Compendium 8 / 9. The Nervous System Flashcards
What are the 2 structural divisions of the nervous system?
- The CNS
2. The PNS
What are the 3 functional divisions of the nervous system?
- Autonomic
- Somatic
- Enteric
What are the roles of afferent nerves?
Also known as sensory
To take information TO the CNS.
What are the roles of efferent nerves?
Also known as motor
To take information AWAY from the CNS
Explain the pathway of an afferent neuron
- A sensory receptor picks up a stimulus
- The afferent neuron ends in the CNS (spinal cord)
- The cell bodies reside in the dorsal root ganglion
Explain the pathways of efferent neurons
Autonomic :
- The first motor neuron takes the nerve impulse from the CNS (via the ventral root) to the autonomic ganglion.
- The impulse transfers to the second motor neuron in the autonomic ganglion.
- The impulse is then taken to the effector organ by the second motor neuron.
Motor :
1. The nerve impulse is taken straight from the CNS to the effector organ via the ventral root.
Define plexus
An extensive network of cell bodies or axons.
What are synaptic knobs?
The small baubles on the end of the synaptic terminals.
What are the 3 structural classifications of neurons?
- Multipolar
- A single axon
- Many dendrites - Bipolar
- A single axon
- A single dendrite from the cell body
- Extremely rare - Unipolar
- The cell body is positioned to the side of the axon
What are the 4 types of neuroglia cells?
- Astrocytes : Allow for communication for blood vessels and neurons and create a barrier around injured cells
- Ependymal cells : Cilia allow for the movement of CSF
- Microglia : Monitor and protect surrounding neurons
- Oligodendrocytes : Form the myelin sheath around axons
What are the 2 types of cells found in the PNS?
- Schwann cells/neurolemmocytes : Make up the myelin sheath around axons
- Satellite cells : Provide support and nutrition
What is a membrane potential?
The difference of charge across the cell membrane
What are non-gated ion channels also referred to as?
leak channels
Are there more non-gated channels for potassium or sodium?
potassium
What are the 3 types of gated ion channels?
- Ligand-gated ion channels - opens when a ligand such as a hormone binds to them.
- Voltage-gated ion channels - opens when an electrical current passes through the membrane
- Other-gated ion channels - opens when there is change of temperature or pressure
What is resting membrane potential?
When the in intracellular fluid of a cell is more negative compared to the extracellular fluid
What is depolarisation?
When the membrane potential suddenly becomes more positive
What is hyperpolarisation?
When the membrane potential becomes more negative
What is repolarisation?
When the membrane potential returns to normal.
What are graded potentials?
- Short lived, localised changes in a membrane potential
- They can lead to action potentials
What is the all-or-nothing principle?
The graded potential must be strong enough to surpass the threshold
What is the refractory period?
When a particular part of the cell membrane is engaged with an impulse and cannot take on another impulse.
What are the 2 different types of synapses?
- The electrical synapse - the current jumps between synapses
- The chemical synapses - chemicals act as carriers