Nervous sytem - Application

what is the function of the nervous system?

• controls and adjusts the activities of other body systems

• composed of all the neural tissue in the body

what are the two cells types in the nervous tissue

Neurons and Neuroglia

what are neurons

• basic structural and functional units of the nervous system

• highly specialized cells that function to transfer and process information in the nervous system

what is a myelin sheath

lipid rich sheath that surrounds some nerve cells axons: act as a protective insulating layer

what are sensory neurons

detect information about internal/ external envir.

• for external this includes special senses, pressure, pain, vibration, temp, etc..

• for internal this incudes pain, blood pressure, etc…

what are motor neurons

carry motor impulses to effectors (e.g. muscles, glands, organs) to carry out functions

what are nerves

bundle of axons (nerve cell fibers) located outside the brain and spinal cord

what is the function of neuroglia

• non neuronal supporting cells (meaning they do NOT participate in the trasnfer of info)

• several different subtypes

• they function to maintain homeostasis and provide support and protection for neurons

what are the two divisions of the nervous system

1. Central Nervous system (brain and spinal cord)

2. Peripheral Nervous system (cranial nerves, spinal nerves, ganglia and receptors)

what is the central nervous system

• consists of the brain and spinal cord

• responsible for integrating, processing and coordinating sensory input and motor output

• some higher functions such as: intelligence, memory, learning and emotion

what are the brain and spinal cord protected by

bones and meninges

what is the peripheral nervous system consisted of

• peripheral nerves (cranial nerves, spinal nerves)

• ganglia

• sensory receptors

what is the function of the peripheral nervous system

• relays sensory information to the CNS

• carries out motor commands from the CNS to peripheral tissues

how many cranial nerves are there and where do they emerge from

12 pairs, emerge from the base of the brain and brainstem

how many spinal nerves are there and where do they emerge from

31 pairs, emerge from the spinal cord

what are ganglia

• clusters of neuronal cell bodies located outside the CNS

• function as relay stations between neurons

what is the definition of nuclei

• clusters of neuronal cell bodies located in CNS

What is the function of sensory receptors and examples on a human

• receptors that receive info. from the peripheral environments and pass it to the CNS

• Temperature, smell taste, pressure, pain, visceral info.

• Skin, muscles, nose, eyes, etc..

what are the two divisions of the Peripheral Nervous system

Somatic (voluntary) and Autonomic (involuntary)

what is the function of the somatic nervous system

• regulates voluntary control of skeletal muscles

what are somatic sensory neurons

• convey information from sensory receptors in the periphery to the CNS

• Input of information to the CNS for integration

What are somatic motor neurons

• convey info from the CNS to skeletal

• output of info. from the CNS for skeletal muscle contraction

what are the divisions of the autonomic nervous system

enteric, symapathetic, parasympathetic

what is the autonomic nervous system

• regulates motor control over unconscious processes (viscera, organs)

what is the function of the sympathetic nervous system

• stimulates metabolism, active during stress, exertion, emergency

• fight or flight

what is the function of the parasympathetic nervous system

• promotes nutrient uptake, energy storage

• rest and digest

what is the sensory function of the nervous system (INPUT)

• sensory receptors detect internal and external stimuli from periphery

• sensory (afferent neurons) transmit info. from CNS

Integrative function (CONTROL)

• neurons in the CNS analyze sensory info and coordinate motor output

Motor functions (OUTPUT)

• motor (efferent) neurons respond to integration

• initiate actions in effector organs

what are afferent neurons

sensory info. towards the CNS

what are efferent neurons

motor info. away from CNS

what are the basic parts of the cerebrum

• the cerebrum is the largest part of the brain

• divided by the cerebral hemispheres

• separated by longitudinal fissures

what is the function of the cerebrum

conscious thought processes, intellectual functions, memory originate in the cerebrum

what is grey matter

• forms the cerebral cortex

• neuronal cell bodies, unmyelinated axons

what is white matter

• deep to the cerebral cortex

• myelinated axons

• appears white because it’s made of fatty tissue

what are gyri

ridges on the surface of the cerebral cortex

what are sulci

groove, shallower than a fissure

what are fissures

deeper grooves

what is the longitudinal fissure

separates the right and left cerebral hemispheres

what is the corpus callosum

connects the right and left cerebral hemispheres

what are the functions of each lobe

frontal: voluntary movement and decision making

temporal: hearing and speech

parietal: sensory

occipital: vision

Insular: taste and emotion

what are the functions of the cerebellum

• coordinates voluntary movement

• regulates posture and balance

what is the grey and white matter called in the cerebellum

folia: grey

arbor: white