Nervous System Flashcards
Central nervous system
brain + spinal cord; receives, processes, stores, transfers information
Peripheral nervous system
everything outside of CNS provides sensory input + motor output
Neuron
information messengers; use electrical impulses/chemical signals to transmit information between different areas of the brain, and between the brain and the rest of the nervous system
Cell body
nucleus-containing central part of a neuron
Axon
one long cable that snakes away from the main part of the cell; electrical impulses from the neuron travel away to be received by other neurons
Dendrite
a short branched extension of a nerve cell, along which impulses received from other cells at synapses are transmitted to the cell body
Sodium-potassium pump
The sodium-potassium pump system moves sodium and potassium ions against large concentration gradients. It moves two potassium ions into the cell where potassium levels are high, and pumps three sodium ions out of the cell and into the extracellular fluid.
Neuroglial cells
provide physical support/protection to neurons + maintain concentration of chemicals in the fluid surrounding them
Cranial nerves
set of 12 paired nerves in the back of the brain; send electrical signals between the brain, face, neck and torso
Spinal nerves
mixed nerves that interact directly with the spinal cord to modulate motor and sensory information from the body’s periphery
Spinal reflexes
sensory stimuli arise from receptors in muscles, joints and skin, and in which the neural circuitry responsible for the motor response is entirely contained within the spinal cord
Sympathetic division
carries signals that put the body’s systems on alert
Parasympathetic division
carries signals that relax the body’s systems
Brain
receives sensory information, integrates, stores it, generates appropriate response
Spinal cord
carries messages between the brain and the rest of the body
Hindbrain
coordinates basic, automatic, vital tasks
Midbrain
coordinate muscle groups/responses to sights/sounds.
Forebrain
receives/integrates sensory input from external environment + determines most complex behavior
You unknowingly put your hand on a hot stove. Discuss how your brain receives the information and elicits a response. Your answer must include the specific pathway for transmission of the signals, as well as a description of the structures involved in the transmission
Reflex action; controlled by the spinal cord. When you accidentally touch the stove, you pull your hand away (reflex action) before the impulse is relayed to the brain by the spinal cord. Involves: sensory neurons (receptors) that receive stimulation and in turn connect to other nerve cells (interneuron to motor neuron) that activate muscle cells (effectors) that perform the reflex action.
What does it mean that the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions oppose each other?
function as opposites of each other. Sympathetic division: carries signals that put the body’s systems on alert. Parasympathetic division: carries signals that relax the body’s systems
What are the functions of the three major divisions of the brain?
hindbrain coordinates basic, automatic, and vital tasks. Midbrain helps coordinate muscle groups and responses to sights and sounds. Forebrain receives and integrates sensory input from the external environment and determines most complex behavior.
How does the brain manage short/long-term memory?
short term memory = limbic system, long term memory = permanent changes to neurons in cerebral cortex.
How does the sodium-potassium pump maintain resting potential?
In order to maintain this electrochemical gradient, the sodium potassium (Na/K) pump actively transports out three sodium ions for every two potassium ions it brings in. This process generates a net outward current and thus hyperpolarizes the resting potential
