Explain Nervous System, Types of Neurons, and their Structures

neurodiversity

concept that there are a variety of ways that people’s brains process info, function and present behaviorally

neurodivergent

having a brain that works differetn from the average neurotypical person

• autism, ADHD, dyslexia, etc

neurons

messenger cells that receive, integrate, and transmit info through the body

central nervous system

the brain and the spinal cord

spinal cord

message, “pipeline,” process life saving info from brain

peripheral nervous system

all the nerve cells in the body outside the CNS

1) somatic nervous system

2) autonomic nervous system

the autonomic nervous system

part of the peripheral nervous system that controls involuntary muscles, organs, and glands that support processes such as breathing, heart rate, and digestion

sympathetic division

part of autonomic system that responds to stress and arouses the body for action in response to threats

parasympathetic division

part of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body

types of neurons

• sensory neurons

• motor neurons

• interneurons

• mirror neurons

sensory neurons

aka afferent neurons; detect respond to stimuli in our environment and relay that info to our spinal cord

motor neurons

aka efferent neurons; carry messages to the muscles from the brain

interneurons

aka relay neurons; between sensory and motor neurons

mirror neurons

mimicking others through observation

neuron structure

• dendrites

• soma

• axon

• axon terminals

dendrites

thick tree like fibers that receive messages from other neurons

soma

main body of neuron cell

axon

main body of a neuron that the electrical impulses travel through

axon terminals

small sacs at the end of the neuron that contain chemicals that communicate with other neurons

the role of glial cells

hold neurons together to create nerves

myelin sheath

coating of fat and protein now surrounding axons that protect and speeds up communication

activity inside neurons

1) resting potential

2) acting potential

3) refactory period

resting potential

neuron is not transmitting info; positively charged sodium ions are outside of the cell and negatively charged potassium ions are inside

action potential

sudden arrival of positive ions that reverses the change of the cell from negative to positive, all or nothing

refractory period

brief span of time a neuron cannot fire immediately after an action potential