Valery Trejo - [Template] Lab Practical Study Guide: The Nervous System

Lab Practical Study Guide: The Nervous System

Know the anatomy and the function of each.

Nervous System

Central Nervous System (CNS)- Brain and spinal cord

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)- Split between Autonomic and Somatic nervous system 31 pairs of spinal nerves; 12 pairs of cranial nerves

Somatic Nervous System- Skeletal muscle; nervous

Autonomic Nervous System- smooth muscle, glands, involuntary

Parasympathetic Nervous System (Peace)- rest and digest

Sympathetic Nervous System (stress)- fight or flight

Neuron Anatomy

Cell body- contains nucleus and other organelles

Dendrites- shorter, numerous, RECEIVE INFORMATION

Axon- single long fibers, conducts information away from the cell

Chromatophilic substance (rough ER)- transport system

Myelin- Small pads, insulation around axons, not all neurons have it

Nodes of Ranvier- gaps of insulation

Neurofibrils- fibers within axon

Microglial cell- Red blood cells, immune function, digest debris, kills bacteria

Schwann cell- foam insulation myelin sheath around the neurons in the PNS

White matter- myelinated axons

Grey matter- unmyelinated

The Brain

Cerebrum- Largest uppermost part of the brain. High function, problem solving

Cerebellum- “mini brain”; back of head between cerebrum and brainstem

Brain stem- autonomic system

Midbrain- top part of brainstem; regulates eye movement; above pons

Pons- links brain to spinal cord; front

Medulla- connects brain to spinal cord; under pons

Diencephalon

Hypothalamus- keeps body in homeostasis; small in the front

Thalamus- information processing; above hypothalamus

Corpus callosum- allows communication between right and left sides of brain; above diencephalon

Optic chiasm- x shaped structure below brain where 2 optic nerves cross

Pituitary gland- produces hormones; really small under hypothalamus

Concussions

What is a concussion- When someone receives a jolt to the head causing their neurons to stretch or tear and disrupt the ability to communicate.

Symptoms- Problems with memory and thinking, headache, blurry vision, confusion, and nausea.

CTE- degenerative brain disease caused by concussions

Effects on the nervous system- Concussion cause neurons to stretch or tear and disrupt the ability to communicate.

The Meninges and Lobes

Dura mater- outermost layer; between brain and skull

Arachnoid mater- looks like spider web; no blood vessels, between layer

Pia mater- inner membrane; contains nerves and blood vessels to nourish cells

Frontal lobe- Physical & mental action

Occipital lobe- Visual processing

Parietal lobe- Touch

Temporal lobe- auditory; long and short term memory

Subdural hematoma- Blood clot between brain and outermost covering