nerve system Flashcards
define Central Nervous System (CNS)
brain and spinal cord
How can you classify peripheral nerves?
- origin of nerve ( cranial or spinal)
- direction of impulse propagation ( sensory or motor neurons)
- target effector organ ( somatic or autonomic nervous system)
define Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
ganaglia and peripheral nerves (cranial and spinal)
define cranial nerve
emerge from the brain or brain stem.
There are 12 pairs
define spinal nerve
emerge from the spinal cord.
There are 31 pairs
define sensory (afferent) neurons
transmit impulses from sensory organs to the CNS.
define motor (efferent) neurons
transmit impulses from CNS to effectors organs
define somatic nervous system (SNS)
direct the contraction of skeleton muscles.
define autonomic nervous system (ANS)
controls the activities of the organs, glands and involuntary muscles.
contains 2 parts: sympathetic and parasympathetic.
What is the purpose of the peripheral nervous system?
- relay information to the CNS
- execute motor function
define neurons
The fundamental unit of the nervous system
define soma
the body of the cell
has all the cell’s organelles
has a lot of nissl bodies.
define nissl bodies
rER with a lot of ribosomes on it.
The primary function of Nissl bodies is protein synthesis. The abundant ribosomes within them actively produce various proteins essential for neuronal function (neurotransmitters).
define axon
-the transmitting element of the neuron
-thin (0.2-20 micrometer)
-long (0.1mm-2m)
-has microtubules (for it’s tunic shape and carry)
- has a lot of mitochondria
-contains neurofilaments
define axoplasm
Cytoplasm in the Axon
define axolemma
the membrane who wraps the axon
define axon hillock
-the area in which the soma turns to the axon.
- no free ribosomes & rER
define initial segment
-electricity starts from this area
there starts the action potential (trigger zone) and the impulse starts to conduct.
define axon terminals
- the end of the axon
- have bulbs (boutons) in the bottom that contain neurotransmitters
have many axons can each neuron have?
only 1!
define dendrites
- an extension of the cell body (branch out - each bramch is a spine)
- main apparatus used to receive incoming signals from other nerve cells and transmit the information to the soma.
- increase surface area
- have spines that form the post synaptic contact site that receive signals
- composed of neurofilament (make their shape)
define myelin
- the protector of the axon
- forms an inconsistent fatty layer around the axon
- sometimes protects the dendrites
- built from sphingolipids (80%) and proteins
define synapses
the space between a presynaptic neuron and a postsynaptic neuron. the site at which signals are transmitted.
define synaptic transmission
presynaptic neuron (transmits) to the synapthic cleft (the space in which transmission done) to postsynaptic neuron (receives)
classification of neurons according to function
sensory neurons (afferent neurons)- starts in peripheral nerves and end toward CNS.
- activated by physical inputs or by chemical signals
motor neurons (efferent neurons)- starts in the CNS and transfer information towards the peripheral parts ( to the effectors- capable of a response)
- have many branched dendrites
- have extremely long axons
interneurons- located in the CNS, they get information from the sensory neurons, process it and can decide if to transfer it to the motor neurons.
define nodes of Ranvier
what is the size of the gap?
-the spaces between myelin
- help move action potential along
- Not all of the axons contain them
the gaps are 1-2 um
they have an impact on the speed of transmission.
classification of neurons according to structure
multipolar neurons
-usually have one axon
-several to numerous dendritic structures emerging at various points along the cell body
-usually are motor neurons
- have different shapes (length of axons, dimensions and intricacy of their dendritic branching patterns)
bipolar neurons
-have oval somas
-2 distinct processes : a single dentritic structure that receives signals and an axon that carries information toward the CNS.
-mostly sensory neurons
-pseudo-unipolar cells: variants of bipolar cells
unipolar neurons
-simplest structure
- in vertebrates are primarily sensory neurons (found in the ANS)
pseudounipolar
mostly sensory neurons
define Neuroglia
- Cells in the CNS
- greatly outnumber neurons (2-10 times more )
- surround the cell bodies , axons and dendrites of neurons
- In vertebrate nervous system can Le divided to:
Micreglia & macroglia
what is the parasymapthetic system?
The parasympathetic nervous system (PNS), often referred to as the “rest and digest” system, is one of the two branches of the autonomic nervous system (ANS).
The PNS promotes a state of relaxation and stimulates bodily functions that conserve energy and promote bodily processes like digestion, waste elimination, and cell renewal
what is the symapthetic system?
The sympathetic nervous system (SNS), also known as the “fight-or-flight” system, is one of the two branches of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) that regulates various involuntary bodily functions.
The SNS mobilizes the body’s resources to prepare for physical exertion or stressful situations
define neurotransmitters
chemical that can be released by exocytosis upon the arrival of the action potential within the area.
where Ca+2 is storged in the neuron? and how it is used?
it is storged in the sER in the synapthic bulbs.
they are needed to transmit the action potential.
When a neuron receives an electrical signal, voltage-gated calcium channels in the plasma membrane (outer membrane of the neuron) open.
This opening allows calcium ions to rapidly flow into the cytoplasm from the high-concentration store in the SER.
The sudden rise in cytosolic calcium concentration triggers neurotransmitter release.
what are the 4 macroglia? and what are their functions?
**Astrocytes: star-shaped glial cells are the most abundant cell type in the CNS. They are providing nutrients and oxygen to neurons, helping to regulate the chemical environment around neurons, supporting and insulating neurons, playing a role in the blood-brain barrier.
**Oligodendrocytes:These glial cells are responsible for producing myelin, a fatty substance that insulates nerve fibers in the CNS. Myelin helps to speed up the transmission of nerve impulses.
**Schwann cells: Similar to oligodendrocytes in the CNS, Schwann cells myelinate neurons in the PNS. They wrap around individual nerve fibers, forming a myelin sheath that insulates the axon and speeds up the transmission of nerve impulses.
**Ependymal cells:These cells line the ventricles of the brain and spinal cord, which are cavities filled with cerebrospinal fluid. Ependymal cells help to produce cerebrospinal fluid and regulate its flow.
what is microglia?
Microglia are the resident immune cells of the central nervous system (CNS), acting as its first and main line of defense.
what is the difference between microglia and macroglia?
Microglia are much smaller than macroglia, hence the “micro” prefix.
Microglia are classified as immune cells, while macroglia primarily provide structural and metabolic support to neurons.
describe the annatomy of a nerve
Many axons from various neurons come together to form a nerve. These axons are wrapped in several layers of connective tissue, providing structure and protection:
**Endoneurium: This is a thin, delicate layer that surrounds each individual axon.
**Perineurium: This layer groups bundles of axons, called fascicles, together.
**Epineurium: The outermost layer, made of tough connective tissue, binds the entire nerve fascicles together.
what’s the princple of dynamic polarization?
it describes the hypothesized one-way flow of nerve impulses in a neuron. According to this law, dendrites and the cell body receive signals, the axon conducts the signal, and the terminal arborizations of the axon transmit the signal to other neurons.
what’s the princple of connectional specificty?
It states that:
Neurons don’t form connections indiscriminately with just any other neuron they come across. Instead, they connect with specific target neurons in a precise and ordered manner.
and that each neuron communicates only with certain postsynaptic targets (the receiving neuron) and not with others. These connections occur at specialized points of contact called synapses.
what is a fascicle?
some nerve fibers (axons) in one unit.