Shared Flashcard Set

Details

Physiology
Exam 3
204
Physiology
Undergraduate 3
09/25/2012

Additional Physiology Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term
What are the two divisions of the peripheral nervous system?
Definition
afferent and efferent
Term
What is the name of the nerve network of the digestive tract?
Definition
Enteric nervous system
Term
What division of the peripheral nervous system carries information into the CNS>
Definition
Afferent division
Term
What subdivision of the afferent nervous system carries information from skin and skeletal muscles?
Definition
Somatic
Term
What is the purpose of the visceral division of the afferent nervous system?
Definition
Carry sensory information from smooth muscle glands and organs into the CNS
Term
What is the purpose of the efferent division of the peripheral nervous system?
Definition
To carry information OUT of the CNS
Term
What division of the efferent nervous system contains motor neurons that supply skeletal muscle?
Definition
Somatic nervous system
Term
Why is this statement wrong:

The afferent division of the peripheral nervous system contains the autonomic nervous system. The purpose of the autonomic division is to innervate skeletal muscle and glands.
Definition
Efferent Division instead of afferent

innervates smooth muscle and cardiac muscle as well as glands, NOT skeletal muscle
Term
What are the two divisions o the autonomic nervous system?
Definition
Sympathetic and parasympathetic
Term
What type of organs are composed of muscle and gland tissue?
Definition
Effector organs
Term
What is the general path of a stimulus?
Definition
Stimulus enters the afferent division which inputs to the CNS. Then there is an output from the CNS to the periphery which enters the efferent division of the peripheral nervous system.
Term
What class of neurons supply sensory input to the CNS about the environment?
Definition
Afferent neurons
Term
What is responsible for carrying instructions from the CNS to organs, muscles, and glands?
Definition
Efferent neurons
Term
What formulates the integration of afferent information and the efferent response?
Definition
Interneurons
Term
How do glial cells support neurons? (very general, 3 reasons)
Definition
Physically, metabolically, and functionally
Term
How strong are the nerve impulses which result from glial cells?
Definition
Trick question, glial cells do not initiate or conduct nerve impulses
Term
What are the 4 major types of glial cells?
Definition
Astrocytes

Oligodendrocytes
Microglia
Ependymal Cells
Term
What is the function of oligodendroytes?
Definition
Form myelin sheaths in the CNS
Term
What are our brains phagocytic scavengers which also release nerve growth factor?
Definition
Microglia
Term
What type of cells line internal cavities of the brain and spinal cord?
Definition
Ependymal Cells
Term
What serves as the direct protection/cover of the CNS?
Definition
Meninges
Term
What cushions and surrounds the CNS?
Definition
Cerebrospinal fluid
Term
What prevents the brain from hitting the skull?
Definition
Cerebral spinal fluid
Term
How does the brain produce ATP without oxygen?
Definition
Trick question, it doesn't
Term
How does the brain store glucose?
Definition
trick question, it doesn't
Term
How many estimated neurons are contained within the brain?
Definition
100 billion
Term
What anatomical part of the brain makes out 80 percent of its total weight?
Definition
Cerebrum
Term
What is the cerebral cortex and how does it differ from the cerebrum?
Definition
Cerebral cortex is the outer convoluted surface of the cerebrum.
Term
What type of matter is the cerebral cortex and what does it specifically cap?
Definition
Gray matter which caps white matter
Term
What are the 3 major components of the gray matter?
Definition
neuronal cell bodies, dendrites, and glial cells
Term
What does the white matter consist of and what is the function?
Definition
Consists of bundles of nerve fibers which interconnect brain areas.
Term
What part of the brain (specifically) does the integration of neural input and initiation of neural output take place?
Definition
Gray matter of the cerebral cortex
Term
What does the central sulcus gyrus of the cerebral cortex separate?
Definition
The frontal and parietal lobes
Term
Lobes:

1) visual cortex
2) auditory cortex
3) reception/perception somatosensory input
4) voluntary motor movement
Definition
1) occipital
2)temporal
3)parietal
4)frontal
Term
Why is this statement wrong:

The somatosensory cortex is located in the rear portion of the left parietal lobe behind the central sulcus.
Definition
front portion

both parietal lobes
Term
What type of sensations come from the body such as touch, pressure, heat, cold, and pain?
Definition
Somesthetic sensations
Term
What is proprioception?
Definition
Awareness of body position
Term
What refers to the distribution map of the somatosensory cortex?
Definition
Sensory homunculus
Term
How does the somatosensory cortex receive input with respect to location?
Definition
From the opposite side of the body
Term
What does the primary motor cortex control?
Definition
Voluntary movement produced by the skeletal muscles
Term
How would something occupy more space of the motor homunculus?
Definition
If it were a body part that required find control of motor movement, i.e. fingers
Term
What 5 areas could be considered secondary motor areas?
Definition
Premotor cortex, posterior parietal cortex, supplementary motor area, cerebellum, basal nuclei
Term
What part of the brain controls speaking ability and where is it located?
Definition
Broca's area which is located in the left frontal lobe close to motor areas
Term
What is the function of the wernicke's area, and where is it located?
Definition
Language comprehension of both spoken and written. Located in the left cortex at the pariteal/temporal/occipital junction
Term
Describe the cortical specialization of the left cerebral hemisphere and the right cerebral hemisphere.
Definition
Left - logic/verbal/math (studious activities)

Right- artistic/spatial perception/nonlanguage skills
Term
What makes up the basal nuclei and where can it/they be found?
Definition
Consists of several masses of gray matter located deep within white matter.
Term
How does the basal nuclei function? (general)
Definition
By modifying ongoing activity in motor pathways
Term
Which area of the brain does parkinson's most likely affect?
Definition
Basal nuclei
Term
How is parkinsons disease characterized? (How does it progress)
Definition
Associated with the gradual destruction of neurons that release dopamine in the basal nuclei
Term
What is the function of the thalamus?
Definition
Relay station and synaptic integrating center for sensory input
Term
What is the integrating center for homeostatic function?
Definition
Hypothalamus
Term
What serves as the link between the autonomic and endocrine system?
Definition
Hypothalamus
Term
What area of the brain is most directly involved in directly regulating the internal environment?
Definition
Hypothalamus
Term
What are the major functions of the hypothalamus?
Definition
Controls body temperature and food intake

controls thirst and urine output

controls anterior pituitary hormone secretion

produces posterior pituitary hormones
Term
Where are posterior pituitary hormones produced?
Definition
Hypothalamus
Term
What are the 3 major areas of the cerebellum? functions of each.
Definition
Vestibulcerebellum- balance and eye movement

spinocerebellum- skilled movements and muscle tone

cerebrocerebellum- planning and initiating voluntary activity and stores procedural memories
Term
What is the brain stem a link between? What are the 3 parts?
Definition
Spinal cord and higher brain levels

Midbrain
Pons
Medulla
Term
Where do cranial nerves originate?
Definition
Brain Stem
Term
Where is the reticular activating system located and what are its 2 major functions?
Definition
Runs from brainstem to the thalamus and it is a filter of sensory input as well as an output sender to cerebral cortex for arousal and activation
Term
What 4 areas make up the limbic system?
Definition
Cerebral lobes, basal nuclei, htalamus, hypothalamus
Term
What 3 neurotransmitters does the limbic system utilize?
Definition
norepinephrine dopamine, serotonin
Term
In regards to memory, what does consolidation refer to?
Definition
transfer of short-term memory into long-term memory
Term
What are declarative memories and where are they processed?
Definition
What-type memories. Processed in the hippocampus and associated structures
Term
What are procedural memories and where are they processed?
Definition
How-to memories. Processed in the cerebellum
Term
Where is the temporary storage area?
Definition
Pre-frontal cortex
Term
What are the two main reasons for why we sleep?
Definition
Memory consolidation and restoration/recovery
Term
What are the two main types of sleep?
Definition
Slow wave sleep

Paradoxical sleep (REM)
Term
What are the differences in brain behavior between waking state and slow-wave sleep?
Definition
Little change other that conscious/non
Term
How can REM be characterized on an EEG?
Definition
A pattern similar to that of somebody who is alert and awake
Term
What are the two functions of the spinal cord?
Definition
neuronal link between the brain and the peripheral nervous system

integrating center for spinal reflexes
Term
What term refers to organized white matter?
Definition
Nerve tracts
Term
What is wrong with this statement:

Nerve tracts are bundles of nerve fibers that have different functions.
Definition
similar functions
Term
What type of signal does the ascending tract transmit? Descending?
Definition
sensory

motor
Term
What are the three horns of gray matter called?
Definition
Doral horn

Ventral Horn

Lateral Horn
Term
What is contained within the dorsal horn of gray matter?
Definition
Contains cell bodies of interneurons on which afferent neurons terminate
Term
What is contained within the ventral horn of gray matter?
Definition
Contains cell bodies of efferent motor neurons supplying skeletal muscles
Term
What is contained within the lateral horn of gray matter?
Definition
Contains cell bodies of autonomic sympathetic nerve fibers
Term
What type of nerve fibers does a spinal nerve have?
Definition
Both afferent and efferent
Term
What translates the energy form of the stimulus into electrical signals? What process does this?
Definition
Sensory receptors by signal transduction
Term
What type of receptor is responsible for smell and taste?
Definition
Chemoreceptor
Term
What type of depolarization does a stimulus bring about? What type of channel does this open and where does the influx occur?
Definition
Graded promoting Na+ channel to open allowing an influx of Na+
Term
Where do sensory action potentials move along?
Definition
Afferent fibers of the CNS
Term
What is the difference between a tonic receptor and a phasic receptor?
Definition
Tonic - does not adapt at all or adapts slowly

Phasic receptors - adapts rapidly
Term
What is the relationship between acuity of a region and its receptor field?
Definition
Inversely, smaller receptive field means higher acuity
Term
What two things influence acuity?
Definition
Lateral inhibition and receptor field size
Term
How can a stimuli without a corresponding receptor be detected?
Definition
It can't
Term
How does the interpretation of pain start?
Definition
With the stimulation of nociceptors
Term
What exactly is pain?
Definition
Protective mechanism to show that tissue damage is occurring or has occurred
Term
What are the 3 categories of pain receptors?
Definition
Mechanical, thermal, polymodal
Term
What is substance p?
Definition
spinal cord pain neurotransmitter
Term
What is the relationship between descending pathways and pain?
Definition
Descending pathways suppress the release of substance P, blocking pain transmission
Term
What are the two afferent pain pathways and how do they differ from one another?
Definition
Fast pathway carries sharp prickling pain

Slow pathways carry dull aching persistent pain signals
Term
What is the visible white part of the eye called?
Definition
Sclera
Term
What must light rays pass through before entering interior of eye?
Definition
Cornea
Term
What part of the eye contains blood vessels?
Definition
Choroid
Term
What is the function of the ciliary body? Iris? Pupil?
Definition
ciliary body controls lens shape

iris contains pigment and controls amount of light entering eye

pupil is the opening where light enters and its size is adjusted by iris muscles
Term
Where are the rods and cones contained within the eye?
Definition
Retina
Term
Define refraction in reference to eyes?
Definition
bending of light
Term
What is the difference between a convex surface and a concave surface in reference to refraction?
Definition
Convex surface converges light

Concave surfaces diverge light rays
Term
What are the two primary refractive structures of the eye? Which one contributes more?
Definition
Cornea and lens Cornea contributes more
Term
Difference between myopia and hyperopia?
Definition
myopia is nearsightedness

hyperopia is farsightedness
Term
How is the neural portion of the retina composed?
Definition
3 layers

outermost - rods and cones
middle - bipolar cells
inner - ganglion cells
Term
What type of cells form optic nerve?
Definition
ganglion cells
Term
Where is the point of most distant vision? What is significant about the structure?
Definition
fovea and it has only cones
Term
Where is the macula lutea contained?
Definition
immediately surrounds the fovea
Term
What is the formal name for the blind spot?
Definition
Optic disc
Term
What cant image be detected within the blind spot?
Definition
No rods or cones
Term
What are some major differences between rods and cones?
Definition
120 million rods and only 6 million cones

Cones are concentrated in the fovea

Rods are highly sensitive where cones have low sensitivity
Term
What is the optic tract? What is its function?
Definition
Fibers leaving the optic chiasm. Optic tract carries information from one visual field to the opposite visual cortex
Term
What portions of the ear transmit and amplify airborne sound waves to the fluid filled inner ear?
Definition
External and middle portions
Term
What determines the pitch/tone?
Definition
The frequency of vibrations
Term
What determines intensity/loudness of sound?
Definition
amplitude of sound waves
Term
What function does the middle ear bones serve during sound transduction?
Definition
Convert tympanic membrane vibrations into fluid movements in the cochlea
Term
What is the organ of corti?
Definition
sense organ of hearing
Term
What causes the basilar membrane to vibrate?
Definition
movement of fluid in the inner ear
Term
How are sound waves transduced into electrical signals?
Definition
Bending of cilia
Term
How do we discriminate pitch?
Definition
Depends on which region of the basilar membrane vibrates
Term
How do we discriminate loudness?
Definition
Depends on the amplitude of vibrations of the basilar membrane
Term
What integrates separate sounds into a meaningful pattern?
Definition
Higher order auditory cortex
Term
Where could one find semicircular canals and otolith organs?
Definition
In the vestibular apparatus
Term
What is the function of semicircular canals?
Definition
To detect rotational or angular acceleration or deceleration of the head
Term
What is the function of otolith organs?
Definition
Detect changes in the rate of linear movement and provide information about head position relative to gravity
Term
What is wrong with this statement:

Bending produces only depolarizing receptor potentials.
Definition
produces both depolarizing and hyperpolarizing receptor potential depending on which way bending occurs
Term
Where do signals originating from the vestibular apparatus go to, and how do they get there?
Definition
Carried through the vestibular nerve to the vestibular nuclei
Term
What are the signals from the vestibular apparatus used for?
Definition
To maintain balance, posture, controlling eye movement, to perceive motion/orientation
Term
Where could one find olfactory receptors?
Definition
located in the olfactory epithelium in the nasal cavity.
Term
When dissolved molecules bind to olfactory receptors, what occurs? What does this then cause?
Definition
Binding causes receptor potentials leading to action potentials
Term
What are the two routes for the chemical senses taste and smell?
Definition
One to the cortex for conscious perception

One to the limbic system for emotional and behavioral processing
Term
What type of cell is a modified epithelial cell with microvilli?
Definition
Taste receptor cell
Term
Where would you find a tastant and what is its function?
Definition
A tastant is located on the plasma membrane of the microvilli. It functions as a molecule which binds to a specific receptor.
Term
How does one induce an electrical signal inside a receptor taste cell?
Definition
By binding of tastants to receptors
Term
What triggers umami?
Definition
amino acids
Term
How could one define a taste?
Definition
A varying combination of five primary tastes
Term
What 3 cell types could one find in the olfactory mucosa?
Definition
Olfactory receptor neurons
basal cells
supporting cells
Term
What type of cell acts as the primary sensory neuron? What is significant about its structure and how does its structure relate to its function?
Definition
Primary sensory neuron is the olfactory receptor neuron. Its structure contains a dendrite at the surface of the olfactory mucosa. The dendrite contains cilia where an odorant molecule binds.
Term
How is the olfactory nerve formed?
Definition
By the collection of axons of olfactory receptor cells.
Term
What is the function of supporting cells of the olfactory mucosa?
Definition
Secretes mucous to help odorant molecule interact with receptor sites
Term
What cells act as precursors to new olfactory receptor cells?
Definition
Basal cells
Term
Where do axons from the olfactory neurons project to?
Definition
Olfactory bulb
Term
Where does the synapse between axons from olfactory neurons and mitral cells take place?
Definition
glomerulus
Term
Specifically, which cells from the olfactory tract?
Definition
Axons from the mitral cells
Term
What is a single skeletal muscle cell referred to as?
Definition
Muscle fiber
Term
What are the subunits of muscle fibes?
Definition
Myofibrils
Term
What are myofibrils made up of?
Definition
Thick myosin filaments and thin actin filaments
Term
Why is this statement wrong:

Myofibrils are composed of Thin myosin filaments and thick actin filaments
Definition
Thick myosin thin actin
Term
What is the functional unit of a skeletal muscle?
Definition
Sarcomere
Term
What specifically is a Z-line?
Definition
boundary of sarcomere where thin filaments attach
Term
What region refers to thick filaments overlapped with portions of thin filaments?
Definition
A-band
Term
What is an I-band?
Definition
remaining portion of thin filaments that do not project into A-band
Term
What is the structure of a myosin molecule?
Definition
globular head with intertwined tail region
Term
What forms a cross bridge between thick and thin filaments?
Definition
myosin heads
Term
What two binding sites can be found on a myosin cross bridge?
Definition
Actin-binding site

Myosin ATPase site
Term
In a relaxed muscle, what prevents cross-bridges from forming? Where can these molecules be found?
Definition
Tropomyosin and troponin which are found lying across the surface of actin
Term
What molecule covers the actin site blocking a cross-bridge from forming?
Definition
tropomyosin
Term
What is the structure of troponin, and where can it bind to?
Definition
3 polypeptide units which can have one binding to tropomyosin, one with actin, and one with Ca++
Term
How does the sliding filament mechanism work?
Definition
Thin filaments slide inward over the stationary thick filaments. This essentially pulls the Z-lines closer together, shortening the sarcomere
Term
What regulates the sliding filament mechanism?
Definition
Calcium release
Term
When Ca++ binds to troponin, what occurs?
Definition
Tropomyosin moves away out of it blocking position
Term
How can motor neuron activity promote contraction?
Definition
By releasing Ca++ into the cytosol
Term
What is a powerstoke and what leads up to it?
Definition
Cross bridge between actin and myosin lead up to a cross bridge and a power stroke is a bending of the cross bridge which pulls actin filament inward
Term
What promotes the release of Ca++ into the cytosol
Definition
ACh release at neuromuscular junction
Term
What is the relation between t-tubules and action potentials?
Definition
action potentials on surface membrane spread down into t-tublues which triggers release of Ca++ from sarcoplamic reticulum into cytosol
Term
What role does ATP play in muscle contraction?
Definition
It binds to myosin heads and detaches it from actin
Term
When does a muscle fiber action potential stop?
Definition
When acetylcholinesterase breaks down Ach at the neuromuscular junction
Term
What is the difference between an isotonic, isokinetic, and isometric contraction?
Definition
Isotonic - constant tension

isokinetic - constant velocity

isometric - constant length
Term
What two factors produce graded contractions?
Definition
number of muscle fiberrs contracting

tension developed by each contracting fiber
Term
What exactly is a motor unit?
Definition
one motor neuron and the muscle fiber it innervates
Term
What is wrong with this statement:

A single motor unit may contain 1500-2000 muscle fibers for a fine/intricate movement.
Definition
1500-200 muscle fibers produce powerful movements, not intricate
Term
How does a weak contraction of an entire muscle work in respect to motor units?
Definition
A small number of its motor units are activated
Term
In respect to motor unit recruitment, how can one delay fatigue?
Definition
Asynchronous recruitment
Term
What is twitch summation?
Definition
Increase in tension accompanying repetitive stimulation of a muscle fiber
Term
How is twitch summation made possible?
Definition
Because the duration of the action potential is much shorter than the duration of the resulting twitchq
Term
What specifically does twitch summation result from?
Definition
sustained elevation of cystolic calcium upon repetitive stimulation
Term
When does tetanus occur?
Definition
When a muscle fiber is stimulated so rapidly that it does not have a chance to relax between stimuli
Term
How is the strength of a tetanus contraction compared to a single twitch.
Definition
Tetanus is 3-4 times stronger
Term
How does Ca++ return back to the sarcoplasmic reticulum after powerstroke?
Definition
Active transport by ATP
Term
How is creatine phosphate used in the formation of ATP in skeletal muscle cells?
Definition
High energy phosphate is transferred to ADP molecule
Term
What is the first source for supplying additional ATP when exercise begins?
Definition
Creatine phosphate
Term
How long can creatine phosphate supply ATP during exercise?
Definition
Up to the first minute
Term
What type of ATP production supports high-intensity exercise?
Definition
glycolysis
Term
What is the difference between muscle fatigue and central fatigue?
Definition
Muscle fatigue occurs when an exercising muscle can no longer respond to a stimulation with the same degree of contractile activity

Central fatigue occurs when the CNS no longer adequately activates motor neurons
Term
How are muscle receptors activated and what are the differences between the two types?
Definition
Activated by muscle stretch

muscle spindles monitor muscle length

golgi tendon organs detect changes in tension
Term
Where could one find intrafusal fibers?
Definition
in muscle spindle
Term
What type of nerve fibers do muscle spindles contain?
Definition
Both afferent and efferent
Term
What is the stretch reflex?
Definition
When the whole muscle is stretched, the stretch reflex resists any passive changes in muscle length
Term
What does smooth muscle NOT contain in which skeletal muscle does?
Definition
troponin and tropomyosin
Term
What mediates smooth muscle cross-bridges?
Definition
Ca++ binding with calmodulin
Term
What are the two major types of smooth muscle?
Definition
Multi unit and single unit
Term
How is multiunit smooth muscle contraction initiated?
Definition
Only in response to stimulation by nervous system (neurogenic)
Term
What is another name for single-unit smooth muscle?
Definition
Visceral smooth muscle
Term
How are single-unit smooth muscle contractions initiated?
Definition
On its own (myogenic)
Term
What is functional syncytium in reference to muscles?
Definition
Fibers on interconnected muscle cells that function electrically and mechanically as one unit
Term
How are action potentials in the heart speard?
Definition
Gap junctions
Term
What type of information do spinal nerves carry?
Definition
Both sensory and motor
Term
Damage to this brain structure would screw up sleep-wake cycle and autonomic functions.
Definition
Hypothalamus
Term
Where must visual information enter before reaching the occipital lobe?
Definition
Thalamus
Term
What can be said about the localization of fast pain?
Definition
It is easily localized
Term
How are vestibular and auditory information related?
Definition
They are relayed into the brain by the same nerve
Term
How is stretch sensitivity maintained in an active muscle fiber which has shortened?
Definition
The gamma motor neurons must activate the striated end regions of the muscle spindle
Term
Smooth muscle contraction is regulated by the phosphorylation of what?
Definition
Myosin
Term
What do alpha motor neurons release?
Definition
Acetylcholine
Term
Which tract of the white matter carries sensory information? Motor information?
Definition
Sensory information is on the ascending tract, motor information is on the descending tract
Term
What is the innervation like of a multiunit smooth muscle tissue?
Definition
Innervates one individual cell which allows for fine control
Term
What is the innervation like of a single unit smooth muscle tissue?
Definition
Autonomic nervous system innervates one cell which then passes its action potential along through gap junctions
Supporting users have an ad free experience!