lecture 14 anatomy flashcards
Explain the primary functions of the nervous system
- to communicate
with, and to control, the
body
Describe the nature of how
electrochemical signals facilitate communication
– Rapid and specific
between cells
– Via electrochemical
signals
– Facilitates an immediate
response
Describe the roles the CNS and PNS play in processing and responding to information.
Central Nervous System (CNS)
* Brain and spinal cord
* Integration and control center
Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
everything in your body except your spinal cord and brain
- senses
Differentiate between somatic and visceral sensory neurons in terms of the types of information each transmits to the CNS.
Somatic sensory fibers:
– Convey impulses from
skin, skeletal muscles,
and joints to CNS
- Visceral sensory fibers:
– Convey impulses from
visceral organs to CNS
What are the targets of the motor (efferent) division of the PNS?
- somatic nervous system
- autonomic nervous system
In which way does the somatic and visceral divisions of the motor division differ
The somatic motor division carries signals to the skeletal muscles. The visceral motor division, also known as the autonomic nervous system, carries signals to glands, cardiac muscle, and smooth muscle.
List the six types of neuroglial (glial) cells and give a brief description of each, focusing on what function they play in the nervous system
atrocytes-most abundent type, support and brace neurons
Microglia- CNS immune cells, migrate towards injured nuerons
Ependymal- range in shape from squamous to columnar, lines central cavities of CNS
Oligodendrocytes- branched cells, form insulating myelin sheaths, increases speed and health of neuron
PNS nueroglia-
Describe the unique roles of astrocytes in supporting neuron function.
- Physiologically support and physically
brace neurons - Play a role in exchanges between
capillaries and neurons
– Help determine capillary permeability - Guide migration of young neurons
- Control chemical environment around
neurons
– Mop up and recycle ions and
neurotransmitters
– Release molecules in response to
neuronal behavior - Participate in information processing in brain
How does maintaining the chemical environment around neurons beneficial for normal neuronal function?
regulating the blood-brain barrier
Explain the difference in myelination by Schwann cells in the PNS and oligodendrocytes in the CNS.
PNS-Surround all peripheral axons
* Vital to regeneration of
damaged neurons
* Forms myelin sheaths
* Similar function as
oligodendrocytes
CNS
- create myelin sheath around nueron axons
How does myelination benefit neuronal function?
allows electrical impulses to transmit quickly and efficiently along the nerve cells
Describe the role of
Nodes of Ranvier in nerve impulse transmission
allow for ions to diffuse in and out of the neuron, propagating the electrical signal down the axon
what are the three main parts of a neuron
the cell body, dendrites, and axon
describe the cell body and its function in the communication process of neurons
The cell body connects to the dendrites, which bring information to the neuron, and the axon, which sends information to other neurons
describe dendrites, and they’re function in the communication process of neurons
A dendrite is defined as the afferent component of a neuron that branches extensively into a dendritic tree, tapering distally with each successive branch. they receive and process synaptic signals in the brain
