Define
What are the two main divisions of the nervous system?
central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system
What is the primary function of the peripheral nervous system?
controlling somatic (voluntary) and autonomic (involuntary) nerves
What does the CNS consist of?
brain and the spinal cord
Give an example of a function controlled by the autonomic nervous system
regulating heart rate or digestion
What produces the myelin sheath?
schwann cells
What is a neuron?
a cell that transmits chemical and electrical signals in the nervous system
What is the role of sensory neurons?
bringing signals into the CNS from the muscles
What are the two specific types of neurons discussed in the presentation?
sensory neurons and motor neurons
Name an example of a sensory neuron.
photoreceptor or a thermoreceptor
What is the state of the neuron when internal conditions are maintained at -65 to -70mV?
resting state
What are the short branched extensions of a neuron called?
dendrites
What is the function of the axon hillock?
integrating incoming signals and generating action potentials
What part of the neuron contains the nucleus
soma or cell body
Which part of the neuron conducts electrical impulses from the cell body?
axon
What condition can be caused by excessive levels of serotonin?
serotonin syndrome
What is an action potential?
an electrical signal that passes through the axon of a neuron
What is the role of neurotransmitters in signal transmission?
to transmit signals from one neuron to another across synapses
What ions enter the neuron during depolarization?
sodium ions (Na+)
What is an example of a neurotransmitter involved in signal transmission?
acetylcholine or serotonin
How does the nervous system contribute to homeostasis?
by coordinating the body's responses to internal and external stimuli
What is a neurotransmitter?
a chemical substance that transmits nerve impulses across a synapse
What role does acetylcholine play in the body?
muscle activation, autonomic functions, and cognitive processes
How is serotonin involved in regulating sleep?
by regulating the sleep-wake cycle and promoting relaxation and sleepiness
Name a condition associated with too little acetylcholine.
myasthenia gravis or Alzheimer's disease
What is the role of interneurons?
bridging the gap between sensory and motor neurons to allow signal communication