Nervous System (Overview)
REVIEW: CNS PNS Brain and spinal cord Protected by Meninges skull and vertebrae PNS All the other neurons Serves limbs and organs Sensory and motor branches Exposed to toxins and more susceptible to injuries
Involuntary (e.g. Heartbeat, peristalsis) Quick Responses (fight or flight) Slower Responses (rest & digest)
Neuron Dendrites (receives electrical stimulation from other neurons) Cell Body Axon terminals (transmits electrical stimulation to other neurons)
Functional Differences b/w Neurons Sensory Neurons E.g. Those in skin Receive sensory information & transmit the information (as a nerve impulse) to the CNS (brain & spinal cord) Motor Neurons Take information from CNS to effectors (e.g. Muscles, glands, other organs) Interneurons Link sensory & motor neurons
Example: the reflex arc Sensory neurons are stimulated by the pricking of the rose thorns signal travels to the spinal cord along sensory neurons synapse with interneurons within the CNS Interneurons stimulate motor neurons travels along their axons to the muscle Muscle contracts to withdraw the hand
Non neural Cells Oligodendrocytes Schwann cells form the myelin sheaths of axons in CNS Schwann cells form a myelin sheath around each axon in PNS
Myelin Sheath 80% lipid + 20% protein Protects the axon and helps speed up the conduction of nerve impulses
Homework Make yourself a glossary for the following terms: Glial Cell, Myelin Sheath, node of Ranvier Central Nervous System, Peripheral Nervous System Somatic Nervous System, Autonomic Nervous System, Sympathetic Nervous System, Parasympathetic Nervous System