Nervous System Flashcards
What is the main function of the Nervous System?
It is considered as a control system.
What muscles does the NS control?
Skeletal Muscles
What muscles does the NS govern?
Smooth & Cardiac Muscles
What is the major evolutionary change that occurred which led to the NS we have today?
Cephalization wherein the anterior end was formed and senses were developed. It created the voluminousity of the processing unit which is the brain.
How does the NS of animals look like?
Network of net-like structures
What does the bulging or lobing mean on the anterior end?
There are higher concentrations of neurons in that area which are the body/soma of the neuron
What are the 2 regions of the NS?
Central Nervous System and Peripheral Nervous System
In the histological level, how does the NS appear?
It is a single unified system
What is the general function of the NS?
It produces movement and orients the organism related to environment which results them to make a response
What does the CNS detect and what does it do as part of the general function?
It detects the stimuli and processes the information for it to be meaningful
How does the body detect stimuli and what are some examples of it?
It is detected through energy such as light, heat, mechanical energy
What detects the stimuli and where are they found?
Receptors detect the stimuli and they may be found internally, externally or embedded in different tissues
What is the general function of the spinal cord?
For integration or processing
What are the two categories of the cells of the Nervous System?
Neurons and Supporting Cells
What does the neuron contain?
Body/soma and nerve fibers/processes
What does the soma contain?
Nucleus and cytoplasm
What is a nerve fiber/process?
It contains the structures that emanate from the body of the neuron
What is a dendrite?
It is the smaller and thinner processes that receive all information/processes
What is an axon?
It is the longer structure that is considered as the ‘tail of the neuron’ which carry the signals that move away from the neuron.
What are the supporting cells of the NS?
Astocyte, Microglial Cells, Ependimal Cells, Oligodendrocyte and Schwann Cells
What is the function of the Astocyte?
Nourishment, support, insulation
What is the function of the Microglial Cells?
Scavengers (such as scavenging for bacteria)
What is the other term of the Ependimal Cells and what is its function?
Neuroglial/glial cells, lines the neural canal and ventricle of brain
What are the cells that insulate the axon?
Oligodendrocyte and Schwann Cells
What is the difference and similarity of Oligodendrocyte and Schwann Cells?
Difference: Schwann cells are found in the PNS while Oligodendrocyte are found in the CNS (along the nerve tract)
Similarity: they are myelinated (contain myelin sheath)
What do you call the neurons and axons found in the CNS and where are they found?
Neuron - Nucleus; the body of neuron
Axon - Tract; along spinal cord or within brain
What do you call the neurons and axons found in the PNS and where are they found?
Neuron - Ganglion
Axon - Nerve
Both are found outside brain & spinal cord
What are the nerves found in the PNS?
Cranial nerves & spinal nerves
What is the exception of some Neurons in the CNS?
Their nuclei may be found in the CNS but their axons may be in the PNS
