Exam 1: Overview of the Nervous System Flashcards
CNS
- receives and processes information; initiates action
- includes brain and spinal cord
Peripheral Nervous System
Transmits signals between the CNS and rest of the body
Motor neurons
carry signals from CNS which controls the activities of muscles and glands
Sensory neurons
carry signals to the CNS from sensory organs
Somatic Nervous System
voluntary control over skeletal muscles
Autonomic nervous system is divided into two divisions, what are they?
Sympathetic and Parasympathetic
Autonomic Nervous System
involuntary control over smooth muscle, organs and glands
Sympathetic Division
- prepares the body for stressful or energetic activity; for an immediate response to a potential threat
- “fight or flight” response
The Sympathetic Division contains what kinds of receptors?
adrenergic receptors - alpha and beta
The Parasympathetic Division contains what kinds of receptors?
cholinergic receptors
Parasympathetic Division
- Activated under non-stressful conditions and directs maintenance activities.
- “Rest and Digest” response
- Digestive processes promoted while heart rate and blood pressure declines.
Sympathetic responses are innervated by what nerves?
spinal nerves
Parasympathetic responses are innervated by what nerves?
cranial and sacral nerves
Neurons
primary cells of the nervous system
Actions of the neuron
detects environmental changes and initiates body responses to maintain a steady state
The autonomic nervous system is composed of 2 neuron systems:
- pre-ganglionic neuron
2. post-ganglionic neuron
Pre-ganglionic neuron
cell body is in the brain or spinal cord
carries impulses exiting the spinal cord
Post-ganglionic neuron
- lies entirely outside the CNS and within the PNS
- directly innervates the target organ waiting to receive an impulse