LECTURE 6 spinal cord Flashcards
function of nervous system
coordinates the activity of muscles, organs, senses, and actions (control)
3 steps of nervous system function
1: receives sensory input
2: integrate all input and determine response
3: send motor output/command
structural divisions of the nervous system
central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS)
components of central nervous system
brain and spinal cord
functions of central nervous system
(represents step 2) interprets incoming sensory signals, dictates motor response
components of peripheral nervous system
cranial and spinal nerves, nerve plexuses (enteric system)
function of peripheral nervous system
(represents steps 1 & 3) communication between regions of the body and the central nervous system
how reflex arc works
sometimes the nervous system needs to protect the body by skipping connection of sensory input and motor output through the use of an interneuron, allowing the motor output to occur more quickly
definition of reflex arc
rapid, automatic motor response
where reflex arc usually occurs
spinal cord or brainstem
examples of reflexes
skeletal muscle movement when touching something burning, smooth muscle of stomach moving to induce vomiting if toxin ingested
are reflex arcs voluntary or involuntary?
involuntary
lifespan of neurons
neurons have high longevity, so there is no regeneration/mitosis, which is why they need to be protected
features of neuron
cell body, dendrite, axon, myelin sheath (sometimes)
structure of myelin sheath
surrounds thicker axons, forms insulating layer
functions of myelin sheath
prevents leakage of electrical current, speeds up the impulse conudction
are neurons or neuroglia more common?
neuroglia
what type of cells produce myelin sheath?
neuroglial cells
organization of a nerve
3 layers: endoneurium, perineurium, epineurium; nerves are bundles of axons carrying signals throughout the body (in PNS); CT layers contain blood vessels
endoneurium of nerve
most deep level, surrounds each axon (nerve fiber), myelinated and unmyelinated axons, motor and sensory nerve fibers, loose CT
perineurium of nerve
middle level, bundles axons into fascicles, CT
epineurium of nerve
most superficial level, bundles fascicles into a nerve, fibrous CT
2 types of nerve signals/fibers
sensory (afferent), motor (efferent)
description of sensory nerve signals
picked up by sensory receptors throughout body, carried by nerve fibers of PNS into CNS
description of motor nerve signals
carried away from the CNS by nerve fibers into PNS, innervate muscles and glands, causes these organs to contract or secrete