Central Nervous System (2)

Sensory (Afferent) Division

afferent neurons send info towards CNS

Motor (Efferent) Division

efferent neurons send info from CNS to effector organs

Somatic afferent neurons

relay info from the skin, muscles, or joints to CNS

Visceral afferent neurons

relay info from internal organs to CNS

Sympathetic division

mobilizes body during activity - fight or flight

Parasympathetic division

conserves energy, house-keeping functions - rest and digest

Presynaptic neuron

transmits impulses towards synapse

Postsynaptic neuron

transmits impulses away from synapse

6 steps of electrochemical info transfer

process

EPSPs

local depolarization from Sodium influx

IPSPs

local hyperpolarization from Potassium outflux, reducing action potential possibility

Cerebral cortex

awareness, memory, understanding

Primary motor cortex

control of precise, skilled, voluntary movements

Primary somatosensory cortex

spatial awareness of the body from sensory info

Thalamus

mediates sensation, motor activities, learning, memory

Hypothalamus

controls homeostatic functions

Midbrain

visual reflexes, auditory reflexes

Pons

normal rate of breathing

Medulla Oblongata

maintains equilibrium, cardiovascular function, autonomic reflexes

Cerebellum

coordination of motor activity

Blood brain barrier

maintains stable chemical environment

Cerebrospinal fluid

protects CNS from trauma, carries chemical signals