This document discusses the nervous system and endocrine system. It covers the following key points:
- Neurons are the basic building blocks of the nervous system and communicate via electrical and chemical signals. The nervous system uses neurons, neurotransmitters, and synapses to transmit signals throughout the body.
- The nervous system is divided into the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) and peripheral nervous system (nerves connecting to the body). The peripheral nervous system has somatic and autonomic divisions.
- The endocrine system is another communication system in the body that uses hormones to regulate functions via the bloodstream, rather than electrical and chemical signals like the nervous system. Glands like the pituitary release hormones
1. Module 6: The nervous system and the endocrine system
2. Identify and describe the functions of the parts of a neuron Explain the process of neural transmission Explain the roles of neurotransmitters in the neural transmission Identify and describe the divisions of the nervous system Discuss the nature and the function of the endocrine system communication Learning goals:
3. Neurons: the building blocks of the nervous system(biology review) Nervous system is electrochemical communication system Neurons-a nerve cell; basic building block of the nervous system Example:brain, spinal cord, and nerves Neuron used for 3 tasks Receive information(form of electrochemical impulses Carry information down its length Pass information on to the next neuron in line
4. Behavior thought and emotion you’ve experienced is dependent on the ability of the neuron to process information(ability to do 3 steps) Fire or not fire Dendrites- branching extensions of a neuron that receive information and conduct impulses toward the cell body Soma-the cell body of a neuron which contains the nucleus and other parts that keep the cell healthy
5. Axon-the extension of a neuron through which neural impulses are sent length of axon is dependent upon location Example brain VS leg Longer axons covered by myelin sheath that protects the axon and speeds up the transmission of information axon terminals-the endpoint of a neuron where neurotransmitters are stored
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7. Neuron fires Action potential-a neural impulse;a brief electrical charge that travels down the axon of a neuron Refractory period-the “recharging phase” during which a neuron after firing can not generate another action potential Example camera flash resting potential-the state of a neuron when it is at rest and capable of generating an action potential How do neurons communicate
8. All-or-none-principle that states that if a neuron fires it always fires at the same intensity;all action potentials have the same strength Example toilet http://www.funnypicturefunnyphoto.com/funny-picture-photo-toilet-mural-dark-mephi.jpg
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10. Doesn’t necessarily need 2 neurons to meet Synapse-the tiny, fluid filled gap between the axon terminal of one neuron and the dendrite of another Neurotransmitter-a chemical messenger that travels across the synapse from one neuron to the next and influences whether a neuron will generate an action potential When action potential works towards end of neuron it causes the release of neurotransmitters from the axon terminals Communication between neurons
11. Neurotransmitters have unique shapes and rapidly cross the synapse and fit into receptor sites on the dendrite Neurotransmitters can come to rest only in receptor sites designed to fit the their shape. Once in side can serve as 2 functions: 1. excitatory factor-a neurotransmitter effect that makes it more likely that the receiving neuron will generate an action potential or fire
12. 2. inhibitory factor-a neurotransmitter effect that makes it less likely that a receiving neuron will generate an action potential or fire Example just do it or red light
13. Think of a radio station? What is the steps to hearing a song on the radio Receptor cells-(antenna) specialized cells in every sensory system of the body that can turn other kinds of energy into action potentials(neural impulses) that the brain can process Examples light and sound sensory nerves- carry information from the sense receptors to the spianal cord and brain Interneurons- nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord responsible for processing information Neural chain
14. Senosry information enters the body through receptor cells Brain processes the sensory info and decides what to do Motor nerves receive commands from the brain and react
15. Brain determines when action is necessary to deal with incoming information Brain determines course of action To trigger actions the brain must get word to the body’s muscle Motor nerves-nerves that catrrty information away from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles and glands
16. 2 major components: Central nervous system(CNS)-brain and spinal cord Peripheral nervous system(PNS)-contains all sensory nerves and motor nerves that connect the brain and the spinal cord to the rest of the body CNS is encased in bone for protection Interneurons are responsible for processing information Structure of the nervous system
17. PNS divides into 2 systems: Somatic nervous system- division of the peripheral nervous system that controls the body’s skeletal muscle Example-develop idea to walk across the classroom, CNS commands -> somatic nervous system commands legs to move 2. Autonomic nervous system-division of the peripheral nervous system that controls the glands and muscles of the internal organs. PNS
18. sympathetic nervous system- the part of the autonomic nervous system that arouses the body to deal with perceived threats Fight or flight response Parasympathetic nervous system-calms the body down Subdivisions of autonomic nervous system
19. Besides nervous system, endocrine system is another way for communicating Slower communicating system Endocrine system-one of the body’s 2 communicating systems; a set of glands that produce hormones, chemical messengers that circulate in the blood Hormone-chemical messengers that circulate throughout the body in the blood Endocrine system
20. Hormones and neural transmitters are similar Carry and communicate messages to receptor sites Pituitary gland- “master gland” controls endocrine glands Connected to hypothalamus Work together to monitor levels of glucose and insulin Thyroid, adrenal glands examples cont
