Nervous System Overview

Overview

• 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

Structure

• 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)

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

Types of Neurons

• 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

Neurotransmission

• 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

Overview

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

Structure

• 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)

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

Types of Neurons

• 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

Neurotransmission

• 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