I.

Transmission within the Nerve fiber

Action potential
Chemical gradient
Electrical gradient
Propagation of Action Potential
1. Resting stage (positive outside, negative inside)
2. Depolarization phase (negative outside, positive inside)

II. Transmission across Synapse

Synapses-small gaps between neurons
Chemical or electrical
One-way junction
1. Impulses reaches the presynaptic terminal
2. Vesicles release neurotransmitters
3. Neurotransmitters inactivated to prevent sustained response

Neurotransmitters-can be excitatory or inhibitory)

Types:
1. Acetylcholine-muscle movement
2. Biogenic amines (thinking process)
-Dopamine -Serotonin
-Norepinephrine -Histamine
3. Amino acids
-GABA
-Peptides

Neuroglia-protect and nourish neurons; mitotic

- do not transmit impulses
Neuroglia Function
Astrocytes Supply nutrients to neurons
Microglia Provide protection against microorganisms
Oligodendrocytes Wrap tightly around nerve fibers to form myelin
sheath
Ependymal cells Ciliated; line brain cavities; forms CSF
Schwann cells Phagocytic cells that form myelin sheath around
nerve fibers
Satellite cells Found in the PNS; may maintain chemical balance of
neurons

Cranium and Cerebral column

Cranium-composed of 8 cranial and facial bones
Foramen magnum-largest hole through which the brain stem extends to the spinal cord
Vertebral column-protects the spinal cord, supports the head and provides flexibility; strengthened by
ligaments and fibrocartilage disc

Cranial meninges
Dura mater
Arachnoid
Pia mater

Falx cerebri-divides the left from right

hemispheres
Subdural-more bleeding

Central Nervous system:

I. Cerebrum
a. Consists of 2 hemisphere
b. Corpus callosum-connects two
hemisphere
c. Cerebral cortex-outer surface of the
cerebrum
d. Basal ganglia-located deep within cerebral hemisphere
e. Internal capsule-white matter consisting of bundle of nerve fibers carrying motor and sensory
impulses to and from cerebral cortex