Nervous System

Question 1

What are the two main divisions of the nervous system?

Answer 1

Central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS)

Question 2

What structures make up the central nervous system (CNS)?

Answer 2

Brain and spinal cord

Question 3

What structures make up the peripheral nervous system (PNS)?

Answer 3

All nerves outside the brain and spinal cord

Question 4

What is the basic function of the nervous system?

Answer 4

To receive, process, and transmit information throughout the body

Question 5

What are neurons?

Answer 5

Specialized cells that transmit electrical nerve impulses

Question 6

What are neuroglia (glial cells)?

Answer 6

Support cells that protect and nourish neurons

Question 7

What are the three main parts of a neuron?

Answer 7

Dendrites, cell body, and axon

Question 8

What do dendrites do?

Answer 8

Receive signals from other neurons

Question 9

What does the axon do?

Answer 9

Carries nerve impulses away from the cell body

Question 10

What is the myelin sheath?

Answer 10

A fatty covering around axons that speeds nerve impulse transmission

Question 11

What are sensory (afferent) neurons?

Answer 11

Neurons that carry signals from the body to the brain and spinal cord

Question 12

What are motor (efferent) neurons?

Answer 12

Neurons that carry signals from the brain and spinal cord to muscles or glands

Question 13

What are interneurons?

Answer 13

Neurons that connect sensory and motor neurons within the CNS

Question 14

What is the largest part of the brain?

Answer 14

The cerebrum

Question 15

What does the cerebrum control?

Answer 15

Thinking, memory, voluntary movement, and sensory processing

Question 16

What is the function of the cerebellum?

Answer 16

Coordination of balance and voluntary movement

Question 17

What is the function of the brainstem?

Answer 17

Controls vital functions such as breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure

Question 18

What structure connects the two hemispheres of the brain?

Answer 18

Corpus callosum

Question 19

What separates the two cerebral hemispheres?

Answer 19

Longitudinal fissure

Question 20

What is the function of the spinal cord?

Answer 20

Transmits signals between the brain and the rest of the body

Question 21

What is a reflex?

Answer 21

An automatic, rapid response to a stimulus

Question 22

What is a reflex arc?

Answer 22

The nerve pathway that produces a reflex response

Question 23

What are cranial nerves?

Answer 23

12 pairs of nerves that originate from the brain

Question 24

What are spinal nerves?

Answer 24

31 pairs of nerves that originate from the spinal cord

Question 25

What is the autonomic nervous system (ANS)?

Answer 25

The part of the nervous system that controls involuntary body functions

Question 26

What are the two divisions of the autonomic nervous system?

Answer 26

Sympathetic and parasympathetic

Question 27

What does the sympathetic nervous system do?

Answer 27

Prepares the body for stress (fight‑or‑flight response)

Question 28

What does the parasympathetic nervous system do?

Answer 28

Promotes rest and digestion

Question 29

What is a seizure?

Answer 29

Sudden abnormal electrical activity in the brain

Question 30

What is epilepsy?

Answer 30

A neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures

Question 31

What is multiple sclerosis (MS)?

Answer 31

An autoimmune disease that damages the myelin sheath in the CNS

Question 32

What is Bell’s palsy?

Answer 32

Temporary paralysis or weakness of facial muscles due to facial nerve dysfunction

Question 33

What is ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis)?

Answer 33

A progressive disease that destroys motor neurons

Question 34

What is a stroke?

Answer 34

Brain damage caused by interruption of blood flow to the brain

Question 35

What is an EEG used for?

Answer 35

Recording electrical activity of the brain

Question 36

What is a CT scan commonly used for in neurology?

Answer 36

Detecting brain injury, tumors, or bleeding

Question 37

What is an MRI used for?

Answer 37

Detailed imaging of the brain and spinal cord

Question 38

What cells produce myelin in the central nervous system?

Answer 38

Oligodendrocytes

Question 39

What is the function of cranial nerves?

Answer 39

Control sensory and motor functions of the head and neck