Lecture 2: Introduction to Neurophysiology Flashcards
In both the CNS and PNS, there are two nervous systems. What are these called?
somatic nervous system and autonomic nervous system
What is the major function of the somatic nervous system?
this is for stuff we are aware of/have control over
What is the major function of the autonomic nervous system?
this is for stuff we are not aware of/can’t control
What are the two divisions of the somatic nervous system?
afferent (somatic sensory division)
efferent (somatic motor division)
What are the two divisions of the autonomic nervous system?
afferent (visceral sensory division)
efferent
What are the two divisions of the efferent autonomic nervous system?
sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system
What are the functions of the sympathetic nervous system (efferent autonomic nervous system)?
fight or flight, prepares the body for acute/stress response
What are the functions of the parasympathetic nervous system (efferent autonomic nervous system)?
rest and digest, prepares the body for restful situations
The dorsal root ganglia are part of which division of the spinal cord?
somatic (afferent)
As well as the dorsal root ganglia, there are autonomic ganglia. What are these called?
sympathetic ganglia
parasympathetic ganglia
Describe the somatic nervous system (voluntary control of skeletal muscle) organisation
- how many neurons between the brain and the effector?
- where is the UMN cell body located? Where is its axon located?
- where is the LMN cell body located? Where is its axon located?
- are they myelinated?
- what are the neurotransmitters that are released?
- 2 neurons between the brain and the effector
- the UMN cell body is in the brain and its axon is in the spinal cord
- the LMN cell body is in the spinal cord and the axon is in the PNS (sensory neuron)
- both neurons are myelinated
- the LMN releases ACh to the effector
Describe the parasympathetic nervous system (autonomic) organisation
- how many neurons between the brain and the effector?
- where are the cell body located? Where is its axon located?
- where is the LMN cell body located? Where is its axon located?
- are they myelinated?
- what are the neurotransmitters that are released?
- where is the synapse?
- 3 neurons between the brain and the effector
- neuron 1 has the cell body in the brain, axon in the spinal cord
- neuron 2 has the cell body in the spinal cord, axon in the PNS
- neuron 3 has both the cell body and axon in the PNS
- neuron 2 is long and myelinated, neuron 3 is short and un-myelinated
- neuron 2 and 3 synapse in the parasympathetic ganglion which is distant from the CNS
- neuron 2 (presynaptic) releases ACh to neuron 3 (postsynaptic)
- neuron 3 releases ACh to the effector
Describe the sympathetic nervous system (autonomic) organisation
- how many neurons between the brain and the effector?
- where are the cell body located? Where is its axon located?
- where is the LMN cell body located? Where is its axon located?
- are they myelinated?
- what are the neurotransmitters that are released?
- where is the synapse?
- 3 neurons between the brain and the effector
- neuron 1 has the cell body in the brain, axon in the spinal cord
- neuron 2 has the cell body in the spinal cord, axon in the PNS
- neuron 3 has both the cell body and axon in the PNS
- neuron 2 is short and myelinated, neuron 3 is long and un-myelinated
- neuron 2 and 3 synapse in the sympathetic ganglion which is close to the CNS
- neuron 2 (presynaptic) releases ACh to neuron 3 (postsynaptic)
- neuron 3 releases noradrenaline to the effector
On which side of the brain is the stimulus recorded?
on the opposite side of the brain from the one where the stimulus occurred
Where is the stimulus mapped in the brain?
in the primary somatosensory cortex
Where does the primary somatosensory cortex send signals to?
to the secondary somatosensory cortex to process the information
Describe how the body is mapped in the brain
the parts of the body with more receptors to perceive information (such as on the fingers) of the face are mapped larger in the somatosensory cortex compared to other parts of the body (such as the back) that does not perceive information and have as many receptors
Are both neurons and glia excitable?
no, only the neurons are
What three things do neurons have?
axons, dendrites, synapses
What features do neurons have that allow them to have ionic excitability?
K+ ion channels
Na+ ion channels
Na+/K+ ATPase
What other features do neurons have?
transporters and synapse specialisation
Are glia excitable?
no