13.5-13.8 Flashcards
neuronal pool
functional groups of interconnected interneurons
Patterns of neural circuits in neuronal pools
divergence
convergence
serial processing
parallel processing
reverberation
divergence
spreads info from 1 neuron or neuronal pool to many
- common in sensory pathways
convergence
several neurons synapse on a single neuron
serial processing
neurons or pools work sequentially
parallel processing
several neurons/neuronal pools process the same info at the same time
- ex: stepping on a sharp object
reverberation
a positive feedback circuit
neural reflex
rapid, automatic response to specific stimuli
reflex arc
the route followed by nerve impulses to produce a reflex
5 steps in a reflex arc
- Stimulus activates a receptor
- Activation of a sensory neuron
- Information processing in the C N S
- Activation of a motor neuron – interneurons stimulate action potentials in motor neuron
- Response by a peripheral effector
classification of reflexes (8)
innate
acquired
somatic
visceral
monosynaptic
polysynaptic
spinal
cranial
innate reflex
basic neural reflexes formed before birth
- ex: chewing
acquired reflex
rapid, automatic learned motor patterns
somatic reflexes
allow for immediate involuntary control of muscular system
visceral reflex
control internal organs
monosynaptic reflex
involve a single synapse
polysynaptic reflex
involve at least 1 interneuron between the sensory neuron and the motor neuron + involves multiple synapse
spinal reflexes
processing occurs in the spinal cord
cranial reflexes
processing occurs in the brain
types of monosynaptic reflexes
stretch reflex
postural reflexes
stretch reflex
regulates skeletal muscle length
- ex: knee jerk
muscle spindle
sensory receptors involved in a stretch reflex
intrafusal muscle fibers
small specialized skeletal muscle that make up muscle spindle
muscle spindle function
stretching the intrafusal fibers increases the frequency of action potentials fired by the sensory neuron