Overview of Nervous System

• What is the main function of the nervous system?

  Enables us to perceive and interact with our environment
• What are the two main parts of the nervous system?

  Central Nervous System and Peripheral Nervous System
• What is the role of the Central Nervous System?

  Responds and adapts to changes, co-ordinates all activities of the body, memory, and maintains body functions
• What are the three types of senses in the Peripheral Nervous System?

  Somatic, Special, and Visceral senses

  
• What is the function of the Somatic Nervous System?

  Voluntary control of skeletal muscle
• What are the two divisions of the Autonomic Nervous System?

  Sympathetic and Parasympathetic divisions

  
• What is the role of the Sympathetic division?

  Fight or flight response
• What is the role of the Parasympathetic division?

  Rest and digest response
• What is the function of Astrocytes in the nervous system?

  Spatial buffering for efficient signalling and support of the Blood-Brain Barrier
• What is the function of Oligodendrocytes in the Central Nervous System?

  Myelination of multiple axons

  
• What is the function of Schwann cells in the Peripheral Nervous System?

  Myelination of single axons
• What is the role of the Blood-Brain Barrier?

  Protects the brain by controlling the entry of substances into the brain
• What is the function of the Cerebrospinal fluid?

  Acts as a shock absorber, bathes cells of the CNS, and maintains normal ionic composition
• What is the role of the Choroid Plexus?

  Produces Cerebrospinal fluid and controls the ionic environment of the CSF
• What is the fundamental unit of the nervous system?

  Neuron
• What are the three main parts of a neuron?

  Dendrite, Axon hillock, and Axon

  
• What is the function of the Dendrite?

  Receives incoming signals
• What is the function of the Axon hillock?

  Integrates and begins action potential
• What are the main areas of the Central Nervous System?

  • Cerebrum
  • Diencephalon
  • Brain stem
  • Cerebellum
• What are the functions of the main areas of the Central Nervous System?

  • Cerebrum: conscious thought, memory, interpretation
  • Diencephalon: hormonal/temperature regulation, brain's relay station
  • Brain stem: vision and auditory reflexes, chewing, tasting, regulates HR, BP, swallowing, digestion, and respiration
  • Cerebellum: motor control and balance
• What are the different types of neurons?

  • Multipolar: one axon and multiple dendrites (CNS)
  • Pseudo-unipolar: single axon bifurcates short distance from cell body, no dendrites (mostly sensory)
  • Bipolar: axon at one pole, single dendrite from cell body (retina and olfactory system)

  
• What is the function of Microglia in the nervous system?

  Phagocytic activity

  
• What is the role of Ependyma in the nervous system?

  Lines the ventricular system and central canal of the spinal cord
• What is the role of the Meninges in protecting the CNS?

  Protects the CNS by covering and cushioning the brain and spinal cord
• What is the function of the Ventricular system?

  Fluid-filled space within the brain and spinal cord that acts as a shock absorber and maintains normal ionic composition
• What is the function of the Axon?

  Transmits electrical signals to the target cells
• What is the function of the Blood-Cerebrospinal fluid barrier?

  Regulates the entry of substances into the CSF
• What is the role of the Cranial Nerves?

  Arise from the brain stem and regulate various functions such as vision, hearing, and swallowing
• What is the function of the Spinal cord?

  Links the brain and nerves of the periphery and regulates various functions such as movement and sensation

  
• What is the role of the Autonomic ganglia?

  Group of nuclei near or in target organs that regulate the autonomic nervous system
• What are the four main types of human tissues?

  Epithelial, Connective, Muscle, Nervous
• What are the cell types in Epithelial Tissue?

  Squamous, Cuboidal, Columnar, Ciliated
• What are the functions of Epithelial Tissue cell types?

  • Squamous cells: diffusion and filtration
  • Cuboidal cells: secretion and absorption
  • Columnar cells: absorption and secretion
  • Ciliated epithelial cells: move substances along surfaces
• What is the function of Epithelial Tissue?

  Protection, secretion, absorption, filtration
• What are the cell types in Connective Tissue?

  Fibroblasts, Chondrocytes, Osteocytes, Adipocytes, Blood cells
• What are the functions of Connective Tissue cell types?

  • Fibroblasts: produce extracellular matrix components
  • Chondrocytes: maintain cartilage
  • Osteocytes: maintain bone
  • Adipocytes: store fat
  • Blood cells: transport oxygen and defend against pathogens
• What is the function of Connective Tissue?

  Support, binding, storage, transport
• What are the cell types in Muscle Tissue?

  Skeletal, Cardiac, Smooth
• What are the characteristics of Muscle Tissue cell types?

  • Skeletal muscle cells: striated, voluntary, multinucleated
  • Cardiac muscle cells: striated, involuntary, branched
  • Smooth muscle cells: non-striated, involuntary
• What is the function of Muscle Tissue?

  Movement and force generation