General Organisation of the Nervous System 1 Flashcards
What is nervous system?
an orderly arrangement of neurons and associated cells
Why are support cells important?
neurons delicate so need to be supported
What is role of nervous system?
to control and adjust the activities of the systems of the body
How are sensory and motor neurones involved in linking?
link the CNS to the peripheral structures of the body travelling in peripheral nerves.
What are the 2 primary divisions of nervous system?
- CNS
2. PNS
What is the CNS?
The brain & spinal cord
What is the PNS?
Axons, ganglia and supporting cells
What is ganglia?
collection of nerve cell bodies outside NS
What are the 2 cell types neural tissue contains?
- Neurons/nerve cells
2. Support cells
What do neurons do?
transmit electrical impulses along their cell membranes – interpret sensory info
What do support cells do?
responsible for supporting the neuron, regulating the interstitial fluid and bringing nutrients.
As neurons are highly diff cells, what does this mean?
have almost no capacity for cell division.
What is disadvantage of neurons not undergoing cell division?
have a limited capacity to repair themselves after injury if cell body not damaged but if it is – no replacement
How long are neurons?
vary in length from a few millimetres to over a meter – depends on height
What is structure of neurons?
- cell body or soma which contain numerous dendrites which are highly branched.
- from the cell body extends a long axon which terminates in one or more synaptic terminals
