6/8/2015

Nervous System

Objectives
After this lecture, you should understand:
Neurons structure and action potential transmission
Transmission of electrical signals at a synapse
Structural and functional organization of the nervous system
Physiology of the autonomic nervous system
The role of the nervous system during exercise

Functions
Communication / maintenance of homeostasis
Voluntary control of movement
Reflexes
Cognition / learning
***Nervous tissue works by sending electrical signals

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Cells of Nervous System

Neuron major cell type
Cell body (soma)
Axon
Dendrites

Neuroglia supporting cells

Several types
Schwann cells form myelin sheath (PNS)

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How Neurons Work

Resting membrane potential
Charge difference between inside and outside of cell

(polarized)
~ -70mv in neurons
More neg on inside

+++
---

Action Potentials

Neurons send electrical impulses called action

potentials (AP)

APs occur when a stimulus causes the neuron to

depolarize

Inside becomes more positive

If the neuron is depolarized to a critical threshold

(~ -55mv), an AP is generated

wave of depolarization
Depolarization is due to Na+ ions rushing

inward

Repolarization follows due to K+ flowing out

Voltage during AP

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Action potential propagation

1. Action potentials propagate in

one direction along the axon.
2. An action potential (orange part
of the membrane) generates
local currents (black arrows) that
tend to depolarize the membrane
immediately adjacent to the
action potential.

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- + + - - - - - - - + + - - + + + + + + + +

+ + +

3. When depolarization caused by

the local currents reaches
threshold, a new action potential
is produced.
4. Action potential propagation
occurs in one direction because
the absolute refractory period of
the previous action potential
prevents generation of an action
potential in the reverse direction.

+ + - - + + + + + + + +
- + + - - - - - - - -

+ - - + + + + + +

- + + -

- + + -

+ + +

+ - - + + + + + +

+ + + + + + + - - + + +
- - - - - - + + - - - - - - - - + + - - + + + + + + + - - + + +
Absolute refractory period
prevents another action potential

Site of next action

potential

All-or-None Law
If an AP is generated, it will travel the entire length of the

axon without losing strength

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Axon Terminals
When AP reaches end of axon, a neurotransmitter

(chemical) is released.
Norepinephrine (NE), Acetylcholine (ACh)

NT cross synapse (synaptic cleft) and bind receptors on

another cell (muscle, gland, another neuron) causing a response

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Action potential
Ca2+
Synaptic
vesicle

Acetylcholine

Ca2+ diffuse into the cell and cause synaptic vesicles to release
acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter molecule.
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Organization of the Nervous System

Central Nervous System

(CNS)

Brain and spinal cord

Brain parts: Cerebrum, diencephalon,
brain stem, cerebellum)

Peripheral NS (PNS)
Nervous tissue outside of CNS
Cranial nerves :12 pairs
Spinal nerves: 31 pairs

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Functional Organization
Within PNS:
Sensory (afferent) nerves conduct impulses from periphery

to the CNS
Motor (efferent) nerves conduct impulses from the CNS to

the periphery

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Functional Organization

Motor (efferent) portion is divided into a somatic and

autonomic branch

Somatic conducts impulses to skeletal muscle (voluntary)

One neuron (alpha-motor neuron; cell body in spinal cord)
Autonomic conducts impulses to smooth muscle, cardiac

muscle, and glands (involuntary)

2 neurons (communicate at a ganglion)

Preganglionic vs. postganglionic

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Somatic vs. Autonomic

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Autonomic
ANS divided into

sympathetic and
parasympathetic branches:
Sympathetic: active under
stressful conditions; fightor-flight
Parasympathetic: active
under resting conditions;
resting-and-digesting

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Neurotransmitters
Somatic - Ach
Autonomic
Preganglionic Ach
Postganglionic (sympathetic) NE
Postganglionic (parasympathetic) ACh

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Somatic vs. Autonomic

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Receptors
Cholinergic respond to Ach
Nicotinic; muscarinic

Adrenergic respond to NE
Alpha-1, alpha-2, beta-1, beta-2

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Role of NS During Exercise

Somatic
skeletal muscle contraction
Autonomic
Parasympathetic vs. Sympathetic
Cardiovascular effects?
Heart rate and contractility, vasoconstriction, vasodilation
Initial increase in HR: parasympathetic withdrawal
Respiratory effects?
Bronchiole dilation
Metabolic effects?
Lipolysis, glycogenolysis
Thermoregulation?
sweating
Other?
Dilates pupils; Stimulates adrenal medulla; pancreas secretions
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