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Exercise 9
NERVE TISSUE

The nervous system is considered the most complex system in the body histologically and physiologically
and is formed by a network of many billion neurons, all assisted by many more supporting neuroglial cells.
A neuron enables the body to respond to continuous changes in its external and internal environment
through its hundreds of interconnections with other neurons. Communications between neurons and with
effector cells are facilitated by specialized junctions called synapses.

The general organization of the nervous system. The major anatomical division of nervous tissue is as components of the central and
peripheral nervous systems. The CNS includes all parts of the brain, including the largecerebrum and cerebellum seen here, and the spinal
cord, which are protected by the bones of the cranium and spinal column respectively. The PNS includes nerves, whichcontain both long
nerve processes (fibers) growing from motor neurons whose cell bodies are within the spinal cord and processes of sensory neurons which
are grouped ina series of ganglia outside the spinal cord. Motor nerves are efferent, carrying impulses away from the CNS; sensory fibers
are afferent, carrying impulses to the CNS.Another group of peripheral neurons, fibers, and ganglia comprises the more dispersed
autonomic nervous system, not shown here.

The nervous system has anatomic and functional divisions. Anatomically, the nervous system is divided
into the central nervous system (CNS)and peripheral nervous system (PNS). Functionally, it is divided into
the somatic nervous system (SNS) and autonomic nervous system (ANS). The ANS is further subdivided
into a sympathetic division and a parasympathetic division.

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1. Differentiate the structural divisions of the nervous system according to components and general
description.

a. Central nervous system

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b. Peripheral Nervous System

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2. Differentiate the two functional divisions of the nervous system according to components and
general description.

a. Sensory nervous system-

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b. Autonomic nervous system-

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3. Draw and label the different structures of a neuron.

THE NEURON

4. Describe and give the functions of the following.

a. Cell body
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b. Dendrites
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c. Axon
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 d. Synapses
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5. Draw the various types of synapses.

TYPES OF SYNAPSE

6. Describe and give the functions of the following supporting cells of the nervous system:
a. Schwann cells
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b. Satellite cells
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c. Oligodendrocytes
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d. Microglia
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 e. Astrocytes
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f. Ependymal cells
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7. Discuss the significance of the blood-brain-barrier.

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