Nervous System

Main Functions: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Sensory input Integration Control of muscle and glands Homeostasis Mental activity

Parts of the Nervous System:

2 anatomical parts: Central nervous system (CNS- consists of the brain and spinal cord and is encased in bone.)processes, integrates, stores, and responds to information from the PNS Peripheral Nervous system (PNS-the nervous tissue outside of the CNS, consists of sensory receptors and nerves.)- detects stimuli and transmits information to and receives information from the CNS.

2 divisions of PNS Sensory division transmits action potentials away from sensory receptors to the CNS. Motor division carries action potentials away from the CNS in cranial or spinal nerves. o 2 subdivisions of motor division Somatic nervous system innervates skeletal muscle. Autonomic nervous system (ANS) innervates cardiac muscle, smooth muscle and glands. ANS is subdivided into: o Sympathetic division(most active during physical activity) o Parasympathetic division(regulates resting functions) o Enteric nervous system(controls the digestive system)

Cells of the Nervous system: 1. Neurons a. Receive stimuli and transmit action potentials b. 3 components: i. Cell body primary site of protein synthesis ii. Dendrites short, branched cytoplasmic extensions of the cell body that usually conduct electric signals toward the cell body iii. Axon cytoplasmic extension of the cell body that transmits action potentials to other cells c. Types: i. Multipolar neurons have several dendrites and a single axon (e.g. interneurons and motor neurons) ii. Bipolar neurons have a single axon and dendrite and are found as components of sensory organs iii. Unipolar neurons have a single axon (e.g. most sensory neurons) 2. Glial cells/non-neurons a. Of the CNS i. Nonneural cells that support and aid the neurons of the CNS and PNS ii. 4 types: 1. Astrocytes

a. Provide structural support for neurons and blood vessels. b. Influence the functioning of the blood-brain barrier and process substances that pass through it. c. Isolates damaged tissue and limit the spread of inflammation 2. Ependymal cells a. Line the ventricles and the central canal of the spinal cord. b. Some are specialized to produce cerebrospinal fluid. 3. Microglia a. Become mobile and phagocytic in response to inflammation. 4. Oligodendrocyte a. Forms myelin sheaths around the axons of several CNS neurons. b. Of the PNS i. Schwann cells 1. Forms a myelin sheath around part of the axon of a PNS neuron. ii. Satellite cells 1. Support and nourish neuron cell bodies within ganglia. *myelinated axons wrapped by several layers of plasma membrane from Schwann cells(PNS) or oligodedrocytes(CNS). Spaces between the wrappings are the node f ranvier. - conduct action potentials rapidly. *unmyelinated axons - rest in invaginations of Schwann cells(PNS) or oligodendrocytes(CNS). - conduct action potentials slowly. *action potentials electric signals produced by cells

Organization of Nervous tissue Nervous tissue can be grouped into: a. White matter consists of myelinated axons. - propagates action potentials rapidly b. Gray matter consists of collections of neuron cell bodies or unmyelinated axons. - axon synapse with neuron cell bodies, which are functionally the site of integration in the nervous system.

Synapse

junction between the two cells. Where two cells communicate with each other. o Presynaptic cell cell that transmits the signal o Postsynaptic cell cell that receives the signal 2 types of synapse: o Electrical Gap junctions in which tubular proteins called connexons allow ionic currents to move between cells. o Chemical Essential components Presynaptic terminal o Formed from one end of an axon, and the space separating the axon ending Synaptic cleft o Cell with which the presynaptic terminal synapses

Postsynaptic membrane o Membrane of the postsynaptic cell opposed to the presynaptic terminal