Two functions of the nervous system a. Somatic, voluntary movement b. autonomic, involuntary movement
The central nervous system contains the brain and the spinal cord.
The peripheral nervous system- Consists of all nerves on the edge of or outside of the CNS.
Parts of the rat brain
Function of intervertebral disks- Cushions and protects the spinal cord and vertebrae.
Cells of the nervous system Neurons and ganglia
Types of neurons Neurons come in many sizes. For example, a single sensory neuron from your fingertip has an axon that extends the length of your arm, while neurons within the brain may extend only a few millimeters. They also have different shapes depending on their functions. Motor neurons that control muscle contractions have a cell body on one end, a long axon in the middle and dendrites on the other end. Sensory neurons have dendrites on both ends, connected by a long axon with a cell body in the middle. Interneurons, or associative neurons, carry information between motor and sensory neurons.
Parts of a neuron
Function of neuron parts A Cell body- Produces proteins B nucleus- Information, DNA C Dendrites- receive signals from other nerves D axon- sends messages E Myelin sheath-protects axon F Nodes of Ranvier- cause impulses to move more quickly along the neuron G Axon terminals contain neurotransmitters make contact with other nerves
How a neuron works