The Primary Functions of the Nervous System

Sensory Input: receives signals Integration: processes signals Motor Output: performs an action

General Divisions
CNS= Central Nervous System
Brain and Spinal Cord (Integration)

PNS= Peripheral Nervous System

Everything else! (Input and Output)

Anatomy of the Brain

2% of our body weight, 20% of our oxygen supply

100 Billion neurons and 10-50 trillion neuroglia. More possible connections and pathways than atoms in the universe!!!!! Q: What kinds of things does our brain DO?

3 main parts of the brain: A. Cerebrum B. Cerebellum C. Brainstem

Brains largest part and has the most functions

Cerebrum

All vertebrates have one, and is even more enlarged in primates. Cerebral cortex (outer layer) is where most of the nerve cells lie. Their axons project inwards for integration. The surface of the cortex is very wrinkled. Q: What is the advantage of having a wrinkled brain?

The cerebrum is divided into two hemispheres Q: What is the role of each side of our brain?

Left Brain Language Logic Math Controls right side of body

Right Brain Spatial Creativity Art/Music Controls left side of body

A small band of nerves called the corpus callosum connects the hemispheres

Cerebral cortex
The outer layer of the cerebrum is known as the cerebral cortex (gray matter) The outermost layers of gray matter are known as the neocortex most complex integration/processing occurs here

Different parts of the brain have different functions

A.

The cerebrum is divided into four lobes:

Sulci are grooves that divide the lobes, gyri are ridges on surface of cerebrum

For example, the central sulcus separates the frontal and parietal lobes

Functions: motor area for voluntary movement, speech, emotions, and problemsolving, planning
Key areas: Precentral gyrus: primary motor area Brocas speech area: verbal motor function Damage to this area can result in aphasia the inability to use or comprehend words

Functions: sensory area for perception of pain, pressure, touch and temperature; language comprehension
Key areas: Postcentral Gyrus: primary somatosensory area Somatosensory association area: integration of shape and texture sensation

Somatosensory and Motor Cortex

Neurons are distributed according to the body part they control the number of neurons is related to complexity, not size.

Functions: hearing, smell, taste

Key areas: Wernickes area: (is also partly in the parietal lobe) interprets the meaning of speech allows you to translate them into thoughts

SPEECH is complex
Broccas area: left frontal lobe, controls speech production Wernickes area: right temporal lobe, controls speech comprehension

Function: Vision
Key areas: Visual Association Area: allows you to recognize and evaluate what you are seeing

Visual Processing
Optic nerves meet at the optic chiasm. Left field signals are send to the right hemisphere, and vice versa. These signals are all processed in the visual cortex within the occipital lobe of the brain. This is complicated! 30% of our cerebral cortex is involved in integrating the complex set of action potentials into sight.

Functions: Coordinates voluntary movement, (for example, muscles for complex ongoing activities like walking), fine muscle control and balance

Damage to the cerebellum results in ataxia lack of muscle coordination

Q: Can you close your eyes and touch your nose?

Upper thalamus and hypothalamus Lower midbrain, pons and medulla oblongata

Upper Brainstem (Diencephalon)

Thalamus Relay center, vision & other sensory processing, integration for many organs Hypothalamus HOMEOSTASIS: body temperature, blood pressure, hunger, thirst, control of pituitary gland (through hormone interaction)

Pineal Gland -- secretes melatonin, a hormone that promotes sleep and sets your body clock

Lower Brainstem Midbrain and Pons: transmits messages from spinal cord to brain Medulla oblongata: HOMEOSTASIS heart rate, breathing rate, coughing, sneezing, vomiting

 Our primitive ancestral brain Includes the hippocampus, thalamus and hypothalamus. Q: What are some key functions that might be important in a primitive way?

Functions of Hippocampus Emotion Memory Mood and Motivation Pain and Pleasure (reward), affection, anger

Protection of the CNS

Skull & spine Meninges Cerebrospinal fluid Blood-Brain Barrier

Meninges: The dura mater is a tough, double-layered membrane that surrounds the brain

Skull Dura Mater Pia Mater Arachnoid Mater

 Between the pia mater and arachnoid mater is the subarachnoid space. Here the CSF bathes the brain and cushions it against blows A watery fluid-like blood plasma, it carries Oxygen and glucose Circulates in the brain ventricles & subarachnoid space (also in spinal cord)

Usually done between the lumbar vertebrae

Ventricles open areas in the brain where CSF is made and stored

Blood-Brain Barrier
Cells forming blood vessels in the brain are linked by tight junctions. This closely regulates passage between the blood and the CSF Only water, glucose and amino acids can cross blood vessels. Other polar molecules need carriers to get across. (this is a SUPER high security system) WHY? Prevents wastes like urea from getting to brain Lipid soluble molecules like steroids, alcohol and many other drugs pass easily.

 42-45 centimeters it extends from the medulla oblongata (brainstem) to the second lumbar vertebra. It branches off into 31 segments, each a pair of spinal nerves going to a different part of the body.

The Spinal Cord

 Six horns of gray matter (cell bodies) are surrounded by white matter (axons) Anterior and lateral horns are motor Posterior horns are sensory

Cross section

 Each spinal nerve splits into two roots The posterior root is sensory INPUT and the anterior root is motor OUTPUT

Spinal Nerves

An example of a reflex
Reflex: a fast, involuntary sequence of actions

There is no link between size and intelligence ! Though Einsteins was a just a bit larger than average

Whew! Rest your brain and watch this man use HIS brain and dance like a superstar