Nervous System

Question	Answer
Demyelination	Loss of the myelin sheath insulating nerves. Conduction signals along the nerve can be lost or impaired.
Synapse	Site at which one neuron communicates with another cell.
Multipolar Neurons	Have one axon and many dendrites. Are common in brain and spinal cord.
Bipolar Neurons	Have one axon and one main dendrite. Can be found in the retina, inner ear and olfactory areas of the brain.
Visceral Senses	Autonomic NS. Normally not aware of them e.g. O2 content in blood.
Somatic Senses	Somatic PNS. Conscious perception. Receptors throughout body - non specialized organs. Touch, body position, temperature.
Unipolar Neurons	Begins life as bipolar neurons. But the axon and dendrite fuse into single process which divides a short distance from the cell body. Dendrites most commonly function and sensory neurons of the peripheral nervous system.
Exteroreceptors	Located near the surface of the body. Provide information about external environment e.g. temperature, pressure, vision.
Interoreceptors	Located within the body (in blood vessels, organs, muscles and nervous tissue) Monitor the internal environment.
Proprioceptors	Located in muscle, tendons, joints and the inner ear. Provide information about the position of the body posture and movement.
Astrocytes	Maintain the correct chemical environment for action potential generation. Provide nutrients to neurons. Part of the blood-brain barrier.
Microglia	Protect CNS cells from disease from phagocytosis. Clear away debris and dead cells. Migrate to areas of injured nerve tissue.
Oligodendrocytes	From the supporting network around CNS neurons. Produce myelin sheath around CNS axons.
Ependymal Cells	Line ventricles of brain and central canal of spinal cord. Produce, help circulate and monitor cerebral spinal fluid.
Satalite cells	Provide structural support. Regulate exchanges between cell bodies and interstitial fluid.
Schwann cell	Produces part of the myelin sheath around the PNS neuron. Assist with regeneration of PNS axons.
Electrical Synapse	Common in smooth muscle and cardiac muscle. Impulses conducted via gap junctions.
Chemical Synapse	Neurotransmitters. Slower than electrical synapses.
Main functions of Cerebrum	Conscious thoughts, memory storage and processing, conscious and subconscious regulation of skeletal muscle.
Main Functions of Cerebellum	Second largest part of the brain. Coordinates skeletal muscle contraction and regulation. Posture and balance.
Main Functions of Diencephalon	Thalamus and hypothalamus. Processing centers for sensory information and centers controlling hormone production, emotions and autonomic functions.
Cerebrospinal Fluid	Clear colourless liquid that cushions and supports the brain. transportation of nutrients, waste and chemical messengers. Free exchange between CSF and brain.
Main Functions of Brain Stem	Medulla oblongata, pons and mid brain. Continuous with spinal cord. Contains important processing centers and relays information to and from other brain regions.
Blood Brain Barrier	Prevents harmful substances from entering the brain tissue. Lipid soluble substances and glucose can cross. Antibiotics and proteins cant cross.
Vertebral Column	Bony vertebrae stack on top of each other forming vertebral canal in which the spinal cord sits.
Autonomic Nervous System	Coordinates CVS, respiratory, digestive, urinary and reproductive functions. Parasympathetic and sympathetic subdivisions. Antagonistic actions.
Parasympathetic	Responsible for the state of 'rest and digest'. Energy conservation of digestive activities.
Sympathetic	When fully active produces 'fight or flight' response. Increased alertness and metabolic activities.
Myelin	A lipid/protein covering found around most axons.

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	Created by izzy-whizzy over 11 years ago