B3 Tissue structure and function

KEY IDEA:
Neurons transmit electrical impulses around the body
to control functions.

23. Nervous system

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

You
LO1: MUST describe the parts of the nervous system and
neuron structure
LO2: SHOULD explain the function of different parts of
the neuron.
LO3: COULD describe transmission of impulses across the
synapse.

1 of 32

Boardworks Ltd 2011

What are nerves?

A nerve is a bundle of many nerve fibres
enclosed within a protective sheath.
Nerve fibres are the long axons of
neurones together with any
associated tissues.

nerve

nerve fibre

2 of 32

Boardworks Ltd 2011

The human nervous system

The nervous system is a
highly organized system of
nervous tissue that detects,
relays and co-ordinates
information about an
organisms internal and
external environment.
All nervous systems contain
nerve cells, called neurones,
which convey information in
the form of nerve impulses.
They can produce a rapid,
localized response.
3 of 38

Boardworks Ltd 2009

The two parts of the nervous system

4 of 32

Boardworks Ltd 2011

General structure of a neurone

5 of 38

Boardworks Ltd 2009

Types of neurone
There are several different types of neurone:
sensory
neurones:

receptor
organs

relay
neurones:
sensory
neurones

CNS

motor
neurones

motor
neurones:
CNS
6 of 38

effectors

Boardworks Ltd 2009

7 of 32

Boardworks Ltd 2011

Neurone structure

8 of 38

Boardworks Ltd 2009

What is a nerve impulse?

All cells have a difference in
electrical charge across the
plasma membrane. This is
called the potential
difference (p.d.). It is
measured in millivolts (mV).

axon

plasma
membrane
microelectrodes
measuring p.d.

The normal, resting state of an axon is called the resting

potential. In this state the p.d. across the axon is 70 mV.
The membrane is said to be polarized.
A nerve impulse, or action potential, occurs when the p.d.
across an axon is temporarily reversed. The p.d. changes to
around +35 mV. The membrane is said to be depolarized.
9 of 38

Boardworks Ltd 2009

Action potential

10 of 38

Boardworks Ltd 2009

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAmUjvgoO0A
3 mins

11 of 38

Boardworks Ltd 2009

Changes during an action potential

12 of 38

Boardworks Ltd 2009

For an action potential to

be generated, the stimulus
must be greater than the
threshold value.
A stimulus will be below
the threshold value if
insufficient numbers of
sodium channels open,
preventing full
depolarization of the axon.

potential difference (mV)

The all or nothing principle

40
0

failed
initiations
threshold
value

70
0

2
3
time (ms)

Once the threshold value is reached, the action potential

generated is always the same size regardless of the strength
of the stimulus. It is an all or nothing response.
13 of 38

Boardworks Ltd 2009

Different strengths of stimuli

14 of 38

Boardworks Ltd 2009

The axon after an action potential

15 of 38

Boardworks Ltd 2009

16 of 38

Boardworks Ltd 2009