Nervous System Flashcards
What are the three major structures that form the nervous system?
The nervous system consists of three major structures: brain, spinal cord, and nerves.
What are the two main parts of the central nervous system?
The brain and the spinal cord.
What does the central nervous system control?
It controls consciousness and mental activity, the 5 senses and voluntary and muscle action.
What part of the nervous system is composed of nerve cells called the neurons and supporting cells called the glia?
The brain
How many segments is the spinal cord composed of?
31
What is the main function of the meninges?
The meninges offer protection to the brain and the spinal cord by acting as a barrier against bacteria and other microorganisms.
What are neurons?
The basic unit in the nervous system. It is a specialized conductor cell that receives and transmits electrochemical nerve impulses.
What are sensory neurons in charge of
Heat, touch, pain, pressure, cold, hearing, sight, and taste.
What are motor neurons in charge of?
Carry messages from the brain or spinal cord to a muscle, gland, or organ, producing movement.
What is the function of the somatic nervous system?
Pick up sensory information or sensations from the peripheral or distant organs (those away from the brain like limbs) and carry them to the central nervous system. For example, on touching a hot object, the sensory nerves carry information about the heat to the brain, which in turn, via the motor nerves, tells the muscles of the hand to withdraw it immediately.
What is the function of the autonomic nervous system?
Controls the nerves of the body’s inner organs on which humans have no conscious control. This includes the heartbeat, digestion, breathing (except conscious breathing), etc.
