Nervous System Overview

Study Notes

The nervous system is a complex system that allows the body to respond to internal and external stimuli
It is responsible for controlling and coordinating body functions, interpreting and responding to sensory information, and facilitating thought and behavior

Central Nervous System (CNS): +Brain and spinal cord +Interprets and integrates sensory information +Controls voluntary movements and actions
Peripheral Nervous System (PNS): +Sensory neurons that transmit information from sensory receptors to the CNS +Motor neurons that transmit signals from the CNS to muscles and glands +Divided into somatic nervous system (voluntary movements) and autonomic nervous system (involuntary functions)

Sensory Function: detects and interprets sensory information from the environment
Motor Function: transmits signals from the CNS to muscles and glands to produce responses
Integration: integrates sensory information and facilitates thought, behavior, and emotional responses
Control: regulates various bodily functions, such as heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature

Sensory Neurons: transmit sensory information from sensory receptors to the CNS
Motor Neurons: transmit signals from the CNS to muscles and glands
Interneurons: integrate and process information within the CNS

Neurotransmitters: chemical messengers released by neurons that transmit signals across synapses
Synapses: small gaps between neurons where neurotransmitters are released and bind to receptors
Action Potential: electrical signal that travels along the length of a neuron, allowing it to transmit information

The nervous system responds to internal and external stimuli, controlling and coordinating body functions, interpreting sensory information, and facilitating thought and behavior

The Central Nervous System (CNS) consists of the brain and spinal cord, interpreting and integrating sensory information and controlling voluntary movements
The Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) includes sensory neurons transmitting information from sensory receptors to the CNS, and motor neurons transmitting signals from the CNS to muscles and glands
The PNS is divided into the somatic nervous system (voluntary movements) and autonomic nervous system (involuntary functions)

The sensory function detects and interprets sensory information from the environment
The motor function transmits signals from the CNS to muscles and glands to produce responses
The integration function integrates sensory information and facilitates thought, behavior, and emotional responses
The control function regulates bodily functions, such as heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature

Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers released by neurons that transmit signals across synapses
Synapses are small gaps between neurons where neurotransmitters are released and bind to receptors
An action potential is an electrical signal that travels along the length of a neuron, allowing it to transmit information