The Nervous System Flashcards
What is the difference between the somatic and autonomic NS?
Somatic = 1 neuron to effector. Autonomic = presynaptic neuron whose cell body is in CNS, postsynaptic neuron cell body in peripheral ganglion
What is the difference between white and grey matter?
Grey matter = nerve cell bodies = information processing. White matter = axon = dissemination of information
What is the brain stem?
controls flow of messages between brain and body, controls basic body functions = breathing, swallowing, heart rate, blood pressure, consciousness, awake or sleepy
What is the cerebellum?
receives info from sensory systems, spinal cord, and other parts of the brain and then regulates motor movements
What is the cerebrum?
largest part of the human brain, associated with higher brain function such as thought and action – extra layer of grey matter
What is a motor neuron?
nerve cell, impulses pass from brain or spinal cord to a muscle or gland, very metabolically active, multi polar neuron
Describe the role of an astrocyte
send processes to capillaries – interact with endothelial cells = stimulate prod of tight junctions = creates BBB. Processes can also vacuum up any spare transmitter
Outline what a microglia does
constantly surveying – find something = become activated to macrophage
How does the myelin sheath develop?
schwann cell devel = spins and wraps around many times, good current insulator
What is an oligodendrocyte?
provide support and insulation to axons in the central nervous system of some vertebrates, equivalent to the function performed by Schwann cells in the peripheral nervous system. Oligodendrocytes do this by creating the myelin sheath, which is 80% lipid and 20% protein.
What is the difference between an oligodendrocyte and schwann cells?
A single oligodendrocyte can extend its processes to 50 axons, wrapping approximately 1 μm of myelin sheath around each axon; Schwann cells, on the other hand, can wrap around only one axon
Outline the structure of a nerve
On outside of nerve = epineurium = hold fascicles together (bundle of axons). Outside each fascial = perineurium = loose connective tissue. Individual nerve fibres glued by = endoneurium
What is a ganglion?
structure containing a number of nerve cell bodies, typically linked by synapses, and often forming a swelling on a nerve fibre
Describe a spinal cord cross section
Central canal surrounded by grey matter surrounded by white matter. Dorsal root nerve with dorsal ganglion. Ventral root nerve. Ventral and dorsal connect = spinal nerve
What is glia
Glue - connective tissue of the nervous system
