The Nervous System

The Reflex Arc Reflex—rapid, predictable, and involuntary response to a stimulus Occurs over pathways called reflex arcs Reflex arc—direct route from a sensory neuron, to an interneuron, to an effector

The Reflex Arc Stimulus at distal end of neuron Skin Spinal cord (in cross section) Interneuron Receptor Effector Sensory neuron Motor neuron Integration center (a)

The Reflex Arc Stimulus at distal end of neuron Skin Receptor (a)

The Reflex Arc Skin Stimulus at distal end of neuron Sensory neuron Receptor Sensory neuron (a)

The Reflex Arc Skin Spinal cord (in cross section) Stimulus at distal end of neuron Skin Spinal cord (in cross section) Interneuron Receptor Sensory neuron Integration center (a)

The Reflex Arc Figure 7.11a, step 4 Skin Spinal cord Stimulus at distal end of neuron Skin Spinal cord (in cross section) Interneuron Receptor Sensory neuron Motor neuron Integration center (a) Figure 7.11a, step 4

The Reflex Arc Stimulus at distal end of neuron Skin Spinal cord (in cross section) Interneuron Receptor Effector Sensory neuron Motor neuron Integration center (a)

Simple Reflex Arc Sensory receptors (stretch receptors in the quadriceps muscle) Sensory (afferent) neuron Sensory receptors (pain receptors in the skin) Spinal cord Sensory (afferent) neuron Synapse in ventral horn gray matter Inter- neuron Motor (efferent) neuron Motor (efferent) neuron Effector (quadriceps muscle of thigh) Effector (biceps brachii muscle) (b) (c)

Sensory receptors (stretch receptors in the quadriceps muscle) Spinal cord (b)

Sensory receptors (stretch receptors in the quadriceps muscle) Sensory (afferent) neuron Spinal cord (b)

Sensory receptors (stretch receptors in the quadriceps muscle) Sensory (afferent) neuron Spinal cord Synapse in ventral horn gray matter (b)

Sensory receptors (stretch receptors in the quadriceps muscle) Sensory (afferent) neuron Spinal cord Synapse in ventral horn gray matter Motor (efferent) neuron (b)

Sensory receptors (stretch receptors in the quadriceps muscle) Sensory (afferent) neuron Spinal cord Synapse in ventral horn gray matter Motor (efferent) neuron Effector (quadriceps muscle of thigh) (b)

Sensory receptors (pain receptors in the skin) Spinal cord (c)

Sensory receptors (pain receptors in the skin) Spinal cord Sensory (afferent) neuron (c)

Sensory receptors (pain receptors in the skin) Spinal cord Sensory (afferent) neuron Inter- neuron (c)

Sensory receptors (pain receptors in the skin) Spinal cord Sensory (afferent) neuron Inter- neuron Motor (efferent) neuron (c)

Sensory receptors (pain receptors in the skin) Spinal cord Sensory (afferent) neuron Inter- neuron Motor (efferent) neuron Effector (biceps brachii muscle) (c)

Sensory receptors (stretch receptors in the quadriceps muscle) Sensory (afferent) neuron Sensory receptors (pain receptors in the skin) Spinal cord Sensory (afferent) neuron Synapse in ventral horn gray matter Inter- neuron Motor (efferent) neuron Motor (efferent) neuron Effector (quadriceps muscle of thigh) Effector (biceps brachii muscle) (b) (c)

Types of Reflexes and Regulation Somatic reflexes Activation of skeletal muscles Example: When you move your hand away from a hot stove

Types of Reflexes and Regulation Autonomic reflexes Smooth muscle regulation Heart and blood pressure regulation Regulation of glands Digestive system regulation

Types of Reflexes and Regulation Patellar, or knee-jerk, reflex is an example of a two-neuron reflex arc

Central Nervous System (CNS) Ventricles Four chambers within the brain Filled with cerebrospinal fluid

Regions of the Brain Cerebral hemispheres (cerebrum) Diencephalon Brain stem Cerebellum

Cerebrum Figure 7.14

Regions of the Brain: Cerebrum Cerebral areas involved in special senses Gustatory area (taste) Visual area Auditory area Olfactory area

Regions of the Brain: Cerebrum Figure 7.13c

Cerebrum Layers of the cerebrum Gray matter—outer layer in the cerebral cortex composed mostly of neuron cell bodies White matter—fiber tracts deep to the gray matter Corpus callosum connects hemispheres Basal nuclei—islands of gray matter buried within the white matter

Cerebrum

Regions of the Brain: Diencephalon Figure 7.16

Diencephalon (Interbrain) On top of the brain stem Enclosed by the cerebral hemispheres Made of three parts Thalamus Hypothalamus Epithalamus

Diencephalon Figure 7.12b

Diencephalon Figure 7.16a

Diencephalon

Diencephalon Thalamus The relay station for sensory impulses Pleasant vs. unpleasant Transfers impulses to the sensory cortex

Diencephalon Hypothalamus Important autonomic nervous system center Regulate body temperature Controls water balance Regulates metabolism

Diencephalon Hypothalamus (continued) An important part of the limbic system (emotions) The pituitary gland is attached to the hypothalamus

Diencephalon Epithalamus Forms the roof of the third ventricle Houses the pineal body (an endocrine gland) Choroid plexus—forms cerebrospinal fluid

Brain Stem Attaches to the spinal cord Parts of the brain stem Midbrain Pons Medulla oblongata

Brain Stem Figure 7.16a

Brain Stem Midbrain Mostly composed of tracts of nerve fibers Has two bulging fiber tracts— cerebral peduncles Has four rounded protrusions— corpora quadrigemina Reflex centers for vision and hearing

Brain Stem Pons The bulging center part of the brain stem Mostly composed of fiber tracts Includes nuclei involved in the control of breathing

Brain Stem Medulla Oblongata The lowest part of the brain stem Merges into the spinal cord Includes important fiber tracts Contains important control centers Heart rate control Blood pressure regulation Breathing Swallowing Vomiting

Regions of the Brain: Brain Stem Reticular Formation Diffuse mass of gray matter along the brain stem Involved in motor control of visceral organs Reticular activating system (RAS) plays a role in awake/sleep cycles and consciousness

RETICULAR FORMATION OF THE BRAIN STEM Figure 7.16b