physiology topic 1 Flashcards
neural system
What does the central nervous system (CNS) consist of?
the brain and spinal cord (vertebrates)
what takes place in the CNS?
integration (processing)
What system carries information in and out of the CNS?
peripheral nervous system (PNS)
What does the PNS consist of?
nerves (neurons) and ganglia
more specifically, cranial nerves, ganglia outside CNS and spinal nerves.
What supporting cells do the neurons of both the PNS and CNS require?
glial cells or glia
Is ganglion=glia?
no
(ganglion is any bulging part in the spinal cord)
what does the ganglion consist of?
cell bodies
What do the brain and spinal cord contain?
gray matter and white matter
What does gray matter consist of?
neuron cell bodies, dendrites and unmyelinated axons
What does white matter consist of?
bundles of myelinated axons which do not conduct electricity (made of fat)
what is neuron?
nerve cells that transfer information within the body
what are the two types of signals used by neurons to communicate?
electrical signals (long distance) and chemical signals aka neurotransmitter (short distance)
Name the components and functions of the neuron structure
- neuron cell body - most neuron’s organelles are located there
- dendrites - highly branched extensions that receive signals from other neurons
- axon - a longer extension that transmits signals to other cells
- axon hillock - joining of an axon and cell body
- synapse
- a junction between an axon of the presynaptic cell and postsynaptic cell
- synaptic terminal of one axon passes information across the synapse in the form of neurotransmitter.
What is the function of the myelin sheath?
to enclose axons, form cellular insulation and speed up signal transmission
How is information transmitted?
from a presynaptic cell (neuron) to a postsynaptic cell (neuron, muscle, gland cell)
What does glia do?
to nourish, support, regulate and insulate neurons
List out the types of glia and its function found in CNS
HINT: EMORA
EMORA
1. ependymal cells (promote circulation of cerebrospinal fluid in ventricles)
2 microglia (protect the nervous system from microorganisms)
3. Oligodendrocytes (form myelin sheaths around axons in CNS)
4. Radial glia (has a role in embryonic development of the nervous system & can hardly be seen)
5. Astrocytes (must be in middle of neuron and blood vessel)
- provide structural supports for neurons
- regulate extracellular ions and neurotransmitters
- induce the formation of a blood-brain barrier tht regulates the chemical environment of CNS
List out the types of glia and its function in PNS
HINT: ss
Shock Sendiri
1. satellite cells
- surround neuron cell bodies in the ganglia
- regulate O2, CO2, nutrient and neurotransmitter level around neurons in ganglia
2. Schwann cells
- surround all axons in PNS
- responsible for myelination of peripheral axons
- participate in repair process after injury
Does the transmission of information depend on the path of neurons along which a signal travels?
yes
What are the 3 stages at which the nervous systems transmits and processes information?
sensory input -> integration -> motor output
List out the types of neurons and its functions
- sensory neurons (has a cell body in the middle of axon)
- transmit information about external stimuli (e.g. light, touch) - interneurons (no cell body)
- integrate the information - motor neurons
- transmit signals to muscle cells
describe how the 3 types of neuron work together
- sensory receptors detect external stimuli and transmit information along sensory neurons
- sensory input is sent to the brain (CNS) / ganglia (PNS)
- interneurons integrate the information
- motor output leaves the brain/ ganglia via motor neurons
- motor neuron sends signals to the effector, which trigger muscle or gland activity = response.
Describe how the 3 types of neurons work together IN ANSWERING A QUESTION verbally, after being asked by a lecturer.
- sensory receptors of the ears detect the stimulus/ sound
- Sensory input is sent by the sensory neuron to the brain
- interneurons integrate the information
- motor output leaves the brain via motor neuron
- motor neuron sends signal to the effector tissues which are muscles in the tongue, lips, jaws, and pharynx to vibrate the vocal cord.
define reflex
- the body’s automatic response to a stimulus
- signal is transmitted via spinal cord and independently of the brain
- e.g. knee-jerk reflex
describe knee-jerk reflex
- when the knee is tapped, a sensory receptor detects a stretch in the muscle
- a sensory neuron conveys this information (sensory input) into the CNS (spinal cord)
- In CNS (spinal cord, no brain), the information (motor output) goes to a motor neuron and to one or more interneurons
- One set of muscles (quadriceps) responds to motor signals conveyed by a motor neuron by contracting. jerking the lower leg forward
List out examples of reflex arcs
- knee-jerk reaction
- pupil dilation
- sneeze reflex
- reflexes maintain homeostasis
- automatic actions of swallowing, coughing
- maintain balance and posture
- brain reflexes involve reflex center in brainstem
What are the 4 basic functions that sensory pathways have in common?
sensory reception, transduction, transmission => involve sensory neuron
integration/ perception => involve interneuron / response => involve motor neuron
what do all stimuli represent?
forms of energy
what do sensory receptors convert stimulus energy into?
a change in the membrane potential
where do sensations and perceptions begin?
with sensory reception detection of stimuli by sensory receptors)
where does a stimulus start being sensed?
Sensory receptors of sensory organ