Nerve Test Flashcards
What are the 3 steps of the nervous system?
Receive input, integrate information, effecting response
What is irritability?
Ability to respond to a stimulus and convert to a nerve impulse (sensation)
What is conductivity?
Ability to transmit the impulse to another part of the body and have it respond (action)
What are astrocytes?
Star shaped cells that make up half of all neural tissue.
What do astrocytes do?
Anchor neurons,
protect them from harmful substances, capture excess ions and neurotransmitters and return them to their proper location. Astrocytes may play a role in depression and anxiety disorders
What are microglia?
Spiderlike cells that get rid of dead brain cells and debris
What are ependymal cells?
Line the cavities of the brain and spinal cord and help circulate cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
What are oligodendrocytes?
Glial cells that wrap flat extensions around nerve fibers to produce the myelin sheaths
What are schwann cells?
Form the myelin sheaths around nerve fibers in the PNS
What are satellite cells?
Protective, cushioning cells
What are pain receptors?
Type of cutaneous sensory receptor
What is interpreted as pain?
Strong stimulation of any cutaneous receptor
What are afferent neurons?
Carry impulses from sensory receptors to CNS
What are efferent neurons?
Carry impulses from the CNS to the viscera, muscles, or glands.
What are interneurons?
Connect sensory and motor neurons
What is transmission?
Afferent neuron to interneuron to brain (most of the time) to efferent neuron
What are reflexes?
A rapid, predictable, involuntary response to stimuli
Can reflexes change direction after it begins?
No
What is the reflex arc?
The neural pathway a reflex takes
What are somatic reflexes?
Control your skeletal muscles
What are autonomic reflexes?
Control your smooth muscles, heart, and glands
What are the components of reflexes?
Sensory receptor (responds to the stimulus), Effector organ (a muscle or gland that is stimulated), Sensory and motor neurons connecting the two, CNS integration, either in the brain or spinal cord
What is the patellar reflex?
Knee jerk
What is the patellar reflex?
Knee jerk
What is a flexor reflex?
Withdrawal of a limb from a pain stimulus
What is pupil dilation?
Constriction of the pupil in the presence of bright light
What is a startle reflex?
Jumping at a sudden noise
What is a grasp reflex?
Infants only, grasping an object in their hand
What is a fall reflex?
Infants only, flailing their arms and legs when not held tightly. Sensation of falling.
