NEURVOUS SYSTEM STUDY PROMPTS
Nervous System Structure and Organization:
1. What are the three main divisions of the nervous system?
2. Compare and contrast gray matter and white matter in terms of location and composition.
3. What are the four types of glial cells and their primary functions?
4. Describe the three layers of meninges and their roles.
5. What is the blood-brain barrier and how does it function?
6. Explain the formation and circulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
7. What distinguishes a nerve from a neuron?
8. Name and describe the four main lobes of the cerebral cortex.
9. What is the significance of the homunculus?
10. How do Wernicke's and Broca's areas differ in their functions?
Neuronal Structure and Function:
11. List and describe the main structural components of a neuron.
12. How are neurons classified based on structure?
13. How are neurons classified based on function?
14. What is the difference between dendrites and axons?
15. Define and explain the importance of myelination.
16. What is the role of the axon hillock?
17. What are dendritic spines and their function?
18. Compare and contrast oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells.
19. What is neurogenesis and where does it occur in adults?
20. Explain the concept of neural plasticity.
Membrane Potentials and Action Potentials:
21. What is the typical resting membrane potential of a neuron?
22. Define depolarization, repolarization, and hyperpolarization.
23. Explain the role of sodium-potassium pumps in maintaining membrane potential.
24. What are the stages of an action potential?
25. Compare graded potentials and action potentials.
26. What is the all-or-none principle?
27. Explain the refractory period and its types.
28. Compare contiguous and saltatory conduction.
29. How does tetrodotoxin affect nerve function?
30. What is the relationship between multiple sclerosis and action potential conduction?
Synaptic Transmission:
31. What is a synapse and what are its main components?
32. Compare electrical and chemical synapses.
33. What are the steps in synaptic transmission?
34. List three ways synaptic transmission can be terminated.
35. What is the difference between EPSP and IPSP?
36. Explain temporal and spatial summation.
37. What determines synaptic strength?
38. How does cocaine affect neurotransmitter function?
39. What is synaptic plasticity?
40. Define long-term potentiation and its role in memory.
Sensory Systems:
41. What are the five special senses?
42. Define and compare the different types of sensory receptors.
43. What is sensory transduction?
44. Explain the three methods of sensory coding.
45. What determines sensory acuity?
46. How does receptor adaptation work?
47. What is referred pain and why does it occur?
48. Explain the gate control theory of pain.
49. What are endogenous analgesic systems?
50. How does morphine work as an analgesic?
Motor Systems and Integration:
51. Compare the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.
52. What is meant by "dual innervation"?
53. Define a reflex arc and its components.
54. Compare monosynaptic and polysynaptic reflexes.
55. What is the role of the basal nuclei in movement?
56. How does the cerebellum contribute to motor control?
57. Explain the concept of neural integration.
58. What is the significance of convergent and divergent pathways?
59. How does the thalamus function as a relay station?
60. What causes Parkinson's disease at the cellular level?
Protection and Regeneration:
61. List the protective mechanisms of the CNS.
62. How does the blood-brain barrier regulate substance entry?
63. What is the role of microglia in CNS protection?
64. Compare CNS and PNS regeneration capabilities.
65. What factors limit CNS regeneration?
Memory and Neural Plasticity:
66. Distinguish between short-term and long-term memory.
67. What is memory consolidation?
68. How does long-term potentiation relate to memory formation?
69. What brain regions are involved in memory formation?
70. How does neural plasticity contribute to learning?