Nervous Tissue

Flashcards based on key concepts from the Nervous Tissue lecture notes.

What is the primary function of the nervous system?

To detect changes in the body and respond to those changes, working with the endocrine system.

What are the two main divisions of the nervous system?

Central Nervous System (CNS) and Peripheral Nervous System (PNS).

What are the primary components of a neuron?

Axon, Dendrites, and Cell Body (soma).

What is the role of Schwann cells in the peripheral nervous system?

To cover peripheral axons and produce myelin.

What is the difference between continuous propagation and saltatory propagation?

Continuous propagation occurs in unmyelinated axons and is slower, while saltatory propagation occurs in myelinated axons and is faster.

What is the significance of excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs)?

EPSPs lead to graded depolarization, shifting the membrane potential closer to threshold.

What are the types of synapses in the nervous system?

Chemical synapses and electrical synapses.

What initiates the generation of an action potential?

A sufficiently large graded potential that depolarizes the membrane to threshold.

What are neuroglia?

Supporting cells that protect and nourish neurons and can undergo mitotic division.

What are the major types of neurons classified by structure?

Anaxonic neurons, bipolar neurons, unipolar neurons, and multipolar neurons.