Brain Anatomy and Nervous System Overview

• Nervous system chapters cover cell types, action potential, synapse, neurotransmitters, CNS anatomy, ANS, and sensory systems.

Nervous System Divisions

• The central nervous system (CNS) includes the brain and spinal cord.
• Key components of the CNS are the cerebrum, diencephalon, midbrain, and hindbrain.
• The peripheral nervous system (PNS) includes cranial and spinal nerves and connects the CNS to the rest of the body.

Brain Lobes

• Frontal Lobe: Responsible for thinking and communication, location of Broca's area (language production).
• Parietal Lobe: Responsible for speech and expression.
• Temporal Lobe: Handles memory and auditory processing, location of Wernicke's area (speech comprehension).
• Occipital Lobe: Manages eye focusing and movement.
• Insula: Primary visual processing center, processes sensory pain, and handles visceral integration.

Brain Visualization Methods

• CT Scan: X-ray based 2-3D imaging for structural analysis.
• PET Scan: Radioactive tracer imaging for detecting disorders.
• fMRI: Blood flow activity detection for brain function mapping.
• EEG: Electrical activity measurement for neurological monitoring.

Types of Neurons

• Sensory Neurons: Transmit signals from external sources to the CNS in the direction of outside to inside.
• Motor Neurons: Transmit signals from the CNS to muscles/glands in the direction of inside to outside.
• Interneurons: Connect sensory and motor neurons and process information within the CNS.

Neurotransmitters

• Acetylcholine: Muscle and nerve communication.
• Dopamine: Mood and motivation regulation.
• Epinephrine: Stress response.
• Serotonin: Mood, sleep, and digestion regulation.

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

• Sympathetic division's primary function is fight-or-flight response, activated during emergency/excitement scenario.
• Parasympathetic division's primary function is rest and digest, activated during relaxation/homeostasis scenario.
• Adrenergic Receptors (5 types): Alpha-1 causes vasoconstriction, Beta-1 increases heart rate, Beta-3 aids in fat metabolism.
• Cholinergic Receptors: Nicotinic stimulates neural/muscle activity, Muscarinic slows heart rate and increases digestion.

Sensory Receptors

• Mechanoreceptors: Detect physical pressure.
• Nociceptors: Detect pain.
• Chemoreceptors: Detect chemicals.
• Photoreceptors: Detect light.
• Thermoreceptors: Detect temperature.
• Tonic Receptors: Show slow or no adaptation.
• Phasic Receptors: Show rapid adaptation.
• Sensory Signal Transduction involves receptor detecting stimulus, converting physical/chemical signal to electrical, transmitting signal through neural pathway, then the brain interprets and responds.