Nervous System Flashcards
(139 cards)
tissue that is formed by a network of many billion nerve cells, all assisted by many more supporting cells
nervous tissue
3 basic functions of the nervous system
- Sensory - to detect
- Integrative - to process/analyze
- Motor - to elicit an appropriate motor response
division of the nervous system that includes the brain and spinal cord
Central Nervous System
division of the nervous system that consists of all the nervous tissue outside CNS
Peripheral Nervous System
what do you call the environmental changes that neurons respond to by altering the ionic gradient that exists across their plasma membranes
stimuli
this ionic gradient is also called an electrical potential but cells that can rapidly change this potential are said to be excitable or irritable
what do you call the environmental changes that neurons respond to by altering the ionic gradient that exists across their plasma membranes
stimuli
this ionic gradient is also called an electrical potential but cells that can rapidly change this potential are said to be excitable or irritable
Neurons react promptly to stimuli with a reversal of the ionic gradient also called ____.
membrane depolarization
the neuron’s rxn to stimulus is propagated across its entire plasma membrane from the place that received the stimulus. the propagation is called?
action potential
may also be called depolarization wave or nerve impulse
the nervous system develops from what embryonic layer?
ectoderm
ectoderm = outermost of the 3 embryonic layers
With signals from the underlying axial structure, the notochord, ectoderm on the mid-dorsal side of the embryo thickens to form the epithelial ____?
neural plate
the sides of the neural plate fold upward and grow toward each other medially to form the what?
neural tube
Cells of this tube give rise to the entire CNS, including neurons and most glial cells
As the neural tube detaches from the now overlying ectoderm, many cells separate from it and produce a mass of mesenchymal cells called the ____?
neural crest
Cells from the neural crest give rise to the entire PNS
what do you call the functional unit in both the CNS and PNS?
neurons
are neurons capable of mitosis?
no
cells that are smaller than neurons but far more outnumbers them; they are also known as support cells
glial cells
they are 10 times more abundant than neurons in the mammalian brain
division of the PNS that transmits action potentials from the periphery to the CNS
Sensory (Afferent) division
Sensory division may be further classified into Somatic (consciously) or Visceral (unconsciously)
division of the PNS that transmits action potentials from the CNS towards the periphery
Motor (Efferent) division
Motor division may be further classified into Somatic (consciously) or Autonomic (unconsciously)
a division of the ANS that maintains normal body homeostasis
parasympathetic division
has its ganglia within or near effector organs
a division of the ANS that maintains the body’s responses during emergencies and excitement
fight-or-flight
sympathetic division
sympathetic division has its ganglia close to the CNS
a division of the ANS that is located in the wall of the digestive tract
can function without input from the CNS or other parts of the PNS
Enteric Nervous System (ENS)
what are the 3 main parts of a neuron?
- cell body
- dendrites
- axon
this part of the neuron contains the nucleus and the cell’s organelles; serves as the synthetic or trophic center for the entire neuron
cell body (perikaryon or soma)
part of the neuron that is classified as the numerous elongated processes extending from the perikaryon and specialized to receive stimuli from other neurons
dendrites
also known as little trees; receiving end of a neuron
dendrites receive information from other neurons or receptors and transmit it toward the cell body
a single long process ending at synapses specialized to generate and conduct nerve impulses to other cells (eg, nerve, muscle, and gland cells)
axon