Neural Tissue and Physiology Flashcards
Study of the nervous system
Neurology
What is the primary function of the nervous system?
Communication
Brain and spinal cord
CNS
31 pairs of spinal nerves, 12 pairs of cranial nerves, sensory receptors
PNS
What are the functions of the CNS?
Process and coordinate sensory data, motor commands, higher functions
Control activities of peripheral organs
Motor commands
Includes intelligence, memory
Higher function
Deliver sensory information from PNS sensory receptors to CNS
Afferent division of PNS
Carry motor commands from CNS to PNS muscles and glands
Efferent division of PNS
What are the 3 components of the PNS?
Somatic, autonomic, enteric
Controls voluntary actions, sensory info from skin, joints, skeletal muscles– motor info to skeletal muscle
Somatic
Controls most involuntary actions, sensory info from visceral organs – motor info to smooth muscle, cardiac, muscle, glands
Autonomic
What are the 2 divisions of the autonomic nervous system?
Sympathetic and parasympathetic
Stimulating effect “fight or flight”
Sympathetic
Relaxing effect “rest and digest”
Parasympathetic
Controls the GI tract
Enteric nervous system
What are the 2 general types of nervous cells?
Neurons, neuroglial cells
Cells that send and receive signals
Neuron
Non-conducting cells that support, insulate, and provide nutrients to neurons
Neuroglial cells
Basic function of nervous system, excitable ells that communicate by transmitting electrical impulses
Neurons
What are the 3 main parts of the neuron?
Axon, soma, dendrite
Highly branched extensions of the cytoplasm that functions to conduct electrical signals towards the cell body
Dendrites
Perikaryon, contains nucleus
Soma
Gives gray matter to its color
Nissl bodies
Somas found in aggregates within the CNS
Nucleus
Somas found in aggregates outside the CNS
Ganglion
Functions to conduct nerve impulses away from the cell body to another neuron, muscle or gland
Axon
Axons and dendrites found in bundles within the CNS
Tract
Axons and dendrites found in bundles outside the CNS
Nerve
Where soma connects to axon, area adjacent is where action potential is initiated
Axon hillock
Bulb shaped structures that contain synaptic vesicles filled with neurotransmitters
Axon terminal
Site of communication between a neuron and another cell
Synapse
Neuron that sends the messages
Presynaptic cell
Cell that receives the message
Postsynaptic cell
Small gap that separates the presynaptic membrane and the postsynaptic membrane
Synaptic cleft
Chemical messengers released form postsynaptic cell
Neurotransmitters