The Nervous System

Neurons Conduct Electrical Signals

• Neurons are
nerve cells,
specialized cells
that transmit
information
throughout the
body
 Structure of a Neuron
• Dendrites are the ‘antennae’ of the
neuron. Dendrites receive information
from other cells.
• An Axon is a long extension that
conducts nerve impulses. The axon
carries the nerve impulse ‘away’ from
the neuron.
• Nerves are bundles of neurons.
Structure of a Neuron
 Some Neurons are Insulated
• Many neurons have a fatty outer layer
called a myelin sheath.
• The myelin sheath causes nerve
impulses to move faster down the axon.
• The myelin sheath is interrupted at
intervals called nodes of Ranvier.
 Action Potential
• A nerve impulse is also called an action
potential.
• An action potential involves a change in
the charge of the membrane and
involves the movement of sodium and
potassium ions.
Neurons Use Neurotransmitters to
Communicate
• Nerve impulses must be transmitted
across gaps called synapses.
• Neurotransmitters are signal molecules
that transmit nerve impulses across
synapses.
Release of Neurotransmitters
 Central Nervous System
• Brain
• Spinal Cord
• The CNS is the control center of the
body.
• The CNS interprets and responds to
information from the environment and
from within the body.
 Peripheral Nervous System
• Contains sensory neurons and motor
neurons.

• Sensory neurons send information from

sense organs, such as the skin to the CNS.

• Motor neurons send commands from the

CNS to muscles and other organs.
 Peripheral Nervous System
• The PNS is subdivided into the
autonomic nervous system and the
somatic nervous system.
 Autonomic Nervous System
• Involuntary
• Two divisions
– Sympathetic – fight-or-flight responses
– Parasympathetic – body at rest
 Somatic Nervous System
• Cranial and spinal nerves
• Reflexes – automatic responses to
stimuli
 The Brain
• The brain is the body’s main processing
center.
• The brain has four lobes:
– Frontal
– Parietal
– Occipital
– Temporal
 Sensory Receptors
• Sensory receptors detect stimuli and then
transmit impulses that can be interpreted
by the brain.
 Types of Sensory Receptors
Receptor Type Stimulus Location
Thermoreceptors Temperature Skin,
hypothalamus
Pain receptors Tissue damage All tissues and
organs (but the
brain)
Mechanorectors Movement, Skin, ears
pressure, tension
Photoreceptors Light Eyes
Chemoreceptors Chemical Tongue, nose