Nervous system Flashcards
The basic organisation of the nervous system: CNS vs PNS
CNS
- brain and spinal cord
PNS
- cranial nerves and spinal nerves
- communication lines between the CNS and the rest of the body
What is the role of the nervous system in homeostasis
A major function of the nervous system is to control the relative constancy of the internal environment of the organism.
The role of myelin
layers of fatty membrane that insulate axons
allows electrical impulses to transmit quickly and efficiently along the nerve cells
whole covering is called the ‘myelin sheath’
myelin sheath gaps called ‘nodes of Ranvier’
myelin configuration increases speed of information transfer down axons
The structure and function of a nerve
Nerves are like cables that carry electrical impulses between your brain and the rest of your body.
The supporting glial cells and their functions
Glial cells = Any of the cells that hold nerve cells in place and help them work the way they should.
Providing support for neurons, glial cells aid in the maintenance of homeostasis, and form myelin.
What are chemical and electrical synapses
At a synapse, one neuron sends a message to a target neuron—another cell. Most synapses are chemical; these synapses communicate using chemical messengers. Other synapses are electrical; in these synapses, ions flow directly between cells.
What electrolytes are required for action potentials, and the different stages of an action potential
Sodium and Potassium
Depolarization, overshoot, repolarization.
What are action potentials?
A rapid sequence of changes in the voltage across a membrane.
The composition and function of myelin, and the cells that comprise it
It is made up of protein and fatty substances.
This myelin sheath allows electrical impulses to transmit quickly and efficiently along the nerve cells. If myelin is damaged, these impulses slow down
What are neurotransmitters and receptors
Neurotransmitters evoke postsynaptic electrical responses by binding to members of a diverse group of proteins called neurotransmitter receptors. The receptors then give rise to electrical signals by opening or closing ion channels in the postsynaptic membrane.
What are neural circuits and what is their purpose?
Neural circuits are networks of interconnected neurons that work together to process information and produce specific functions or behaviours. Each neuron in a circuit can connect with multiple other neurons through synapses, allowing for complex patterns of communication.
The purpose of neural circuits is to enable the brain and nervous system to perform a wide range of tasks. These tasks include sensory perception, motor control, cognition, and emotional responses. Neural circuits are fundamental to how we interpret sensory inputs, execute movements, make decisions, and experience feelings.
What are key functions of each of the brain regions?
What are the key roles of the brain stem?
What is the role of the peripheral nervous system in homeostasis?
What are dermatomes and how are they useful in clinical diagnosis?
