Neurons

Cells with the special ability to carry signals or impulses

- Each neuron make thousands of connections with other neurons
- Are specifically, intended for information processing and signaling
- They relay and receive messages (impulse) between the brain
and the body, and within the brain and spinal cord

Cell body – contains the nucleus and other organelles of the neuron
Dendrites – receives information from other neurons
Axons – carries information away from the cell body
- Pass impulses to the dendrites of other neurons
- Transmit information or signals to other neurons
- Axons can be grouped together in cable like bundles
called nerves
Myelin sheath – cells that provide support nourishment and
protection to the neuron
- insulates the axon
- make impulse travel faster
Nerve impulse – an electrochemical signal moving along a neuron
Stimulus – this is something that causes a response
-Any factor in the environment that may trigger a nerve impulse
Response – a reaction time to a stimulus
When a nerve impulse comes to the end of an axon, it produces
the chemical, called neurotransmitter to be released
The chemical crosses the space between neurons called synapse
and stimulates the nerve impulse to start on the next dendrite

First impulse – received by the dendrites that transmit it to

the axon
Second impulse – the sequence repeats, maintaining its shape

 Dendrites of one neuron receive signals from the axons of

other neurons through chemicals known as
NEUROTRANSMITTERS
Neurotransmitters - facilitate the transmission of impulse across
a synapse

 Acetylcholine
 Norepinephrine
 Dopamine
 Histamine
-Messages do not travel in both directions along the same neuron
Reaction time – the length of time between application of a
stimulus and detection of a response
Classification/Function of NEURONS
1. SENSORY NEURONS – transmit information to the CNS
2. MOTOR NEURONS – transmit information away from
the CNS
3. INTERNEURON – relay impulses from sensory to motor
Neurons
When a receptor such as an organ perceives a stimulus, the
impulse is sent to the brain by the sensory neurons, which then
transmit information from one nerve cell to another. As the
message reaches the brain, it processes the information and
commands an effector such as a muscle or an organ to respond.
The message coming from the brain is sent through the motor
neurons.
ENDOCRINE SYSTEM – is the collection of glands of an organism that
secrete hormones directly into the circulatory system to be carried
towards distant target organs.

 Regulates many bodily functions

 Maintains homoeostasis by regulating the production of
chemicals that affect most functions of the body
 Secretes substances that aid the nervous system
 Important regulator of growth and development
 Endocrine glands are ductless glands, unlike exocrine glands
that secrete substances into ducts
Homeostasis – exists when there is a balance of substances
Endocrine conditions are due to either hypo (too little) or
hyper (too much) secretions of substance (hormones)
In general, the ENDOCRINE SYSTEM is in charge of body processes
that happen slowly, such as cell growth.
HYPOTHALAMUS ----------- PITITUARY GLAND ----------Adrenal glands
Thyroid gland, ovaries, Testes

 Although each has its own unique function, the glands of

the endocrine system are interdependent, and the function
of one depends on the activity of another.
HORMONE “ to star up “ – act as chemical messenger in creating
a communication chain that links the body stems together, thus
controlling and integrating the functions of the body
MAJOR ENDOCRINE GLANDS

 Pituitary gland
 Hypothalamus
 Pineal gland
 Thyroid
 Parathyroid
 Thymus
 Pancreas
 Adrenal gland
 Gonads
HYPOTHALAMUS – serves as an endocrine gland because it releases
hormones that regulate pituitary hormones
-Hormones released have either a releasing or an inhibiting factor
In addition, it makes hormones that are stored in the pituitary gland
-- VASOPRESSIN, OXYTOCIN

PITUITARY GLAND

 Anterior pituitary – most of the hormones are released from the

anterior pituitary
 Posterior pituitary – two protein hormones released oxytocin
And vasopressin