2. Identify the functional divisions of the nervous system and differentiate between the somatic division and the autonomic division in terms of structures, locations, and functions. Terms: voluntary, involuntary, sympathetic, parasympathetic.
3. Identify the role of neuroglia (glial cells) in the nervous system and describe the functions of the following: ependymal cells, microglia, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, Schwann cell, satellite cells.
4. Describe the characteristics of neurons and identify relationships, and functions of the following: multipolar, unipolar, bipolar, sensory, motor, internuncial (association neuron or interneuron), efferent, afferent.
5. Identify the following parts of a neuron and describe the characteristics and function of each: nucleus, soma (cell body, perikaryon), dendrites, axon, nucleus, Nissl substance, fiber, receptive region (input area), conducting region, trigger area, secretory region, axon terminus, terminal branches, microtubules, neurofibrils.
6. Describe and identify the following parts of the spinal cord as to location and function. meninges (dura mater, arachnoid mater, pia mater), epidural and subdural space, subarachnoid space, cerebrospinal fluid, central canal, gray matter, anterior (ventral) and posterior (dorsal) horns, white matter, dorsal root, spinal (dorsal root) ganglion, cauda equina, conus medullaris, filum terminale, denticulate ligament, cervical and lumbar enlargements, spinal tracts.
7. Differentiate between ascending (sensory), descending (motor) tracts and identify the origins, terminations and functions of the following: anterior and lateral spinothalamic, posterior and anterior spinocerebellar, fasciculus cuneatus and fasciculus gracilis (dorsal white columns), lateral and anterior corticospinal (pyramidal), and extrapyramidal (indirect) tracts. Terms: first order, second order, third order neurons, medial lemniscus, tectospinal, vestibulospinal, rubrospinal, reticulospinal.
8. Define and describe a nerve and its components, including: endoneurium, perineurium, epineurium, fibers, myelin sheath.
9. Describe the characteristics, components, and functions of the nerve's myelin sheath. Describe the importance of the myelin sheath to axonal transmission and nerve fiber regeneration. Terms: Schwann cell, neurilemma, nodes of Ranvier, jell-roll hypothesis, anterograde degeneration, Wallerian (retrograde) degeneration, saltatory conduction.
10. Define a nerve plexus and describe the relationship of the plexuses to the 31 pair of spinal nerves and to the named nerves. Identify the location of each major plexus and the nerves which arise from it. Terms: dermatome, cervical plexus, brachial plexus, lumbar plexus, sacral plexus, phrenic n., axillary n., radial n., ulnar n., median n., musculocutaneous n., lateral cord, medial cord, posterior cord, femoral nerve, obturator n., genitofemoral n., sciatic n., tibial n., common peroneal n., gluteal ns., pudendal n.
11. Describe how neurons work together in a reflex arc. Differentiate with regard to structure and function a 3-neuron reflex (multisynaptic), 2-neuron reflex (monosynaptic), stretch reflex, withdrawal reflex, deep tendon reflex, crossed-extensor reflex. Identify the location of reflex components in the peripheral or central nervous system. Terms: muscle spindle receptor, intrafusal fibers, extrafusal fibers, alpha efferent nerves, gamma efferent nerves, Golgi tendon organ, reciprocal inhibition, reciprocal activation. Describe how the stretch and deep tendon reflexes work in a complementary fashion to coordinate a particular action.
12. Explain what a synapse is and give examples of locations and functions of synapses.
13. Describe and compare impulse transmission across the synapse (synaptic transmission) with transmission along the membrane (membrane or axonal transmission) in terms of sequence of events, characteristics, and requirements. Include: pre-synaptic vesicles, post-synaptic receptors, synaptic cleft, chemically-gated channels, voltage-gated channels, sodium activation gates, sodium inactivation gates, calcium channels, acetylcholine, epinephrine (adrenaline) and other neurotransmitters, pre-synaptic membrane, post-synaptic membrane, resting membrane potential, acetylcholinesterase (Achase or AchE), graded potentials, action potential (nerve impulse), excitatory post-synaptic potential (EPSP), inhibitory post-synaptic potential (IPSP), threshold, all-or-none, depolarization, hyperpolarization, absolute and relative refractory periods.
14. Describe how temporal summation and spatial summation determine and modify synaptic transmission and describe their mechanism and importance in modulating synaptic transmission and the resulting reflexes. Terms: inhibition, facilitation, learned reflex, post-tetanic potentiation.
15. Identify and compare structure and function of major neurotransmitters and describe the action of synaptic blocking agents. Include: acetylcholine, acetylcholinesterase, anti-cholinesterase, atropine, curare, catecholamines, norepinephrine, dopamine, serotonin, histamine, GABA, substance P, endorphins.