NERVOUS SYSTEM

Functions:
- gathers information both from the outside world and the inside body.
-transmits the information to the processing areas in the brain and spinal cord.
- processes the information to determine the best response.
- sends information to muscles, glands and organs so they can respond correctly.
TWO MAIN PARTS:
1. Central Nervous System (CNS)
- consist of brain and spinal cord.
- control center of the body
2. Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
- made up of nerves that extend throughout the body.

Neurons- functional unit of Nervous System

Parts of Neurons:
a. dendrites- receive and carry information toward the cell body.
b. axon- carries information away from the cell body.
3 types of Neurons:
1. Sensory Neurons- conduct impulses toward the CNS.
2. Motor Neurons- conduct nerve impulses away from the CNS. The muscles, organs, and glands that
respond to impulses from motor nerves are called effectors.
3. Interneurons- conduct impulses within the CNS.

Glial cells or Ganglia- protect' mechanically support and asist neurons (90%)
Kinds of Glial cells:
a) Schwann cells- help neurons conduct nerve impulses and mostly found in PNS.
Myelin Sheath- protective wrapping of schwann cells around the nerve fibers.
- consist of lipids that insulate and holds the nerve fibers together.

Saltatory conduction- the motion of impulse jumps from one node to another node.
b) Astrocytes- mostly numerous in CNS that hold the interneurons together and connect them to
capillaries.( oxygen and nutrients)

NERVE IMPULSE- a wave of chemical or electrical change that is conducted along the membrane of a
neuron.
SYNAPSE- a gap between adjacent neurons
NEUROTRANSMITTERS- chemical messengers that bind to receptors on the next neuron or effector cells.
REFLEX- an automatic response to a change in the environment
REFLEX ARC- carries the nerve impulses for an automatic response.

Parts of CNS:
a) Spinal cord- tube- like organ of neurons, glial cells and blood vessel.
- protected by bones of the spine; 3 membranes (meninges), and a cushion of fluid
- consist of layers: white matter (outer)myelin sheath and gray matter(inner)
b) Brain- protected by bones, meninges and a cushion of fluid.
- consis of layers: gray matter(outer) and white matter (inner)
 Divisions of Brain:
1. Brain stem - connects the spinal cord to the rest of the brain.
- coordinates many survival functions of the body such as breathing, heart rate,
sleep and wakefulness.

3 regions of the brainstem: the midbrain, the pons and medulla oblongata
* above the brainstem:
Thalamus- a relay station by directing incoming messages from the spinal cord to the
appropriate parts of the brain.
Hypothalamus- monitors internal conditions such as water content and temperature.

2. Cerebellum (Hindbrain)- 2nd largest part of the brain. coordinates muscle activities and
enables the body to make smooth, steady and efficient movements.

3. Cerebrum (Forebrain)- largest part of the brain: makes up about 85% of the human brain

*Cerebral cortex- surface of the cerebrum, made of gray matter. Performs many important
activities and divided into areas with specific functions.
Regions:
1. Frontal- speech; behavior; emotion
2. Temporal- personality; language; smell; sound
3. Occipital- visual stimuli
4. Parietal- pain and pressure
Two Types of responses by your motor nerves:
1. Somatic Nervous System- voluntary movements
2. Autonomic Nervous System- involuntary movements
a. Sympathetic N.S.
-dilates pupil, inhibits salivation, relaxes bronchi, accelerates heart beat, inhibits
digestive activity, stimulates glucose release by liver, stimulates ejaculation in males.

b. Parasympathetic N. S
- contracts pupil, stimulates salivation, contracts bronchi, slows heart beat, stimulates
digestive activity, stimulates gall bladder, contracts bladder.