THE NERVOUS SYSTEM Flashcards
What is the function of the nervous system
homeostasis and coordination. employs electrical and chemical means to send messages very quickly from cell to cell
What are the two major subdivisions of the nervous system
CNS and PNS
What does the CNS consist of
brain and spinal chord
what does the PNS consist of
ganglia and nerves
what is a neuron
a cell of the nervous system
what is a nerve
bundle of nerve fibres (axons) wrapped in fibrous connective tissue
what is the ganglion
a knotlike swelling in a nerve where the cell of bodies of neuron are concentrated
what are the subdivisions of the PNS
- sensory (afferent) division
i. somatic sensory
ii. visceral sensory - motor (efferent)
i. somatic motor
ii. visceral motor
a. sympathetic
b. parasympathetic
what is the sensory (afferent) division
carries sensory signals from receptors (sense organs and simple sensory nerve endings) to the CNS
what is the somatic sensory division
signal from receptors in the skin, muscle, bones and joints
what is the visceral sensory division
signals from viscera of the thorax and abdominal cavities e.g. heart, lungs and stomach
what is the motor (efferent) division
carries signals from the CNS to the glands and muscle cells (effectors)
what is the somatic motor division
signals to skeletal muscle for voluntary contraction and involuntary somatic reflexes
what is the visceral motor division (autonomic nervous system)
signals to glands, cardiac muscle, smooth muscle; involuntary visceral reflects
what is the sympathetic division
tends to arouse the body for action e.g. increases heart and respiratory rates, but inhibits digestion
emergency response
what is the parasympathetic division
tends to have a calming effect e.g. slowing downtime heart rate, but stimulates digestion
normal everyday conditions
what are the properties of neuron
- excitability(stability)
- conductivity
- secretion
how are cells excitable
all cells are excitable e.g. they respond to stimuli, but neurons have developed this to the highest level
how are cells conductive
stimuli produce electrical signals in neurons that are conducted to other cells at distant locations
secretion of cells
electrical signals at the end of nerve fibres cause the release of chemical neurotransmitters
what are the type of neurons
sensory (afferent)
interneurons (association neurons)
motor (efferent)
what are sensory (afferent) neurons
detection of signals;
neurons conduct signals from receptors to CNS
what are interneurons
they lie in the CNS; process, store, retrieve information and make decision ; 90% of all neurons;
they are confined to CNS