Nervous System Flashcards
Neurons
Specialized nervous tissue
Neuroglia
cells that support and protect the neurons
Dendrites
Cytoplasmic extensions that receive information and transmit it toward the cell body
Cell Body (stoma)
Contains the nucleus and controls the metabolic activity of the neuron
Axon
Long cellular process that transmits impulses, action potentials, away from the cell body
Axon Hillock
Between the cell body and axon, incoming signals are summed and can trigger an action potential down the axon
Synaptic Terminals
Axons termination in swelling
Synapse
Gap between the axon terminals of one cell and the dendrites of the next cell
Myelin
Prevents leakage of signal from the axons and allows for faster conduction of impluses
Nodes of Ranvier
Gaps between the segments of myelin, where action potential actually propagates
Saltatory Conduction
Hopping in the Nodes of Ranvier
Oligodendrocytes
Glial cells that produce myelin in the central nervous system (Schwann cells in the peripheral nervous system)
Neuron Polarization
At rest, there is an unequal distribution of ions between the inside and outside of the cell
Resting Potential
-70 mV, negative inside
How is the membrane potential maintained at rest?
Selective permeability of ions through the sodium/potassium pump
Threshold Potential
-55 mV
Three Action Potential Phases
Depolarization, Repolarization, Hypepolarization
Depolarization
35 mV
Hyperpolarization
-75 mV
Refractory Period
A period of time after the action potential in which new action potentials are very difficult to initiate
Faster Impulses
Greater myelination, greater diameter of the axon
White Matter
Faster transmission times due to heavy myelination transmits across larger distances
Grey Matter
Slower transmission times due to less myelination and is used for processing information
Presynaptic Neuron
Axon terminal of one neuron
Postsynaptic Neuron
Dendrites of the next neuron
Effector Cells
Neurons can communicate with these postsynaptic cells such as muscles or glands
Neurotransmitters
Chemical messengers in membrane-bound vesicles that can diffuse across the synapse and act on receptor proteins
Removal of Neurotransmitters
Uptake, Reused, Degraded, Diffuse
Afferent Neurons
Carry sensory information about the external or internal environment to the brain or spinal cord
Efferent Neurons
Carry motor commands from the brain or spinal cord to various parts of the body
Plexus
Network of nerve fibers
Ganglia
Clusters of neuronal cell bodies in the periphery and nuclei in the central nervous system
Neuroglia
Support and protect the specialized neuronal cells
Astrocytes (CNS)
Maintain integrity, absorb and recycle neurotransmitters
Oligodendrocytes (CNS)
Myelinate CNS axons
Microglia (CNS)
Remove cellular debris
Ependymal Cells (CNS)
Line the brain ventricles
Satellite Cells (PNS)
Surround the neuron cell bodies in the ganglia
Schwann Cells (PNS)
Enclose the axons in the PNS
Forebrain
Telencephalon and Diencephalon
Cerebral Cortex
Highly convoluted gray matter
Olfactory Bulb
Center for the reception of smells
Diencephalon
Thalamus and Hypothalamus
Thalamus
Relay and integration center for the spinal cord and cerebral cortex
Hypothalamus
Controls visceral functions, hunger, thirst, and endocrine system
Hindbrain
The posterior part that consists of the cerebellum, pons, and medulla
Cerebellum
Modulate motor impulses, balance, eye-hand
Pons
Relay center to allow cortex to communicate with the cerebellum
Medulla
Vital functions such as breathing, heart rate, gastrointestinal activity
Brainstem
Midbrain, pons, medulla
Dorsal Horn
Site of sensory information entering the spinal cord, all motor information exits through
Somatic Nervous System
Innervates skeletal muscles and is responsible for voluntary movement
Autonomic Nervous System
The involuntary nervous system, regulates the internal temperature, cardiac and smooth muscle, blood pressure control
Sympathetic Nervous System
Fight or Flight, Norepinephrine
Parasympathetic Nervous System
Rest and Digest, Vagus Nerve, Acetylcholine
Sclera
thick, opaque layer that covers the eye
Choroid
Supplies the retina with blood, dark pigment reduces reflection in the eye
Retina
Photoreceptors
Cornea
Transparent front of the eye that focuses light rays
Pupil
Opening that dilates and constricts
Iris
The pigmented muscle that controls the dilation and contraction of the pupil
Lens
Focuses the image onto the retina
Ciliary Muscle
Changes the shape and focal length of the lens
Vitreous Humor
Helps maintain the shape and optical properties of the eye
Aqueous Humor
A watery substance that fills the space between the lens and the cornea
Cones
Respond to high-intensity illumination and are sensitive to color, three pigments to absorb red, green, and blue
Rods
Detect low-intensity illumination for night vision, one single wavelength
Macula
Central section of the retina, high concentration of cones
Fovea
Section of the macula that contains only cones, best for visual acuity
Optic Nerve
Bipolar cells, ganglion cells, transmits the visual information to the brain
Pinna
Outer ear
External Auditory Canal
Focuses sound waves toward the eardrum
Tympanic Membrane
Boundary between the outer and middle ear