Introduction to the Structure and Function of the Nervous System
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© Jones & Bartlett Learning, LLC © Jones & Bartlett Learning, LLC NOT FOR SALE OR DISTRIBUTION NOT FOR SALE OR DISTRIBUTION CHAPTER 3 © Jones & Bartlett Learning, LLC © Jones & Bartlett Learning, LLC NOT FOR SALE OR DISTRIBUTION NOT FOR SALE OR DISTRIBUTION Introduction to the Structure and Function of the Nervous System © Jones & Bartlett Learning, LLC © Jones & Bartlett Learning, LLC NOT FOR SALE OR DISTRIBUTION NOT FOR SALE OR DISTRIBUTION STRUCTURE AND FUncTION OF THE makes possible complex activities, such NERVOUS SYSTEM as walking, running, playing a piano, and © Jones & BartlettThe Learning, nervous system LLC is a complex regulatory© Jones using& Bartlett a computer, Learning, as well as simpleLLC activi- NOT FOR SALE ORsystem DISTRIBUTION that, along with the endocrine system (seeNOT FORties, SALE such as OR maintaining DISTRIBUTION muscle tone and Chapter 23), controls and coordinates activities posture while at rest. and functions throughout the body, internally • Monitoring and recognizing stimuli (and and externally, by sending, receiving, and sort- information) within the environment, and ing electrical impulses. Disruption of any part of then directing an appropriate response to the nervous© system Jones affects & bodyBartlett function Learning, in some LLC the stimuli. This function© Jonesmakes possible & Bartlett Learning, LLC way, either NOTinternally FOR or externally. SALE OR DISTRIBUTIONreflex actions, such as NOTpulling FOR away SALEone’s OR DISTRIBUTION The nervous system consists of the central hand from a hot surface, as well as perceiv- nervous system, which includes the brain and ing music being played in the next room. spinal cord, and the peripheral nervous system, • Monitoring and coordinating internal body states so that internal organs function as a © Joneswhich & includes Bartlett nerve Learning, fibers extending LLC from the © Jones & Bartlett Learning, LLC brain and spinal cord that carry information unit, internal body constancy (homeosta- NOT FOR SALE OR DISTRIBUTION NOT FOR SALE OR DISTRIBUTION between the central nervous system and the rest sis) is maintained, and protective action is of the body. The peripheral nervous system is fur- taken. For example, in response to a lack of ther divided into two parts: the afferent (sensory) oxygen, more rapid breathing occurs; the system, which carries messages from other parts body shivers in response to cold; and when of the body to the central nervous system, and the threat or danger is encountered, the heart © Jones & Bartlett Learning, LLC © Jones beats& Bartlett more rapidly. Learning, LLC NOT FOR SALE ORefferent DISTRIBUTION (motor) system, which carries messagesNOT FOR SALE OR DISTRIBUTION from the central nervous system to other parts of Other functions, such as display of personality the body (see Table 3-1). traits, language, speech, learning, remembering, feeling emotion, reasoning, and generating and Function of the Nervous System relaying thoughts, are also controlled by the ner- Functions of© Jonesthe nervous & Bartlett system include Learning, the LLCvous system—specifically, by© the Jones brain. & Bartlett Learning, LLC following: NOT FOR SALE OR DISTRIBUTION NOT FOR SALE OR DISTRIBUTION • Organizing and directing motor responses Nerve Cells of the voluntary muscle system, enabling Specialized cells called neurons are the func- the body to move more effectively as a tional units of the nervous system. Neurons © Jones &whole Bartlett and to achieve Learning, purposeful LLC movement. transmit messages© Jones to and & fromBartlett the brain. Learning, They LLC NOT FORThis SALE coordination OR DISTRIBUTION of voluntary muscles consist of NOTa cell FORbody andSALE processes OR DISTRIBUTION (nerve 31 © Jones & Bartlett Learning, LLC © Jones & Bartlett Learning, LLC NOT FOR SALE OR DISTRIBUTION NOT FOR SALE OR DISTRIBUTION © Jones & Bartlett Learning, LLC. NOT FOR SALE OR DISTRIBUTION. © Jones & Bartlett Learning, LLC © Jones & Bartlett Learning, LLC NOT FOR SALE OR32 DISTRIBUTION Chapter 3 • Introduction to the StructureNOT and FunctionFOR SALE of the NervousOR DISTRIBUTION System process begins again (see Figure 3-1). After neu- Table 3-1 The Nervous System rotransmitters are released, they are either taken (Central and Peripheral) © Jones & Bartlett Learning, LLCup again by the neuron or destroyed.© Jones & Bartlett Learning, LLC I. Central nervous system NOT FOR SALE OR DISTRIBUTIONLonger axons are generallyNOT grouped FOR in bun-SALE OR DISTRIBUTION A. Brain dles. When they are transmitting impulses within B. Spinal cord the central nervous system, these bundles are referred to as tracts. Those bundles located out- II. Peripheral nervous system side the central nervous system are referred to © Jones A. &Aff Bartletterent (sensory) Learning, LLC as nerves. © Jones & Bartlett Learning, LLC NOT FORB. Eff SALEerent (motor) OR DISTRIBUTION NOT FOR SALE OR DISTRIBUTION 1. Somatic nervous system The Central Nervous System 2. Autonomic nervous system The central nervous system is made up of the a. Sympathetic nervous system brain and spinal cord. Bony coverings protect © Jones & Bartlett Learning,b. Parasympathetic LLC nervous system © Jonesboth the & brainBartlett and the Learning, spinal cord. LLC On the inte- rior of these bony coverings are three membranes NOT FOR SALE OR DISTRIBUTION NOT FOR SALE OR DISTRIBUTION (meninges) that provide additional protection: • The dura mater is the outer membrane, fibers) that extend beyond the cell body. In most lying closest to the bony covering of the cases, a single long nerve fiber called an axon brain and spinal cord. conducts nerve© Jones impulses & (and Bartlett information) Learning, away LLC © Jones & Bartlett Learning, LLC • The arachnoid membrane is the middle from the cell body to other neurons. Smaller, NOT FOR SALE OR DISTRIBUTIONmembrane, a cobweb-appearingNOT FOR membrane. SALE OR DISTRIBUTION shorter nerve fibers called dendrites conduct • The pia mater is the inner membrane, which nerve impulses toward the cell body after receiv- lies closest to the brain and spinal cord. ing information from other neurons. Fibers that carry information from parts of the body to the Between each of the membrane layers are spaces. © Jonesbrain &are Bartlett called afferent Learning, neurons LLC(sensory neu- The space between© Jones the dura& Bartlett mater and Learning, the inner LLC NOT rons).FOR FibersSALE that OR carry DISTRIBUTION information from the surface of NOTthe bony FOR covering SALE is ORthe epiduralDISTRIBUTION brain to other parts of the body are called effer- space. T; the space between the dura mater and ent neurons (motor neurons). the arachnoid membrane is the subdural space; Surrounding neurons is a fatty sheath called and the space between the arachnoid membrane myelin, which, much like the covering of elec- and the pia mater is the subarachnoid space. © Jones & Bartletttrical Learning, cords, provides LLC insulation, ensuring that© JonesThe & central Bartlett nervous Learning, system is alsoLLC protected NOT FOR SALE ORelectrical DISTRIBUTION impulses are able to flow smoothly andNOT and FOR cushioned SALE by OR cerebrospinal DISTRIBUTION fluid (CSF), reliably. Information is passed from neuron to which is formed by specialized capillaries called neuron by both electrical and chemical impulses. the choroids plexus in inner chambers within the The electrical impulse, which has been picked up brain called ventricles. The cerebrospinal fluid by the dendrites,© Jones is passed & Bartlettthrough the Learning, cell body LLCbathes the brain and spinal cord,© circulatingJones & from Bartlett Learning, LLC to the axon. The electrical impulse then moves the ventricles into the subarachnoid space (see NOT FOR SALE OR DISTRIBUTION NOT FOR SALE OR DISTRIBUTION down the full length of the axon until it reaches Figure 3-2). From the subarachnoid space it the its tip. At the tip of the axon are tiny processes, CSF flows to the back of the brain, down around which release chemicals known as neurotrans- the spinal cord, and then back to the brain, mitters. Neurotransmitters, through chemical where it is reabsorbed into the blood through the © Jonesmeans, & transferBartlett the Learning, impulse from LLC one neuron arachnoid membrane.© Jones The & Bartlettamounts of Learning, cerebro- LLC NOT toFOR another SALE across OR a space DISTRIBUTION between the two neu- spinal fluidNOT produced FOR and SALE absorbed OR are DISTRIBUTION equally rons called the synapse. The electrical impulse, balanced, so that under normal conditions, the through the vehicle of neurotransmitters, then amount of CSF within the central nervous system moves to the next neuron’s dendrites and the remains constant. © Jones & Bartlett Learning, LLC © Jones & Bartlett Learning, LLC NOT FOR SALE OR DISTRIBUTION NOT FOR SALE OR DISTRIBUTION © Jones & Bartlett Learning, LLC. NOT FOR SALE OR DISTRIBUTION. © Jones & Bartlett Learning, LLC © Jones & Bartlett Learning, LLC NOT FOR SALE OR DISTRIBUTION NOTStructure FOR and SALE Function OR of theDISTRIBUTION Nervous System 33 Figure 3-1 Neurons © Jones & Bartlett Learning, LLC © Jones & Bartlett Learning, LLC NOT FOR SALE OR DISTRIBUTION NOT FOR SALE OR DISTRIBUTION © Jones & Bartlett Learning, LLC © Jones & Bartlett Learning, LLC NOT FOR SALE OR DISTRIBUTION NOT FOR SALE OR DISTRIBUTION © Jones & Bartlett Learning, LLC © Jones & Bartlett Learning, LLC NOT FOR SALE OR DISTRIBUTION NOT FOR SALE OR DISTRIBUTION Copyright Jane Tinkler Lamm. © Jones & Bartlett Learning, LLC © Jones & Bartlett