Overview

• The ultimate control center of the body

overseeing all communication among the organ
systems
– Sensory Input: receives
stimuli via millions of
sensory receptors
throughout the body
– Integration: processes the
input stimuli and decides
what should be done
– Motor Output: activates
effector organs to cause a
response
 Overview
• Composed of nervous tissue which is densely packed
with:
– Neurons (nerve
cells) = excitable
cells that respond to
stimuli by
conducting
impulses to transmit
signals
– Neuroglia (glial
cells) = supportive
cells that provide
nutrition, insulation,
and help with signal
transmission
 Neuron Structure
• All neurons have: Ganglion =
collection of nerve
– Soma (cell body) = cell bodies located
the life support in the body (just not
containing the the brain or spinal
cord)
nucleus and most
organelles (such
as tons of
mitochondria)
– Processes = extensions from the
cell body
• Dendrites = the main receptor of
signals; input region
• Axon = generates and transmits
nerve impulses; the conducting Nerves = bundles of axons that
region; also known as a nerve fiber extend from the brain and spinal
cord to the rest of the body
 Neuron Structure
• Axon terminals = the
end of the axon that
releases
neurotransmitters at a
synapse when a nerve
impulse is received;
the secretory region
• Myelin sheath = covers long
axons (nerve fibers) to
protect and electrically
insulate them to increase the
Nodes of Ranvier = unmyelinated gaps in
speed of nerve impulse the myelin sheath that aid in increasing
transmission the velocity of nerve signal conduction
 Classification
• Neurons can be classified by their structural
differences
• Based on the number of processes (extensions) from
the cell body
– Multipolar = meaning >3 processes
(1 axon and 2 or more dendrites)
• 99% of neurons are multipolar
– Bipolar = 2 processes (1 axon and 1
dendrite on opposite ends of the cell)
• Rare, found in a few special sense
organs
– Unipolar = 1 process, dividing from
the cell body like a T
• In the ganglia (group of sensory
neurons) in the PNS
 Classification
• Neurons can also be classified by their functional
differences
• Based on the way
an impulse travels
through a neuron
with regards to the
brain and spine
– Sensory neurons
(afferent neurons):
transmit info from
sensory receptors
 CNS
• Most are structurally
unipolar
 Classification
• Neurons can be classified by their functional
differences
– Motor neurons
(efferent
neurons):
transport info
from CNS 
rest of the body
• Most are
structurally
multipolar to
send impulse
to multiple
places
 Classification
• Neurons can be classified by their functional
differences
– Interneurons
(association
neurons): housed
in the CNS and
transport info
between the
sensory and
motor neurons
• Therefore most
are structurally
multipolar
 Organization
Nervous System

Central Nervous Peripheral Nervous

System (CNS) System (PNS)

Sensory (Afferent) Motor (Efferent)

Division Division

Somatic Autonomic
Nervous System Nervous System

Parasympathetic

Sympathetic
 Organization
2 main divisions of the overall nervous system

Nervous System

Central Nervous Peripheral Nervous

System (CNS) System (PNS)

= brain and = spinal and cranial

spinal cord nerves
• Integration • Communication
and control system between
center the CNS and the
rest of the body
 CNS
• The brain is protected by the skull and surrounded
by layers of tissue (meninges) and cerebrospinal
fluid that cushion the brain from injury.
- Ventricles = Hollow fluid-filled cavities within brain that
contain the choroid plexus which makes cerebrospinal
fluid
 CNS
3 main parts of the brain:
• Cerebrum = the largest part of the brain
– Made of left and right
hemispheres
– Also divided into 4 lobes
– Functions in learning,
speech, emotion, reasoning,
vision, hearing, and fine
movements
– Surface is the cerebral
cortex and is arranged in
folds to increase surface
area
 CNS
3 main parts of the brain:
• Cerebellum = under the cerebrum
– Maintains posture and
balance
– Coordinates timing and
patterns for smooth and
agile subconscious
movements
 CNS
3 main parts of the brain:
• Brainstem = base of the cerebrum and anterior to
the cerebellum
– Includes the medulla
oblongata, midbrain, and
pons
– Relays info between rest of
the brain and the spinal cord
– Coordinates a lot of
automatic functions like
respiration, circulation, body
temperature, sleep,
digestion, and swallowing
 Organization
Nervous System

Central Nervous Peripheral Nervous

System (CNS) System (PNS)

Sensory (Afferent) Motor (Efferent)

Division Division

Somatic Autonomic
Nervous System Nervous System

Parasympathetic

Sympathetic
 Organization
2 functional subdivisions of the PNS
Peripheral Nervous
System (PNS)

Sensory (Afferent) Motor (Efferent)

Division Division

= sensory nerve fibers = motor nerve fibers

• Receives sensory stimuli • Sends out information
to send back to CNS/brain from the brain to
- Somatic sensory fibers carry effector organs like
info from the skin, skeletal
muscles (so they will
muscles, and joints
- Visceral sensory fibers carry contract) and glands
info from the visceral organs (so they will secrete)
 Organization
2 parts of the PNS Motor (efferent) division
Motor (Efferent)
Division

Somatic Autonomic
Nervous System Nervous System

= somatic motor nerve = visceral motor nerve fibers

fibers • Conduct impulses from CNS
• Conduct impulses  smooth muscles, cardiac
from CNS  muscles, and glands
skeletal muscles • Controls involuntary
• Controls voluntary movements of the heart,
movements lungs, stomach, etc. (where
cardiac and smooth muscles are)
 Nervous System

Central Nervous Peripheral Nervous

System (CNS) System (PNS)

Sensory (Afferent) Motor (Efferent)

Division Division

Somatic Autonomic
Nervous System Nervous System

Parasympathetic

Sympathetic
 PNS
Motor (Efferent) Division
• Somatic Nervous System
– Somatic motor nerve fibers innervate skeletal muscles to
control voluntary movements
– The neuron’s cell body starts in the CNS and the axon
extends all the way to the skeletal muscle it affects
• Neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh) is released in order to
stimulate contractions

Cell body in the Axon terminals in the

CNS skeletal muscle
(effector organ)
 PNS
Motor (Efferent) Division
• Somatic Nervous System
– Nerve impulses are sent down the neuron’s axon to the
neuromuscular junction
– ACh is released into the
synaptic cleft for
stimulation
– Binds to receptors on the
skeletal muscle cell which
transmits the AP to initiate
the muscle contraction
 Nervous System

Central Nervous Peripheral Nervous

System (CNS) System (PNS)

Sensory (Afferent) Motor (Efferent)

Division Division

Somatic Autonomic
Nervous System Nervous System

Parasympathetic

Sympathetic
 PNS
Motor (Efferent) Division
• Autonomic Nervous System
– Muscle fibers innervate cardiac and smooth muscles
as well as glands to control involuntary movements
– A 2-neuron chain is used to connect the CNS to effector
organs
• The 1st neuron’s cell body starts in the CNS and synapses with a 2nd
neuron that extends to the effector organ
2nd neuron’s
1st neuron’s axon terminals
cell body in in the effector
the CNS Preganglionic Postganglionic organ
axon axon

• Neurotransmitter norepinephrine (NE) is released in the

sympathetic nervous system, while ACh is released in the
parasympathetic; both can be stimulatory or inhibitory
 Organization
2 parts of the Autonomic Nervous System
Autonomic Nervous
System

Parasympathetic Sympathetic
 Organization
2 parts of the Autonomic Nervous System
Autonomic Nervous
System

Parasympathetic Sympathetic

= craniosacral nerves = thoracolumbar nerves

(meaning they start at the base of (meaning they start between
your brain or just above your the thoracic and lumbar
tailbone) vertebrae)
• Ganglia are far from the • Ganglia are in the
spinal cord, right next to or spinal cord and send
inside of effector organs signals far distances to
• Calms you down; does the effector organs
opposite of everything the • Excites you/amps you
sympathetic does up
 Nervous System

Central Nervous Peripheral Nervous

System (CNS) System (PNS)

Sensory (Afferent) Motor (Efferent)

Division Division

Somatic Autonomic
Nervous System Nervous System

Parasympathetic

Sympathetic
 PNS
Motor (Efferent) Division
• Autonomic Nervous System
– Parasympathetic: the “rest and digest” division;
maintains your body and conserves energy for later
• Set up to communicate to 1
effector organ at a time
• Preganglionic cells are longer
than postganglionic
• Uses neurotransmitter NE and
hormones for stimulation and
inhibition
– Neurotransmitters =
chemicals released from
neurons to cross synapses
– Hormones = chemicals
released from glands into the
bloodstream
 Nervous System

Central Nervous Peripheral Nervous

System (CNS) System (PNS)

Sensory (Afferent) Motor (Efferent)

Division Division

Somatic Autonomic
Nervous System Nervous System

Parasympathetic

Sympathetic
 PNS
Motor (Efferent) Division
• Autonomic Nervous System
– Sympathetic: the “fight or flight” division
• Set up so that 1 stress signal  responses in multiple effector
organs at once
• Focuses on what your body needs to do RIGHT NOW
• Preganglionic cells are shorter
than postganglionic
• Uses neurotransmitter NE and
hormones for stimulation and
inhibition
• Is antagonistic to the
sympathetic division, but they
can work cooperatively
 Nervous System

Central Nervous Peripheral Nervous

System (CNS) System (PNS)

Sensory (Afferent) Motor (Efferent)

Division Division

Somatic Autonomic
Nervous System Nervous System

Parasympathetic

Sympathetic
 PNS
Sensory (Afferent) Division
• Sensory nerve receptors take in stimuli from our
physical environments and send them to the brain to
interpret and respond to
• Receptors can be classified by the type of stimulus
that activates the receptor:
– Mechanoreceptors: mechanical force, like vibration,
pressure, stretch, and touch
– Thermoreceptors: change in temperature
– Photoreceptors: light
– Chemoreceptors: chemicals
– Nociceptors: pain
 PNS
Sensory (Afferent) Division
• Stimulus  received by receptor  transmission
through nerves  spinal cord  brain (all within
sensory division)
• Can also trigger AP that send signals to the motor
division  a reflex
– Reflex = an automatic reaction to stimuli
– Can be…
• Innate (intrinsic): a rapid, predictable motor response to a startling
stimulus
– Ex. Lifting your foot when you step on something sharp
• Learned (acquired): a response resulting from practice, repetition,
or experience
– Ex. You learn when you need to start pressing the break pedal when you see a
stop sign ahead
 Reflex Arc
• Reflexes occur over highly specific neural
pathways called reflex arcs
• 5 essential components:
1. Receptor: site of stimulus
2. Sensory neuron: transmits impulse from PNS to
CNS
3. Integration center: “decodes” the signal at a
synapse (or multiple synapses)
4. Motor neuron: conducts impulses to an effector
organ
5. Effector: responds by contracting (if a muscle cell)
or secreting (if a gland)
Reflex Arc
Reflex Arc
 PNS
• Nerve = a bundle of axons in the PNS
– Can be classified as cranial (if they arise in the brain) or spinal (if
they arise in the spinal cord)
There are
12 pairs of
cranial
nerves in
the PNS
associated
with the
brain.

There are
31 pairs of
spinal
nerves in
the PNS
associated
with the
spinal cord.
 PNS
Cranial Nerves
They can be classified as sensory (S), motor (M), or both (B)

I. Olfactory nerve: (S) sends scent info. from nose  brain

II. Optic nerve: (S) sends visual info. from eyes  brain
III. Oculomotor nerve: (M) controls movement of 4 out of 6
eye muscles as well as the pupils’ response to light
IV. Trochlear nerve: (M) controls movement for an eye muscle
V. Trigeminal nerve: (B) the largest nerve that has 3 main
branches that innervate the face and jaw muscles
VI.Abducens nerve: (M) controls movement for an eye
muscle
 PNS
Cranial Nerves
VII.Facial nerve: (B) operates muscles for most facial expressions,
taste buds, salivating, blinking, and sends info. from outer ear
 brain
VIII.
Vestibulocochlear nerve: (S) sends auditory info. from cochlea
 brain; key for hearing and balance
IX.Glossopharyngeal nerve: (B) sensation, taste, swallowing,
and sends sensory info. from sinuses  brain
X. Vagus nerve: (B) the longest nerve as it extends all the way
into the abdomen; mainly controls the heart and digestive tract
XI.Accessory nerve: (M) controls muscles in neck
XII.Hypoglossal nerve: (M) controls most muscles in tongue so we
can swallow and talk