Nervous System Flashcards
CNS and PNS
CNS = receives info from body, processes it and sends instructions, consists of brain and spinal cord
PNS= transmits nerve impulses, consists of somatic and autonomic NS
Sensory cortex
In parietal lobe, messages transmitted to sensory cortex by sensory neurones from sensory organs
Motor cortex
in frontal lobe, planning, control and movement, processes info and messages via motor neurones
What is grey and white matter
Grey = outer edge of cerebal tissue
White = inner tissue of the brain
Cerebrum
Made up of 2 cerebral hemispheres connected by corpus collusum
Corpus collusum
Thick bundle of nerve fibres and info is passed between left and right hemisphere of the brain
What are the 4 protections of the brain?
Cranium
Meninges - dura matter, arachnoid matter, pla matter
Blood brain barrier - stops most chemicals in blood entering the brain
Cerebrospinal fluid - clear fluid in subarachnoid space, formed from ultra filtered blood produced in choroid plexus of ventricles
Limbic system
Lies under cerebrum, includes hypothalamus, hippocampus, amygdala
Controls emotion, memory, pleasure and pain
Neurones
Nerve cells and basic unit of nervous system
Conducts electrical impulses along axons triggered by release of chemicals across synapses
Synaptic transmission process
- Action potential arrives
- Ca channels open
- Ca ions move into synapse
- Vesicles fuse to pre synaptic membrane
- Neurotransmitters released into synapse
- NT’s bind to receptor on post synaptic membrane
- Post SM is either inhibited or excited
Function of acetylcholine
Muscle control, memory, sensory response
Function of serotonin
Mood regulation, sleep, muscle control
Synaptic pruning
Process of weeding out unnecessary synapses and strengthening important ones
Happens between age 3 and 16
