NERVOUS SYSTEM
Divisisons of Nervous System
WHAT ARE NERVE
CELLS?
• Neurons are similar to other cells in the body
– Surrounded by cell membrane
– Have a nucleus that contains genes
– Contain cytoplasm, mitochondria and other
organelles
– Carry out basic cellular processes such as protein
synthesis and ATP production
• Neurons are different by
– Specialized extensions called dendrites and axons
– Communicate with each other by electrochemical
process
– Contain some specialized structures (synapses) and
chemicals (neurotransmitters)
Neurons
• Most neurons consist
of a cell body and
extensions called
dendrites and axons.
• Cell Body contains the
nucleus
• Dendrites carry
impulses towards cell
body
• Axons carry impulses
away from the cell
body
Types of Neurons
• Sensory neurons
– Carry nerve impulses from a receptor to the CNS
– Have long dendrites and short axons
• Motor neurons
– Carry nerve impulses from the CNS to an effector
(ex. muscle or gland)
– Have short dendrites and long axons
• Interneurons
– Found completely within the CNS
– Provide a link within the CNS between sensory
neurons and motor neurons
– Have short dendrites and long or short axons
Reflex Arc
• Simplest nerve pathway
• Occurs without brain coordination
• Five components
– Receptor
– Sensory neuron
– Interneuron in spinal cord
– Motor neuron
– Effector
REFLEX ARC
Nerves
• Consist of many fibers (neurons) wrapped
in myelin
• 3 Types of nerves
– Sensory nerves contain only the long
dendrites of sensory neurons wrapped in
myelin
• Carry impulses from a receptor to the CNS
– Motor nerves contain only the long axons of
motor neurons wrapped in myelin
• Carry impulses from the CNS to an effector
– Mixed nerves contain both the long dendrites
of sensory neurons and the long axons of
motor neurons wrapped in myelin
• Conduct impulses to and from CNS
All nerves within the PNS contain a thin
membrane called the neurilemma
• Neurilemma promotes the regeneration
of damaged axons
• Grey Matter
– Nerves in the brain and spinal cord (CNS)that
lack myelin and neurilemma
• White matter
– Nerves in the brain and spinal cord (CNS) that
contain myelin and neurilemma
Ganglia
• Groups of neuron cell bodies that lie
within the PNS
• Not included with nerves since
nerves only contain axons and
dendrites
Central Nervous System
(CNS)
• Contains the nerves
of the brain and
spinal cord
– Function =
coordinating center of
incoming/outgoing
information
• Brain is found in the skull & serves as overall
control center for the nervous system
• Spinal Cord is surrounded by vertebrae and
extends down the back of the neck, thorax
and abdomen
– Center of many reflex actions
– Provides a link between sensory and motor nerves
• Both are enclosed in 3 protective membranes
called the meninge
• Space between meninge contains
cerebrospinal fluid which protects and
cushions the CNS
Spinal VS Epidural
Peripheral Nervous System
(PNS)
• All parts of the nervous system lying
outside the brain and spinal cord.
• The sensory and motor neurons that
connect to the CNS
– Function = to carry info between organs of
the body and the CNS
• Humans have
– 12 paris of cranial nerves
(sensory/motor/mixed) which control the
head, face, neck, shoulders
• Except VAGUS nerve – controls internal organs
– 31 pairs of spinal nerves (mixed) which take
impulses to and from the spinal cord
Cranial nerves
Spinal Nerves
Innervated Body
Spinal Nerve(s) Symptom(s) of SCI
Part(s)
C1 Head and Neck Quadriplegia
C2-C4 Diaphragm Breathing problem
No control at wrist or
C5 Deltoids, biceps
hand
C6 Wrist extenders No hand function
dexterity problems with
C7-T1 Triceps, hand
hand and fingers
Paraplegia, poor trunk
T2-T8 Chest muscles
control
T9-T12 Abdominal muscles Paraplegia
Decreasing control of
Leg muscles, bowel, hip flexors and legs,
Lumbar and Sacral
bladder, sexual organs dysfunction of bowel,
bladder, and sex
Table 04 Symptom(s) of Spinal Cord Injury
Note: Other effects of SCI may include low blood pressure, inability to regulate
blood pressure effectively, reduced control of body temperature, inability to
sweat below the level of injury, and chronic pain.
PNS
Somatic & Autonomic
Nerves
• Somatic nerves control skeletal muscle,
bones, skin that a person can control
– Sensory neurons which relay info about
environment to CNS Reflex Arc
– Motor neurons which initiate appropriate
response
• Autonomic nerves control the muscles of
the glands and internal organs which we
can’t control
– Sympathetic & parasympathetic components
“FLIGHT OR FIGHT RESPONSE”
Sympathetic component prepares body for
stress [neurotransmitter
used=norepinephrine]
• Diverts blood from internal organs to
skeletal muscles, heart & brain
Parasympathetic brings things back to
normal [neurotransmitter used=acetylcholine]
• Work in conjunction/opposition to each
other
– Ex. “on” / “off” switches
You come across a bear on
your walk to school…what
happens?
• Sympathetic nervous system does
what?
• Increases heart rate
• Increases breathing rate
• Dilates bronchioles
• Dilates pupils
• Inhibits digestion
ADRENALIN
(epinephrine)
• Sympathetic nervous system also
stimulates secretion of epinephrine and
nor-epinephrine from the medulla of the
adrenal glands
• Prepares body for “flight or fight”
response
• “Epi-pen” given in allergic reactions as it
relaxes constricted airways
PLO RECAP
Students will be able to:
• Identify and give functions for each of the
following: dendrite, cell body, axon
• Distinguish among sensory, motor and
interneuron with respect to structure and
function
• Contrast the locations and functions of the
central and peripheral nervous systems
• Differentiate between the functions of the
sympathetivd and parasympathetic divisions
fo the autonomic nervous system
• Identify the source gland for adrenalin and
explain its role in the “fight or flight response