Division of the nervous system

What is the central nervous system (CNS) composed of?

The brain and the spinal cord, this is the central command center where all communication and actions occur in the body

What is the peripheral nervous system (PNS) composed of?

The nerves that branch off from the spinal cord and innervate the body. This system sends the signals from the brain to the targeted locations

How many branches is the nervous system divided into?

Two

• the central nervous system (CNS)

• the peripheral nervous system (PNS)

What is the key structure needed to know for the teas exam?

the structure of the neuron

What are neurons composed of?

• Cell body

• Dendrites

• Axon

What does the cell body contain?

nucleus and organelles

What is meant by the term dendrites?

short, branch-link extensions that generate electrical impulses

What is meant by the term axon?

long extension that transmits signals to other neurons

What is considered the basic unit of the nervous system?

the structure of the neuron

What is at the end of the axon?

terminal glands which release neurotransmitters called the axon terminal

What is myelin sheath?

The white fatty substance that covers the axon and helps increase the speed of nervous impulses

What are synapses?

The space between the terminal buttons of one neuron and the dendrites of another neuron

What are the different kinds of neurons?

• Sensory (afferent) neurons

• Motor (efferent) neurons

What is the role played by sensory (afferent) neurons?

sends messages to the central nervous system

What role is played by motor (efferent) neurons?

sends messages to the muscles

Motor (efferent) neurons can be broken down into the autonomic and somatic nervous systems

true

What is the autonomic nervous system?

involuntary actions such as heart rate, digestion, and respiration

What is the somatic nervous system?

voluntary actions such as the movement of the limbs