ANP 1106 Lecture 6: Topic 6 (The Nervous System) Notes

• School: University of Ottawa
• Department: Anatomy and Physiology
• Course: ANP 1106
• Professor: Joanne Savory

Document Summary

Cells communicate via electrical and chemical signals: rapid and specific, usually cause almost immediate responses. Sensory input: information gathered by sensory receptors about internal and external changes. Motor output: activation of effector organs (muscles and glands), produces a response. Afferent: motor division: motor nerve fibers from cns to effectors (muscles and glands) Somatic nervous system: voluntary; from cns to skeletal muscle. Autonomic ns: involuntary; from cns to cardiac muscle, smooth muscle, glands: sympathetic division: fight or flight, parasympathetic division: conserve energy at rest. Highly cellular, little extracellular space tightly packed. Two principal cell types: neuroglia (glial cells): small cells that surround and wrap delicate neurons, helpers/supporting cells, ensure that neurons can do their job, cns: Astrocytes: star shaped, most abundant, anchor neurons clos to capillaries, roles in nutrient exchange, antigen presentation, control of chemical environment, potassium buffer. Microglia: protective, touch neurons to monitor well being, can transform into macrophages, immune and inflammatory response.