
What type of cells are in the nervous system?
Cells of the Nervous System. The nervous system comprises of two group of cells, glial cells and neurons. Neurons are responsible for sensing change and communicating with other neurons.
What is the function of the neurons in the brain?
neuron. neural tissue cell that is primarily responsible for generating and propagating electrical signals into, within, and out of the nervous system. nucleus. in the nervous system, a localized collection of neuron cell bodies that are functionally related; a “center” of neural function.
What are the functions of the nervous system?
The nervous system functions to process input from sensory receptors, transfer and interpret impulses and to control the functions of body's muscles and organs. The nervous system is comprised of nerves made up of specialized cells known as neurons. The central nervous system is made up...
What is the function of glial cells in the nervous system?
The nervous system comprises of two group of cells, glial cells and neurons. Neurons are responsible for sensing change and communicating with other neurons. Glial cells work to support, nourish, insulate neurons and remove waste products.

What kind of cell performs the major function of the nervous system?
A glial cell is one of a variety of cells that provide a framework of tissue that supports the neurons and their activities. The neuron is the more functionally important of the two, in terms of the communicative function of the nervous system.
What is the name of the support cells of the nervous system?
Nervous tissue is composed of neurons and supporting cells called neuroglia, or ” glial cells.”
What is the main function of the nervous system?
The nervous system helps all the parts of the body to communicate with each other. It also reacts to changes both outside and inside the body. The nervous system uses both electrical and chemical means to send and receive messages.
Which types of cells are found only in the central nervous system?
Interneurons. Interneurons, which are found only in the CNS, connect one neuron to another. They receive information from other neurons (either sensory neurons or interneurons) and transmit information to other neurons (either motor neurons or interneurons).
Which type of cells give rise to most of the peripheral nervous system?
Stem cells in one area create the central nervous system's brain and spinal cord. Stem cells from another area, called the neural crest, give rise to peripheral neurons and glial cells that control gut function, regulate the fight-or-flight response and make it possible for us to have a sense of touch.
What are the two primary cells of the nervous system?
Although the nervous system is very complex, there are only two main types of cells in nerve tissue. The actual nerve cell is the neuron. It is the "conducting" cell that transmits impulses and the structural unit of the nervous system. The other type of cell is neuroglia, or glial, cell.
What is the name of a nerve cell?
neuronThe basic unit of communication in the nervous system is the nerve cell (neuron). Each nerve cell consists of the cell body, a major branching fiber (axon) and numerous smaller branching fibers (dendrites).
What is the main function of the nervous system quizlet?
The primary function of the nervous system is to collect a multitude of sensory information; process, interpret, and integrate that information; and initiate appropriate responses throughout the body.
What are the supporting cells?
In the central nervous system, there are four types of supporting cells.Oligodendrocytes. The axons of many neurons are insulated by a myelin sheath, which increases the rate at which an axon can conduct an action potential. ... Microglia. These types of cell are less common. ... Astrocyte. ... Ependymal cells.
Are the supporting cells of the nervous system quizlet?
Glial cells. Provide a supportive scaffolding for neurons, cover all non-synaptic parts of the neurons.
What are the two groups of cells in the nervous system?
Cells of the Nervous System. The nervous system comprises of two group of cells, glial cells and neurons. Neurons are responsible for sensing change and communicating with other neurons. Glial cells work to support, nourish, insulate neurons and remove waste products.
What are the cells that make up the brain?
Microglia. Microglial cells make up between 10 and 15% of cells within the brain and are of a mesodermal origin unlike the other glial cells which are of ectodermal origin. These cells are the phagocytic and immunocompetent cells of the nervous system.
How many axonal segments can an oligodendrocyte myelinate?
They carry out this function by producing a myelin sheath which wraps around a part of the axon. A single oligodendrocyte has the capacity to myelinate up to 50 axonal segments. They are equivalent to the Schwann cells in the peripheral nervous system. Further information on the myelin sheath can be found here.
What are the star-shaped glial cells in the brain?
Astrocytes are star-shaped gilal cells within the brain and spinal cord, depending on the method used they make up between 20 and 40% of all glial cells. They have numerous functions, including:
What is the myelin sheath?
Further information on the myelin sheath can be found here. Microglial cells make up between 10 and 15% of cells within the brain and are of a mesodermal origin unlike the other glial cells which are of ectodermal origin . These cells are the phagocytic and immunocompetent cells of the nervous system.
Which cell insulates the axon with myelin sheath?
Schwann cells – These insulate the axon with myelin sheath which facilitates the rapid transmission of action potentials along the axon.
Which cell conducts action potentials?
The action potentials are conducted through the axon to the axon terminal. Schwann cells – These insulate the axon which aids with rapid transmission of action potentials through the axon. Axon terminal – Distally the axon branches to form axon terminals. These make synaptic connection with other neurons.
Which is more functionally important, the neuron or the nervous system?
The neuron is the more functionally important of the two, in terms of the communicative function of the nervous system. To describe the functional divisions of the nervous system, it is important to understand the structure of a neuron .
What are the two types of cells in the CNS?
Nervous tissue, present in both the CNS and PNS, contains two basic types of cells: neurons and glial cells . A glial cell is one of a variety of cells that provide a framework of tissue that supports the neurons and their activities.
What are the structures of the PNS?
The structures of the PNS are referred to as ganglia and nerves, which can be seen as distinct structures. The equivalent structures in the CNS are not obvious from this overall perspective and are best examined in prepared tissue under the microscope.
How is the nervous system divided?
First, the basic functions of the nervous system are sensation, integration, and response. Secondly , control of the body can be somatic or autonomic—divisions that are largely defined by the structures that are involved in the response.
What are the two major regions of the nervous system?
The nervous system can be divided into two major regions: the central and peripheral nervous systems. The central nervous system (CNS) is the brain and spinal cord, and the peripheral nervous system (PNS) is everything else ( [link] ). The brain is contained within the cranial cavity of the skull, and the spinal cord is contained within ...
What are the two regions of the nervous system called?
These two regions within nervous system structures are often referred to as gray matter (the regions with many cell bodies and dendrites) or white matter (the regions with many axons). [link] demonstrates the appearance of these regions in the brain and spinal cord.
Which division of the nervous system controls the smooth muscle and glandular tissue in the digestive system?
There is another division of the nervous system that describes functional responses. The enteric nervous system (ENS) is responsible for controlling the smooth muscle and glandular tissue in your digestive system. It is a large part of the PNS, and is not dependent on the CNS.
What are the functions of the nervous system?
This property enables many important functions of the nervous system, such as regulation of vital body functions ( heartbeat, breathing, digestion), sensation and body movements. Ultimately, the nervous system structures preside over everything that makes us human; our consciousness, cognition, behaviour and memories.
How do neurons work?
The morphology of neurons makes them highly specialized to work with neural impulses; they generate, receive and send these impulses onto other neurons and non-neural tissues.
How many pairs of nerves are there in the peripheral nervous system?
Peripheral nervous system. The PNS consists of 12 pairs of cranial nerves, 31 pairs of spinal nerves and a number of small neuronal clusters throughout the body called ganglia. Peripheral nerves can be sensory (afferent), motor (efferent) or mixed (both).
What is the PNS?
Peripheral nervous system (PNS) represents the conduit between the CNS and the body. It is further subdivided into the somatic nervous system (SNS) and the autonomic nervous system (ANS) .
Which neurons send neural impulses to the peripheral tissues?
Efferent neurons (motor or descending) send neural impulses from the CNS to the peripheral tissues, instructing them how to function. Afferent neurons (sensory or ascending) conduct impulses from the peripheral tissues to the CNS. These impulses contain sensory information, describing the tissue's environment.
What are the main structures of the nervous system?
Neurons, or nerve cell, are the main structural and functional units of the nervous system. Every neuron consists of a body (soma) and a number of processes (neurites). The nerve cell body contains the cellular organelles and is where neural impulses ( action potentials) are generated. The processes stem from the body, they connect neurons with each other and with other body cells, enabling the flow of neural impulses. There are two types of neural processes that differ in structure and function;
How many divisions are there in the nervous system?
The nervous system (NS) is structurally broken down into two divisions;
What are the specialized nerve cells that are part of neurotransmitters?
The specialized nerve cells called receptors (which are part of neurotransmitters) are present all over the body.
What are the divisions of the nervous system?
The nervous system forms the most complex and diverse system of anatomy concerned with the regulation of almost all the activities performed by the body.
What is the difference between the CNS and the peripheral system?
CNS includes the higher centers of the brain and the spinal cord, whereas the peripheral system includes all the neurons coming out of the brainstem and spinal cord.
What is deep brain stimulation?
Deep brain stimulation (or DBS) is a way to inactivate parts of the brain that cause Parkinson's disease and its associated symptoms without purposefully destroying the brain. In deep brain stimulation, electrodes are placed in the thalamus (to treat essential tremor and multiple sclerosis) or in the globus pallidus (for Parkinson's disease).
What is the largest organ in the human body?
The brain is one of the largest and most complex organs in the human body. See a picture of the Brain and learn more about the health topic.
How many stages of brain development are there?
The 6 stages of brain development that happen in the first three years of your life have lasting impacts.
How many categories are there in the major functions?
These major functions can again be divided into two major categories.
What is the function of the nervous system?
The nervous system functions to process input from sensory receptors, transfer and interpret impulses and to control the functions of body's muscles and organs. The nervous system is comprised of nerves made up of specialized cells known as neurons. The central nervous system is made up of the brain and spinal chord with nerves ...
What is the nervous system?
The nervous system is essential when it comes to perceiving and comprehending the external world. This system also regulates basic bodily functions such as heart rate and breathing and makes the movement of voluntary muscles possible. ADVERTISEMENT.
Which system regulates the senses?
The autonomic nervous system regulates your internal organs, while your sensory system is what allows you to see, hear, smell, touch, feel, and taste. Satellite cells deliver nutrition to the neuron and absorb heavy metal toxins, such as mercury and lead, to keep them from damaging the neurons.
What is the meaning of glial cells?
Originally, glial cells—also called glia or neuroglia—were believed to just provide structural support. The word glia literally means "neural glue."
What is the gray matter of the brain?
Updated on December 01, 2019. You've likely heard of the gray matter of the brain, which is made up of cells called neurons, but a lesser-known type of brain cell is what makes up the white matter. These are called glial cells. normaals/Getty Images. Originally, glial cells—also called glia or neuroglia—were believed to just provide structural ...
Why are astrocytes called astro?
The "astro" part of the name because refers to the fact that they look like stars, with projections going out all over the place. Some, called protoplasmic astrocytes, have thick projections with lots of branches. Others, called fibrous astrocytes have long, slender arms that branch less frequently.
What is the CNS made of?
Your central nervous system (CNS) is made up of your brain and the nerves of your spinal column.
Where are protoplasmic neurons found?
The protoplasmic type is generally found among neurons in the gray matter while the fibrous ones are typically found in white matter. In spite of these differences, they perform similar functions.
Where are glial cells located?
You also have glial cells in your peripheral nervous system (PNS), which comprises the nerves in your extremities, away from the spine. Two types of glial cells there are: 1
