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Chapter 2
Chapter 2
Neurons
Neurons
Receive and pass messages
Cell body, dendrites (cellulipetal), axon
(cellifugal)
Glial cells
Nourish and insulate neurons
Direct growth of neurons
Remove waste products
Neurons
Afferent Neurons
Transmit messages from sensory receptors to
the spinal cord and brain
Efferent Neurons
- Transmit messages from brain or spinal cord to
muscles and glands
Interneurons
- form all neural wirings within the CNS
Neurotransmitters
Excitatory neurons
Cause other neurons to fire
Inhibitory neurons
Prevent other neurons from firing
Neurotransmitters
Neurotransmitters
Chemical substances that communicate from
one neuron to another
Synaptic vesicles/clefts
Contain neurotransmitters in the axon
terminals
Neural Impulse
Electrochemical messages that travel within
neurons
Resting potential
Neuron is not responding to other neurons
degradation
Action potential
Conduction of neural impulse along axon
depolarization
Neurotransmitters
Receptor site
On dendrite of receiving neuron
Reuptake
Neurotransmitters reabsorbed
Glycine
Inhibitory
Located at the spinal cord and lower portion
of the brain
The Reflex Arc. Reflexes are inborn, stereotyped behavior patterns that have
apparently evolved because they help individuals adapt to the environment
even before they can understand and purposefully manipulate the environment.
Here we see a cross section of the spinal cord, highlighting a sensory neuron
and a motor neuron, which are involved in the knee-jerk reflex. In some
reflexes, interneurons link sensory and motor neurons.
The Brain:
Wider Than the Sky
Central Core
Functions
Basic life processes, breathing, pulse,
arousal, movement, balance, sleep, early
stage of processing sensory information.
Corpus Callosum
Connects two hemispheres
Association Areas
Posterior association areas
senses
Endocrine System
Comprised of ductless glands that release
hormones into the bloodstream
Hormones
Regulate growth, metabolism and some
behaviors
Maintain steady bodily states
Pineal Gland
Pineal gland
Secretes melatonin
Helps regulate sleep-wake cycle
May affect onset of puberty
Adrenal Glands
Adrenal glands
Located above the kidneys
Cortical steroids
increase resistance to stress, anxiety, pain
and emotional events
promote muscle development
Epinephrine and norepinephrine
Helps arouse body in threatening situations
Chromosomes
Receive 23 chromosomes from fathers sperm
and 23 chromosomes from mothers egg cell
23rd pair of chromosomes are sex chromosomes
XX female
XY male
Down syndrome
Chromosomal abnormality