Nervous System Flashcards
What does the nervous system allow us to do?
Detect change and receive info from our sense organs
The nervous system is divided into 2 parts?
1) Central nervous system (CNS)
2) Peripheral nervous system (PNS)
The CNS is made up of what 2 body parts?
1) brain
2) spinal cord
The PNS is divided into somatic ( 31 spinal nerves ) and autonomic which is nerves in what part of the body?
12 cranial nerves within the brain
What is a neuron?
Carry’s messages as electrical and chemical impulses to allow rapid communication
Sensory input > brain > __?__ output
Motor
What is the cell body of a neuron called?
Soma
What is an axon?
The long bit in the middle of a neuron
What does a dendrite do?
Receives signals from other neurons
What is structural classification?
What they look like
Multi - multiple
Uni - 1
So Bi means?
2
Afferent is the?
Arrival
What is a nerve?
Collections of nerve cell axons
Many neurons are wrapped in myelin, creating a?
Myelin sheath
Myelin sheath allows for what sort of conduction of the electrical pulse?
Electrical
Demyelination ( loss / damage of myelin ) results in?
Reduced reduction
Information from one neuron flows to another neuron across a small gap called?
Synapse
The cell that sends info is called the presynaptic neuron and the the cell that receives info is called the?
Postsynaptic neuron
A nerve impulse is carried across the gap between neurons by chemicals called?
Neurotransmitters
After the action potential is initiated which part of a neuron does the impulse travel along.
Axon
A neuron carrying impulses to the CNS ( arrival ) is called what type of neuron?
Afferent
Chemical molecules that send signals across synapses are called?
Neurotransmitters
What are spinal nerves?
A collection of axons
The brain is divided into what 3 parts?
1) cerebrum - sensory
2) cerebellum - balance & movement
3) the brain stem - automatic functions such as Bp, heart rate, arousal and attention
The cortex is the what layer of the brain?
Outer
The cerebral cortex is divided into 4 lobes, what are they called?
1) frontal
2) parietal
3) occipital
4) temporal lobes
What is in the lymbic system?
1) hypothalamus
2) hippocampus
3) amygdala
What does the amygdala do?
Creates emotions
What is the hippocampus involved in?
Conversion of recent memories into long term
The main function is the coordination and movement. What part of the brain is this?
Cerebellum
The brain stem is split into 3 parts?
1) midbrain
2) pons
3) medulla oblongata
The spinal cord links the brain to where?
The rest of the body
The brain is protected by?
1) cranium ( skull )
2) meninges ( membranes )
3) blood brain barrier
Glial cells are also?
Supporting cells
The blood brain barrier is made up of astrocytes ( type of glial cells ) and ?
Capillaries
What does cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) do?
Clear fluid which protects brain and spinal cord, whilst supporting the weight of the being by helping it to float in the skull
How many cranial nerves are there in the PNS?
12
What are the three main components of the brain?
Cerebrum, cerebellum and brain stem
What are stopped from entering the brain by the blood brain barrier?
Most antibiotics
