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Nervous System Anatomy & Physiology Flashcards

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Terms in this set (30)

  • Functions of the Nervous System

    Sensory input: gathering information from sensory receptors.
    Integration: interpreting and processing sensory input.
    Motor output: activating effector organs like muscles and glands.

  • Central Nervous System (CNS)

    Includes the brain and spinal cord; main integration and command center of the nervous system.

  • Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

    Consists of nerves and ganglia outside the CNS; divided into afferent (sensory) and efferent (motor) subdivisions.

  • Afferent vs Efferent Divisions

    Afferent: carries sensory info to CNS.
    Efferent: carries motor commands from CNS to effectors.

  • Somatic vs Autonomic Nervous System

    Somatic: voluntary control of skeletal muscles.
    Autonomic: involuntary control of organs, divided into sympathetic and parasympathetic systems.

  • Sympathetic Nervous System

    Fight or flight system; increases heart rate, respiration, and awareness while inhibiting digestion.

  • Parasympathetic Nervous System

    Rest and repose system; slows heart rate and respiration, increases digestive activity.

  • Neuron Structure: Cell Body

    Contains nucleus and Nissl bodies; clusters called ganglia in PNS and nuclei in CNS.

  • Neuron Structure: Dendrites and Axons

    Dendrites receive signals; axons conduct impulses away from the cell body.

  • Axon Hillock and Axon Terminals

    Axon hillock is origin of axon; terminals have synaptic knobs for neurotransmitter release.

  • Neurofibrils and Axonal Transport

    Neurofibrils transport materials anterograde (to terminals) and retrograde (to cell body).

  • Types of Neurons

    Multipolar: many dendrites, one axon; most common.
    Bipolar: one dendrite, one axon; found in retina.
    Pseudounipolar: single process splits into two; sensory neurons.

  • Neuroglia (Glial Cells)

    Support neurons; include Schwann cells, oligodendrocytes, astrocytes, microglia, ependymal cells, and satellite cells.

  • Schwann Cells

    Form myelin sheath in PNS; insulate axons, speed impulse conduction, and aid in axon regeneration.

  • Oligodendrocytes

    Form myelin sheaths in CNS; can myelinate multiple axons.

  • Astrocytes

    Most abundant CNS glia; form blood-brain barrier and support neurons.

  • Microglia

    Phagocytic CNS cells that remove debris and pathogens.

  • Ependymal Cells

    Line brain ventricles and spinal canal; produce cerebrospinal fluid.

  • Resting Membrane Potential

    Negative inside cell due to Na+/K+ pump and higher K+ permeability.

  • Action Potential Phases

    Depolarization: Na+ influx.
    Repolarization: K+ efflux.
    Hyperpolarization: brief overshoot of negativity.

  • Refractory Periods

    Absolute: no new AP possible.
    Relative: new AP possible with strong stimulus.

  • Saltatory Conduction

    AP jumps between Nodes of Ranvier in myelinated axons, speeding conduction.

  • Synapse Structure and Function

    Presynaptic neuron releases neurotransmitter into synaptic cleft; binds postsynaptic receptors to open ion channels.

  • Excitatory vs Inhibitory Postsynaptic Potentials

    EPSP: depolarize postsynaptic cell, promote AP.
    IPSP: hyperpolarize cell, inhibit AP.

  • Summation of Postsynaptic Potentials

    Temporal summation: repeated stimuli from one neuron.
    Spatial summation: simultaneous stimuli from multiple neurons.

  • Acetylcholine (ACh)

    Excitatory neurotransmitter at neuromuscular junction and autonomic nervous system.

  • Monoamine Neurotransmitters

    Include serotonin and catecholamines (dopamine, norepinephrine, epinephrine); involved in mood, arousal, and autonomic functions.

  • Polypeptide Neurotransmitters

    Short proteins like endorphins and substance P; involved in pain modulation and synaptic plasticity.

  • Amino Acid Neurotransmitters

    Include glutamate and aspartate (excitatory), GABA and glycine (inhibitory); important in CNS signaling.

  • Novel Neurotransmitters

    Include ATP, nitric oxide (NO), and carbon monoxide (CO); have unique signaling roles in nervous system.