Chapter 7 - The Nervous System Flashcards
What is the main cell and structural and functional unit of the nervous system?
neuron
What are the TWO main divisions the nervous system is divided into?
Describe what is contained within these divisions
Which of these divisions contains further subdivisions?
- Central Nervous System (CNS): brain and spinal cord
- Peripheral Nervous System (PNS): cranial nerves and spinal nerves
We know the two main divisions of the nervous system are the CNS and the PNS.
The PNS can be divided into further subdivisions. Name them and describe their functions.
- Somatic Nervous System (SNS): voluntary control of body function via skeletal muscle
- Autonomic Nervous System (ANS): involunatry control of body function + regulate glands (cardiac muscle + smooth muscle) -> has 2 divisions sympathetic NS vs parasympathetic NS
The autonomic nervous system (ANS) can be divided into two divisions known as the __________ __________ ________ vs. ___________ _________ ___________
sympathetic nervous system (SANS)
parasympathetic nervous system (PANS)
Neurons are also known as ________ cells
nerve
What cells make up the nervous system tissue?
neurons
neuroglia
What is the overall function of neurons?
conduct electrochemical impulses
usually cannot divide
What is the function of neuroglia?
supporting/helper cells that assist in the function of neurons
cannot conduct impulses, but can divide
We know that neuroglia assists in the function of neurons. How do they do this? Be specific
- make myelin (fatty substance/phospholipids that wraps around axon)
- release nutrients for neurons
- involved in immune response
Neuroglia are _________ common than neurons; ___:____ - _____:____
more
5:1 - 10:1
Which cells are examples of neuroglia? Name their function
If possible, name which division of the NS they are involved in
SOMA (COPS)
- Schwann cells: myelination of axon in PNS
- Oligodendrocytes: myelination of axon in CNS
- Microglia: engulf things and clear debris in NS
- Astrocytes: provide barrier between nervous tissue + blood
What does the term “electrochemical” impulse mean/refer to?
- “electro” charge because of ion movement across the cell membrane
- “chemical” refers to the neurotransmitters release
- flow of charges across the membrane leads to the release of a neurotransmitter
What is myelin?
Which neuroglial cell makes myelin?
fatty substance that wraps around an axon
Schwann cells
Oligodendrocytes
Generally describe the way in which the nervous system works.
- Receive a stimulus (information)
- Transmits information to the integration center (CNS)
- CNS processes/integrates information
- CNS transmits information to effectors (muscles and glands)
Neurons use ____________ signals to ________/_______ information
electrochemical
transmit/process
In which ways do neurons use electrochemical signals to transmit/process information?
- electrical signals (impulse): action potentials (AP); involved charges (ions)
- chemical messengers: neurotransmitters (NT)
AP must be conducted to release NT
Name the different parts to a neuron and describe their function
- Dendrites: branched cellular extentions; information recieving end of neuron
- Soma (Cell body): contain nucleus
- Axon Hillock: generate impulse (AP)
- Axon: Sends information out
- Axon terminal: release chemical messengers (NT); NT can be excitatory or inhibitory
An action potential travels along the _______
axon
Neurons can be classified based on their ________ or _________ _____ _________
function
mode of transmission
Classify the neurons based on their function
Describe their function
sensory neurons (afferent neurons): transmit information INTO the CNS from the environment
interneuron: found in integrating center/CNS
motor neurons (efferent neurons): transmit information OUT of CNS to effectors
Sensory neurons are also known as ________ neurons
afferent
Motor neurons are also known as _______ neurons
efferent
Classify the neurons based on their mode of transmission
Describe their function
excitatory neurons: stimulates target cell -> release excitatory NT
inhibitory neurons: inhibit target cell -> release inhibitory NT
Define a neurotransmitter (NT), and where are they released from?
- chemical messengers
- released from axon terminals (from excitatory/inhibitory neurons)
Define an action potential (AP). Where would you find an AP in the neuron?
- an electrochemical signal/impulse
- originates from the axon hillock.
Describe the movement of an action potential (AP)
- electrochemical signal/impulse originals from axon hillock
- travels along the axon
- to axon terminal
- release neurotransmitters (NT)
The axon hillock is located between the ________ and the _______
soma
axon
Define membrane potential (MP)
- difference in charge between the inside and outside of the cell (neurons axon)
- creates an electrical voltage across the cell membrane
Describe the relationship between membrane potential (MP) and the Na+/K+ pump
MP is maintained by the Na+/K+ pump (makes the inside of the cell negative)
What creates a charge potential/voltage across a cell membrane?
Na+/K+ pump because more positive ions (3Na+) are moving out, while only 2K+ ions are moving in; uneven charge
MP for a neuron “at rest” is called the ________ _________ ________
resting membrane potential (RMP)
Although the RMP values may ______ among different neurons, the _______ are ALWAYS _________
differ
values
negative
What is the voltage of the RMP for a typical neuron
-70 mV (interior of neuron
If a neuron measures at -70mV, what does this mean?
neuron is “at rest” and is not receiving a information/stimulus
Why is RMP value always negative?
bc of the uneven distribution of ions due to Na+/K+ pump
The existence of MP allows for the generation and propagation of an _______ _______ along the _______
action potential (AP)
axon
Facilitators, such as channels, help substance move from an area of _________ to ________ concentration (____________ _________)
high
low
facilitated diffusion
Describe what happens to the inside/internal charge of the axon membrane when Na+ channels open and K+ channels open
- when Na+ channels open, the inside of the cell becomes more positive due to an influx of cations
- when K+ channels open, the inside of the cell becomes more negative due to an efflux of cations
What happens to the MP when a neuron receives a stimulus?
rapid change in MP across the axon from negative to positive -> then back to negative
Electrical changes travel along the axon and these electrical charges can be measured by a __________ in _____
voltmeter
mV
Charge differences are displayed by an _________ ________ _______
action potential (AP) graph
Define depolarization
Provide an example
becomes more positive inside -> move away RMP (cations entering/anions exiting)
ex: Na+ influx/entering
Define repolarization
Provide an example
becomes more negative inside -> move toward RMP (cations exiting/anions entering)
ex: K+ efflux/exiting
Define hyperpolarization
becomes VERY negative inside; further away from RMP
Neurons are stimulated by a _________ (ex: ___________)
ligand
neurotransmitter
What is a ligand?
a chemical substance that attaches to another molecule (ex: neurotransmitters)
What is the function of ligand?
ligands bind to LG ion channels and OPENS for cations (at dendrite)
Cations involved: Na+, Ca2+, K+
A channel is open when _______ to a ________
bound
ligand
Describe what is happening on an AP graph where initial depolarization occurs.
Na+ influx at axon hillock due to LG Na+ channels opening (NOT real depolarization)
What opens at the end of RMP?
LG Na+ channel (initial depolarization)
What does Na+ want to enter the cell instead of exit?
- want to enter via facilitated diffusion due to high [Na+] outside cell due to Na+/K+ pump
- Na+ attracted to negative charge inside cell
- wants to follow electrochemical gradient
Ligand-gated (LG) ion channels can exist in ______ states: ________ and ________
2
open (no ligand bound)
closed (ligand bound)
What is threshold?
the minimum mV needed for an action potential to occur
What is the value of the threshold of an action potential?
-55 mV
What causes a neuron to reach threshold?
influx of Na+ inside due to opening of LG Na+ channel
What happens when a neuron reaches threshold?
voltage-gated (VG) Na+ channels open at axon hillock -> more Na+ enters
When does rapid depolarization occur?
occurs when VG Na+ channels open and let in more Na+
more VG Na+ channels will open due to positive feedback
How does positive feedback contribute to rapid depolarization?
more VG Na+ channels will open
True or False: A neuron must (at the very minimum) reach a threshold value in order to have an AP
True, the threshold is the minimum needed for AP to occur
What is the voltage value at the peak of a neuronal AP? What happens at peak (what opens and closes at peak)
peak: +30-40 mV
VG Na+ channel close -> depolarization STOPS
VG K+ open (K+ efflux, cell becomes more negative inside; repolarization occurs)
When the VG Na+ channel close and the VG K+ open, what happens?
repolarization occurs as the cell becomes more negative inside due to loss of cations (move toward RMP)
What is the difference between LG-ion channels and VG-ion channels
- LG-ion channels respond/open when a ligand is bound to it
- VG-ion channels respond to a certain voltage and will open when a certain mV/voltage is reached