Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Overview of The Nervous System: Lesson A1.1
Overview of The Nervous System: Lesson A1.1
● Basic components:
○ brain
○ spinal cord The nervous system controls
○ neuron our body functions
Learn about It!
The Nervous System
● Two major divisions:
The Neurons
● Neurons (nerve cells or
nerves) are the basic units of
the nervous system.
The Neurons
● All types of neurons,
although structurally
different from one
another, have two
common features:
The Neurons
● Parts of a neuron:
The Neurons
● Parts of a neuron:
○ Synapse is the
extracellular gap
that links the
neurons together.
○ Myelin sheath is a
fatty material that The general structure of neurons
insulates the neural
processes.
Learn about It!
The Neurons
● Neural processes:
○ Dendrites transmit
electrical signals
toward the cell
body.
The Neurons
● Neural processes:
Classifications of Neurons
● Neurons may be
classified based on
their functions and
structure.
○ functional
classification
The general structure of neurons
○ structural
classification
Learn about It!
Classifications of Neurons
● Functional classification
of neurons is based on
the direction through
which the nerve impulses
travel relative to the CNS.
○ sensory neurons
○ motor neurons
○ interneurons
The functional classification of neurons
Learn about It!
Classifications of Neurons
● Functional classification:
Classifications of Neurons
● Functional classification:
Classifications of Neurons
● Functional classification:
Classifications of Neurons
● Structural
classification of
neurons is based on the
number of neural
processes that extend
from the cell body.
○ multipolar neuron
The structural classification of neurons
○ bipolar neuron
○ unipolar neuron
Learn about It!
Classifications of Neurons
● Structural classification:
Classifications of Neurons
● Structural classification:
Classifications of Neurons
● Structural classification:
○ Specialized ependymal
cells produce the The ciliated ependymal cells
produce the CSF that protects the
cerebrospinal fluid brain and spinal cord
(CSF).
Learn about It!
○ Oligodendrocytes are
the supporting cells that
produce the insulative
myelin sheaths of the
neural processes in the
central nervous system. The myelin-producing
oligodendrocytes of the CNS
Learn about It!
○ sensory perception
○ integration
○ response production Functional process of the nervous system
Learn about It!
○ Sensory receptors
incorporated in our
organs receive different
internal and external
stimuli all the time
called sensory input.
Functional process of the nervous system
Learn about It!
Austin Community College. “Central Nervous System.” Accessed August 27, 2019.
https://www.austincc.edu/apreview/PhysText/CNS.html
Backyard Brains: Neuroscience for Everyone. “Experiment: How Fast Your Brain Reacts To Stimuli.”
Accessed August 27, 2019. https://backyardbrains.com/experiments/reactiontime
Basic Medical Key. “Nervous System Cells.” Accessed August 27, 2019.
https://basicmedicalkey.com/nervous-system-cells/#cesec16
Campbell, Neil A. et al. 2008. Biology: Eight Edition. San Francisco, California: Pearson Education Inc.
Bibliography
CK-12 Foundation. “Central Nervous System.” Accessed August 27, 2019. https://www.ck12.org/c/life-
science/central-nervous-system/lesson/Central-Nervous-System-MS-LS/
Elert, Glenn. The Physics Factbook. “Speed Of Nerve Impulses.” Accessed August 17, 2019.
https://hypertextbook.com/facts/2002/DavidParizh.shtml
Marieb, Elaine N. 2004. Essentials of Human Anatomy and Physiology: Seventh Edition. San Francisco,
California. Pearson Education Inc.
McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas Health. “Chapter 3: Anatomy of the Spinal Cord.”
Accessed August 27, 2019. https://nba.uth.tmc.edu/neuroscience/m/s2/chapter03.html
Science Museum. “How do nerves connect with each other?” Accessed August 27, 2019.
http://whoami.sciencemuseum.org.uk/whoami/findoutmore/yourbrain/howdoesyourbrainwork/
howdoesyournervoussystemwork/howdonervesconnectwitheachother
Vince, Gaia, through Discover Magazine. May 26, 2015. “Hacking the Nervous System to Heal the Body.”
Accessed August 28, 2019. http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/crux/2015/05/26/hacking-nervous-
system/#.XWbJoegzbIU