the limbic system contribute to the overall function? |
The limbic system is where the subcortical structures meet the cerebral cortex. It is involved in motication, emotion, learningm and memory.
Hippocampus: processes spatial memory and learning.
Amygdala: handles attentional and emotional processes, social processing, and EAM memory. |
|
|
13. What are the two parts of the autonomic nervous system? What are two known effects of each part? |
The autonomic nervous system is divided into the sympathetic nervous system and parasympathetic nervous system.
Sympathetic: The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for up- and down-regulating in many homeostatic mechanisms in living organisms
Parasympathetic: controls sensations and sexual activity |
|
|
15. Describe one nervous system disorder or disease. Your description should include the symptoms, the parts of the nervous system that are affected, and how it is treated. |
Parkinson's: Parkinson’s disease affects the nerve cells in the brain that produce dopamine. Parkinson’s disease symptoms include muscle rigidity, tremors, and changes in speech and gait. After diagnosis, treatments can help relieve symptoms, but there is no cure. it affects the autonomic nervous system. |
