NERVOUS SYSTEM Flashcards
(1295 cards)
What are the components of the central nervous system (CNS)?
Brain and spinal cord
The CNS serves as the integrative and control center of the body.
What does the peripheral nervous system (PNS) consist of?
Cranial nerves and spinal nerves
The PNS provides communication lines between the CNS and the rest of the body.
What is the function of the sensory (afferent) division of the PNS?
Conducts impulses from receptors to the CNS
It includes somatic and visceral sensory nerve fibers.
What is the role of the motor (efferent) division of the PNS?
Conducts impulses from the CNS to effectors (muscles and glands)
This includes somatic and autonomic nervous systems.
What is the somatic nervous system responsible for?
Conducts impulses from the CNS to skeletal muscles (voluntary)
It is part of the motor division of the PNS.
What does the autonomic nervous system (ANS) control?
Visceral motor (involuntary) functions
It conducts impulses from the CNS to cardiac muscles, smooth muscles, and glands.
What is the function of sympathetic division of the ANS?
Mobilizes body systems during activity
It prepares the body for ‘fight or flight’ responses.
What is the function of parasympathetic division of the ANS?
Conserves energy and promotes housekeeping functions during rest
It is often referred to as the ‘rest and digest’ system.
What are neuroglia?
Supportive cells in the nervous system
They include astrocytes, microglia, ependymal cells, and oligodendrocytes.
What is the role of astrocytes?
Most abundant, versatile, and highly branched glial cells
They cling to neurons, synaptic endings, and capillaries.
What function do microglia serve?
Monitor neurons and migrate toward injured neurons
They can transform to phagocytize microorganisms and neuronal debris.
What is the role of ependymal cells?
Line the central cavities of the brain and spinal column
They may be ciliated and help circulate cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
What do oligodendrocytes do?
Form insulating myelin sheaths around CNS nerve fibers
Their processes wrap around thicker nerve fibers.
What are the unique features of neurons?
- Do not divide
- Do not change once matured
- Do not repair if damaged
- High metabolic rate
Neurons conduct impulses and have extreme longevity.
What is the resting membrane potential?
Approximately -70 mV
It is the voltage across a neuron’s membrane at rest.
What is the Nernst equation used for?
To calculate the equilibrium potential for an ion
It considers the concentration gradients of ions across the membrane.
What are the key ions involved in resting membrane potential?
- Na+
- K+
- Cl-
- Anions
Their concentration gradients contribute to the resting potential.
What is the role of the Na+/K+ ATPase?
Maintains ionic gradients across the cell membrane
It pumps Na+ out and K+ into the cell, using ATP.
What is an action potential?
A major mechanism of neuronal communication
It travels down the axon to trigger neurotransmitter release.
What is the difference between graded potentials and action potentials?
- Graded potentials: short distance
- Action potentials: long distance
Graded potentials can vary in amplitude and duration.
What is the peak of an action potential also known as?
Overshoot
It is followed by a phase known as afterhyperpolarization (AHP).
What does depolarization refer to?
A decrease in membrane potential, making it less negative
It occurs when Na+ ions enter the neuron.
What are ion channels?
Proteins that allow ions to pass through the cell membrane
They can be voltage-gated, ligand-gated, or mechanically gated.
What is the term for the decrease in a quantity over time?
decrement
Decrement is often used in contexts such as signal processing or memory allocation.