Nervous System Overall Structure

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Cards (14)

Nervous System 
A network of electro-chemically active cells specialised to communicate with each other, enabling flexible interaction with the environment
Nervous System 
Registers ('senses') the environment
Transforms (interprets, 'makes sense of') those signals
Generates an appropriate response
Uncentralised Nervous System 
No 'nerve centre' that controls activity of groups of other neurons or actions of distant body parts
Centralised Nervous System 
Has separate Central Nervous System ("proto-brain" & nerve cord) and Peripheral Nervous System
Vertebrate Nervous System 
Central and Peripheral Nervous System more clearly separated
More hierarchically organised, with brain specialized to organize & direct communication between neurons and control actions of distant body parts
Monosynaptic Reflex Arc 
1. Sensory neuron activated by muscle spindle
2. Sensory neuron connects directly with motor neuron
3. Motor neuron activates same muscle to contract
Monosynaptic Reflex 
Works to 'resist' or 'dampen' quick stretching of skeletal muscles, enabling smooth, stable movement
Can have additional synaptic connections
Polysynaptic Reflex Arc 
1. Sensory and motor neurons connected via one or more interneurons
2. Sensor and effector in different locations
3. More flexible arrangement, can show simple forms of learning
Synapse 
Signalling link between a neuron and another cell (e.g., another neuron)
Monosynaptic 
Functionally, only one synapse linking sensory and motor neuron
Polysynaptic 
Functionally, several synapses between sensory and motor neuron
Learning 
Modifying links between inputs and responses
Central Pattern Generators 
Spinal cord neurons can generate complex movement patterns (e.g., walking) but cannot voluntarily initiate movements - patterns are only elicited in response to appropriate stimulation
Every type of behavioural control that is more complicated than this NEEDS A BRAIN