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Nervous System Flashcards

1
Q

Nervous system

A

Responsible for controlling most body functions, receive and respond to external and internal environmental stimuli
Central and peripheral

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2
Q

Neurons

A

Functional units of the nervous system
Convert stimuli into electrochemical signals and conduct them through the body
Elongated cell consisting of dendrites, cell body, and axon

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3
Q

Dendrites

A

Cytoplasmic extensions that receive info and transmit it toward the cell body

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4
Q

Cell body

A

Soma

Contains the nucleus and controls the metabolic activity of the neuron

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5
Q

Axon

A

Long cellular process that transmits action potentials

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6
Q

Myelin

A

Insulating substance preventing leakage of signal from the axons
Increases conduction velocity

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7
Q

Nodes of Ranvier

A

Gaps between segments of myelin

Where action potential propagates through saltatory conduction

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8
Q

Oligodendrocytes

A

Glial cells that myelinate CNS axons

Provide structural framework for the CNS

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9
Q

Synapse

A

The gap between the axon terminal of one cell and dendrites of the next cell

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10
Q

CNS cells

A

Astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, microglia, ependymal cells

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11
Q

PNS cells

A

Satellite cells, Schwann cells

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12
Q

Astrocytes

A

Maintain the integrity of the blood-brain barrier
Regulate nutrient and dissolved gas concentrations
Absorb and recycle neurotransmittes

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13
Q

Microglia

A

Remove cellular debris and pathogens

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14
Q

Ependymal cells

A

Line the brain ventricles and aid in the production, circulation, and monitoring of cerebral spinal fluid

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15
Q

Satellite cells

A

Surround the neuron cell bodies in the ganglia

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16
Q

Schwann cells

A

Enclose the axons in the PNS

Aid in myelination of some peripheral axons

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17
Q

Resting potential

A

The potential difference at rest between the extracellular and intracellular space due to unequal distribution of ions
-70 mV
Due to Na+/K+ pump and facilitated diffusion of K+ out of the cell

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18
Q

Depolarization

A

The inside of the cell becomes more positive

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19
Q

Na+/K+ pump

A

Active transport
Pumps 3 Na+ out of the cell for every 2 K+ in
Results in negative internal environment

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20
Q

Action potential

A
  1. Voltage-gated Na+ channels open in response to depolarization to threshold potential (-55 mV)
  2. Na+ rush down electrochemical gradient into the cell. Further depolarization
  3. Causes next portion of axon to depolarize. Continues along the axon
  4. At synaptic terminal, voltage-gated Ca2+ channel opens, Ca2+ rushes in and triggers exocytosis of synaptic vesicles
  5. Repolarization. High voltage causes voltage-gated K+ channels to open, rushing out of the cell. Na+ channels close. Cell returns to negative potential
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21
Q

Hyperpolarization

A

Neuron’s voltage shoots past resting potential and becomes more negative due to K+ channels being open

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22
Q

Refractory period

A

After an action potential during which new action potentials are very difficult to initiate due to hyperpolarization
Ensure forward movement

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23
Q

All-or-none response

A

If and only if the threshold membrane potential is reached, an action potential with a consistent size and duration is produced
Intensity is coded by the frequency of action potentials not magnitude

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24
Q

Effector cells

A

Postsynaptic cells other than neurons than neurons communicate with

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25
Neurotransmitter
Chemical messengers that diffuse across the synapse and act on receptor proteins embedded in the postsynaptic membrane leading to depolarization and firing of an action potential Removed by reuptake, degradation or diffusion
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Afferent neuron
Carry sensory info about the external or internal environment to the brain or spinal cord
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Efferent neuron
Carry motor commands from the brain or spinal cord
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Interneuron
Participate only in local circuits | Link sensory and motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord
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Plexus
A network of nerve fibers
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Ganglia
Clusters of neuronal cell bodies in the PNS
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Nuclei
Clusters of neuronal cell bodies in the CNS
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Brain
Mass of neurons | Interpret sensory info, form motor plans, and cognitive function
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Grey matter
Outter portion of cell bodies
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White matter
Inner portion of myelinated axons
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Forebrain
Prosencephalon | Consists of the telencephalon and diencephalon
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Cerebral cortex
Highly convoluted grey matter Processes and integrates sensory input and motor responses Important for memory and creative thought
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Olfactory bulb
Center for reception and integration of olfactory input
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Diencephalon
The thalamus and hypothalamus
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Thalamus
Relay and integration center for the spinal cord and cerebral cortex
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Hypothalamus
Controls visceral functions such as hunger, thirst, sex drive, water balance, blood pressure, and temperature regulation Control endocrine system
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Midbrain
Mesencephalon Relay center for visual and auditory impulses Role in motor control
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Hindbrain
Rhombencephalon | Consists of the cerebellum, pons and medulla
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Cerebellum
Modulate motor impulses initiated by the cerebral cortex | Maintain balance, hand-eye coordination, and timing of rapid movement
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Pons
Relay center to allow the cortex to communicate with the cerebellum
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Medulla
Controls many vital functions such as breathing, heart rate, and gastrointestinal activity
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Brainstem
The midbrain, pons, and medulla
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Spinal cord
Elongated extension of the brain Conduit sensory info to the brain and motor info from the brain Integrate simple motor response (reflexes) Sensory info enters through the dorsal horn Motor info exists through the central horn
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Peripheral nervous system
Consist of nerves and ganglia | Somatic and autonomic nervous systems
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Somatic nervous system
Innervates skeletal muscles | Responsible for voluntary movement and reflex arcs
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Autonomic nervous system
Regulates the body's internal environment without the aid of conscious control Innervates cardiac and smooth muscle Blood pressure control, gastrointestinal motility, excretion, respiration, and reproduction Subdivisions: sympathetic and parasympathetic
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Sympathetic nervous system
Flight or fight responses Increases blood pressure, heart rate, and blood flow to skeletal muscles Decreases gut motility Dilates bronchioles to increase gas exchange Norepinephrine
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Parasympathetic nervous system
Rest and digest Conserve energy and restore body to resting activity Lower heart rate Increase gut motility Vagus nerve innervates thoracic and abdominal viscera Acetylcholine
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Eye
Detects light energy (photons) and transmits info about intensity, colour, and shape
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Sclera
Thick, opaque layer covering the eyeball
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Choroid
Dark, pigmented area that reduces reflection in the eye | Supply retina with blood
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Retina
Innermost layer | Contains photoreceptors that sense light
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Cornea
Transparent layer at the front of the eye that bends and focuses light rays
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Pupil
Light rays travel through | Diameter controlled by iris
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Iris
Pigmented muscles Respond to the intensity of light Light = Constriction
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Ciliary muscles
Control the shape and focal length of the lens
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Lens
Focuses the image onto the retina
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Photoreceptors
Transduce light into action potentials | Synapse onto bipolar cells which synpase onto ganglion cells whose axons bundle to form the optic nerve
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Cones
Respond to high-intensity illumination Sensitive to colour 3 pigments that absorb red, green and blue
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Rods
Detect low-intensity illumination Important in night vision Rhodopsin pigment absorbs a single wavelength
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Blind spot
The point at which the optic nerve exits the eye | No photoreceptors present
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Optic nerve
Conduct visual info to the brain | Bundle of axons of the ganglion cells
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Fovea
Small area above the blind spot densely packed with cones | Important for high-acuity vision
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Vitreous humor
Jelly-like material in the eye | Maintains shape and optical properties
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Aqueous humor
Watery substance between the lens and cornea
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Myopia
Nearsightedness | The image is focused in front of the retina
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Hyperopia
Farsightedness | The image is focused behind the retina
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Astigmatism
An irregularly shaped cornea
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Cataracts
Develop when the lens becomes opaque | Light cannot enter the eye and results in blindness
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Glaucoma
Increased pressure in the eye because of blocking the outflow of aqueous humor Results in optic nerve damage
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Ear
Transduces sound energy into impulses perceived by the brain as sound Outer, middle and inner
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Outer ear
The auricle (external ear) and auditory canal
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Tympanic membrane
Eardrum | Vibrates at the same frequency as incoming sound
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Ossicles
3 bones Malleus (hammer), incus (anvil), and stapes (stirrup) Amplify the stimulus and transmit it through the oval window leading to the inner ear
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Middle ear
Tympanic membrane and ossicles
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Inner ear
Cochlea and vestibular apparatus
81
Cochlea
Vibration of the ossicles exerts pressure on the fluid, simulating hair cells in the basilar membrane to transduce the pressure into action potentials, which travel via the auditory (cochlear) nerve to the brain

Biology (17 decks)

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