CNS Review Questions
The Spine:
1) What is the central part of the spinal cord made up of? What surrounds this?
Center = grey matter (short neurons). Surrounded by white matter (longer, myelinated
neurons).
2) Where does the spine run to and from in the body?
Runs from the brain, down the vertebral canal into the body (all the way down the back!)
3) How is the spine protected and cushioned?
Protected by bony vertebrae, cushioned by intervertebral disks.
4) Which side of the spine (ventral or dorsal) receives sensory information from the body?
Dorsal.
5) Which side of the spine (ventral or dorsal) sends out motor signals to various parts of
the body?
Ventral.
6) In point-form steps, describe how your CNS will react if your hand were to touch a hot
element on a stove (ie: how will the reflex work)?
1) Heat from stove picked up by receptors in your hand.
2) Signal is passed from receptors down sensory neurons. These enter the spine through
the dorsal root.
3) Signal is passed to an interneuron in the spine.
4) Signal is passed from the interneuron to a motor neuron. Motor neuron exits through
the ventral root.
5) Signal is carried down motor neurons back to the hand.
6) The hand is stimulated to pull away from the heat.
**The Brain  This is the stuff you’ll need to know for your quiz!**
1) What are the four lobes of the cerebrum, and what major functions does each serve?
Frontal lobe – higher thinking, planning motor functions (movements) using the primary
motor cortex. Also personality (remember Phineas Gage!)
Parietal lobe – houses the primary somatosensory cortex, which handles sensory info from
all over the body.
Occipital lobe – handles visual information (through the primary visual cortex)
Temporal lobe – handles auditory and olfactory info, helps recognize faces, has some role in
memory. Has roles in understanding language.
2) What connects the two hemispheres of the cerebrum together?
The corpus callosum
3) What do association areas do? Name three examples of these areas.
They integrate signals from multiple sources in order to make a complete (and significant)
message. Eg’s: pre-motor area, somatosensory association area, visual and auditory
association areas.
4) Which processing areas are responsible for language? Distinguish between their
functions in language.
Wernicke’s area – helps to understand written and spoken words.
Broca’s area – helps to carry out the actions of speaking. Allows for grammar.
5) Complete the following table (first row is done for you as an example):
Component
Part of the…
Hypothalamus
Diencephalon
Thalamus
Diencephalon
Cerebellum
Function(s)
Control of homeostasis (temperature, water
balance, eating, sleeping)
Acts as a relay center. Sends info to the proper
part of the cerebrum. Activates the cerebrum
(some role in memory and emotion).
Compares actual and intended movements to
ensure coordinated motor function.
Brain stem
Relays information between the cerebellum and
cerebrum. Aids in head reflexes.
Brain stem
Connects cerebellum to the rest of the CNS.
Involved with facial sensations.
Medulla Oblongata
Brain stem
Controls many autonomic functions (breathing,
heart rate, blood pressure, etc.)
Hippocampus
Limbic system
Has roles in learning and memory. Moves info
from short-term to long-term memory.
Amygdala
Limbic system
Midbrain
Pons
Responsible for several strong emotions (anger,
fear). Coordinates release of adrenaline. Links
emotions to scents.
6) The following brain structures all function, in part, as “relays” that conduct information
to the appropriate place in the brain or body. Complete the following statements about
them:
 The thalamus receives information and sends it to the appropriate place, usually
activating the cerebrum.
 The midbrain passes information between the cerebrum and cerebellum.
 The pons connects the cerebellum to the rest of the CNS.
7) (Not strictly a “question”) – be able to locate and identify the following structures on a
picture of the brain (such as those provided below):
a. Frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital lobes
b. Cerebellum
c. Cerebrum
d. Corpus callosum
e. Thalamus
f. Hypothalamus
g. Midbrain
h. Pons
i. Medulla (oblongata)
j. Brain stem (made up of thalamus, midbrain, pons, and medulla)
k. Spinal cord (spine)