MASTERING BIO 253 EXAMS: A+ GRADED GUIDE WITH
LATEST QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.
Occipital lobe association areas
analyze and combine visual images with other sensory experiences
Insula
translating sensory information into proper emotional responses
Where in the brain are the motor areas located?
primary motor areas:
-frontal lobes
-control voluntary muscles
-most nerve fibers cross over in brainstem
Broca's area:
-anterior to primary motor cortex
-usually in left hemisphere
-controls muscles needed for speech
frontal eye field:
-above Broca's area
-controls voluntary movements of eyes and eyelids
What is the function of the basal nuclei?
-sometimes called basal ganglia, but technically a ganglion is a cluster of neuron cell bodies in the
peripheral nervous system
-masses of gray matter deep within cerebral hemispheres
-consist of caudate nucleus, putamen, and globus pallidus
-produce dopamine
-help control voluntary movement
What is the function of the diencephalon?
regulates consciousness, blood pressure, respiration, sleep temperature, endocrine levels,
neurotransmitter interactions
What are the major functions of the thalamus? Of the hypothalamus?
thalamus:
-gateway for sensory impulses ascending to cerebral cortex
-receives all sensory impulses (except for sense of smell)
-channels impulses to appropriate part of cerebral cortex for interpretation
hypothalamus:
,-maintains homeostasis by regulating visceral activities, such as heart rate, blood pressure, body
temperature, water and electrolyte balance, hunger, body weight, movement and glandular secretion in
digestive tract, sleep and wakefulness, pituitary gland function
-links nervous and endocrine systems
Limbic system
-consists of several structures in various parts of brain, including diencephalon
-controls emotional responses, feelings, behavior oriented toward survival
-reacts to potentially life-threatening upsets (physical or psychological)
Where are the vital centers located?
medulla oblongata
What is the function of the reticular formation?
-filters incoming sensory information
-arouses cerebral cortex into state of wakefulness
-decreased activity causes sleep
What is the function of the midbrain?
-contains bundles of fibers that join lower parts of brainstem and spinal cord with higher part of brain
-cerebral aqueduct
What is the function of the pons?
-relays nerve impulses between medulla oblongata and cerebrum
-relays impulses from cerebrum to cerebellum
-helps regulate rhythm of breathing
What is the function of the medulla oblongata?
-conducts ascending and descending impulses between brain and spinal cord
-contains cardiac, vasomotor, and respiratory control centers
-contains various nonvital reflex control centers (coughing, sneezing, swallowing, and vomiting)
Where is the cerebellum located?
-inferior to occipital lobes
-dorsal to pons and medulla oblongata
What are the major functions of the cerebellum?
-integrates sensory information concerning position of body parts
-coordinates skeletal muscle activity
-maintains posture
-recent studies suggest other possible roles for the cerebellum, these include interaction with other
parts of cerebral cortex, such as the limbic system and the auditory areas
Describe a reflex arc.
, -neural pathway, consisting of a sensory receptor, 2 or more neurons, and an effector
-simple reflex arc (contains only sensory and motor neurons)
-most common reflex arc (sensory neuron, interneurons, motor neurons)
Describe the structure of the spinal cord.
-slender column of nervous tissue continuous with brain and brainstem
-extends downward through vertebral canal
-begins at the foramen magnum and terminates at the first and second lumbar vertebrae (L1-L2) space
-consists of 31 segments; each gives rise to a pair of spinal nerves
-spinal nerves are grouped according to the level of the vertebra with which they are associated
-within each group, the pairs of nerves are numbered in sequence from superior to inferior
What are ascending and descending tracts?
ascending tracts:
-conduct sensory impulses to the brain (pink)
descending tracts:
-conduct motor impulses from the brain via motor neurons reaching muscles and glands (light brown)
-tracts are composed of axons (white matter)
Define peripheral nervous system.
-consists of nerves that connect CNS to other body parts; PNS includes:
-cranial nerves arising from the brain
-spinal nerves arising from the spinal cord
-PNS can also be divided into:
-somatic nervous system: cranial & spinal nerves that connect CNS to the skin and skeletal muscles
(conscious activities)
-autonomic nervous system: cranial & spinal nerves that connect CNS to viscera (subconscious activities)
Describe the structure of a peripheral nerve.
-nerves are bundles of axons
-connective tissue coverings:
-endoneurium: around each axon (outside myelin sheath)
-perineurium: around fascicles—bundles of axons
-epineurium: around the whole nerve
sensory nerve
conduct impulses into brain or spinal cords
motor nerve
conduct impulses to muscles or glands
LATEST QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.
Occipital lobe association areas
analyze and combine visual images with other sensory experiences
Insula
translating sensory information into proper emotional responses
Where in the brain are the motor areas located?
primary motor areas:
-frontal lobes
-control voluntary muscles
-most nerve fibers cross over in brainstem
Broca's area:
-anterior to primary motor cortex
-usually in left hemisphere
-controls muscles needed for speech
frontal eye field:
-above Broca's area
-controls voluntary movements of eyes and eyelids
What is the function of the basal nuclei?
-sometimes called basal ganglia, but technically a ganglion is a cluster of neuron cell bodies in the
peripheral nervous system
-masses of gray matter deep within cerebral hemispheres
-consist of caudate nucleus, putamen, and globus pallidus
-produce dopamine
-help control voluntary movement
What is the function of the diencephalon?
regulates consciousness, blood pressure, respiration, sleep temperature, endocrine levels,
neurotransmitter interactions
What are the major functions of the thalamus? Of the hypothalamus?
thalamus:
-gateway for sensory impulses ascending to cerebral cortex
-receives all sensory impulses (except for sense of smell)
-channels impulses to appropriate part of cerebral cortex for interpretation
hypothalamus:
,-maintains homeostasis by regulating visceral activities, such as heart rate, blood pressure, body
temperature, water and electrolyte balance, hunger, body weight, movement and glandular secretion in
digestive tract, sleep and wakefulness, pituitary gland function
-links nervous and endocrine systems
Limbic system
-consists of several structures in various parts of brain, including diencephalon
-controls emotional responses, feelings, behavior oriented toward survival
-reacts to potentially life-threatening upsets (physical or psychological)
Where are the vital centers located?
medulla oblongata
What is the function of the reticular formation?
-filters incoming sensory information
-arouses cerebral cortex into state of wakefulness
-decreased activity causes sleep
What is the function of the midbrain?
-contains bundles of fibers that join lower parts of brainstem and spinal cord with higher part of brain
-cerebral aqueduct
What is the function of the pons?
-relays nerve impulses between medulla oblongata and cerebrum
-relays impulses from cerebrum to cerebellum
-helps regulate rhythm of breathing
What is the function of the medulla oblongata?
-conducts ascending and descending impulses between brain and spinal cord
-contains cardiac, vasomotor, and respiratory control centers
-contains various nonvital reflex control centers (coughing, sneezing, swallowing, and vomiting)
Where is the cerebellum located?
-inferior to occipital lobes
-dorsal to pons and medulla oblongata
What are the major functions of the cerebellum?
-integrates sensory information concerning position of body parts
-coordinates skeletal muscle activity
-maintains posture
-recent studies suggest other possible roles for the cerebellum, these include interaction with other
parts of cerebral cortex, such as the limbic system and the auditory areas
Describe a reflex arc.
, -neural pathway, consisting of a sensory receptor, 2 or more neurons, and an effector
-simple reflex arc (contains only sensory and motor neurons)
-most common reflex arc (sensory neuron, interneurons, motor neurons)
Describe the structure of the spinal cord.
-slender column of nervous tissue continuous with brain and brainstem
-extends downward through vertebral canal
-begins at the foramen magnum and terminates at the first and second lumbar vertebrae (L1-L2) space
-consists of 31 segments; each gives rise to a pair of spinal nerves
-spinal nerves are grouped according to the level of the vertebra with which they are associated
-within each group, the pairs of nerves are numbered in sequence from superior to inferior
What are ascending and descending tracts?
ascending tracts:
-conduct sensory impulses to the brain (pink)
descending tracts:
-conduct motor impulses from the brain via motor neurons reaching muscles and glands (light brown)
-tracts are composed of axons (white matter)
Define peripheral nervous system.
-consists of nerves that connect CNS to other body parts; PNS includes:
-cranial nerves arising from the brain
-spinal nerves arising from the spinal cord
-PNS can also be divided into:
-somatic nervous system: cranial & spinal nerves that connect CNS to the skin and skeletal muscles
(conscious activities)
-autonomic nervous system: cranial & spinal nerves that connect CNS to viscera (subconscious activities)
Describe the structure of a peripheral nerve.
-nerves are bundles of axons
-connective tissue coverings:
-endoneurium: around each axon (outside myelin sheath)
-perineurium: around fascicles—bundles of axons
-epineurium: around the whole nerve
sensory nerve
conduct impulses into brain or spinal cords
motor nerve
conduct impulses to muscles or glands
