Nervous System Flashcards
Allostasis
Process of achieving homeostasis.
Functions of the nervous system
Sensory input detection, interpretive functions, motor output and higher mental functioning.
Division of the nervous system
Central and peripheral
Components of the central nervous system
Brain, spinal cord, meninges and cerebrospinal fluid.
Divisions of the peripheral nervous system
Somatic and autonomic
Somatic nervous system
Part of the autonomic nervous system that transmits sensory input and controls voluntary functions.
Autonomic nervous system
Portion of the peripheral nervous system which controls involuntary actions of organs, glands and smooth muscle.
Divisions of the autonomic nervous system
Sympathetic and parasympathetic
Characteristics of neurons
Excitability, conductivity and secretion.
Excitability of neurons
Neurons can respond to a stimulus.
Conductivity of a neuron
Neurons can transmit impulses.
Secretion of neurons
They can secrete neurotransmitters.
Parts of a neuron
Dendrites, cell body and an axon.
Nuclei
Name for neuronal cell bodies in the central nervous system.
Ganglia
Name for neuronal cell bodies in the peripheral nervous system.
Classes of neurotransmitters
Excitatory or inhibitory
Acetylcholine
The most common neurotransmitter. Needed for muscular contraction.
Types of neuron
Afferent (sensory), interneurons and efferent (motor).
Types of receptors when classified based on location
Exteroceptors, interoceptors and proprioceptors
Exteroceptors
Receptors which collect information about the external environment. Found in the skin and mucosa.
Interoceptors
Receptors which collect information about the internal environment. Found throughout organs.
Proprioceptors
Type of interoceptor found in muscles, tendons and joints. Detects body position and movement.
Types of receptor when classified based on stimulus
Chemoreceptors, photoreceptors, thermoreceptors, nociceptors, mechanoreceptors, osmoreceptors
Chemoreceptors
Detect chemicals. Found in the tongue, nose and arterial walls.
Photoreceptors
Detect light and are found in the retina.
Thermoreceptors
Detect temperature. Found in the skin and mucosae.