The Central Nervous System Quiz

PDF page 1139: The central nervous system (CNS) consists of the brain and spinal cord, both of which are protected by the skull and vertebral column, respectively. The CNS receives sensory information, integrates this information, and initiates a motor response, with the brain serving as the control center for processing sensory information and directing responses. Different parts of the vertebrate brain (including ours) have different functions, and brain development in animals reveals a unique evolutionary progression. You do not have to memorize all the different parts of the brain and their functions for AP. However, as a student of biology, you should have a general understanding of the three major parts of the brain and their functions. In mammals, the parts of the brain include the cerebrum or cortex (which can be broken down into four primary lobes: frontal, temporal, occipital, and parietal), basal ganglia, thalamus, hypothalamus, limbic system, cerebellum, and brainstem. Information traveling up the spinal cord to the brain is directed to one of the specialized areas of the cerebrum; for example, association areas for hearing are localized in the temporal lobe. The cerebellum helps coordinate skeletal muscle activity, and the medulla oblongata and pons in the brainstem are centers for vital functions, such as breathing and heart rate. Although localization of functions occurs, most complex functions, like language, involve neurons in multiple brain regions. In terms of energy, since the brain consumes about 20 percent of the body’s resources (ATP), is it any

PDF page 1139: The central nervous system (CNS) consists of the brain and spinal cord, both of which are protected by the skull and vertebral column, respectively. The CNS receives sensory information, integrates this information, and initiates a motor response, with the brain serving as the control center for processing sensory information and directing responses. Different parts of the vertebrate brain (including ours) have different functions, and brain development in animals reveals a unique evolutionary progression. You do not have to memorize all the different parts of the brain and their functions for AP. However, as a student of biology, you should have a general understanding of the three major parts of the brain and their functions. In mammals, the parts of the brain include the cerebrum or cortex (which can be broken down into four primary lobes: frontal, temporal, occipital, and parietal), basal ganglia, thalamus, hypothalamus, limbic system, cerebellum, and brainstem. Information traveling up the spinal cord to the brain is directed to one of the specialized areas of the cerebrum; for example, association areas for hearing are localized in the temporal lobe. The cerebellum helps coordinate skeletal muscle activity, and the medulla oblongata and pons in the brainstem are centers for vital functions, such as breathing and heart rate. Although localization of functions occurs, most complex functions, like language, involve neurons in multiple brain regions. In terms of energy, since the brain consumes about 20 percent of the body’s resources (ATP), is it any

PDF page 1139: The central nervous system (CNS) consists of the brain and spinal cord, both of which are protected by the skull and vertebral column, respectively. The CNS receives sensory information, integrates this information, and initiates a motor response, with the brain serving as the control center for processing sensory information and directing responses. Different parts of the vertebrate brain (including ours) have different functions, and brain development in animals reveals a unique evolutionary progression. You do not have to memorize all the different parts of the brain and their functions for AP. However, as a student of biology, you should have a general understanding of the three major parts of the brain and their functions. In mammals, the parts of the brain include the cerebrum or cortex (which can be broken down into four primary lobes: frontal, temporal, occipital, and parietal), basal ganglia, thalamus, hypothalamus, limbic system, cerebellum, and brainstem. Information traveling up the spinal cord to the brain is directed to one of the specialized areas of the cerebrum; for example, association areas for hearing are localized in the temporal lobe. The cerebellum helps coordinate skeletal muscle activity, and the medulla oblongata and pons in the brainstem are centers for vital functions, such as breathing and heart rate. Although localization of functions occurs, most complex functions, like language, involve neurons in multiple brain regions. In terms of energy, since the brain consumes about 20 percent of the body’s resources (ATP), is it any

PDF page 1139: The central nervous system (CNS) consists of the brain and spinal cord, both of which are protected by the skull and vertebral column, respectively. The CNS receives sensory information, integrates this information, and initiates a motor response, with the brain serving as the control center for processing sensory information and directing responses. Different parts of the vertebrate brain (including ours) have different functions, and brain development in animals reveals a unique evolutionary progression. You do not have to memorize all the different parts of the brain and their functions for AP. However, as a student of biology, you should have a general understanding of the three major parts of the brain and their functions. In mammals, the parts of the brain include the cerebrum or cortex (which can be broken down into four primary lobes: frontal, temporal, occipital, and parietal), basal ganglia, thalamus, hypothalamus, limbic system, cerebellum, and brainstem. Information traveling up the spinal cord to the brain is directed to one of the specialized areas of the cerebrum; for example, association areas for hearing are localized in the temporal lobe. The cerebellum helps coordinate skeletal muscle activity, and the medulla oblongata and pons in the brainstem are centers for vital functions, such as breathing and heart rate. Although localization of functions occurs, most complex functions, like language, involve neurons in multiple brain regions. In terms of energy, since the brain consumes about 20 percent of the body’s resources (ATP), is it any

PDF page 1139: The central nervous system (CNS) consists of the brain and spinal cord, both of which are protected by the skull and vertebral column, respectively. The CNS receives sensory information, integrates this information, and initiates a motor response, with the brain serving as the control center for processing sensory information and directing responses. Different parts of the vertebrate brain (including ours) have different functions, and brain development in animals reveals a unique evolutionary progression. You do not have to memorize all the different parts of the brain and their functions for AP. However, as a student of biology, you should have a general understanding of the three major parts of the brain and their functions. In mammals, the parts of the brain include the cerebrum or cortex (which can be broken down into four primary lobes: frontal, temporal, occipital, and parietal), basal ganglia, thalamus, hypothalamus, limbic system, cerebellum, and brainstem. Information traveling up the spinal cord to the brain is directed to one of the specialized areas of the cerebrum; for example, association areas for hearing are localized in the temporal lobe. The cerebellum helps coordinate skeletal muscle activity, and the medulla oblongata and pons in the brainstem are centers for vital functions, such as breathing and heart rate. Although localization of functions occurs, most complex functions, like language, involve neurons in multiple brain regions. In terms of energy, since the brain consumes about 20 percent of the body’s resources (ATP), is it any

PDF page 1141: Each cortical hemisphere contains regions called lobes that are involved in different functions. Scientists use various techniques to determine what brain areas are involved in different functions: they examine patients who have had injuries or diseases that affect specific areas and see how those areas are related to functional deficits. They also conduct animal studies where they stimulate brain areas and see if there are any behavioral changes. They use a technique called transmagnetic stimulation (TMS) to temporarily deactivate specific parts of the cortex using strong magnets placed outside the head; and they use functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to look at changes in oxygenated blood flow in particular brain regions that correlate with specific behavioral tasks. These techniques, and others, have given great insight into the functions of different brain regions but have also showed that any given brain area can be involved in more than one behavior or process, and any given behavior or process generally involves neurons in multiple brain areas. That being said, each hemisphere of the mammalian cerebral cortex can be broken down into four functionally and spatially defined lobes: frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital. Figure 26.21 illustrates these four lobes of the human cerebral cortex.

PDF page 1140: As mentioned above, the central nervous system (CNS) is made up of the brain, a part of which is shown in Figure 26.19 and spinal cord and is covered with three layers of protective coverings called meninges (from the Greek word for membrane). The outermost layer is the dura mater (Latin for “hard mother”). As the Latin suggests, the primary function for this thick layer is to protect the brain and spinal cord. The dura mater also contains vein-like structures that carry blood from the brain back to the heart. The middle layer is the web-like arachnoid mater. The last layer is the pia mater (Latin for “soft mother”), which directly contacts and covers the brain and spinal cord like plastic wrap. The space between the arachnoid and pia maters is filled with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). CSF is produced by a tissue called choroid plexus in fluid-filled compartments in the CNS called ventricles. The brain floats in CSF, which acts as a cushion and shock absorber and makes the brain neutrally buoyant. CSF also functions to circulate chemical substances throughout the brain and into the spinal cord. The entire brain contains only about 8.5 tablespoons of CSF, but CSF is constantly produced in the ventricles. This creates a problem when a ventricle is blocked—the CSF builds up and creates swelling and the brain is pushed against the skull. This swelling condition is called hydrocephalus (“water head”) and can cause seizures, cognitive problems, and even death if a shunt is not inserted to remove the fluid and pressure.

PDF page 1140: As mentioned above, the central nervous system (CNS) is made up of the brain, a part of which is shown in Figure 26.19 and spinal cord and is covered with three layers of protective coverings called meninges (from the Greek word for membrane). The outermost layer is the dura mater (Latin for “hard mother”). As the Latin suggests, the primary function for this thick layer is to protect the brain and spinal cord. The dura mater also contains vein-like structures that carry blood from the brain back to the heart. The middle layer is the web-like arachnoid mater. The last layer is the pia mater (Latin for “soft mother”), which directly contacts and covers the brain and spinal cord like plastic wrap. The space between the arachnoid and pia maters is filled with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). CSF is produced by a tissue called choroid plexus in fluid-filled compartments in the CNS called ventricles. The brain floats in CSF, which acts as a cushion and shock absorber and makes the brain neutrally buoyant. CSF also functions to circulate chemical substances throughout the brain and into the spinal cord. The entire brain contains only about 8.5 tablespoons of CSF, but CSF is constantly produced in the ventricles. This creates a problem when a ventricle is blocked—the CSF builds up and creates swelling and the brain is pushed against the skull. This swelling condition is called hydrocephalus (“water head”) and can cause seizures, cognitive problems, and even death if a shunt is not inserted to remove the fluid and pressure.

PDF page 1140: As mentioned above, the central nervous system (CNS) is made up of the brain, a part of which is shown in Figure 26.19 and spinal cord and is covered with three layers of protective coverings called meninges (from the Greek word for membrane). The outermost layer is the dura mater (Latin for “hard mother”). As the Latin suggests, the primary function for this thick layer is to protect the brain and spinal cord. The dura mater also contains vein-like structures that carry blood from the brain back to the heart. The middle layer is the web-like arachnoid mater. The last layer is the pia mater (Latin for “soft mother”), which directly contacts and covers the brain and spinal cord like plastic wrap. The space between the arachnoid and pia maters is filled with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). CSF is produced by a tissue called choroid plexus in fluid-filled compartments in the CNS called ventricles. The brain floats in CSF, which acts as a cushion and shock absorber and makes the brain neutrally buoyant. CSF also functions to circulate chemical substances throughout the brain and into the spinal cord. The entire brain contains only about 8.5 tablespoons of CSF, but CSF is constantly produced in the ventricles. This creates a problem when a ventricle is blocked—the CSF builds up and creates swelling and the brain is pushed against the skull. This swelling condition is called hydrocephalus (“water head”) and can cause seizures, cognitive problems, and even death if a shunt is not inserted to remove the fluid and pressure.

PDF page 1140: As mentioned above, the central nervous system (CNS) is made up of the brain, a part of which is shown in Figure 26.19 and spinal cord and is covered with three layers of protective coverings called meninges (from the Greek word for membrane). The outermost layer is the dura mater (Latin for “hard mother”). As the Latin suggests, the primary function for this thick layer is to protect the brain and spinal cord. The dura mater also contains vein-like structures that carry blood from the brain back to the heart. The middle layer is the web-like arachnoid mater. The last layer is the pia mater (Latin for “soft mother”), which directly contacts and covers the brain and spinal cord like plastic wrap. The space between the arachnoid and pia maters is filled with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). CSF is produced by a tissue called choroid plexus in fluid-filled compartments in the CNS called ventricles. The brain floats in CSF, which acts as a cushion and shock absorber and makes the brain neutrally buoyant. CSF also functions to circulate chemical substances throughout the brain and into the spinal cord. The entire brain contains only about 8.5 tablespoons of CSF, but CSF is constantly produced in the ventricles. This creates a problem when a ventricle is blocked—the CSF builds up and creates swelling and the brain is pushed against the skull. This swelling condition is called hydrocephalus (“water head”) and can cause seizures, cognitive problems, and even death if a shunt is not inserted to remove the fluid and pressure.

PDF page 1140: The brain is the part of the central nervous system that is contained in the cranial cavity of the skull. It includes the cerebral cortex, limbic system, basal ganglia, thalamus, hypothalamus, and cerebellum. There are three different ways that a brain can be sectioned in order to view internal structures: a sagittal section cuts the brain left to right, as shown in Figure 26.21b, a coronal section cuts the brain front to back, as shown in Figure 26.20a, and a horizontal section cuts the brain top to bottom. Cerebral Cortex The outermost part of the brain is a thick piece of nervous system tissue called the cerebral cortex, which is folded into hills called gyri (singular: gyrus) and valleys called sulci (singular: sulcus). The cortex is made up of two hemispheres—right and left—which are separated by a large sulcus. A thick fiber bundle called the corpus callosum (Latin: “tough body”) connects the two hemispheres and allows information to be passed from one side to the other. Although there are some

PDF page 1140: The brain is the part of the central nervous system that is contained in the cranial cavity of the skull. It includes the cerebral cortex, limbic system, basal ganglia, thalamus, hypothalamus, and cerebellum. There are three different ways that a brain can be sectioned in order to view internal structures: a sagittal section cuts the brain left to right, as shown in Figure 26.21b, a coronal section cuts the brain front to back, as shown in Figure 26.20a, and a horizontal section cuts the brain top to bottom. Cerebral Cortex The outermost part of the brain is a thick piece of nervous system tissue called the cerebral cortex, which is folded into hills called gyri (singular: gyrus) and valleys called sulci (singular: sulcus). The cortex is made up of two hemispheres—right and left—which are separated by a large sulcus. A thick fiber bundle called the corpus callosum (Latin: “tough body”) connects the two hemispheres and allows information to be passed from one side to the other. Although there are some

PDF page 1142: The frontal lobe is located at the front of the brain, over the eyes. This lobe contains the olfactory bulb, which processes smells. The frontal lobe also contains the motor cortex, which is important for planning and implementing movement. Areas within the motor cortex map to different muscle groups, and there is some organization to this map, as shown in