chapter 48. recognizes and coordinates the body’s response to changes in its internal and...
TRANSCRIPT
Nervous SystemsChapter 48
Recognizes and coordinates the body’s response to changes in its internal and external environments. ◦ Sensory input – vision, hearing, balance, smell,
taste, and touch ◦ Motor output – muscle contraction and movement ◦ Memory and integration of information
General Functions
All animals except sponges have a nervous system
What distinguishes nervous systems of different animal groups is how neurons are organized into circuits
A Circuit of Neurons
Specialized cells that carry electrical signals called impulses
3 Types of Neurons: ◦ Sensory – carry impulses from the sense organs
to the spinal cord and brain ◦ Motor – carry impulses from brain and spinal cord
to muscles and glands ◦ Interneurons – Connect sensory and motor
neurons and carry impulses between them
The Neuron
Automatic responses to stimuli Controlled by 5-part reflex arc:
◦ 1. Sensory receptor reacts to stimulus (heat on finger)
◦ 2. Impulse is carried to the spinal cord by a sensory neuron
◦ 3. In the spinal cord, the impulse is transferred to a motor neuron
◦ 4. Motor neuron conducts a nerve impulse to an effector (arm muscles)
◦ 5. Effector responds to the impulses by contracting (hand gets pulled away from the heat)
Reflexes: Different Types of Neurons Working Together
Cnidarians, sea stars◦ Nerve nets
Flatworms, leeches◦ Relatively simple
cephalization, have a central nervous system (CNS)
Annelids, arthropods◦ Ganglia (arranged clusters
of neurons) connect to CNS, making a peripheral nervous system (PNS)
Organization of Nervous Systems
At rest, the outside of the cell has a net positive charge, and the inside has a net negative charge. ◦ This charge difference is called
the resting potential (-70mVolts).
This charge difference is due to active transport by the sodium-potassium pump.
The sodium-potassium pump moves sodium (Na+) outside the cell, and potassium (K+) inside the cell.
The Resting Neuron
1. An impulse begins when a neuron is stimulated by another neuron or by the environment.
2. Sodium pores open on the membrane and sodium ions diffuse into the neuron.
3. The internal charge goes from -70 mVolts to +30 mVolts.
4. This is called the action potential.
The Nerve Impulse Begins
5. The influx of sodium stimulates the opening of potassium pores and (K+) flows out.
6. This restores the resting potential to normal.
7. But now all of the sodium is inside and the potassium is outside.
How does the cell go back to its original condition? ◦ The sodium/potassium pump
kicks in. 8. The depolarization on one
segment starts a domino effect down the neuron.
The gap between the axon of one neuron and the dendrites or cell body of the next neuron.
When the impulse reaches the end of the axon, chemicals called neurotransmitters are released and carry the impulse to the next neuron.
The Synapse
Organization of the Vertebrate Nervous System
Cerebrum ◦ Largest region; folds and
grooves increase surface area
◦ Controls voluntary activities and all higher brain functions (intelligence, learning and judgment)
◦ Right and left hemispheres are connected by corpus callosum
CNS: The Brain
Cerebellum ◦ Center for balance and
coordination of voluntary muscle movements.
Brain Stem ◦ Relays information between brain
and spinal cord ◦ Comprised of the pons and
medulla oblongata ◦ Work together to control
involuntary processes like breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, and swallowing
Thalamus ◦ Relay station for all sensory
input to the cerebrum.
Hypothalamus ◦ Homeostatic center that
controls endocrine system (hormones), body temperature, thirst, hunger, fatigue, etc.
Two main functions: ◦ Reflex center ◦ Carries info to and from brain to body
CNS: The Spinal Cord
Receives information from the environment and relays to and from CNS and sensory, motor and gland cells
Two divisions: Sensory and Motor Motor is divided into:
◦ Somatic NS (voluntary) responds to external stimuli. 1.Regulates activities that are under conscious control (e.g.
picking your nose) 2.Some reflex control
◦ Autonomic (involuntary) NS respond to internal stimuli; two divisions: Sympathetic ↑energy consumption (increase HR) Parasympathetic ↓energy consumption (decrease HR) Both help maintain homeostasis by having opposing effects
Peripheral Nervous System
Autonomic Nervous System
Bell’s Palsy – unexplained episode of facial weakness or paralysis
Dementia - damaged brain cells caused by injury or disease (Alzheimer’s); memory loss, confusion and personality change
Migraine Headaches – caused by a drop in serotonin levels? (triggered by stress, hormones, certain foods)
Multiple sclerosis (MS) – myelin sheaths deteriorate resulting in progressive loss of coordination
Parkinson’s – uncontrollable shaking caused by damage to dopamine transmitters; no cure
Tay-Sachs – fatal genetic lipid storage disorder where fat builds up on brain tissues and neurons during the first few months of life causing mental and physical deterioration
Nervous System Disorders
Stimulants Accelerate HR, BP, and breathing rate Increases the release of neurotransmitters;
leads to release of energy and feeling of well-being
When effect wears off, brain’s supply is depleted leaving the user depressed and fatigued ◦ Caffeine – prevents binding of adenosine ◦ Cocaine – sudden release of dopamine ◦ Methamphetamines – same effect as cocaine
Drugs and the Nervous System
Depressants Slow down HR, lower BP and breathing rate,
relax muscles and relieves anxiety ◦ Alcohol – physical and mental impairment,
depression, liver damage ◦ Marijuana – more lung damage than cigarettes;
memory loss, reduced levels of testosterone in males
◦ Sleeping Pills
Drugs and the Nervous System