The Nervous System: Overview
I. Master controlling + communicating system of the body
II. Receives information -> every thought, action and emotion reflects its activity
III. Integrates information -> processing of stimuli (decision-making)
IV. Initiates responses -> motor output
V. Works with endocrine system
Central Nervous System Peripheral Nervous system
Brain Afferent (incoming Efferent (outgoing signals)
Spinal cord signals)
1. Sensory division Motor division
2. Carries signals Carries signals away from CNS
towards CNS
Somatic Nervous Neuro- Autonomic Nervous
System endocrine System
1. Voluntar Brain & its i. Sympathetic
y secretions ii. Parasympathetic
and how
that affects
nervous
system.
The Nerve Cell
Functional cell responsible for nervous system signalling
Specialised for communication
FUNCTION:
a. Long distance electrical signals (electrical impulses or action potentials from one part of
the body to another.
b. Short distance chemical signals
c. Higher order processing- brain & ganglia
, Neurobiology
Types of Nerve Cells
1. Neurons
2. Neuroglia
1. Neurons
Transmission of information from one part of the body to the other
Generation of electrical impulses (by plasma membrane of the neuron)
Directs information to specific sites
Allows for multiple inputs and outputs
Rapid communication
Structures and Functions of the Neuron
Cell Body Dendrites Axons
Main body Cytoplasmic Slender tube of cell
Integration centre extension of cell membrane
Nucleus (DNA) body Small amount of
Mitochondria Receives information cytoplasm
Organelles from receptors or Enclosed in myelin
other neurons sheath
Specialised to
transmit action
potential away from
cell body
Types of Neurons & Their Functions
Sensory Neuron Interneuron Motor neuron
Found in PNS Transmits Found in PNS
Receives stimuli from information between Transmits
sensory receptors components of CNS information away
Transmits Links sensory and from CNS to effectors
information to CNS motor neurons
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