Nervous System Flashcards
Nervous system
Complex system that is vital to controlling involuntary or voluntary movement.
Divisions of the Nervous System
Nervous system is divided into two parts: Central Nervous System, consisting of the brain and spinal cord and acts as command center for all communication and actions of the body. The Peripheral Nervous system includes all nerves that branch out to the body and ganglia. Signals sent by the brain to reach target destination of the body.
Structure and Function of the Neuron
Neuron or nerve cells comprise the nervous system. Nerves are long bundles of neuronal axons that transmit signals from the central nervous system. Start as electrical generated impulses at the dendrites of neurons. Travel along axon and cause chemical neurotransmitters to be secreted from the axon terminals into the synapse. At Synapse neurotransmitters will bind to another neuron or muscle cell.
Neurons Send and Receive signals in the Nervous System
Sensory Afferent neurons send messages to central nervous system about sensory information, touch, smell, pain. Motor Efferent Neurons send messages to muscle and can be divided into Autonomic Nervous System (controls Involuntary actions). The Somatic Nervous System controls voluntary actions involving skeletal muscles. Each muscle fiber is connected to a nerve fiber. For entire contraction of muscle takes nerves, muscle fibers, and ATP.
Involuntary
Without intentional control
Voluntary
with intentional control
Central nervous system
The part of the nervous system that consists of the brain and the spinal cord and acts as a command center for all communication and actions of the body.
Peripheral Nervous System
The part of the nervous system that consists of all the nerves and ganglia that branch out from the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body, allowing signals sent by the brain to reach their target destination
Axon
A nerve fiber that carries a nerve impulse away from the neuron cell body
dendrite
A nerve fiber that carries a nerve impulse towards the neuron cell body.
Synapse
The structure that allows neurons to pass signals to other neurons, muscles, or glands.
Sensory Afferent Neurons
Send messages to the Central Nervous System about sensory information including touch, smell, and pain.
Motor Efferent Neurons
Send messages to the muscle and can be subdivided into Autonomic (involuntary motor nervous system) and Somatic Voluntary Nervous System.
Autonomic Nervous System
The part of the peripheral nervous system that regulates unconscious body functions such as breathing and heart rate.
Somatic Nervous System
The part of the peripheral nervous system that controls conscious skeletal muscle function.
