Chapter 11 (part 1)

Learning Outcomes:
1. Describe the general functions of the nervous system
2. Define CNS and PNS
3. Describe the two subcategories of the PNS and the two subcategories of
the motor division.
4. Describe the structure of a neuron. Describe the different types of
neurons based on structure and function
5. List and describe the functions of the CNS and PNS glial cells.
6. Define myelin sheath. How does the presence of myelin affect a neuron.
Coordination of the body's organ systems:

Nervous system

faster than endocrine, but has a shorter duration

Endocrine system

slower than nervous, has a longer duration (lasts longer)

Major functions of the nervous system:

1.

sensory input
a. collects data from environment

2.

integration
a.

3.

process
control effectors

a.

muscles and gland tissue that respond to stimuli

4.

homeostasis

5.

mental activity
a.

thoughts

Two major anatomical divisions of the nervous system

Central Nervous system

includes the brain and spinal cord

integration, processing and coordinating sensory data and motor commands

Peripheral Nervous system

outside CNS

delivery system to and from CNS

bundles of axons (nerve fibers) carry information and motor commands

nerves are bundles of nerve fibers with the blood vessels and connective
tissues

cranial nerves are connected to brain

spinal nerves are connected to spine

includes:

sensory receptors:

the endings of neurons

separate, specialized cells that detect temp, pain, touch,

pressure, light, sound, odor, and other stimuli

located in skin, muscles, joints, internal organs, and specialized

sensory organs, such as eyes and ears

nerve:
a bundle of axons and their sheaths
connects the CNS to sensory receptors, muscles, and glands
cranial nerves:
ganglia: a collection of neuron cell bodies located outside the CNS
plexus: an extensive network of axons and, in some cases, neuron cell
bodies, located outside the CNS
The Peripheral Nervous System is composed of two divisions
1. Sensory (afferent)

brings sensory information to CNS from receptors in tissues and organs

receptors detect changes in environment

receptors may be neurons or other specialized cells

transmits electrical signals called action potentials from the sensory

receptors to the CNS

action potential:

2. Motor (efferent)

Carries motor commands from CNS to muscles and glands

divided into somatic and autonomic

Components of the motor peripheral nervous system:

1. Somatic nervous system

controls skeletal muscles, voluntary or involuntary

2. Autonomic nervous system

visceral motor system

controls smooth muscle, cardiac muscle and glandular activity

two divisions:

sympathetic:

most active during physical activity

prepares body for physical activity

parasympathetic:

regulates resting functions such as digesting food or emptying

the urinary bladder

Cells of the nervous system

Neural Tissue
specialized to conduct electrical impulses
2 types of cells in neural tissue:
neurons:
morphological and functional unit of the nervous system
receive stimuli and transmit action potentials to other neurons or to effector
organs
consists of three parts: nerve cell body, the dendrites, and the axon
also called the nerve cell
neuroglia (glial cells):
supporting cells of nervous tissue
DO NOT conduct electrical impulses

Glial cells

CNS glial cells

ependymal cells:
epithelial cells found in central canal of the spinal cord and the ventricles of the
brain
secrete cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
astrocytes:
star shaped neuroglia cell involved with forming blood brain barrier a
blood brain barrier: maintain a barrier between the interstitial fluid of the
CNS and the circulation by controlling most large molecular compounds
from blood to the cerebrospinal fluid and brain tissue
provide structural framework of CNS

 stabilize injured tissue

adjust composition of the Cerebrospinal fluid
oligodendrocytes:
extensions of these cells wrap around the axons of neurons (myelination)
myelinate the axons of CNS neurons
microglia:
clean up debris
surveillance
type of macrophage

PNS glial cells

Satellite cells:
amphicytes
insulate soma
Schwann cells:
insulate axons
myelinate axons

Neuron Structure:
1. Soma

cell body

contains nucleus and most of the organelles

lack centrioles

2. Dendrites

extend from soma

sensitive processes that extend from soma

eyes and ears of cell

branched

receive input from other axons and from environment

when stimulated, they generate small electrical currents, which are conducted
to the neuron cell body

3. Axon

long cytoplasmic process that propogates action potentials

larger than dendrite in diameter

axon hillock: area of origin of the axon from the nerve cell body

axolemma:

(cell membrane)

may or may not be covered by sections of neuroglia or glial cells:

myelination (this helps with communication speed)

collaterals:
branches from an axon
branches off from middle of cell

synaptic terminal: specialized area of axon where communication with other

cells takes place

trigger zone: location of the generation of APs; consists of the axon hillock
and the part of the axon nearest the cell body

Synapse: Communication junction between a neuron and another cell

presynaptic cell: sends message towards synapse

postsynaptic cell: receives message

communication is via release of neurotransmitters (example: ACh)

neurotransmitter: specific agent released by a presynaptic cell on

excitation that crosses the synaptic cleft and stimulates or inhibits the post
synaptic cell

neuromuscular junction or neuroglandular junction: specialized synapse between

a motor neuron and a muscle fiber

At the Synapse

the presynaptic cell releases neurotransmitters

the neurotransmitter moves across the synaptic cleft

synaptic cleft: space between the pre- and post synaptic membranes

neurotransmitters bind to receptors on the post synaptic cell membrane

post synaptic cell alters its activity

Neuron Classification:

neurons can be classified based on structure and function

based on dendrite relationship to soma and axon of the cell

Structural Classification: based on dendrite relationship with the soma and

axon

1.

Bipolar neuron:

dendrites extend in one direction; axon in the other

dendrites on one end and axon on the opposite enc

2.

Pseudo-unipolar neuron:

processes are continuous; soma lies to the side

dendrites and axon form a continuous process

referred to as unipolar because there is only one branch

3.

Multipolar neuron:

several dendrites and one axon

rare

Functional Classification
1.

Sensory neurons:

afferent division of the PNS

conduct action potentials toward the CNS

carry info from receptor to CNS

usually pseudo-unipolar

somatic sensory neurons: detect changes in the external environment

visceral sensory neurons: detect changes in the internal environment

2.

Motor neurons:

part of the efferent division of the PNS

carries commands from CNS to the effectors

modifies activity of the peripheral tissues and organs

conduct action potentials away from the CNS toward muscles or glands

somatic motor neurons:

visceral motor neurons:

3.

intervate skeletal muscle

intervate all other tissue types beside skeletal muscle

Interneurons:

association neurons

only in CNS

connection between sensory and motor neurons

distribute info

coordinate motor activities

conduct action potentials from one neuron to another within the CNS