CHAPTER 3: The Nervous System

Overview
The Nervous System controls and

coordinates all the functions of the body. The Nervous System consists of two main sub-divisions:

Central Nervous System (CNS) Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

The Peripheral Nervous System is divided

into two sub-divisions:

Somatic Autonomic

Organization of the Nervous System

Figure 7.2

Functions of the Nervous System

Sensory inputgathering information

To monitor changes occurring inside and outside the body Changes = stimuli
To process and interpret sensory input and decide if action is needed A response to integrated stimuli The response activates muscles or glands

Integration

Motor output

Functions of the Nervous System

Figure 7.1

Nervous Tissue: Neurons

Neurons = nerve cells

Cells specialized to transmit messages Major regions of neurons Cell body - nucleus and metabolic center of the cell Dendrites Branched parts of a neuron that receive impulses from other neurons. Axon single, long fiber that carries impulses away form the cell body

Structural Classification of Neurons

Multipolar neuronsmany extensions from

the cell body

Figure 7.8a

Structural Classification of Neurons

Bipolar neuronsone axon and one dendrite

Figure 7.8b

Structural Classification of Neurons

Unipolar neuronshave a short single

process leaving the cell body

Figure 7.8c

Functional Classification of Neurons

Sensory (afferent) neurons

Carry impulses from the sensory receptors to the CNS

Cutaneous sense organs Proprioceptorsdetect stretch or tension

Motor (efferent) neurons

Carry impulses from the central nervous system to viscera, muscles, or glands

Types of neurons
sensory neuron (from senses)

interneuron (brain & spinal chord)

motor neuron (to muscle)

Neuron Classification

Figure 7.6

Functional Classification of Neurons

Figure 7.7

How neuron sends a message

To send message, a neuron becomes

excited. There are two molecules involved potassium and sodium, move in and out from neuron.

How neuron sends a message

Sodium and Potassium cause an electrical

current to form in the area between the neurons cell body and axon. If enough sodium and potassium move, the electrical current is sent all the way down to the end of the neurons axon.

How neuron sends a message

When the electrical current reaches the end

of axon, it is an area of axon called synaptic end bulb. In the synaptic end bulb, there are small sacs called vesicles. The electrical current stimulated the vesicles to release a molecule called neurotransmitter. The neurotransmitter will jump to from the synaptic end bulb across synapse to the dendrite of the next neuron.

How neuron sends a message

There are receptor molecules on the dendrite

of the second and these receptors are waiting for the neurotransmitters. When the neurotransmitter attach to these receptors, another electrical signal is produced.

Transmission of a Signal at Synapses

Axon of transmitting neuron

Axon terminal

Action potential arrives

Vesicles

Synaptic cleft

Receiving neuron

Synapse

Figure 7.10, step 1

Axon of transmitting neuron

Axon terminal

Action potential arrives

Vesicles

Synaptic cleft

Transmitting neuron

Vesicle fuses with plasma membrane

Neurotransmitter is released into synaptic cleft

Neurotransmitter binds to receptor on receiving neurons membrane

Synaptic cleft

Neurotransmitter molecules

Ion channels

Receiving neuron

Neurotransmitter
Receptor Na+

Neurotransmitter broken down and released

Na+

Ion channel opens

Ion channel closes

The Reflex Arc

Reflexrapid, predictable, and involuntary

response to a stimulus

Occurs over pathways called reflex arcs

Reflex arcdirect route from a sensory

neuron, to an interneuron, to an effector

Skin Stimulus at distal end of neuron Sensory neuron Receptor Motor neuron (a) Effector Interneuron Integration center Spinal cord (in cross section)

Sensory receptors (stretch receptors in the quadriceps muscle)

Sensory (afferent) neuron Spinal cord

Sensory receptors (pain receptors in the skin) Sensory (afferent) neuron

Synapse in ventral horn gray matter

Motor (efferent) neuron

Interneuron

Motor (efferent) neuron Effector (quadriceps muscle of thigh) (c) Effector (biceps brachii muscle)

(b)

Figure 7.11bc

Types of Reflexes and Regulation

Somatic reflexes

Activation of skeletal muscles Example: When you move your hand away from a hot stove

Types of Reflexes and Regulation

Autonomic reflexes

Smooth muscle regulation Heart and blood pressure regulation Regulation of glands Digestive system regulation

Types of Reflexes and Regulation

Patellar, or knee-jerk, reflex is an example of

a two-neuron reflex arc

Figure 7.11d

CNS
Central Nervous System is brain & spinal cord

The Brain
The brain protected by the skull and tough

connective tissue layer. The average adult human brain weighs 1.3 to 1.4 kg. The brain contains about 100 billion nerve cells (neurons) and trillons of "support cells" called glia.

Human brain

Cerebrum
The biggest region of the brain

Conscious thought occurs aware of your

thinking Interpreting Information face recognition Feeling emotion happiness The cerebrum divided into separates area lobes

Lobes
The frontal lobes controls motor (skeletal

muscle) activity. The Temporal lobe memory & interprets message comes from ears. The Parental Lobe Sensory Information that comes from the skin and internal organs. The occipital lobe Interpreting information that you see.

The Brain

Frontal Lobe

Parietal Lobe Cerebrum Occipital Lobe Temporal Lobe

Cerebellum

Regions of the Brain: Cerebrum

The Cerebellum
The cerebellum is

important in maintaining balance. The cerebellum receives messages about your body s muscle positions. After interpreting those message, it communicates with the frontal lobe of the cerebrum to help you to make decisions about movement.

The Diencephalons
Thalamus

Hypothalamus
Pituitary gland Pineal gland

Thalamus

Pituitary gland Hypothalamus

Pineal gland

The Thalamus
Functions:

Sensory processing
Movement Relay station for sensory message arriving

from all over the body When the sensory message is from ear, the thalamus makes sure it goes to the part of the temporal lobe that interprets what you hear.

The Hypothalamus
Functions: Body Temperature Emotions Hunger Thirst Circadian Rhythms - For example, if you are too hot, the hypothalamus detects this and then sends a signal to expand the capillaries in your skin. This causes blood to be cooled faster.

Pituitary Gland
Growth Hormone (control bone growth)

Produce hormones that regulate other glands

(for examples: thyroid, ovaries, testes, adrenal)

Pineal Gland
Thought to maintain the bodys awareness of

the passage of time (body clock) Produce hormone called melatonin regulate bodys sense of time.

The Brainstem
Midbrain

Pons
Medulla oblongata

Midbrain Pons Medulla oblongata

The Midbrain
The midbrain controls reflexes relating to

sight and hearing For instance if someone throws a ball at your face, you blink your eyes.

The Pons
Make sure your breathe very smoothly

Medulla Oblongata

The lowest part of the brain stem Merges into the spinal cord Includes important fiber tracts Contains important control centers

Heart rate control Blood pressure regulation Breathing Swallowing Vomiting

Protection of the Central Nervous System

Figure 7.17a

CNS: Spinal Cord

The Spinal cord extends from the back of

your head all the way to your tailbone.

The Spinal cord

If the spinal cord is damaged, a person can

be paralyzed because message wont be able to sent from the spinal cord to the rest of the body The function of spinal cord is Freeway message travel from body to brain and brain to body. Reflect

The Spinal cord

Figure 7.22

Peripheral Nervous System

Connects body to brain & spinal cord 12 pairs of nerves from your brain (cranial

nerves) 31 pairs from your spinal cord (spinal nerves)

Bundles of sensory and motor neurons held together by connective tissue

Nerve
Neurons are organized into larger structure

called nerves. Nerve form the connection between sensory receptors (for example: finger tip) the central nervous system and organs. There are two major categories of nerves in the PNS: Cranial Nerves Spinal Nerve

Cranial Nerve
Cranial nerve travel between the brain and

other areas in the head. There are twelve pair of cranial nerve and can be classified into three different type of nerve:
Sensory nerves Carry impulses toward the CNS Motor nerves - Carry impulses away from the CNS Mixed Nerves - Both sensory and motor fibers

PNS: Cranial Nerves

I Olfactory nervesensory for smell

II Optic nervesensory for vision

III Oculomotor nervemotor fibers to eye

muscles IV Trochlearmotor fiber to eye muscles

PNS: Cranial Nerves

V Trigeminal nervesensory for the face;

motor fibers to chewing muscles VI Abducens nervemotor fibers to eye muscles VII Facial nervesensory for taste; motor fibers to the face VIII Vestibulocochlear nervesensory for balance and hearing

PNS: Cranial Nerves

IX Glossopharyngeal nervesensory for

taste; motor fibers to the pharynx X Vagus nervessensory and motor fibers for pharynx, larynx, and viscera XI Accessory nervemotor fibers to neck and upper back XII Hypoglossal nervemotor fibers to tongue

Figure 7.24

Spinal Nerve
Spinal nerve travel between spinal cord and

the rest of the body. There are 31 pairs of spinal nerve that attach to the spinal cord. Spinal nerve is always mixed nerve. The spinal nerve carries message from the specific area of the body to the spinal cord. It also carries message from the spinal cord to the muscle in that area of the body.

The CNS and PNS: A story

One day a man named Joe was cooking when his

hand accidentally touched the stove. Ouch! he yelled. The sensory receptor in Joes finger felt pain and heat. These sensory receptor sent a message along to Joes spinal cord. The spinal cord interpreted the message to mean: Joes hand felt pain and heat. The spinal cord them made a decision for Joe to move hand and arm, making those muscle contract. Joe had already moved his hand before getting realizing he was getting burned.

The CNS and PNS: A story

The experience on pain of heat made Joe

think about what was happened. That was dumb. Ill be more careful next time. The decision to be more careful was made by the brain. Automatic movement come from spinal cord and the ideas produced by the brain

Joes Story (The Reflex)

Sensory receptor in his hand felt heat and pain (PNS)

A message was sent along nerves (PNS) to the

spinal cord (CNS) The Spinal cord (CNS) interpreted the message about the heat and pain in his hand and decided what to do. After the spinal cord decided what to do, it sent a message a long nerve (PNS) to his hand and arm. Muscle in his hand and arm contracted to move away from the stove

The Brain
The message from the Joes pain went at

least two places in the brain, the memory center ( to remember not to touch the hot stove again) and a speech center ( to direct him to say ouch!)

PNS
PNS divided into two major parts: the somatic

nervous system and the autonomic nervous system.

Somatic Nervous System

Controls voluntary actions

Made up of the cranial and spinal nerves that

go from the central nervous system to your skeletal muscles

Autonomic Nervous System

Controls involuntary actions-those not under

conscious control-such as your heart rate, breathing, digestion, and glandular functions

The Sympathetic Division

Response to fight and flight (scary)

situation. Example: Ladies saw the rat, either run from it (flight) or hit it (fight). Task: A woman sees a mouse and is frightened. How does the body response?

The Sympathetic Division

Sensory receptor in her eyes detect the stimulus. A message is sent along sensory (afferent) neuron to

the CNS. The message interpreted in the CNS. The Spinal cord make a decision for the woman to jump on a chair (reflex response) Brain make decision for her to scream and to increase her heart rate, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Message from CNS are sent along efferent (motor) neurons to different organ needed to response to the mouse. The Organ carry out the response.

A woman sees a mouse and is frightened. How does the body response?
Heart muscle beats faster

Blood vessels constrict (get smaller)

Breathing muscles contract faster Her leg muscle cause her to jump on her

chair Muscle in her face cause her to scream.

The Sympathetic Division

Mouse (Stimulus) Sensory Receptor (eye)

Optic Nerve (Afferent)

Brain (CNS)

Motor Nerve (Efferent)

Heart

Parasympathetic Division
Response on rest and digest

No stress environment
Body is relaxing Example: has just eaten a meal or sleeping Slower heart and breathing rate Decreased blood pressure Dilation (widening) of pupils Increased activity in the digestive system

Task
Grandfather just finished eating his dinner. He is

relaxing in his chair. How does the body response?

Parasympathetic Division
Sensory receptor in the stomach detect the presence

of food. Other sensory receptor in his muscles detect lack of muscle activity Message about grandfathers relaxed condition and the food in his stomach are sent along sensory (afferent) neurons to the spinal cord and brain The CNS interpret the message. The spinal cord and brain decide to prepare the digestive system to digest the food.

Parasympathetic Division
CNS decide to slow the heart and breathing

rate. Message are sent from the CNS along efferent neurons to the digestive organ, heart and breathing muscles. The organ carry out the response. The heart is slow down, breathing muscles slow down and muscles and glands in the digestive system are activated.