Biology and Behavior Flashcards
What are the three kinds of nerve cells in the nervous system?
- Sensory neurons
- Motor neurons
- Interneurons
Sensory neurons
Aka. afferent neurons
Transmit sensory information from receptors to the spinal cord and brain.
Motor neurons
Aks. efferent neurons
Transmit motor information from the brain and spinal cord to muscles and glands.
Interneurons
Found between other neurons and tmare the most numerous of the three types of neurons
Where are interneurons located?
They are located predominantly in the brain wnd soinal cord and are often linked to reflective behavior. Reflex ares control this type of behavior.
Reflex ares
Neutral circuits
What two primary components can the nervous system be divided into?
The Central Nervous System (CNS)
The Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
What is the CNS composed of?
The brain and spinal cord
What is the PNS composed of?
31 pairs of spinal nerves and 12 pairs od cranial nerves.
What nervous system is the Okfactory and optic nerves (cranial nerves 1 & 2) part of?
They are structurally outgrows of the CNS but they are considered conponents of the PNS.
What connecte the CNA to the rest of the body?
The PNS
What can the PNS be subdivided to?
Somatic and automatic nervous systems
Somatic Nervous System
Consists of sensory and motor neurons distributed throughout the skin, joints, and muscles.
What do sensory neurons transmit information through?
Afferent fibers
What do motor impulses travel along?
Efferent fibers
Autonomic nervous system
Regulates heartbeat, respiration, digestion, and glandular sectetions. It manages involuntary muscles associated with many internal organs and glands. It helps regulate body temperature by activating sweating or piloerection, depending we are too hot or too cold.
What are the two subdivisions of the Autonomic Nervous System?
Sympathetic and Parasympathetic
What is the parasympathetic nervous system for?
To conserve energy
What is the parasympathetic nervous system associated with?
Resting and sleeping states, and acts to reduce heart rate and constrict the bronchi.
What is responsible for managing digestion?
The parasympathetic nervous system. It does this by increasing peristalsis for parasympathetic respinse in the body.
What is the sympathetic nervous system activated by?
Stress
What is the sympathetic nervous system closely related to?
Rage and fear reactions, aka. “Fight or flight.”
When activated what are the 7 things the sympathetic nervous system does?
- Increases heart rate
- Redistributes blood to muscles of locomotion
- Increases blood glucose concentration
- Relaxes the bronchi
- Decreases digestion and peristalsis
- Dialates the eyes to maximize light intake
- Releases epinephrine into the bloodstream
