Anatomy Unit 12 Study Guide

1.Distinguish the difference between neuron, neuroglial cells, Schwann cells, neurofibrils, and astrocytes.

Neuron - Masses of nerve cells

Neurological cells - provide structural integrity to the nervous system and functional support that enables neurons to perform (provides neurons certain physiological requirements - filling spaces, giving support to neurons)

Schwann Cells - Larger axons of peripheral neurons enclosed in sheaths; they are axons coated with many layers of cell membrane with little or no cytoplasm between them

Neurofibrils - Any long, thin, microscopic fibrils that run through the body of a neuron and extend into the axon and dendrites, giving the neuron support and shape.

Astrocytes - cells found between neurons, which provide structural support.

2.What is the difference between dendrites and axons?

Dendrites are short, highly branched fibers - neuron’s main receptive surface which carry impulses to cell body (there are usually multiple dendrites per cell body) and Axons are a slight elevation of cell body which conducts nerve impulses away from cell body (there is usually only one per cell body).

3. What color does myelin (the lipid-protein layers that form a sheath around an axon) appear?

Myelin appears white.

4. What are the 2 main parts of the nervous system?

The two main parts of the central nervous system are the Central (brain and spinal cord) and Peripheral (somatic and autonomic) nervous systems.

5. What are 3 functions of the nervous system?

The nervous system functions to detect changes outside and inside the body, to make decisions based on the information received, and to stimulate muscles of glands to respond to either of the aforementioned functions.

6. What is the junction between 2 communicating neurons called?

A junction between 2 communicating neurons is called a synapse.

7. What are the simplest nerve pathways called?

The simplest nerve pathways are called reflex arc- they begin with the receptor at end...