Ch 5 Nervous System Flashcards
The collective components and structures that work together to move the body: muscular, skeletal, and nervous systems
Human Movement System (HMS)
A concept that describes the human body as a chain of interdependent links that work together to perform movement.
Kinetic Chain
A specialized network of nerves that transmits information within the human body (provides sensory information to the brain, stimulates movement thru muscle contraction, organ function)
Nervous system
A specialized cell that is the functional unit of the nervous system
Neuron
Neurons are composed of 3 parts:
- Cell body
- Axon
- Dendrites
Cylindrical projects from the cell body that transmits nervous impulses to other neurons or effector sites; provides communication from the brain/spinal cord to other parts of the body
Axon
Muscles/organs that receive signals from neurons to produce a physiological response
Effector sites
Gather info from other structures and transmit it back to the neuron
Dendrites
The 4 primary electrolytes that transmit nerve impulses throughout the body
Sodium
Potassium
Magnesium
Water
The nervous system is composed of 2 divisions:
- Central Nervous System (CNS) - brain/spinal cord
- Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) - nerves rest of body
Consists of the brain & spinal cord, coordinated activity to all parts of the body
Central Nervous System (CNS)
Nerves that connect the rest of the body to the Central Nervous System
Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
The PNS provides sensory information (e.g., sight, smell, touch, taste) from the rest of the body TO the CNS via:
Afferent Pathway
(“Sensory Pathway”)
The PNS relays info from the CNS back down to the rest of the body via the
Efferent Pathway
(“Motor Pathway”)
Specialized structures throughout the body that convert environmental stimuli (heat, light, sound, taste, motion) into sensory information that the brain and spinal cord use to produce a response (afferent pathway)
Sensory Receptors
The PNS has 4 sensory receptors:
- Mechanoreceptors
- Nociceptors
- Chemoreceptors
- Photoreceptors
specialized structures that respond to mechanical (touch or pressure) within tissues and then transmit signals through sensory nerves
Mechanoreceptors
Respond to pain receptors
Nociceptors
Respond to chemical interactions (smell and taste)
Chemoreceptors
Respond to light (vision)
Photoreceptors
The PNS has 2 subdivisons:
- Somatic Nervous System (SNS)
- Automative Nervous System (ANS)
Nerves that serve the outer areas of the body and skeletal muscle and are largely responsible for the voluntary control of movement.
Somatic Nervous System (SNS)
A division of the peripheral nervous system that supplies neural input to organs that run the involuntary processes of the body (e.g., circulating blood, digesting food, producing hormones).
Automatic Nervous System (ANS)
Subdivision of the autonomic nervous system that works to INCREASE neural activity and put the body in a heightened state (i.e., Exercise!, adrenaline, fight or flight)
Sympathetic Nervous System
Subdivision of the autonomic nervous system that works to DECREASE neural activity and put the body in a more relaxed state (i.e., rest or digest)
Parasympathetic Nervous System
The body’s ability to naturally sense its general orientation and relative position of its parts. (AFFERENT pathway)
Proprioception
Ability of the nervous system (CNS) to analyze/interpret the sensory information to allow for proper decision-making, which produces an appropriate response (via the AFFERENT pathway)
Integrative Function of Nervous System
The top 2 important sensory receptors (mechanoreceptors) are:
Muscle Spindles & Golgi Tendon Organ
Sensory receptors sensitive to change in LENGTH of the muscle and the rate of that change.
(contraction of muscles)
Muscle Spindles
Neurological signal from the muscle spindle that causes a muscle to contract to prevent excessive lengthening or other potential muscle damage
Stretch Reflex
A specialized sensory receptor located at the point where skeletal muscle fibers insert into the tendons of skeletal muscle; sensitive to changes in muscular TENSION and rate of tension change
(relaxation of muscles)
Golgi Tendon Organ (GTO)
Motor skill development often occurs in 3 stages:
- Cognitive (learning skill)
- Associative (Refine skill)
- Autonomous (Master skill, automatic w no errors)
Concept that the brain will continually change or grow, reforming neural pathways for life
Neuroplasticity
Interconnection of neurons in the brain and spinal cord
Neurocircuitry