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3 functions of nervous system
sensory input, integration, motor output
Central Nervous System (CNS)
includes brain, spinal cord --integrative and control centers >> motor output
Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
includes cranial nerves and spinal nerves --communication lines between CNS and the rest of the body
sensory (affarent) division
-towards CNS -transmits all sensory info -somatic and visceral sensory nerve fibers -conducts impulses from receptors to CNS
motor (efferent) division
-motor nerve fibers -conducts impulses from CNS to effectors (muscles and glands) --affects all muscle types --divides into somatic and autonomic nervous systems
somatic nervous system
-voluntary movement (somatic motor) -skeletal muscles
autonomic nervous system (ANS)
-involuntary movement -heartbeat, gastric motility, BP, gland secretion --divides into sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions
sympathetic division
-fight or flight -increases heart rate and breathing -decreases smooth muscle contractions
parasympathetic division
-dominant when at rest -decreased heart rate and breathing -activates the GI tract -rest and digest
two cell types of nervous system
neuroglia (glial cells) -- supporting cells neurons
types of neuroglia cells
-astrocytes -microglia -ependymal cells -oligodendrocytes -satellite cells -schwann cells
astrocytes
-most abundant, versatile, highly branched -hold neurons together; cling to synaptic endings and capillaries -support and brace neurons -higher numbers than neurons
microglia
-small, resident macrophage w/ thorny processes -migrate to injured neurons-- first defense -phagocytize microorganisms and neuronal debris
ependymal cells
-line brain ventricles, aqueducts, central canal of spinal cord -held together via tight junctions (water-tight) -separate CNS interstitial fluid and cerebrospinal fluid in cavities
oligodendrocyte
-produce myelin sheath >> lipid insulator -branched cells; "white matter" around neurons -processes wrap CNS nerve fibers; able to wrap multiple
satellite cells
-surround neuron cell bodies in PNS -assoc. w/ sympathetic, parasympathetic, and sensory -regulate access to nutrients -ONLY IN PNS
schwann cells
-produce myelin -assoc. w/ only 1 neuron -vital to regeneration of damaged peripheral nerve fibers -speeds up conduction of signal via myelin -no ion channels or proteins
neurons
-primary to nervous system -CNS ONLY -high metabolic rate--continuous oxygen and glucose dependent -cell to cell interaction and electrical signaling
axon hillock
cone-shaped area from which axon arises; has to be stimulated for action potential to occur in axon
dendrite
-receptive region of a neuron -short, tapering and diffusely branched -conveys input towards cell body>> graded potential
axons
-one axon per cell, branches from axon hillock -larger axon = faster conductor -small axon = slow conductor -knoblike axon terminals = boutons
node of ranvier
gap between schwann cells; exposed axon
white matter
dense collections of myelinated fibers
gray matter
mostly neuron cell bodies and unmyelinated fibers
functional classification of neuorns
1) sensory (affarent) 2) interneurons ((assoc. neurons) 3) motor (efferent)
sensory (affarent)
transmit impluse: sensory receptors to CNS
interneurons (assoc. neurons)
shuttle signals thru CNS
motor (efferent)
carry impulses from the CNS
voltage (V)
measure of potential E generated by separated charge; determined by action potential
potential difference
voltage measured between two points
resistance (R)
hindrance to charge flow (by plasma membrane)
insulator
substance w/ high electrical resistance
conductor
substance w/ low electrical resistance
depolarization
change in membrane potential towards zero (become less negative)
hyperpolarization
membrane potential increases; moves away from zero (become more negative)
absolute refractory period
in depolarized state --cannot depolarize again; stimuli won't affect --ends when membrane potential falls below threshold>> reset Na voltage gated channels >> enter relative refractory period
relative refractory period
not yet at normal state --is able to depolarize again --required greater stimulus than at normal resting state
conduction velocity
-varies within neurons -determined by axon diameter and myelination
effects of axon diameter
-larger diameter fibers have lower resistance to local current flow and faster impulse conduction --faster impulse due to more Na+ channels
effects of myelination
-continuous conduction in unmyelinated axons is slower that saltatory conduction in myelinated axons
how are nerve fibers classified?
diameter degree of myelination (present or not) speed of conduction
Group A fibers
largest diameter all myelinated fastest conduction ex. somatic sensory and motor (volutary)
Group B fibers
intermediate diameter lightly myelinated moderate speed ex. ANS fibers and involuntary motor
Group C fibers
smallest diameter unmyelinated slowest speed ex. ANS fibers and pain fibers (dull ache)
what is the synapse?
the junction that mediates information transfer from one neuron to another neuron OR from one neuron to an effector cell
what are the three types of synapses?
axo-dendritic synapse: axon to dendrite axo-somatic synapse: axon to soma axo-axon synapse: axon to axon (very rare)
what is the difference between a presynaptic and postysnaptic neuron?
pre: conducts impulse towards the synapse post: transmits impulse away from the synapse
what is the difference between electrical and chemical synapses?
E:  rare in CNS after development common in rest of body very rapid unidirectional or bidirectional important in embryonic nervous and heart tissues, some brain C: specialized for release and reception of neurotransmitter unidirectional
what is the synaptic cleft?
fixed structure; fluid-filled space of a synapse
how does information transfer occur?
presynaptic neuron experiences rise in AP > triggers release of neurotransmitter in bouton > graded potential occurs in postsynaptic neuron
what are the different type of postsynaptic potentials?
EPSP- excitatory IPSP- inhibatory
what are the different types of integration summation?
-temporal summation (additive) -spacial summation -spacial summation of EPSPs and IPSPs
what are the characteristics of norepinephrine?
-neurotransmitter version of adrenaline -excitatory to brain -inhibatory to GI tract
what are the characteristics of dopamine?
-"happy" neurotransmitter -excitatory/inhibatory depending on receptor -found in cocaine>> activates pleasure sensors
what are the characteristics of seratonin?
-found mainly in CNS -middle #s= stable mood -too high or too low #s= depression/suicide -inhibatory
what characteristics does ATP have as a neurotransmitter?
-stimulates pain associated with nerve endings -in severe conditions, breaks down from ADP to AMP to adensosine -adenosine promotes neuron fatigue>> slows neuron activity

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