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Homeostasis > Nervous System > Flashcards

Nervous System Flashcards

1
Q

What is an interneuron

A

Circuit neuron of the CNS that relays information between afferent (sensory) and efferent (motor) neurons

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2
Q

Differentiate somatic system and autonomic system

A

BOTH are subdivisions of efferent system composed of efferent neurons

Somatic: communicates with skeletal muscles, voluntary

Autonomic: communicates with smooth muscle and glands, involuntary

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3
Q

Sympathetic vs parasympathetic division

A

Sympathetic: increases energy consumption and prepares body for action
Parasympathetic: stimulates body activities that squire and conserve energy

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4
Q

List the stages of the neural circuit

A 
Receptor
Afferent neuron
Interneuron 
Efferent neuron
Effector
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5
Q

Describe what happens when you touch something hot

A

Pain receptors in finger tips stimulate an afferent neuron

The afferent neuron transmits the impulse to the spinal chord

Interneurons integrate the information

One efferent neuron stimulates flexor muscles to contract, another EN sends signal that keeps extensor muscle from contracting

Hand is pulled away

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6
Q

Nervous system is divided into what 2 parts?

A

Central nervous system: brain, spinal chord

Peripheral nervous system:
Nervous, gangli
Includes 31 pairs of spinal nerves, 12 pairs of cranial nerves
Includes somatic nervous system and autonomic nervous system

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7
Q

What are the 3 basic functions of the nervous system?

A

SENSORY - gather info about changes within body. Send nerve impulses to CNS

INTEGRATIVE - information “brought together” and interpreted (memory, thoughts, decision making) (association neuron or interneuron)

MOTOR - responses to impulses to maintain homeostasis ex shivering

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8
Q

What are the 2 major portions of a neuron and their function?

A

DENDRITES - receptor. Along with cell body they form receptive surfaces of neurons

AXON - conducts impulses away from cell body, sometimes branched (collaterals) and end has many branches

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9
Q

What are the 5 types of neuroglial cells?

A 
Microglial cells
Oligodendrocytes 
Astrocytes 
Ependymal cells 
Schwann cells
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10
Q

Microglial cells

A

Scattered throughout, digest debris or bacteria

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11
Q

Oligodendrocytes

A

Provide insulation around axons in CNS (only brain and spinal chord)

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12
Q

Astrocytes

A

Connect blood vessels to neurons important cause neurons need oxygen to carry messages

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13
Q

Ependymal cells

A

Form a membrane that covers certain cavities in the brain

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14
Q

Shwann cells

A

Form insulation

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15
Q

What are myelin sheaths for?

A

Necessary for insulation of neuron

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16
Q

What’s the difference between oligodendrocytes and shwann cells?

A

Olig- only in CNS

Shwann- peripheral, make up myosin sheaths

17
Q

Myelin

A

Insulation surrounding axons

18
Q

Nodes of ranvier

A

Gaps in the insulation, where signals jump

19
Q

Differentiate white matter and grey matter

A

White matter - myelinated axons (protected)

Grey matter - Unmyelinated axons (no protections)

20
Q

What is nerve impulse

A
  • series of action potentials along nerve fibre

- very weak electric current

21
Q

Differentiate afferent and efferent neuron

A

Afferent: carries impulses from sensory receptors TOWARDS central nervous system

Efferent: caddies impulses FROM central nervous system to skeletal muscles (motor neuron)

22
Q

Describe resting potential

A
  • inside of a neurons membrane has a negative charge
  • sodium and potassium use energy from ATP to pump sodium out of the cell and potassium into the cell
  • the inside of the membrane builds up a net negative charge relative to the outside called a membrane potential
  • if electrodes placed across the cell membrane the resting membrane potential is -70mv
  • this difference in charge means the membrane is polarized (unequal distribution of charges)
23
Q

How does a sodium -potassium pump work?

A
  • for every 3 Na+ out, 2 K+ come in

- uses ATP (splits into ADP and inorganic phosphate) to alter pump shape

24
Q

Describe the action potential process

A
  1. Neuron membrane maintains resting potential (-70mv)
  2. Threshold stimulus is received (hitting hand)
  3. Voltage hated Na+ channels open
  4. **Na+ ions diffuse inwards, depolarization (+40mv) inside of membrane is now positive
  5. Na+ channels close, K+ channels open
  6. K+ ions diffuse outwards, repolarizing the membrane (trying to make it negative again)
  7. Membrane becomes hyper polarized (passes resting potential point) to -90mv
  8. K+ channels close
  9. Na/K pump restores resting potential by calmly working
  10. During refractory period, membrane cannot go through another action potential. Entire process continues along length of axon until it reaches the end
25
Q

Myelinated neurons

A
  • action potentials occur at nodes of ranvier only
  • when Na+ ions enter cell, they move quickly through cytoplasm to next node
  • this reduces net charge, causing threshold stimuli to cause depolarization
  • since depol. Just occurred at previous node, it is in refractory period and cannot depolarize thus preventing action potential from moving backwards
  • action potential jumps from node to node = SALTATORY CONDUCTION
  • travels at rate of 120m/s versus 0.5m/s in Unmyelinated neurons
26
Q

What is the synapse

A

Junction between axon terminal and dendrites of 2 communicating neurons

27
Q

How is a signal completed?

A

A neurotransmitter is released at the gap to signal the next neuron

28
Q

What 2 categories do neurotransmitters branch into?

A

Excitatory - allows positive ions to flow into membrane audience depolarization (increase chances of messaged going)

Inhibitory - allows potassium ions to flow out causing hyper polarization

they work together

29
Q

What are 4 types of neurotransmitters?

A

Acetylcholine
Monoamines
Serotonin
Endorphins

30
Q

What does Acetylcholine do

A

Stimulates muscle contraction (Eg picking up water bottle) by jumping from neuron to neuron telling body to move

31
Q

What do mono amines do?

A

NOREPINEPHRINE AND DOPAMINE

sense of feeling good, low levels=depression

Ex of norepinephrine is runners high

32
Q

What does serotonin do?

A

Sleepiness

Ex. Adam

33
Q

What do endorphins do?

A

Reduce pain, inhibit receptors

Homeostasis (7 decks)

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