Nervous System Flashcards
What is the CNS (Central Nervous System)?
brain and spinal cord
controls voluntary and involuntary actions
voluntary = conscious control e.g. walking, talking
involuntary = automatic functions like breathing, heart rate
What is the PNS (peripheral nervous system)?
Nerves connecting the CNS to the body
Motor Nerves - carry impulses from CNS to effectors like muscles or glands
Sensory Nerves - transmit information from receptors to CNS
What is a nerve impulse
Electrical wave along a nerve fibre
What does a motor neuron do
Carries signals from CNS to muscles and glands to take action (like create insulin for blood sugar regulation)
What does a sensory neuron do?
Carry signal from receptors to the central nervous system
What is a neurotransmitter
A chemical for impulse transmission across synapses
What is a synapse?
Gap between neurons. Neurotransmitters enable impulse transmission across the gaps
What is parkinsons disease?
a disorder of the nervous system caused by low dopamine levels due to damaged neurons
Symptoms include tremors, stiff muscles and slow movements
What is dementia
disease of the nervous system, many types including Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia
Symptoms include memory loss, reduced cognitive function, disturbed sleep and wandering
What is MS (multiple schlerosis)
nervous system disorder caused by autoimmune destruction of the myelin sheath
Symptoms include tingling, paralysis, progressive disability
