Biology 212: January 19 (begin) and January 21, 2004
Nervous System 2
I.
II.
III.
Overview of vertebrate (human) nervous system
A.
Major “systems” [Fig. 48.16]
B.
Parallel vs. hierarchical processing
Focus: Peripheral nervous system [Fig. 48.17]
A.
Parts of sensory (afferent) division
B.
Parts of motor (efferent) division
1.
Somatic
2.
Autonomic [Fig. 48.18]
a)
Sympathetic division

Location (including synapses)

Overall function/ Specific actions
b)
Parasympathetic

Location (including synapses)

Overall function/ Specific actions
Focus: Central nervous system
A.
Overview
B.
Organization of the spinal cord
1.
Sensory vs. motor
2.
Myelinated axons vs. cell bodies
3.
Tracts (sensory example)
C.
Structure/function of the vertebrate brain [Fig. 48.20]
1.
Hindbrain
a)
medulla
b)
pons
c)
Cerebellum
2.
Midbrain
a)
Role in processing/transmitting sensory information
b)
Reticular formation [Fig. 48.21]

Focus: reticular activating system (RAS)
3.
Forebrain
a)
Thalamus
b)
Hypothalamus
c)
Cerebrum

Cerebral hemispheres

Cerebral cortex
D.

Neocortex

Corpus callosum
4.
Limbic system [Fig. 48.27]
Focus: Organization of the cerebrum [Fig. 48.24]
1.
Primary somatosensory and motor cortexes [Fig. 48.25]
a)
Location
b)
Key principles of organization (“homunculus”)
2.
Other primary sensory cortexes
3.
Association areas
4.
Lateralization of brain function
5.
PET scans [Fig. 48.26]
Study questions:
NOTE: As you think about the brain, be sure to evaluate how location and function are related, as well as
hierarchy of organization.
1. What are the major components of the vertebrate central nervous system?
2. What type of muscle is controlled by the autonomic nervous system? What type of muscle is controlled by
the somatic nervous system?
3. Compare the parasympathetic and sympathetic branches of the autonomic nervous system:
a. Where do they branch off the spinal cord?
b. Where do the pre-ganglionic and post-ganglionic neurons synapse (Close to the spinal cord? Close to the
peripheral location they innervate?)
c. Which is primarily involved in energy conservation and basic self-maintenance, and which in rapid
mobilization of energy (fight or flight)
d. Know major effects of each, including specific effects on specific organs. Note that these are easier to
learn if you can think logically about which organs/functions are needed for “fight or flight”.
e. Why these two systems are generally considered antagonistic?
f. Which of the two are involved in sexual response? Explain.
4. Briefly describe how the spinal cord is organized (i.e. in cross-section).
5. What is gray matter? What is white matter? Where is most of the gray matter found in the brain? (Be as
specific as possible.) Where is most of the gray matter found in the spinal cord?
6. Be able to name/label the key structures of the hindbrain, and know the major functions of each.
7. Where is the center for controlling sleep and wakefulness? How does its location relate to this function?
8. What are the major functions of the midbrain? Compare for mammals and non-mammals.
9. Be able to name/label the key structures of the forebrain and know the major functions of each.
10. What is the neocortex and what are its functions?
11. Indicate where in the brain the primary somatosensory and motor cortexes are located and how they are
organized. What factor(s) determine how much of a particular cortex is devoted to a particular body part?
Are particular body parts generally “overrepresented” or “underrepresented” similarly in both cortexes?
Explain.
12. Describe the key functions of the limbic system.
13. What occurs in association areas?
14. What is meant by parallel processing? What is meant by hierarchical processing? Provide an example of
each.
15. What is the function of the corpus callosum?
16. What is meant by “lateralization” of brain function?