Essentials of Human Anatomy & Physiology

The Nervous System

Anatomy & Physiology
Functions of the Nervous System
Coordinates the functions of all the other
organs in the body.
Receives, examines, processes data
and initiates appropriate responses
Regulates and maintains
homeostasis with the help of the
endocrine system
Keeps us in touch with external
environment
Nerve Cells Structures and Functions
Neuron = nerve cell

Cells specialized to transmit

electrochemical messages

The basic cellular unit of the

nervous system
Major regions of neurons
Cell body nucleus and
metabolic center of the cell

Processes fibers that extend

from the cell body
Parts of A Neuron
1. Dendrites conduct
impulses toward the cell
body
- Receive stimulation
from your body
parts or from the
environment
2. Cell body (soma) -
contains organelles & Nissl
substance (specialized
rough ER)
3. Axons conduct impulses
away from the cell body
 Schwann cells produce
myelin sheaths in jelly-roll
like
fashion
Nodes of Ranvier gaps in
myelin sheath along the axon
Axon is lacking a nissl body
Axon is sometimes called
nerve fiber made up of
myelin layer
The fatty covering material of
an axon is called myelin
sheath.
Classification of Neurons
Sensory (afferent) neurons carry information
and send impulses to the spinal cord or brain

- Pick up information from your body parts or the

environment an transmit this information to your
spinal cord and your brain.

- Carry nerve impulses from a receptor to the CNS

- Have long dendrites and short axons

Classification of Neurons
Interneurons (associative or relay):
connector carry information
between two neurons
- Provide a link within the CNS between
sensory neurons and motor neurons
- Have short dendrites and long or short
axons
- Found completely within the CNS
Classification of Neurons
Motor (efferent) neurons - Carry
impulses from the central nervous
system. It carry messages from your
brain to your spinal cord and to your
body parts, causing them to react.
- Carry nerve impulses from the CNS to
an effector example muscle or gland
- Have short dendrites and long axons
Neuron Classification

Figure 7.6
Electrochemical Nerve Impulses
Dendrite depolarization
a stimulus depolarizes
the dendrites membrane
Sodium (Na+) flows
inside the membrane
with the help of Na+
pumps
This exchange of ions
initiates an (+) action
potential in the neuron
The Action Potential
If the action potential (nerve impulse)
starts, it is propagated to the end of the
axon
Potassium (K+) ions rush out of the
neuron after sodium ions rush in, which
repolarizes the membrane
The sodium-potassium pump restores
the original configuration - which is
resting potential (-)
*** This action requires ATP ***
 The Synapse
The junction between two communicating neurons is
called a synapse; there exists a synaptic cleft
between them across which the impulse must be
conveyed.
Synaptic Transmission
The process by which the impulse in the presynaptic
neuron is transmitted across the synaptic cleft to the
postsynaptic neuron is called synaptic transmission.
When an impulse reaches the synaptic knobs of an axon,
synaptic vesicles release neurotransmitter into the synaptic
cleft.
The neurotransmitter reacts with specific receptors on the
postsynaptic membrane.
Continuation of the Nerve
Impulse between Neurons
Impulses are able to cross the synapse
to another neuron
Neurotransmitter is released from a
neurons axon terminal
The dendrite of the next neuron has
receptors that are stimulated by the
neurotransmitter
An action potential is started in the dendrite
Examples of Neurotransmitters

Acetycholine functions in the brain and in

others in the nervous system
Norepinephrine plays an important role on
how our body responds to stress
Dopamine is related to muscular activity
Serotonin -
How Neurons Communicate at
Synapses

Figure 7.10
REFLEX ARC
The Reflex Arc
Reflex rapid, predictable, and
involuntary responses to
stimuli.
- It is an involuntary and
automatic response to a
stimulus.
Reflex arc direct route from a sensory
neuron, to an interneuron, to an effector