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Describe the structure of a neuron.
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A neuron consists of a soma (cell body), dendrites (listeners), and an axon (talker).
What are the two main components of the nervous system?
The central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS).
What are the primary types of glial cells in the PNS, and what are their functions?
Satellite cells support neuron cell bodies, and Schwann cells produce the myelin sheath.
What is the function of sensory (afferent) neurons?
They transmit impulses from sensory receptors to the central nervous system (CNS).
What is the function of neurons?
Neurons respond to stimuli and transmit signals. They are long-lived, irreplaceable, and have a high metabolic rate.
Name and describe the types of glial cells found in the CNS.
Astrocytes (anchor neurons to blood supply), microglial cells (immune defense), ependymal cells (create, secrete, circulate cerebrospinal fluid), and oligodendrocytes (produce myelin sheath).
Differentiate between the sensory (afferent) and motor (efferent) divisions of the PNS.
The sensory division picks up sensory stimuli and sends information to the brain, while the motor division sends directions from the brain to muscles and glands.
What is the main function of the nervous system?
It controls all organs, physiological and psychological reactions through electrical and chemical signals.
Describe the primary function of the Central Nervous System (CNS).
It is the main control center comprising the brain and spinal cord.
What is the function of interneurons?
Interneurons transmit impulses within the central nervous system.
What types of neurons can be differentiated based on structure?
Multipolar neurons (three or more processes), bipolar neurons (two processes), and unipolar neurons (one process).
What role does the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) play?
It consists of nerves that branch off from the brain and spinal cord to communicate in both directions with the rest of the body.
Describe the autonomic nervous system and its divisions.
It controls involuntary functions such as heart, lungs, and stomach, and it includes the sympathetic division (mobilizes body into action) and the parasympathetic division (relaxes the body).
What is the function of the somatic nervous system?
It controls voluntary skeletal muscle movement.
What is the role of motor (efferent) neurons?
They transmit impulses from the central nervous system to muscles or glands.
What is the role of glial cells in the nervous system?
Glial cells support and protect neurons and outnumber neurons by a ratio of 10 to 1.
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