Section 4 Flashcards
What are the main functions of the nervous system?
Sensation, analysis, response
What are the two main devisions of the nervous system?
Central nervous system (CNS) peripheral nervous system (PNS)
What structures make the CNS?
Cerebellum , spinal cord
Describe the functions and devisions of the autonomic nervous system?
Supplies neural to involuntary systems of the body, responsible for unconscious regulation of homeostasis
Identify 3 main structures that make up a Neuron
Cell body, axon, dendrites
What are the two main types of Neuron making up the PNS
Sensory, motor
What is the insulating sheath around a Neuron called?
Myelin sheath
Name the neurotransmitter that transfers the action potential from the end of a Neuron to an adjoining cell.
Acetylcholine
Describe the structure of a motor unit
Made of of one motor Neuron, and all the muscle fibres that it connects to.
What is the ‘all or none law’ of motor units?
They cannot vary the amount of force generated, they either contract maximally or not at all.
With reference to motor units describe how muscular force can be controlled
The greater number of motor units recruited the greater the force
What are proprioceptors?
Act as sensors in muscles and connective tissues in limbs. Provide feedback of the environment on our muscular skeletal system.
Muscle spindles provide what information in relation to muscles?
Muscle length
Golgi tendon organs provide what information in relation to muscles?
Muscle tension
What is the stretch reflex?
When a muscle contracts rapidly and shortens back up to prevent damage
