Animal Nervous System

• Systems are sets of organs and tissues that work together to carry out specific functions in the body.

Body Systems:

• Nervous system
• Musculoskeletal system
• Cardiac system
• Digestive system
• Respiratory system
• Reproductive system

Nervous System

• The class objective is to understand the nervous system, its primary structures, and main functions, and comprehension of similarities and differences in nervous system structure and function across animals occurs.
• A complex network of specialized cells transmits electrical signals.
• These signals enable animals to respond to their environment, coordinate bodily functions, and carry out mental processes.
• The nervous system comprises two main parts: the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system.
• The central nervous system includes the brain and spinal cord.
• The peripheral nervous system consists of nerves and ganglia.
• The central nervous system includes the brain and spinal cord, which process information, regulate vital functions, and control motor and sensory activity.
• It regulates thought, memory, and coordination of movements.
• The frontal lobe controls voluntary movements.
• The corpus callosum connects the cerebral hemispheres.
• The olfactory bulb interprets odors.
• The brain is the site of consciousness.
• The parietal lobe integrates sensory information.
• The occipital lobe interprets visual and whisker information.
• The temporal lobe is the site of memory and behavior.
• The Cerebellum is involved in movement.
• The pineal gland is involved in walking and sleep cycles.
• The spinal cord transmits information between the brain and the body.
• The pituitary gland controls other glands.
• The peripheral nervous system consists of nerves and ganglia extending outward from the central nervous system.
• Sensory function transmits information from sensory organs to the central nervous system, allowing perception of environmental stimuli.
• Motor function controls motor responses, sends signals to muscles and glands, receives sensory information, and coordinates bodily functions.

Nervous System Divisions

• The Somatic Nervous System (SNS) controls voluntary movements and receives sensory information from skin, muscle, and joint receptors.
• The Autonomic Nervous System (SNA) regulates involuntary and automatic bodily functions like heart rate, digestion, respiration, and stress response.
• The Autonomic Nervous System is subdivided into the sympathetic nervous system (emergency situations) and the parasympathetic nervous system (rest and relaxation). Both systems often have opposite effects on bodily functions in order to homeostasis.

Nerve Signal Transmission

• Neurons process electrical and chemical signals from the environment or within the body, the reception..
• Signals are transmitted to other neurons through synapses, allowing the process to continue, transmission.

Neuron Types

• Neurons are classified by shape, unipolar, bipolar, pseudounipolar, and multipolar forms exist.
• Neuron function can be sensory, motor, or interneuronal.
• Depending on shape, neurons can be multipolar, bipolar, or pseudounipolar. sensory, motor, or interneuronal.
• Sensory neurons (afferent) transmit signals from sensory organs to the central nervous system.
• Motor neurons (efferent) send signals from the central nervous system to muscles and glands.
• Interneurons facilitate communication between sensory and motor neurons within the central nervous system.

Neuron Components

• Dendrites receive information.
• The soma is the cell body.
• The nucleus is within the soma.
• The axon transmits signals to other neurons.
• Myelin sheathing insulates the axon.
• Synaptic buttons are at terminal regions of branching axons, and release neurotransmitters to stimulate adjacent cells.
• The axon hillock is the part of the cell body that attaches to the axon.

Explore the animal nervous system, its structures, and functions. Learn how animals respond to their environment and coordinate bodily functions through electrical signals. Discover the central and peripheral nervous systems.