Module 3: Section 1
What is the peripheral nervous system (PNS)
Nerves outside of the central nervouse system (CNS), somatic component includes sensory and motor nerves.
What is the Autonomic nervous system (ANS)
Control system of body functions such as breathing, cardiovascular function etc.
What is in the central nervous system
Brain and spinal cord
Where do you find grey matter
Cell bodies, dendrites, axon terminals, areas of synaptic connections
Where do you find white matter
Axons, pathways between grey matter areas.
What is the difference between Afferent and Efferent neurons
Afferent neurons bring sensory information to the CNS, Efferent neuron controls the tissue (e.g., skeletal muscle)
What are neurons
Basic information processing unit that receives input, processes infromation and provides output
Membrane potential depolarization vs repolarization
Depolarization is when the membrane potential becomes positive, Repolarization is when the membrane potential becomes negative. Membrane potential is negative at rest -70mV
What is the function of Glial cells
They provide support to neuron function (helps with structure, metabolism, and repair.
Synapse function
structure permitting communication between two neurons
Action potential function
change in electrical potential that can travel along a cell membrane
Neurotransmitter function
A chemical messenger that transmits a message between cells
Explain Cell to Cell communication
1. an action potential travelling down an axon is an electrical signal
2. this electrical signal is converted to a chemical signal at the axon terminals
3. the chemical signal is converted to an electrical signal at the post synaptic neuron.
Ways to measure the nervouse system
1. Structure - Structural imaging
2. Function - neuronal activity -> functional imaging, EEG, electrophysiology
3. Behaviour - Timed (reaction time), Non-timed (errors, response)
What is biopotential
An electrical potential that is measured between two points in living cells, tissues, and organisms. It is measured by electrodes, amplifiers and electrical activity
What is an EEG and what is being measured
1. EEG measures electrical activity (bio potentials) arising from the central nervouse system
2. neuronal activity -> action potentials -> depolarization and repolarization is being measured