Nervous vs. endocrine systems - Nervous: Sensory input triggers efferent nervous
output to skeletal muscle, discrete activation of localized cells, short time frame
Endocrine: Shorter days causes a gradual surge in testosterone, binding
intracellular receptors in skeletal muscle cells, stimulating protein synthesis that
alters muscle mass, occurs over a period of months, influencing wide-spread cells
Basic nervous system organization (CNS vs. PNS) - CNS: Brain and spinal cord
PNS: Nerves and ganglion
Three general functions of the nervous system - 1. Collect information: Receptors
detect stimuli and send sensory signals to spinal cord and brain
2. Processes and evaluate information: Brain and spinal cord determine response
to sensory input
3. Initiate response to information: Brain and spinal cord send motor output via
nerves to effectors (muscles or glands)
Afferent vs. efferent divisions of the nervous system - Afferent (arrives): Sensory,
carries information to the CNS
Efferent (exits): Motor, carries information away from CNS to effector organs,
muscles and glands carry out orders to bring about desired effects
, Afferent nervous system - Somatic sensory system: Detects stimuli we consciously
perceive (5 senses, proprioceptors like body position)
Visceral sensory system: Detects stimuli we typically do not perceive (signals from
heart, kidneys, ORGANS)
Efferent nervous system - Somatic motor system: Senses voluntary signals to
skeletal muscles (soma = body)
Autonomic motor system (visceral motor): Sends involuntary commands to heart,
smooth muscle, and glands (autonomic = automatic)
Has sympathetic (fight or flight) and parasympathetic (rest and digest) divisions
Functional classifications of nerves - Sensory nerves: Contain sensory neurons
sending signals to CNS
Motor nerves: Contain motor neurons sending signals from CNS
Mixed nerves: Contain both sensory and motor nerves (most names nerves in this
category, individual axons in these nerves transmit only one type of information
Five general characteristics of neurons - 1. Excitability: Responds with a
movement of ions to a stimulus
2. Conductivity: Propagate a signal that occurs via voltage gated channels
3. Secretion: Secrete neurotransmitters
4. Longevity: Neurons last hopefully throughout your lifetime unless there is
nerve damage
5. Amitotic: Nerves cannot undergo mitosis
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