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Nervous System

Nervous System. Chris Schneider. Function of the Nervous System. The part of an animal's body that coordinates the voluntary and involuntary actions of the animal and transmits signals between different parts of its body.

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Nervous System

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  1. Nervous System Chris Schneider

  2. Function of the Nervous System • The part of an animal's body that coordinates the voluntary and involuntary actions of the animal and transmits signals between different parts of its body. • The central nervous system is the part of the nervous system that integrates the information that it receives from, and coordinates the activity of, all parts of the bodies of animals. • The peripheral nervous system consists of the nerves and ganglia outside of the brain and spinal cord. The main function of the PNS is to connect the central nervous system to the limbs and organs.

  3. Structure of Neuron in the Nervous System

  4. Diagram of a simple reflex arc in the nervous system

  5. Major parts of the cerebral hemispheres, diencephalon, brain stem, and cerebellum of the nervous system

  6. How do nerves transmit “messages” in the nervous system • Neurons communicate with each other via 'synapses'. Let us consider an example of how this works. Say a neuron becomes excited because its antennae, which are called 'dendrites', have just received a number of inputs from neighbouring neurons. Say as a result of this it now 'fires an action potential'. This will involve a electrical pulse being sent from its cell body (the soma) all the way down its axon to the very end - the 'axon terminal'. This terminal has two main characteristics: 1) it stores and releases neurotransmitters; and 2) it comes into close apposition (not quite physical contact) with some process of another cell, usually a point on a dendritic branch (antenna).

  7. How do nerves transmit “messages” in the nervous system • The tiny gap between the axon terminal and the recipient cell is called a synapse, or 'synaptic cleft'. As soon as the electrical impulse reaches the terminal, neurochemicals will be released into the synaptic cleft where they will diffuse a very short distance and bind to 'post-synaptic receptors' on the recipient cell's dendrite (or in some cases, its cell body). These chemicals are the 'inputs' that were referred to in the beginning of this example. And on and on it goes. The synapse is the point of exchange - the neurochemicals are the messengers.

  8. Neurotransmitters in the Nervous System • Neurotransmitters are endogenous chemicals that transmit signals from a neuron to a target cell across a synapse.[1] Neurotransmitters are packaged into synaptic vesicles clustered beneath the membrane in the axon terminal, on the presynaptic side of a synapse. They are released into and diffuse across the synaptic cleft, where they bind to specific receptors in the membrane on the postsynaptic side of the synapse.[2] Release of neurotransmitters usually follows arrival of an action potential at the synapse, but may also follow graded electrical potentials. Low level "baseline" release also occurs without electrical stimulation. Neurotransmitters are synthesized from plentiful and simple precursors, such as amino acids, which are readily available from the diet and which require only a small number of biosynthetic steps to convert.

  9. Two major disorders of the nervous systemAlzheimer's • Alzheimer's disease is a progressive disease that destroys memory and other important mental functions. • At first, increasing forgetfulness or mild confusion may be the only symptoms of Alzheimer's disease that you notice. But over time, the disease robs you of more of your memory, especially recent memories.  • More than five million Americans are living with the disease. • There is no cure for Alzheimer's. Some medications are prescribed to slow the disease.

  10. Two major disorders of the nervous systemParkinson’s • Parkinson's disease is a progressive disorder of the nervous system that affects your movement. It develops gradually, sometimes starting with a barely noticeable tremor in just one hand. But while tremor may be the most well-known sign of Parkinson's disease, the disorder also commonly causes stiffness or slowing of movement. • Tremor, Slowed movement, Rigid muscles, impaired posture and balance are all symptoms • Approximately 1.5% of people will get Parkinson’s. • There is no cure for Parkinson's, but a person can be prescribed drugs if the disease gets bad enough.

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