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The Nervous System AP Biology. The Nervous System. Function: environment is constantly changing – nervous system detects those changes and helps the organism respond/adapt Irritability: ability to respond to a stimulus. The Nervous System.
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The Nervous System AP Biology
The Nervous System • Function: environment is constantly changing – nervous system detects those changes and helps the organism respond/adapt • Irritability: ability to respond to a stimulus
The Nervous System • Nervous System detects (sensory input), processes (integration), and responds (motor output) • Peripheral Nervous System detects and responds • Central Nervous System processes information
The Neuron (Nerve Cell) • Three types of neurons: • Sensory – carry impulses from the sense organs (receptors) to the CNS • Motor – carry impulses from the CNS to the muscles or glands (effectors) • Interneurons – connect and carry impulses between sensory and motor neurons
Three components of Neurons • Cell body – largest part; most metabolic activities take place here; contains nucleus • Dendrites – carry impulses from the environment or other neurons toward the cell body
Three components of Neurons • Axon – long fiber that carries impulses away from the cell body • Terminal branches – branching of axon • Synaptic knobs – ends of axon; contain vesicles with neurotransmitters
The Nerve Impulse • Resting potential – a nerve cell has an electric potential because OPPOSITELY charged ions are on each side of the membrane • Anions are mainly on the inside of the the cell; cations on the outside ++++++++++++++++++++++++ -----------------------------------------
The Nerve Impulse • Ungated ion channels allow ions to diffuse across the plasma membrane • These channels are always open • This diffusion does not achieve an equilibrium since sodium-potassium pumps transport these ions against their gradients
Hyperpolarization • Gated K+ channels open K+ diffuses out of the cell the membrane potential becomes more negative
Depolarization • Gated Na+ channels open Na+ diffuses into the cell the membrane potential becomes less negative
The Nerve Impulse • Action Potential – a rush of Na+ flow into the membrane causing an imbalance in the charge on each side of the membrane • This causes the POLARITY to shift and a wave (impulse) moves down the length of the neuron +++++++++++++++++----------- ----------------------------+++++++ +
Na+ gates close & K+ gates open K+ gates close Na+ gates open Stimulus
During hyperpolarization or undershoot, Na+ channels are closed • Neuron cannot depolarize in response to another stimulus: refractory period • The refractory period assures impulse conduction is unidirectional
Myelin • Is composed of 80% lipid and 20% protein • Used for insulation and to help speed up the nerve impulse • Wraps around the axon of some neurons
Myelin • Gaps in myelin sheath cells called Nodes of Ranvier – allow impulses to move more quickly down neurons
Myelin • In Saltatory Conduction, only the Nodes of Ranvier depolarize and therefore conduct an impulse faster
The Synapse • SYNAPSE: the space between the axon of one neuron and the dendrite of another • Axon terminals have vesicles containing chemicals: NEUROTRANSMITTERS • These chemicals are secreted from the axon of one neuron stimulates receptor sites on the effector or the dendrite of the next neuron
Neurotransmitter Action at Synapse • Action potential arrives at axon terminal of presynaptic neuron • Synaptic vesicles rupture, releasing neurotransmitter into synapse • Neurotransmitter diffuses across synapse & binds to receptor protein on postsynaptic cell • Postsynaptic cell is excited or inhibited • Neurotransmitter in synapse is deactivated
Nervous System Organization • Cnidaria - nerve net • loose organization of bi-directional neurons • no centralization • Flatworms - ladder • 2 anterior ganglia (rudimentary brain) with paired, longitudinal nerve cords • paired sensory organs (eyespots)
Nervous System Organization • Segmented worms - advanced ladder • prominent brain • solid, fused, ventral nerve cord • segmentally arranged ganglia
Nervous System Organization • Arthropods • prominent brain • solid, fused, ventral nerve cord • extensive fusion of ganglia • well-developed sensory organs • exhibit complex behaviors
Organization of the NS • The human nervous system is divided into 2 major divisions: • Central Nervous System (CNS) • Control center of body, brain and spinal cord • Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) • Nerves (bundles of axons)
CNS: Parts of the Brain • Forebrain • Midbrain • Hindbrain
Hindbrain • Cerebellum • coordinates muscular movements • Medullaoblongata • regulates heart rate, blood pressure and breathing • contains reflex centers for vomiting, swallowing, sneezing, hiccupping, and coughing • Pons • helps regulate respiration
Forebrain • Thalamus – switching station for sensory input for all senses but smell; relays sensory info to cerebrum and motor info from the cerebrum • Hypothalamus – control hunger, thirst, fatigue, anger, and body temp; regulates pituitary gland
Forebrain • Cerebrum – divided into left and right hemispheres • Corpuscallosum – major connection between hemispheres • Left hemisphere primarily responsible for right side of body; right hemisphere primarily responsible for left side
Forebrain • Cerebralcortex – outer covering of gray matter • The more convoluted the surface, the more surface area, the more neurons
Forebrain • Cerebrum – divided into frontal, temporal, parietal, and occipital lobes • Frontal lobe • Contains the primary motor cortex (controls actions of skeletal muscles) and olfactory cortex (smell)
Forebrain • Parietal lobe • Contains the primary somatosensory cortex and gustatory cortex (taste) • Temporal lobe • Contains auditory cortex (sound) • Occipital lobe • Contains visual cortex (sight)
PNS • Sensory – transmits impulses from the sense organs (such as the ears and taste buds) to the CNS • Motor – transmits impulses from the CNS to the muscles or glands (somatic or autonomic)
Somatic – conscious movement of the body • Autonomic – regulates activities that are automatic or involuntary • Sympathetic (stress, high energy) and Parasympathic (leisure, rest) are antagonistic systems that turn an autonomic response on or off
Sympathetic effects: • dilates pupil • accelerates heartbeat & respiration • inhibits stomach & intestine activity • relaxes urinary bladder Parasympathetic effects: • constricts pupil • slows heartbeat & respiration • stimulates stomach & intestine activity • contracts urinary bladder
Reflex Arc • Some actions don’t/can’t wait for your brain to interpret the signal • Reflexes are involuntary actions; they travel from ____ to ____: • Receptors (nerve “endings”) • Sensory neurons • Interneurons • Motor neurons • Effectors (muscles or glands)