Nervous System

FUNCTIONS WHAT IS IT?

1. Sensory input:  Fatty, protective wrapping around axons
- Sensory receptors respond to stimuli  Excellent insulator
2. Integration:
- Brain & spinal cord process stimuli NODES OF RANVIER
3. Control of muscles and glands  Gaps in myelin sheath where action
4. Mental activity: brain potentials develop
5. Homeostasis
SALTATORY CONDUCTION
 Jumping action potentials

MAIN DIVISIONS OF NS MYELINATED AXONS

Central Nervous System (CNS) Brain and spinal  Conduct action potentials faster (3-15 m/s)
cord than unmyelinated due to Nodes of Ranvier
**Multiple Sclerosis
Peripheral Nervous System All neurons  Disease of myeline sheath that causes loss
(PNS) outside CNS of muscle function

NEURON CHARACTERISTICS
 Nerve cells
 Require oxygen and glucose
 Receive input, process input, produce a
response
NEURON STRUCTURES
Dendrite Receives stimulus from
other neurons or
sensory receptors
Cell body Processes stimulus
Contains nucleus
Axon Transmits stimulus to a
gland, muscle, organ, or
other neuron

TYPES OF NEURONS
MYELIN SHEATH

ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY – NERVOUS SYSTEM

 Nervous System
Multipolar - Many dendrites Oligodendrocytes Schwann Cells
Ex. CNS and most motor - Single axon Produce myelin sheath
neurons
Nerve tracts Nerves
Bipolar - One dendrite Collection of axons
Ex. sense organs like eye - One axon Nuclei Ganglion
and nasal cavity - One process that Collection of cell bodies
serves as the
dendrite and axon
- Have sensory ELECTRICAL SIGNALS & NEURAL
functions PATHWAYS
Resting Membrane Potential
Pseudo-unipolar - One axon  Outside of cell is more + (Na+)
Ex. sensory neurons - No dendrites  Inside of cell is more – (K+)
- Group together to
form ganglia Leak ion channels: Gated ion channels:
- Have sensory - Always open - Closed until opened
functions - K+ channels by specific signal
- Na+ channels

NEUROGLIA CHARACTERISTICS
- Supporting cells for neurons
- More numerous than neurons
- Can divide to produce more cells
[1] Astrocytes
 Star-shaped
 Most-abundant
 Form blood-brain barrier

[2] Ependymal Cells

 Produce and circulate cerebrospinal fluid
(CSF)

[3] Microglia
 Help remove bacteria and cell debris from
CNS
 Phagocytotic

[4] Oligodendrocytes
 Produce myelin sheath in CNS

[5] Schwann cells

 Produce myelin sheath in PNS

ORGANIZATION OF NERVOUS TISSUE

Gray matter Collection of dendrites
and cell bodies

White matter Collection of axons and

their myelin sheath

CNS PNS

ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY – NERVOUS SYSTEM

 Nervous System

ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY – NERVOUS SYSTEM