Nervous System Overview Flashcards
3 overlapping functions of the NS
- Sensory receptors monitor changes inside and outside the body (stimulus and sensory input)
- Processes and interprets sensory input (integration)
- Dictates a response by activating effector organs (motor output response)
Stimulus vs Sensory Input
Stimulus: changes detected inside of outside the body
Sensory input: information gathered by receptors
CNS
Composed of brain and spinal cord
Integrating and command center
Nuclei present
Securely packing into cranium/intervertebral canal
Nuclei
Clusters of neuronal cell bodies within the CNS
PNS
Consists of nerves extending from brain and spinal cord (cranial and spinal nerves)
Peripheral neves link all regions of the body to CNS
Has ganglia
Ganglia
Clusters of neuronal cell bodies in peripheral NS
Gray matter
Gray coloured and surrounds hollow central cavities of the CNS
Forms H-shaped region in the spinal cord
Is composed primarily of neuronal cell bodies, dendrites, nonmyelinated axons
Surrounds white matter of CNS in cerebral cortex and cerebellum
Some gray tissue in the white matter (from embryonic development when they migrated there)
White matter
Lies external to the gray matter of the CNS
Composed of myelinated axons
Consists of axons passing between specific regions of the CNS
White colour comes from the myelin sheaths around the axons
Nervous tissue (and 2 major cell types)
Cells are densely packed and intertwined
Neurons: transmit electric signals
Support cells: neuroglia in CNS - nonexcitable, surround and wrap neurons
Neurons
Basic structural unit of the NS
Specialized cells conduct electrical impulses along the PM
Special characteristics of neurons (3)
Longevity: can live and function for a long time
Do not divide: fetal neurons lose their ability to undergo mitosis, neural stem cells are an exception
High metabolic rate: require abundant oxygen and glucose (die after a few minutes without them(
Chromatophilic bodies
Nissl bodies
Clusters of rough ER and free ribosomes
Function to renew membranes of the neuron
Can be easily stained by basic dyes
Extend only into the basal part of dendrites and to the base of the axon hillock
Dendrites
Extensively branching from the cell body
Transmit electrical signals toward the cell body
Function as receptive sites for receiving signals from other neurons
Axons
Neuron usually only has one
Impulse generator and conductor
Transmits impulses away from the cell body
No chromatophilic bodies
No protein synthesis in the axon
Neurofilaments and microtubules provide strength and aid in transport of substances
Branches are infrequent
Axonal transport
Movement of substances to and from the cell body