Nervous System (Lecture) Flashcards
Define function of the nervous system
- Respond to internal and external stimuli
- Coordination
- Higher functioning (learning, behavior, memory, etc)
Central Nervous system components
Brain and spinal cord
Components of peripheral nervous system
Nerves and receptors
Neuron function
- Receive signal
2. Transmit signal
3. Send signal (affect another cell)
Myelin Sheath
- layers of plasma membrane wrapped around axon
- glial cell
Describe saltatory conduction
Action potential jumps between nodes of ranvier
What are glial cells (glia) and what are the different types?
Supporting cells for neurons
- Oligodendrocytes
- Schwann cells
- Astrocytes
- Microglia
Describe oligodendrocytes
- make myelin sheath in the CNS
- Myelinates multiple regions of multiple neurons
What is multiple sclerosis?
- Autoimmune disease that damages oligodendrocytes which results in the loss of myelin sheath of neurons
- degenerative disease
Describe Schwann cells
- make myelin sheath in the PNS
- myelinates one region of one neuron
What is Guillain-Barré syndrome?
- autoimmune disease that attacks Schwann cells which disrupts myelin sheath production of peripheral nerves
- reversible, non-degenerative disease
Define astrocytes
Acts as blood-brain barrier (filters anything going from the blood to neurons)
Define Microglia
Macrophages in brain and spinal cord
Define gray matter (CNS)
- cell bodies, dendrites, etc.
- information processing
White matter (CNS)
- Myelinated axons
- signal transmission
Nerves
collection of axons (PNS)
Tract
Collection of axons (CNS)
Ganglion (Ganglia)
Cell bodies (PNS)
Nucleus
Cell bodies (CNS)
Nerve Plexus
Collection of Nerves
Sensory Neurons
- Afferent neurons
- Carry info to CNS
Interneurons
- association neurons
- neurons in CNS
Motor Neurons
- Efferent Neurons
- leave CNS
Describe the Brain
- Localization of function -> coordinated and integrated function
- contralateral function
- R & L hemispheres
- Connected by Corpus
callosum
- Divided by longitudinal
fissure
- R & L hemispheres
Describe the cerebrum
- higher level functioning
- cerebral cortex (gray matter)
- gyrus sulcus - folds and grooves in brain
Significant gyri of frontal lobe
- separated by central sulcus
- Gyrus (I)
- Precentral (primary motor cortex)
- postcentral (primary somato-sensory cortex)
What makes up the diencephalon?
- Thalamus
- Hypothalamus
- Epithalamus
Describe the thalamus
- Relay center (sensory information, except smell)
- Many nuclei
Describe the hypothalamus
- controls endocrine system through the pituitary gland
- Controls autonomic nervous system
Describe the epithalamus
- pineal gland (circadian rhythm regulation through release of melatonin)
Primary somatosensory cortex
- post central gyrus
- somatosensory association area (parietal lobe)
Primary visual cortex
primary visual association area