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Ch. 12 The Central Nervous System
Amerman - Human Anatomy & Physiology 2nd Edition
Amerman2nd EditionHuman Anatomy & PhysiologyISBN: 9780136873822Not the one you use?Change textbook
All textbooksAmerman 2nd EditionCh. 12 The Central Nervous SystemProblem 1
Chapter 12, Problem 1

Which of the following statements about the general functions of the nervous system is false?
a. The three primary functions of the nervous system include sensory, integrative, and motor functions.
b. The integrative functions of the nervous system are its processing functions.
c. Sensory stimuli are transmitted on sensory efferent fibers to a sensory receptor.
d. Motor functions are carried out by fibers that carry signals to an effector.

Verified step by step guidance
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Step 1: Begin by understanding the three primary functions of the nervous system: sensory, integrative, and motor functions. Sensory functions involve detecting stimuli from the environment or within the body, integrative functions involve processing and interpreting sensory input, and motor functions involve responding to stimuli by activating effectors such as muscles or glands.
Step 2: Analyze each statement in the problem to determine its accuracy. For example, statement (a) correctly identifies the three primary functions of the nervous system: sensory, integrative, and motor functions.
Step 3: Evaluate statement (b). The integrative functions of the nervous system indeed involve processing sensory input, making decisions, and coordinating responses. This statement is accurate.
Step 4: Examine statement (c). Sensory stimuli are transmitted on sensory afferent fibers (not efferent fibers) to the central nervous system, not to a sensory receptor. This makes statement (c) false.
Step 5: Review statement (d). Motor functions are carried out by motor (efferent) fibers that transmit signals from the central nervous system to effectors such as muscles or glands. This statement is correct. Therefore, the false statement is (c).

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Functions of the Nervous System

The nervous system has three primary functions: sensory, integrative, and motor. Sensory functions involve receiving stimuli from the environment, integrative functions process this information to make decisions, and motor functions execute responses by sending signals to muscles or glands.
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Sensory and Efferent Fibers

Sensory fibers, also known as afferent fibers, carry signals from sensory receptors to the central nervous system. In contrast, efferent fibers transmit signals from the central nervous system to effectors, such as muscles or glands, facilitating a response to stimuli.
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Integrative Functions

Integrative functions of the nervous system refer to the processing and interpretation of sensory information. This involves analyzing incoming data, making decisions, and coordinating appropriate responses, which are crucial for effective interaction with the environment.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question

The central nervous system is responsible for:

a. Integrative functions

b. Sensory functions

c. Motor functions

d. Both b and c are correct

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Textbook Question

How could you tell the difference between an injury that damaged the cerebellum and one that damaged the basal nuclei?

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Textbook Question

Why do injuries to the hippocampus interfere with the formation of new declarative memories but do not impact memories already encoded in long-term memory? Why do such injuries not affect the formation of nondeclarative memories?

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