Lecture 01, 2

• What are the two main divisions of the nervous system?

  CNS and PNS
• How do neurons in the CNS and PNS compare?

  Neurons are similar in both systems
• What is the role of supportive cells in the nervous system?

  Supportive cells present differences
• What are the two main types of cells in the nervous system?

  Neurons and glial cells
• What are neurons classified as?

  Excitable cells
• What is the function of glial cells?

  Support cells in the nervous system
• What does the soma of a neuron contain?

  Nucleus and most organelles
• What is the role of dendrites in a neuron?

  Reception of incoming information
• What is the function of the axon?

  Transmits electrical impulses called action potentials
• Where does the axon originate?

  Axon hillock
• What occurs at the axon hillock?

  Action potentials are initiated
• What is the function of the axon terminal?

  Releases neurotransmitter
• Are most neurons capable of dividing?

  No, most neurons are non-dividing
• What do Schwann cells produce?

  Myelin sheath
• Where are Schwann cells located?

  In the peripheral nervous system
• What is saltatory conduction?

  Action potential jumps from node to node

  
• What type of glial cell is found in the CNS?

  Oligodendrocytes
• What is the function of afferent neurons?

  Carries impulses to the CNS
• What do efferent neurons do?

  Carry impulses away from the CNS
• What percentage of neurons are interneurons?

  99% of all neurons
• What is the role of interneurons?

  Integrate sensory information in the CNS
• What is a synapse?

  Functional association of a neuron with another neuron

  
• What are the two types of synapses?

  Electrical and chemical
• What triggers exocytosis in synaptic communication?

  Calcium influx through voltage-gated channels
• What happens to neurotransmitters after they bind to receptors?

  Response in cell occurs
• How is the response terminated in synaptic communication?

  By removing neurotransmitter from synaptic cleft
• What is the role of astrocytes in the nervous system?

  Attracted to areas of damage
• What is the blood-brain barrier?

  Protects CNS from foreign substances
• What does the CNS consist of?

  Brain and spinal cord
• What is the function of the blood-brain barrier?

  Protects CNS from toxins and fluctuations
• What is the adult weight of the brain?

  ~3 pounds
• How many neurons are in the human brain?

  100 billion neurons
• How many synapses are in the human brain?

  100 trillion synapses
• What happens to sensory pathways in the brain?

  They cross over to the opposite side
• What is the role of the spinal cord?

  Provides 2-way conduction pathway to the brain
• What functions does the cerebellum control?

  Motor coordination, balance, and posture
• What does the brainstem connect?

  Forebrain and cerebellum
• What is the function of the thalamus?

  Relay station for sensory and motor impulses
• What does the hypothalamus regulate?

  Homeostatic control and emotional behaviour
• What is the role of the cerebral cortex?

  Processes sensory information and controls movement