CHAPTER 7:

The Nervous System

The Nervous System

Two divisions of the nervous system

Central nervous system (CNS)

Peripheral nervous system (PNS)

Overall structure of the CNS

7 major parts of the CNS

1. Cerebrum (also cerebral

hemisphere)

2. Diencephalon

3. Midbrain

4. Cerebellum

5. Pons

6. Medulla oblongata

7. Spinal cord

3 broad regions of the brain

1. Forebrain

2. Midbrain

3. Hindbrain
Two cell types of the nervous system

Glial

Neurons

From Kandel et al., Principles of Neural Science, 4th Ed.

Terminology

Functional classes of neurons:

Afferent neurons --> sensory neurons (cell body outside spinal cord,
nerving endings inside)
Efferent neurons --> motor neurons (cell body inside spinal cord, nerve
endings outside)
Somatic motor neurons (skeletal muscle)
Autonomic motor neurons (cardiac muscle, smooth muscle, glands)
Interneurons (Association neuron)
Cell body and nerve endings both inside spinal cord
Groups of cell bodies: Nuclei (CNS) vs. ganglia (PNS)
Groups of axons: tracts (CNS) vs. nerves (PNS)

Morphological Classes of Neurons

Pseudounipolar
One axon split into two ends
Bipolar
Two distinct axons
Multipolar
One axon, multiple processes emanate from body

FIGURE 7.4

Predominant Glia of Vertebrates

Astrocytes (CNS)

Oligodendrocytes (CNS)

Most abundant type of glial cell

Multiple functions via perivascular (end-) feet on capillaries
& neurons
Function: insulation of central axons
One oligodendrocyte per ~15 internodes
Myelin sheath (white matter; gray matter is dendrites and
cell bodies)

Schwann cells (PNS)

Function: insulation of peripheral axons

One Schwann cell per internode
Neurilemma

Astrocytic Functions

FIGURE 7.10

Glucose uptake from blood;

lactate delivery to neurons
K+ re-uptake
Neurotransmitter
(glutamate) re-uptake
Glutamate/Glutamine
shuttle to re-supply neurons
with neurotransmitter
Synaptogenesis &
neurogenesis
Establish & maintain the
blood-brain barrier
Neurotransmitter release -role in electrical excitability?

Ion Channels

Ion channels are transmembrane proteins that conduct ions

Ion channels are specific
Ion channels are gated (regulated permeability):

1. Voltage-gated
2. Ligand-gated
3. Mechanically-gated

From Kandel et al., Principles of Neural Science, 4th Ed.

The Action Potential (AP)

A propagated electrical wave running the length of the axon

Stereotypical
All-or-none event
Fixed amplitude, ~ 100 mV (from -70 mV to +30 mV)
Threshold, ~ -55 mV
Shape & duration of the waveform reflects changes in
membrane permeability to Na+ and K+

From Kandel et al., Principles of Neural Science, 4th Ed.

Ion Channels of the AP

Fast Na channel

Exists in three distinct states

Closed at Vr
Open during depolarization
Inactivated during refractory

Voltage-gated (two gates)

Main gate
Inactivation gate
Slow K channel

Exists in two distinct states

Closed at Vr
Open when depol.

Voltage-gated (one gate)

Main gate
Absolute refractory period is due to the properties of the sodium
channel

Ensures unidirectionality of nerve impulse

Places limits on A.P. frequency

Relative refractory = slow K+ channel

Events in the presynaptic cell

FIGURE 7.23

Catecholamines:
neurotransmission & cleft clearance
Neurotransmission and cleft clearance: a
novel
1. Dopamine produced and stored in
synaptic vesicles
2. Action potentials open gated Ca2+
channels, leading to release of
neurotransmitter to post synaptic cell
3. Inactivation of all the
neurotransmitters by COMT in post
synaptic cell; a successful
neurotransmitter binds to the ligandgated channel instead of permeating
the postsynaptic cell
4. Reuptake of most neurotransmitter
from synaptic cleft by post synaptic
5. Inactivation of most
neurotransmitter by MAO in post
synaptic

FIGURE 7.30

Cable Properties of the axon

Cable Properties
Passive electrical
spread

Depolarizations
below threshold
Hyperpolarizations

Attenuation of
electrical signal
over long
distances
Characteristic of
synaptic or
receptor potentials

FIGURE 7.18