The Autonomic Nervous System Flashcards
What is the role of the nervous system?
-Sense a change, interpret results and respond by co ordinating activities of the body
What is the function of the neurone?
-Communication, action potential, form networks, communicate across a synapse
What is the significance of ion gradients?
-Allow electrical signally and excitability due to the cell membrane being impermeable to ions
Is Ca2+ higher inside or outside of the cell?
-Outside
Is Na+ higher insider or outside the cell?
-Outside
Is K+ higher inside or outside of the cell?
-inside
What is the resting membrane potential?
= -70mV
What are the building blocks of the nervous system?
-Neurone, oligodrenrocytes (CNS), schanncells (PNS), astrocytes, microglia
What are the functions of oligodendrocytes (CNS) or Schann cells (PNS)?
-Produce myelin and facilitates its transmission
What are the functions of astrocytes?
-Enable homeostasis, physical barrier, re-uptake of neurotransmitters and support neurones
What are the functions of microglia?
-Immune cells of the brain, phagocytose dead cells and debris
What is the function of dendrites?
-Receive information and start action potential
What is the function of the soma?
-it’s a Cell body, contains organelles such as the nucleus
What is the function of the axon terminals?
-Communicate with other neurones or muscles
What is the function of the axons?
-Propagates action potential
What are the types of neurone in the PNS?
-Afferent (sensory) and efferent neurones
What does the afferent neurone do?
-Signals from PNS to CNS
What does the efferent neuron do?
-Motor neurons-CNS to muscles/skin autonomic neurons-CNS to smooth muscle/gland
What is the neurone in the CNS?
-Interneurons
What do interneurons do?
-connect the brain and spinal cord
What are the three types of neurotransmitter?
-Excitory, inhibitory, and neuromodulators
Give two examples of excitatory neurotransmitters ?
-glutamate and monoamines
Give 3 examples of inhibitory neurotransmitters?
-GABA, glycine and endorphins
Give 2 examples of neuro modulators ?
-neuropeptides and endocannabinoids
What protects the brain ?
-Cranium and meninges
What makes up the meninges ?
-Dura matter, arachnoid matter, Pia matter
What are the four regions of the spine ?
-Cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral
What forms the blood brain barrier ?
-Less permeable capillaries and endothelial cells lining the capillary walls with tight junctions between them
What happens in the frontal lobe?
-Reasoning, speech, planning, movement, problem solving
What happens in the occipital lobe?
-Visual processing
What happens in the temporal lobe?
-Perceptions and hearing
What happens in the parietal lobe ?
-Movement/ orientation recognition and stimuli perception
What does the brain stem do?
-Involuntary responses
What does the cerebellum do?
-Co-ordinates movement/balance
What does the cerebrum control?
-movement, speech, emotion, intelligence
What is the function of the autonomic nervous system?
-maintains internal environment controls visceral functions modulates endocrine function
What happens in ANS input (afferent)?
-Sensory neurons in peripheral organs to centres in hypothalamus and medulla
What happens in ANS output (efferent)?
-Sympathetic or parasympathetic nerves cause organ to innervate to cause moevemtn
What can a reflex arch link?
-Afferent and efferent ANS so brain does not have to get involved
What are visceral sensory neurons?
-Neurons that monitor internal changes and stretch in the visceral organs eg. stomach to inform brain of hunger
Where are visceral neurons found?
-Widely scattered around body but also running along with autonomic output nerves
What outputs for ANS nerves control?
-Smooth muscle, cardiac muscles and secretory glands
What neurons are present in a visceral reflex arc?
-visceral sensory and autonomic
How does a stimulus travel through a visceral reflex arc?
-Visceral fibre, dorsal root ganglion, CNS, preganglionic axon, visceral effector
What are the divisions of the ANS?
-Sympathetic and parasympathetic
What are the features of the sympathetic nervous system?
-Fight or flight
-Short term survival
-Increases energy availability, capacity and usage
What are the features of the parasympathetic nervous system?
-Rest and digest
-Long term survival
-Generally reduces energy availability, capacity and usage
What is an autonomic ganglion?
-Cell body terminal of the first neuron between the spinal cord and specific organ
What is the vagus nerve?
-A nerve that travels from the brain to the heart, stomach and other areas