BI 232 - Human Anatomy & Physiology Midterm #1 Study Guide

Nerves

  1. Know the functional subsystems of the nervous system.
  2. Be able to compare dendrites and axons (location, direction of signal transmission, signal types, channels present).
  3. Be able to compare and contrast sensory neurons, motor neurons, and association neurons (interneurons).
  4. Be able to compare and contrast graded potentials and action potentials.
  5. How does myelin impact impulse conduction? Which cells are responsible for myelin production in the CNS and PNS?
  6. Know the events that occur during an action potential (nerve impulse). Do EPSP’s make it more or less likely that an action potential will occur? IPSP’s?
  7. Why is an action potential referred to as an “all or none” phenomenon and what does this have to do with “threshold”?
  8. Understand what depolarization and hyperpolarization are. Where do they occur?
  9. What is the purpose of a refractory period?
  10. Review the events that occur at the synapse. How might altering these events affect neuronal activity and impulse transmission?
  11. What is the value of a converging circuit? Of a diverging circuit?

CNS – Brain

  1. Know the difference between: white matter and gray matter, nerves and tracts, a nucleus and a ganglion.
  2. Know the general functions of the cerebral lobes discussed in class.
  3. Know the functional areas contained in the cerebral cortex.
  4. Be familiar with the areas of the cortex that are responsible for motor activities.
  5. Be familiar with the areas of the cortex that are responsible for sensory activities.
  6. What are association areas? Be able to give examples.
  7. How is white matter organized in the cerebral hemispheres?
  8. Know the parts of the diencephalon and their general functions.
  9. Know the parts of the brain stem and their general functions.
  10. Be familiar with the functions of the cerebellum and how disorders here might manifest.
  11. Be familiar with the 2 functional brain systems discussed in class (refer to CNS 10).

CNS – Meninges and CSF

  1. Know the three layers of the meninges.
  2. Know what CSF is, where it is made, name the structures that produce it, and know its functions.

CNS – Spinal Cord

  1. What are the functions of the spinal cord?
  2. Describe the anatomical organization of the spinal cord.
  3. Where is it ideal to perform a lumbar puncture and why?
  4. If given the name of a spinal tract, be able to determine whether it is a sensory or motor pathway, where it is located in the spinal cord, where it originates and where it terminates.
  5. Describe the general features and functions of spinal tracts.
  6. Review the following CNS diseases and conditions as they were discussed in class: Poliomyelitis, multiple sclerosis, meningitis, epilepsy, spinal cord transection, spinal shock.

PNS - General

  1. Describe the components of a somatic reflex arc.
  2. Compare and contrast spinal stretch reflexes (patellar reflex) to the withdrawal reflex.
  3. Know the names and numbers of the 12 cranial nerves. Know whether they carry motor information, sensory information or are mixed in function.
  4. Describe the functions of the 12 cranial nerves, what symptom(s) would be expected if a given cranial nerve were damaged?
  5. Why is the vagus nerve unique when compared to the other cranial nerves?
  6. How many spinal nerves are there?
  7. Know the following structures: Dorsal and ventral roots, dorsal root ganglion, spinal nerve, dorsal and ventral ramus, plexus, peripheral nerve.
  8. Name the 4 plexuses. Why are nerve plexuses useful to the body?
  9. Know which plexus the following peripheral nerves belong to: phrenic, sciatic, femoral, radial.
  10. What is a dermatome and how is it useful in assessing the nervous system?
  11. Describe peripheral nerve regeneration. Is regeneration possible if the cell body is damaged?

PNS – Autonomic Nervous System

  1. Review the pupillary light reflex (from Lab 4 – Lab Handouts 11) as an example of an autonomic reflex.
  2. Compare and contrast the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and the parasympathetic nervous system (PSNS).
  3. Describe how the SNS and PSNS affect the following organs and structures: intestines, heart, lungs, bladder, pupils, sweat glands, salivary glands, kidneys.
  4. Review the information on the charts located on PNS 17 and 20.
  5. Compare and contrast the autonomic nervous system and the somatic nervous system. (Hint: refer to Study Guides and Exams page 10)
  6. Which ANS neurons release acetylcholine and which release norepinephrine as their neurotransmitter. Name the receptor(s) to which these neurotransmitters bind.
  7. How can norepinephrine released by the SNS have different effects on different organs? (Hint: refer to PNS 8 & 9)