Questions and Answers
What is one of the two systems that maintain homeostasis?
What is the study of the nervous system called?
Neurology
Match the functions of the nervous system with their descriptions:
Collects Information = Detects external & internal stimuli Process & Evaluate Information = Analyzes sensory information Initiate Response = Responds via muscle contraction or gland secretion
What are the components of the Central Nervous System (CNS)?
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The Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) contains the brain.
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Which of the following neurotransmitter imbalances can result in various illnesses?
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What is the primary function of glial cells (neuroglia)?
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The __________ division of the Autonomic motor system is responsible for 'rest or digest' responses.
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What are the layers of a nerve?
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Saltatory conduction occurs in unmyelinated axons.
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What is the recovery time needed before another action potential can be generated called?
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Which type of neuron carries impulses away from the CNS to muscles or glands?
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Study Notes
The Nervous System
- Comprises one of the two systems responsible for maintaining homeostasis.
Neurology
- The study and examination of the nervous system.
Functions of the Nervous System
- Collects information through sensory input.
- Processes and evaluates information for integration.
- Initiates responses through motor functions.
Collecting Information
- Involves detecting external and internal stimuli.
- Sensory (afferent) neurons convey sensory information to the Central Nervous System (CNS).
Processing Information
- Analyzes sensory input to make decisions.
- Interneurons connect sensory to motor neurons, facilitating integration.
Initiating Responses
- Information is transmitted to muscles or glands, resulting in action.
- Motor (efferent) neurons carry information from the CNS to effectors.
Nervous System Division
- Divided into the Central Nervous System (CNS) and the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS).
Central Nervous System Components
- Includes the brain and spinal cord.
Functions of the Central Nervous System
- Analyzes sensory information, generates thoughts and emotions, stores memories, and controls muscles and glands.
Peripheral Nervous System Components
- Comprises nerves and ganglia.
Functions of the Peripheral Nervous System
- Sensory nervous system includes somatic and visceral sensory components.
- Motor nervous system encompasses somatic motor and autonomic motor systems.
Sensory Nervous System
- Collects sensory information and conveys it to the CNS.
Somatic Sensory
- Detects stimuli perceived consciously through five senses.
Visceral Sensory
- Monitors stimuli from internal organs which are not consciously perceived.
Motor Nervous System
- Transmits responses away from the CNS to effectors like muscles or glands.
Somatic Motor
- Directs voluntary muscle movements to skeletal muscles.
Autonomic Motor
- Regulates involuntary responses to cardiac muscle, smooth muscle, and glands.
- Includes sympathetic ("fight or flight") and parasympathetic ("rest and digest") divisions.
Types of Nerve Tissue
- Composed of neurons (nerve cells) and glial cells (neuroglia).
Neurons
- Responsible for generating and conducting nerve impulses (action potentials).
Neuron Characteristics
- Exhibits excitability, conductivity, secretion, extreme longevity, and is typically amitotic.
Neuron Structure
- Consists of a cell body, dendrites, and an axon.
Function of Cell Body
- Contains the nucleus and organelles of the neuron.
Role of Dendrites
- Receive information and transmit nerve impulses to the cell body.
Function of Axon
- Conducts nerve impulses away from the cell body to the next neuron, muscle, or gland.
Definition of a Nerve
- A bundle of axons located in the PNS.
Layers of a Nerve
- Surrounded by three connective tissue layers: epineurium (entire nerve), perineurium (fascicles), and endoneurium (individual axons).
Ganglion Definition
- A group of neuron cell bodies in the PNS.
Glial Cells (Neuroglia) Functions
- Support, nourish, and protect neurons.
Types of Neuroglia
- Includes astrocytes, ependymal cells, microglia, oligodendrocytes, satellite cells, and neurolemmocytes.
Astrocytes
- Form the blood-brain barrier, regulate tissue fluid, and support neuronal development.
Ependymal Cells
- Part of the choroid plexus, producing cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
Microglia
- Act as phagocytes, cleaning up debris and pathogens in the nervous system.
Oligodendrocytes
- Form myelin sheaths in the CNS.
Satellite Cells
- Protect neuron cell bodies and regulate nutrient exchange.
Neurolemmocytes (Schwann Cells)
- Create myelin sheaths in the PNS.
Myelin Sheath
- Composed of lipid and protein, it insulates axons and increases the speed of nerve impulses through saltatory conduction.
White Matter vs. Gray Matter
- White matter consists of myelinated fibers; gray matter contains unmyelinated fibers.
Multiple Sclerosis
- An autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks oligodendrocytes and myelin in the CNS, leading to relapses and remissions, more commonly affecting women.
Neuron Damage
- Limited repair ability in the PNS; no regenerative capacity in the CNS.
Resting Membrane Potential
- Sodium (Na+) concentration is greater outside; potassium (K+) is greater inside the neuron at rest.
Action Potential Phases
- Stimulus triggers graded potential, leading to depolarization, then repolarization, followed by restoration of ion balance by sodium-potassium pumps.
Synapse Definition
- The junction between two neurons where neurotransmitters cross the synaptic cleft.
Neurotransmitter Release
- Presynaptic neurons release neurotransmitters that bind to receptors on postsynaptic neurons.
Clinical Significance
- Imbalances in neurotransmitters can contribute to conditions like depression, schizophrenia, and Parkinson's disease.
Epilepsy
- Characterized by periodic seizures caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain, with potential causes including trauma, tumors, and infections, treated with antiepileptic drugs.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the Nervous System with these flashcards from Anatomy & Physiology Chapter 12. Each card covers key terms and concepts essential for understanding how the nervous system functions and its role in maintaining homeostasis.
