The
nervous system has a lot of information involved! It is the master controlling
system of the body. Its major functions are monitoring stimuli, interpreting
sensory input, and responding to stimuli.
It is broken down into the Central Nervous System which is the brain and
spinal cord and the Peripheral Nervous System which is the nerves outside of
the central nervous system.
The PNS has two functional divisions which include the
sensory (afferent) division and motor (efferent) division. The afferent
division is further divided sensory afferent fibers (carries impulses from the
sensory receptors to CNS) and visceral afferent fibers which transmit impulses
from visceral organs. The motor division transmits impulses from the CNS to
effector organs and is also divided into two main parts, one, is the somatic
nervous system which is the conscious control of the skeletal muscles and the
automatic nervous system which regulates the activity of smooth and cardiac
muscles as well as glands.
The nervous system is also broken up into two different cell
divisions: neurons and neuroglia. Neurons are excitable cells that transmit
electrical signals. Neuroglia, or glial cells, are the glue and support for
neurons. Other functions of the
Neuroglia include: segregating and insulating neurons, guide young neurons to
the proper connections, and promote health and growth. There are multiple types
of glial cells that we are responsible for knowing.
1.
Astrocytes- these cells are the most abundant
and versatile of all the glial cells and are highly branched. These cells cling to neurons and their
synaptic endings and covers capillaries. There major functions include: support
and brace neurons, anchor neurons to their nutrient supplies, guide migration
of young neurons, and control the chemical environment of the cell.
2.
Microglia- these cells are small, ovoid shapes
with spiny processes. These types of cell act as phagocytes that monitor the
health of neurons
3.
Ependymal- these cells range in shape from
squamous to columnar. These function for lining the central cavities of the
brain and spinal column
4.
Oligodendrocytes- these cells are branched cells
that wrap CNS nerve fiber.
The nervous system has a ton of information and large
vocabulary words. I wouldn’t waste time on making notecards for every single
bolded word, I would check back at the end of the chapter to do the review quiz
and go over the summary points!
Word Count: 391
I took anatomy 1 and 2 last year, anatomy 1 wasn't so bad and neither was the second. However, there is a lot of information that is crammed into your brain in these courses. Do you have any memorization techniques or tricks to help you or your readers?
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