Chapter 2 - Basic Exercise Science: Nervous System Flashcards
Nervous System
Consists of a network of specialized cells called neurons that transmit and coordinate signals, providing a communication network within the human body
2 Parts of the Nervous System
- CNS
- PNS
4 Primary Functions of the NS
-Sensory Function
-Integrative Function
-Motor Function
Recruitment of muscles, learned patterns of movement, and the functioning of every organ in the human body
Sensory Function
Receive changes in external or internal environment
Sensory Function EXS
- Internal: Stretch placed on muscle
- External: Change from walking on sidewalk to sand
Integrative Function
Process and interpret the sensory information and determine appropriate response
Motor Function
Neuromuscular response to the sensory information
Motor Function EX
Causing a muscle to contract when stretched too far
Proprioception
The body’s ability to sense the relative position of adjacent parts of the body
Efficient Training of NS
Ensures proper movement patterns are being developed which enhances performance and decreases risk of injury
Neuron
Functional unit of the NS
-Specialized cell that processes and transmits information through both electrical and chemical signals
Nerve
Many neurons merged together
3 Main Parts of Neuron
- Cell body (soma)
- Axon
- Dendrites
Cell Body (Soma)
Contains nucleus and other organelles including lysosomes, mitochondria, and Golgi complex
Axon
Cylindrical projection from the cell body that transmits nerve impulses to other neurons or effector sites
-Provides communication from CNS to other parts of the body
Dendrites
Gather info from other structures and transmit it back into the neuron
3 Main Functional Types of Neurons
- Sensory (afferent) neurons
- Interneurons
- Motor (efferent) neurons
Sensory (Afferent) Neurons
Respond to touch, sound, light etc. (changes in external environment) and transmit back to brain and spinal cord
Interneurons
Transmit nerve impulses from one neuron to another in CNS
-process, store, and retrieve information
Motor (Efferent) Neurons
Transmit nerve impulses from the brain and spinal cor to effector sites such as muscles or glands
Central Nervous System
Consists of brain and spinal cord and its primary function is to coordinate the activity of all parts of the body
Peripheral Nervous System
Consists of nerves that connect the CNS to rest of the body and external environment
Nerves of PNS
- 12 Cranial Nerves
- 31 pairs of spinal nerves
- How the CNS receives sensory input and initiates responses
Function of PNS Nerves
- Provide a connection for NS to activate different effector sites
- Relay information from effector sites back to brain via sensory receptors