Nervous system & nervous tissue (ch11) Flashcards
what is the foundation of the nervous system?
Our conscious experience, personality, and behavior
describe the nervous system?
uses electrical and chemical means to send messages from cell to cell
what is the basic pathway of the nervous system?
1) Sensory receptor detects a stimulus
2) Sensory (afferent) neuron
3) Integrating center (CNS)
4) Motor (efferent) neuron
5) Effector responds (muscle or gland)
what is The central nervous system (CNS) made of?
The brain and spinal cord
The peripheral nervous system is composed of what? (2 things)
nerves & ganglia
-consists of the nerves that branch out from the brain and spinal cord.
what is the ganglion?
A knot-like swelling in a nerve where neuron cell bodies are concentrated
What are the two subdivisions of the PNS?
the somatic & the autonomic nervous system.
define the Sensory (afferent) and motor (efferent)?
Sensory : to the CNS
Motor : away from the CNS
Describe the somatic nervous system of the PNS ?
- voluntary movements
- nerves that carry the sensory signals from body to CNS
- carry motor signals from the CNS to skeletal muscles
True or false: the somatic and autonomic nervous systems are a part of the motor (efferent) PNS
true
describe the autonomic nervous system of the PNS
- involuntary control -
- regulates the internal environment of the body
- carries signals from the internal organ body to the CNS, and from the CNS to internal organs. ex: digestion, and heartbeat
Describe the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system?
-responding to dangerous or stressful situations by increasing heart rate or blood flow.
- “Fight or flight” responses.
- increases energry (excitement,emergency,exercise)
Describe the parasympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system?
- Tends to have calming effect.(descreases energy)
- “Resting and digesting” responses; SLUDD (salivation, lacrimation, urination, digestion, defecation)
Describe neurons and neuroglia
neurons: Excitable cells that transmit electrical signals; functional units of the nervous system
neuroglia: supports cells
Name the 4 plexuses and where they’re located
1) Cervical: C1-5 (head&neck)
2) Brachial: C5-T1(upper limb)
3) Lumbar: L1-4 (abdomin & lower limb)
4) Sacral: L4-S4 (pelvis)
Central Nervous System (CNS)
The brain and spinal cord, responsible for processing and integrating information.
Cue: CNS is like the command center, where decisions are made (brain) and messages are passed (spinal cord).
Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
Nerves outside the CNS that connect it to the rest of the body.
Cue: PNS is like the network cables spreading from the command center (CNS) to other devices (body parts).
Synapse
The junction between two neurons where signals are transmitted.
Cue: Picture the synapse as a meeting point where one neuron hands off information to another.
Neurotransmitter
Definition:
Chemicals released by neurons to transmit signals to the next neuron.
Cue: Imagine neurotransmitters as the language of neurons, enabling them to communicate with each other.
Myelin Sheath
Definition:
A fatty covering around some nerve cells, speeding up the transmission of nerve impulses.
Cue: Myelin is like the express lane for nerve signals, making them faster and more efficient.
Action Potential
Definition:
The electric signal that travels along the membrane of a neuron.
Cue: Action potential is like a wave of electricity, propelling the message along the neuron.
Spinal Cord
A bundle of nerves that runs down the center of the spine, transmitting messages between the brain and the rest of the body.
Cue: Think of the spinal cord as the information highway connecting the brain to the body.
Function of the Nervous System
The nervous system is the master controlling and communicating system of the body. It uses electrical and chemical signals for rapid and specific communication, usually causing immediate responses.
Cue: The nervous system is like the CEO of the body, swiftly making decisions and giving commands through electrical and chemical signals.
Sensory Input
The nervous system monitors changes inside and outside the body using millions of sensory receptors.
Cue: Sensory input is like the surveillance system, constantly watching for any changes in and around the body.