BIOLOGY 12 - NERVOUS SYSTEM - CHAPTER 11
1. What are the jobs of the nervous system? Of what parts is it composed?
2. Distinguish between the 2 main divisions of the nervous system on the
basis of what each contains and the role each performs.
3. Distinguish between SOMATIC & AUTONOMIC NERVES.
4. Define NEURON. Be able to label a diagram of a neuron and state the
function of each part.
5. What are the 3 types of specialized nerve cells? Distinguish between
them on the basis of function.
6. What causes multiple sclerosis? What are some of the symptoms of the
disease? ( Biology clip pg 243)
7. Distinguish between WHITE MATTER & GRAY MATTER. ( pg. 243)
8. What 2 things affect the speed at which impulses are carried along the
neuron? ( pg 244 + handout)
9. Trace the events in neural transmission from the time a stimulus occurs
until the time your body responds. ( pg 244 + handout)
10.Give the steps involved in transmission of an impulse across a synapse
from one neuron to another. ( notes )
11.What is a REFLEX? Name the essential parts of a reflex arc and state
the function of each part. Give a couple of examples of reflexes.
( handout)
12.Distinguish between ECG & EEG. ( pg 246)
13. Explain 3 differences between an electrical current and a nerve impulse
that provides evidence for the theory that nerve impulses are not
electrical but electrochemical events. ( pg 247)
14. How do nerve cells differ from other cells in the body? ( 2 ways)
15. Distinguish between a resting membrane and one carrying a message.
( handout)
16. Define : a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
refractory period
threshold level
all - or - none response
neurilemma
Schwann cells
nodes of Ranvier
g) synapse
h) receptors
i) effectors
j) myelin sheath
k) neuro transmitter
17. How are different intensities of nerve impulses determined? ( pg 251
+ handout)
18. What 4 things can nerve cells respond to ? ( pg 251)
19. Explain the functions of acetylocholine and cholinesterase in the
transmission of nerve impulses. ( pg 252 + handout)
20. How do imbalanced neurotransmitters affect the body? Give some
particular examples of disorders associated with these imbalances.
( pg 254, 255 + handout on Alzeimers)
21. Distinguish between the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems and
the effects on the various organs of the body. (pg 256 + handout)
22. How are the brain and spinal cord of the central nervous system
protected? ( 3 ways - pg 257)
23. Be able to label a diagram of the parts of the human brain . State the
functions of each part.( handout + notes)
24. How does the human brain compare to that of the lower vertebrates?
( pg 259)
25. What is the purpose of the deep folds or fissures in the cerebral cortex?
( pg 259)
26. Distinguish between the right and left side of the brain with respect to
the jobs performed and strengths of each side. ( pg 259 + handouts)
27. What is the corpus callosum and what is its purpose? (pg 260)
28. What causes a stroke? How does it affect the patient? ( pg 262 + article)
29. How do lie dectectors work? ( pg 256)
30. What is the vagus nerve and what does it do? ( pg 256)
31. What 2 jobs are performed by the spinal cord? ( pg 258)
32. Based on your knowledge of the brain how would you explain the
affects alcohol consumption has on the different parts of the brain? In
which order would symptoms occur?
33. How does the number of nerve tracts leading to the fingers compare to
those leading to the arms and legs? Explain. ( pg 262)
34. Describe each of these diseases of the nervous system according to
causes and symptoms and treatments.
a) meningitis( pg 257 + article)
b) Parkinson's disease ( pg 268)
35. What legally determines the moment of death? ( pg 269)
36. What contributions did Canadian doctor, Dr Penfield , make to research
of the nervous system? ( pg 263)
37. Explain why exercise makes a person feel good. ( pg 265)
38.a) What does the acronym BEAM stand for? What is it used for?
( pg. 264)
b) What does the acronym MRI stand for? What is it used for? ( notes)
39. How do drugs like heroine, codeine, morphine, valium, librium affect
the nervous system? ( pg 265)
40. How do insecticides work at killing insect pests? ( pg 252)
41.Some researchers have hypothesized that chemical imbalances may make
certain individuals prone to drug & alcohol dependency and that these
imbalances may have a genetic link. Give 2 points for and against this
hypothesis. ( pg. 266)
42. Nerve gas inhibits ( stops) the action of cholinesterase. What symptoms
would you expect to find in someone exposed to nerve gas? Explain
using what you have learned about cholinesterase and its job.( handout)
43. A patient complains of losing his balance. A marked decrease in muscle
coordination is also mentioned. On the basis of these symptoms, which
area of the brain might a doctor look to for the cause of these symptoms?
44. Define : summation, excitory transmitters, inhibitory transmitters