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Chapter 7: Nervous System Overview

The document defines key terms and structures of the nervous system. It describes the central nervous system (CNS), made up of the brain and spinal cord, and the peripheral nervous system (PNS) which communicates between the CNS and body. It defines neurons, the basic functional units that carry electrochemical signals, and their specialized structures like dendrites, axons, and synapses. The two main divisions of the nervous system, somatic and autonomic, are also introduced along with their roles in voluntary and involuntary functions. Finally, the basic components of a reflex arc are listed.

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170 views4 pages

Chapter 7: Nervous System Overview

The document defines key terms and structures of the nervous system. It describes the central nervous system (CNS), made up of the brain and spinal cord, and the peripheral nervous system (PNS) which communicates between the CNS and body. It defines neurons, the basic functional units that carry electrochemical signals, and their specialized structures like dendrites, axons, and synapses. The two main divisions of the nervous system, somatic and autonomic, are also introduced along with their roles in voluntary and involuntary functions. Finally, the basic components of a reflex arc are listed.

Uploaded by

jbradee
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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  • Functions of the Nervous System
  • Neuron Structure
  • Human Brain
  • Reflex Parts

Chapter 7 study guide

• Functions of the nervous system


○ sending signals to other cells throughout the body
 i.e. releasing hormones
○ control the body by using sensory receptors
• define (structure, function)
○ CNS = central nervous system
 made up of the brain and spinal cord (dorsal cavity)
 Integrative and control centers
○ PNS = peripheral nervous system
 cranial nerves and spinal nerves
 communication lines between the CNS and the rest of the body
○ Somatic = voluntary
 somatic motor
 conducts impulses from the CNS to skeletal muscles
○ Autonomic = involuntary
 Somatic motor
 Conducts impulses from the CNS to cardiac muscles, smooth muscles, and glands
○ Parasympathetic
 Converses energy
 Promotes “housekeeping” functions during rest
○ Sympathetic
 mobilizes body systems during activity (“fight or flight”)
○ Afferent = sensory division
 Somatic and visceral sensory nerve fibers
 conducts impulses from receptors to the CNS (towards)
○ Efferent = motor division
 Motor nerve fibers
 Conducts impulses from the CNS to skeletal muscles
○ Neurons vs. neuralgia
 Neurons have TWO processes called axons and dendrites… glial cells only have one
 Neurons CAN generate action potentials… glial cells do NOT have chemical synapses
 Neurons HAVE synapses that use neurotransmitters… glial cells do NOT have chemical
synapses
 There are many MORE glial cells in the brain compared to the number of neurons
• Neurons = cells of the nervous system that are specialized to carry “messages” through an
electrochemical process
○ Have specialized extensions called dendrites and axons
 Dendrites bring information to the cell body
 Axons take information away from the cell body
○ Neurons communicate with each other through and electrochemical process
○ Contain some specialized structures (synapses) and chemicals (neurotransmitters)
○ Structure and function of the Neuron

 Dendrites
• Bring information to the cell body
• Usually many dendrites per cell
• No myelin insulation
• Branch near the cell body
 Axon
• Take information away from the cell body
• Generally ONE axon per cell
• Can have myelin
• Branch further from the cell body
 Cell body
• The metabolic center of the neuron
 Myelin sheath
• Wrapped membranes that enclose the axon
 Schwann cells
• Specialized supporting cells that wrap themselves around the axon
 Synapse (syn = to clasp or join)
• Contains a small gap separating neurons
• Consists of…
○ Presynaptic endings that contain neurotransmitters, mitochondria, and
other cell organelles
○ A postsynaptic ending that contains receptor sites for neurotransmitters
○ A synaptic cleft or space between the presynaptic and post synaptic
endings
• Motor neuron

• Human brain

○ Cerebellum
○ Medulla
○ Oblongata
○ Pons
○ Cerebrum
○ Spinal cord
○ Gyrus
○ Suculus
○ Fissure
○ Frontal lobe
○ Parietal lobe
○ Temporal lobe
○ Occipital lobe
• Parts of a typical reflex

○ Stimulus
○ Receptor
○ Sensory neuron
○ Effector
○ Associative/interneuron
○ Motor neuron

Chapter 7 study guide • Functions of the nervous system ○ sending signals to other cells throughout the body  i.e. releasin
○ Have specialized extensions called dendrites and axons  Dendrites bring information to the cell body  Axons take informa
○ A postsynaptic ending that contains receptor sites for neurotransmitters ○ A synaptic cleft or space between the presynapt
○ Gyrus ○ Suculus ○ Fissure ○ Frontal lobe ○ Parietal lobe ○ Temporal lobe ○ Occipital lobe • Parts of a typical reflex

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