lec 2 ph

Theoretical Physiology 1 Dr.
Faisal Ali
Lecture 2: Nervous System
Nervous system plays a role in everything you do. The three main parts of
your nervous system are your brain, spinal cord and nerves. It helps you
move, think and feel. It even regulates the things you do. Nervous system
works by sending messages, or electrical signals, between your brain and
all the other parts of your body. These signals tell you to breathe, move,
speak and see, for example. Your nervous system keeps track of what’s
going on inside and outside of your body and decides how to respond to
any situation you’re in.
The basic functional units of the NS are the neurons. The neurons are
supported cells called glial cells, these separate & protect the neurons.
Nervous system Contains about 1011 (100 billion) neurons. It also contains
2–10 times this number of glial cells.

Theoretical Physiology 1 Dr. Faisal Ali
Neuron: it is the functional units of the CNS and PNS, and it is consisting of
three parts: the cell body (soma), dendrites, , the axon and Nerve
terminal. Integration and transmission of nerve impulses have become the
specialized functions of neurons.
1. Cell body: The cell body (soma) houses the nucleus and components.
2. Dendrites: Dendrites are branched projections of the cell body that
receive the stimulation from other neuron.
3. Axon: An axon is designed to transport information at high speed from
one end of the neuron to the other. It is cover with (myelin) that increase
the signal-transmission rate.
4. Nerve terminal: The nerve terminal is specialized to convert an electrical
signal (an action potential) into a chemical signal for send to one or more
recipients. The junction between the terminal and its target is called a
synapse.
A synapse is a gap that is present between two neurons or between a
neuron and an effector cell. It allows a neuron to pass an electrical or
chemical signal to another cell. Synapse cells - The cell that delivers the
signal to the synapse is the presynaptic cell. The cell that will receive the
signal from the synapse is the postsynaptic cell.
There are two types of synapses:
A. Electrical synapses: - Less common type. The distance between
the pre- and postsynaptic neurons is very narrow, almost contact
each other. - Faster in transmission than chemical synapse. - Pass
the signal directly from cell to cell via gap junctions. - Allows
bidirectional signal transmission between cells.
B. Chemical synapses: - More common type. - The distance between
the pre- and postsynaptic neurons is wide (called synaptic cleft). -
Slower than electrical (needs time to release the neurotransmitters). -
Do not pass the signal directly from cell to cell. - Allows unidirectional
signal transmission between cells (only the presynaptic neuron has
neurotransmitters).
Glial cells: these cells support neuronal survival and activates and there
are two type of it:
1- Microglia: they are scavenger cell that it’s like the tissue macrophage
work to remove the debris resulting from injury, infection and disease
(ex: Alzheimer, Parkinson …. Ect).The microglia rise from
macrophage of the N.S.
2- Macroglia: there 3 type of it :
 Oligodendrocytes: its function produced myelin sheet around
the axon that make the electrical isolation of the neuron in the
CNS.
 Schwan cell: which enclose the all axons in the PNS
 Astrocytes: consist of 2 subtype:
a- Fibrous Astrocytes: which contain many intermediate
filaments that primary found in white matter.
b- Protoplasmic Astrocytes: which are found in gray matter and
have granular cytoplasm.

Function of Astrocytes:
 Play important role in forming blood brain barrier.
 Regulation the ionic concentration around the neuron
 They collect the metabolic and other waste product and move them to
capillary.
VI note: the blood brain barrier(BBB) it is found between the blood and
brain cell that mean BBB composed from brain wall capillary (endothelium
basement membrane) and glia cells (astrocytes).
The BBB function protects the neurons glia from bacteria toxins, infection
and other exogenous substance and help to maintain the stable
composition and constant balance of ions in the intestinal fluid that is
required for neuron function.
Neural tissue with supporting blood vessels & connective tissue forms the
organs of the NS: the brain, the spinal cord & the receptors in complex
sense organs & the nerves that interconnect those organs & link the NS
with other organs.

NS consist of:
1- CNS (Central NS)
2- PNS (Peripheral NS)
3- ANS autonomic nervous system

CNS : consists of the Brain & Spinal cord, these are complex organs that
include neural tissue & blood vessels & various connective tissue that
provide physical protection & support.
The CNS is responsible for integrating, processing & coordinating sensory
data & motor commands
The CNS specifically the brain is also the center of higher functions e.g.
intelligence, memory, learning & emotion.
PNS : include all the neural tissue outside the CNS. The PNS delivers
sensory information to the CNS & carries motor commands to the
peripheral tissue & systems. The PNS include :
 Afferent division: of PNS brings sensory information to
CNS from peripheral tissue & organs.
 Efferent division of PNS carries motor commands from the CNS to
muscles & glands (effectors).

The autonomic nervous system (ANS) is central to many discussions of
human physiology because it regulates and coordinates visceral organ
function, including the gastrointestinal system, lungs, heart, and
vasculature. The distinction between the ANS and the other two divisions is
functional rather than anatomic. The ANS can be further sub divided into
the sympathetic nervous system and parasympathetic nervous system.
Both divisions function largely independently of voluntary control.

lec 2 ph

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

lec 2 ph

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

lec 2 ph

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Theoretical Physiology 1 Dr.

Lecture 2: Nervous System

works by sending messages, or electrical signals, between your brain and

any situation you’re in.

2–10 times this number of glial cells.

Lecture 2: Nervous System

terminal. Integration and transmission of nerve impulses have become the

specialized functions of neurons.

2. Dendrites: Dendrites are branched projections of the cell body that

receive the stimulation from other neuron.

3. Axon: An axon is designed to transport information at high speed from

the signal-transmission rate.

4. Nerve terminal: The nerve terminal is specialized to convert an electrical

Lecture 2: Nervous System

A synapse is a gap that is present between two neurons or between a

neuron and an effector cell. It allows a neuron to pass an electrical or

signal from the synapse is the postsynaptic cell.

There are two types of synapses:

A. Electrical synapses: - Less common type. The distance between

each other. - Faster in transmission than chemical synapse. - Pass

bidirectional signal transmission between cells.

B. Chemical synapses: - More common type. - The distance between

Slower than electrical (needs time to release the neurotransmitters). -

signal transmission between cells (only the presynaptic neuron has

Lecture 2: Nervous System

are two type of it:

(ex: Alzheimer, Parkinson …. Ect).The microglia rise from

macrophage of the N.S.

2- Macroglia: there 3 type of it :

 Oligodendrocytes: its function produced myelin sheet around

 Schwan cell: which enclose the all axons in the PNS

 Astrocytes: consist of 2 subtype:

a- Fibrous Astrocytes: which contain many intermediate

filaments that primary found in white matter.

b- Protoplasmic Astrocytes: which are found in gray matter and

have granular cytoplasm.

Lecture 2: Nervous System

 Play important role in forming blood brain barrier.

 Regulation the ionic concentration around the neuron

basement membrane) and glia cells (astrocytes).

and other exogenous substance and help to maintain the stable

composition and constant balance of ions in the intestinal fluid that is

required for neuron function.

with other organs.

Lecture 2: Nervous System

1- CNS (Central NS)

2- PNS (Peripheral NS)

3- ANS autonomic nervous system

Lecture 2: Nervous System

provide physical protection & support.

The CNS is responsible for integrating, processing & coordinating sensory

data & motor commands

intelligence, memory, learning & emotion.

sensory information to the CNS & carries motor commands to the

peripheral tissue & systems. The PNS include :

 Afferent division: of PNS brings sensory information to

CNS from peripheral tissue & organs.

 Efferent division of PNS carries motor commands from the CNS to

muscles & glands (effectors).

Lecture 2: Nervous System