chapter 17 Flashcards
(98 cards)
17.1 The Nervous System and Its Defenses
two components:
CNS - brain and spinal cord
PNS - nerves that come from brain and spinal cord ang disperse into (think nerves going into peripherals)
three important functions of the NS
sensory, integrative, and motor
sensory function of NS
sensory function is fulfilled by sensory receptors at the end of peripheral nerves; they generate nerve impulses that are transmitted to the CNS where they are translated or integrated into sensation or thought which = motor function
cells that make up tissues of the brain and spinal cord that receive and transmit signals to and from the PNS and CNS; make up the ______ and _________
nerves;
brain and spinal cord
soft tissue of the brain and spinal cord is encases within a tough casing of three membranes called the _________; tri layer membrane covering the brain and spinal cord
meninges
consists of the dura mater, arachnoid mater, and pia mater (going outermost to innermost)
meninges
what is in the subarachnoid space?
: subarachnoid space is the space between the arachnoid mater and pia mater
filled with a clear serumlike fluid called cerebrospinal fluid
function of CSF
provides nutrition to CNS and provides a liquid cushion for the sensitive brain and spinal cord
the meninges are a common:
site of infection; ie. meningitis
—> microorganisms can be found in CSF during meningitis, which is supposed to be sterile
bacteria that often cause meningitis
Neisseria meningitidis (the meningococcus) Haemophilus influenzae
swelling in the nerve where the cell bodies of the neuron aggregate; part of PNS
ganglion
PNS consists of _________ and _________
nerves and ganglion
bundles of neuronal axons that receive and transmit nerve signals
nerves
what communicate in the synapse?
the axons and dendrites of adjacent neurons communicate in the synapse
chemicals called ______ are released from one cell and act on the other cell in the synapse
neurotransmitters
the defenses of the NS are mainly ________
structural
list some defenses in the NS
- bony casings of the brain and spinal cord protect from traumatic injury
- cushion of CSF
- vascular system: vessels that serve NS in brain have special permeability creating the BLOOD-BRAIN BARRIER, which allows few molecules to pass through and prohibits more microbes from passing into the CNS
- –> drawback is that drugs and antibiotics are difficult to introduce into CNS
along with the uterus and eyes, the CNS is considered an _____________ ___________ site.
immunologically privileged site, meaning these sites are only able to mount partial or at least a different immune response when exposed to immunologic challenge
the functions of the CNS are so vital for life of organisms that even temporary damage that could potentially result from “normal” immune responses could be __________
detrimental
microglia and brain macrophages
microglia: specialized cells in the CNS; cell with phagocytic capabilities
brain macrophages: phagocytic
—> activity of both of these cells is thought to be less than that of phagocytic ells elsewhere in the body
17.2 Normal Biota of the NS
it is still believed there is no normal biota in either the CNS or PNS
–> finding microbes of any type in these tissues represents a deviation from the healthy state
viruses such as _______-_______ live in a dormant state in the NS between episodes of acute disease, but are not considered _________ _______
herpes simplex
normal biota
there is a lot of research suggesting that the ___ microbiome influences the NS in many ways, in fact: the development of the brain, blood brain barrier, and proper construction of peripheral nerves are influenced by the microbiome in the developing ______
gut
gut
17.3 NS Diseases Caused by Microorganisms