Nervous System Deck Flashcards
(99 cards)
1
Q
nervous system
A
the communication network for the body; the most highly organized system
2
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the main function of the nervous system
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to coordinate all of the body’s activities
3
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when changes occur inside or outside the body
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the nervous system allows it to recognize them and respond as needed
4
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the basic element of the nervous system
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the neuron
5
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neuron/nerve cell
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job is to transmit a message from one cell to the next
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in order for a neuron to perform its job
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contains special fibers that extend from the cytoplasm of the cell body
7
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dendrites
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conduct impulses toward the cell
8
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a nerve cell
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may have several dendrites
9
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axons
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conduct impulses away from the cell
10
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each nerve cell
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has only one axon
11
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many axons
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covered by a fatty tissue called the myelin sheath
12
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myelin sheath
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protects the axons and speeds up the impulse as it travels
13
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impulse
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refers to a force that produces sudden activity in nerve cells and is transmitted in a wave along nerve fibers
14
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the axon of one neuron
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lies close to many dendrites of other neurons
15
Q
synapse
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the space between a dendrite and an axon
16
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neurotransmitters
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special chemicals that help impulses “jump” the synapse to pass the message from cell to cell
17
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neurons
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form bundles called nerves
18
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the impulses
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can follow many different routes throughout the body
19
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types of neurons
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afferent, efferent, associative
20
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afferent neurons/sensory neurons
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carry messages from all parts of the body to the brain and spinal cord
21
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efferent neurons/motor neurons
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carry messages from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles and glands
22
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associative neurons/interneurons
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carry messages from afferent neurons to efferent neurons
23
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the two main divisions of the nervous system
A
central nervous system and peripheral nervous system
24
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central nervous system
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consists of the brain, spinal cord, optic (eye) nerves
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peripheral nervous system
consists of nerves that reach all parts of the body
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autonomic nervous system
the special division of the peripheral nervous system which controls the involuntary activities of the vital organs
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spinal cord
controls many reflex actions; acts as a pathway for messages to and from the brain and the nerves that go to the muscles and glands
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involuntary
refers to actions that are not controlled by a person's conscious thought/will
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brain
interprets, organizes, and stores information
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job of the brain
to control and direct body functions
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the main sections of the brain
the cerebrum, diencephalon, cerebellum, brain stem
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cerebrum
the largest and highest section of the brain; separated into four lobes; concerned with reasoning, the senses, speech, voluntary body movement
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the four lobes of the cerebrum
frontal, parietal, temporal, occipital
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diencephalon
includes two parts: the thalamus and the hypothalamus
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thalamus
directs sensory impulses to the cerebrum
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hypothalamus
controls the autonomic nervous system, body temperature, appetite, water balance, sleep, blood vessel constriction and dilation
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the hypothalamus is a role-player in
emotions (ex.: anger, fear, pleasure, pain, affection)
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cerebellum
responsible for coordination of muscle movements, balance and posture, muscle tone
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brain stem
includes three parts
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parts of the brain stem
the midbrain, the pons, the medulla oblongata
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midbrain
conducts impulses between the brain parts and for certain eye and auditory reflexes
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pons
directs messages to other parts of the brain and for chewing, saliva production; helps with respiration
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medulla oblongata
connects with the spinal cord; regulates heartbeat, respiration, swallowing, blood pressure
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spinal cord location
starts at the base of the brain stem and extends to the area around the first lumbar vertebrae in the lower back
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encasement of the spinal cord
the vertebral column
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spinal column/vertebral column
consists of 26 bones called vertebrae
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spinal cord
controls many reflex actions; acts as a pathway for messages to and from the brain and the nerves that go to the muscles and glands
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optic nerve location
in the back of the eye
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optic nerve
responsible for transferring visual information from the retina to the vision centers of the brain via electrical impulses
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the second of several pairs of cranial nerves
the optic nerve
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the make-up of the optic nerve
made up of nerve cells; consists of over one million nerve fibers
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the protector of the brain
the skull
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the protectors of the spinal cord
the surrounding vertebrae
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meninges
three layers of tough membranes that cover and protect the brain and spinal cord
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the three meninges layers
1. the dura mater - the outer layer
2. arachnoid membrane - the middle layer
3. pia mater - the innermost layer
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cerebrospinal fluid
watery liquid that fills the brain's four ventricles (hollow spaces); acts as a shock absorber
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functions of the cerebrospinal fluid
1. carries nutrients to some parts of the central nervous system
2. helps remove metabolic products and wastes
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movement of cerebrospinal fluid
flows throughout the brain and around the spinal cord for further protection
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make-up of the peripheral nervous system
includes 12 pairs of cranial nerves and their branches and 31 pairs of spinal nerves and their branches
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some of the cranial nerves
process input from special senses, such as sight, hearing, taste, smell
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other cranial nerves
receive general sensations (ex.: touch, pressure, pain, temperature); send out impulses to control muscles
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spinal nerves
carry messages to and from the spinal cord
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each spinal nerve
goes directly to a certain part of the body or forms a network with other spinal nerves to reach a larger segment of the body
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two divisions of the autonomic nervous system
the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems
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the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems
usually work together to maintain a balanced state for the body
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sympathetic system
in times of emergency, prepares the body for action with the "fight or flight" response
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functions of the sympathetic system
1. increases heart rate, respiration, blood pressure
| 2. slows the rate of digestion
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parasympathetic system
after the stress is over (after the emergency), reverses the actions of the sympathetic system to counteract the effects and return the body to normal working conditions
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autism/autism spectrum disorder
refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech, nonverbal communication; a brain disorder
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cause of autism
unknown
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the nature of autism
appears to be a combination of genetic and environmental factors
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the most common cause of dementia
Alzheimer's disease
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dementia
a general term for memory loss serious enough to interfere with daily life
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Alzheimer's disease
occurs when nerve cells in the brain die; a progressive neurodegenerative disease
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results of Alzheimer's disease
often results in impaired memory, thinking, behavior
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in advanced stages of Alzheimer's disease
complications from severe loss of brain function and can result in death
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treatment for Alzheimer's disease
no treatment that cures the disease or alters the disease's process in the brain
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myasthenia gravis
disease where the proper nerve pulses are not sent to the muscles
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the result of myasthenia gravis
progressive muscle weakness and paralysis occur
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cause of myasthenia gravis
exact cause unknown; thought that it may be related to an autoimmune process
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cure for myasthenia gravis
none
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treatment for myasthenia gravis
involves medication and lifestyle changes to cope with the disease
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definitions/synonyms of cerebrovascular accident
1. CVA
2. stroke
3. "brain attack"
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cerebrovascular accident
occurs when there is a loss of blood flow, and in turn oxygen, to the brain
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possible causes of cerebrovascular accident
a blood vessel bursting or being blocked by a blood clot
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symptoms of cerebrovascular accident
vary depending on the area and the amount of brain tissue damaged
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common symptoms of cerebrovascular accident
include weakness or paralysis on one side of the body, difficulty swallowing, visual or speech impairment, mental confusion, loss of consciousness
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stroke
a leading cause of death in the United States
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controlling risk factors of stroke
smoking, heart disease, diabetes (helps to prevent them)
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treatment within the first three hours of a stroke
(ex.: using drugs to break up a clot and restore blood flow) can help to prevent brain damage
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treatment for any damage
(from a stroke) involves therapy to help people recover from or adapt to the losses of mental or physical function
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multiple sclerosis (MS)
disease of the central nervous system
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the result of multiple sclerosis
progressive loss of muscle control
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the myelin sheath in multiple sclerosis
slowly destroyed
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the exact cause of multiple sclerosis
unknown; thought that it may be related to a virus or an autoimmune process
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early symptoms of multiple sclerosis
include double vision, tingling and numbness, weakness, fatigue
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as multiple sclerosis worsens
symptoms include tremors, speech impairment, paralysis
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cure for multiple sclerosis
none
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treatment for multiple sclerosis
involves medication and physical therapy to help control the symptoms and maintain functional ability as long as possible
