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System
Chapter 31
Functions of the Nervous System
Sensory information
allows the
cerebellum to
coordinate and
balance the actions
of muscles
Brain Stem
Connects the brain and spinal cord
The brain stem includes three regions
the midbrain,
the pons
the medulla oblongata
Each of these regions regulates the flow
of information between the brain and
the rest of the body
The brain stem controls
Regulation of blood pressure,
Heart rate
Breathing
Swallowing
The brain stem keeps the body
functioning even when you have lost
consciousness due to sleep or injury.
Addiction and the Brain
Addictive drugs act on dopamine synapses in a
number of ways
Nearly every addictive substance—affects
brain synapses
An activity that brings pleasureneurons in
the hypothalamus and the limbic system
release dopamine.
Dopamine molecules stimulate other neurons
across these synapses, producing the
sensation of pleasure and a feeling of well-
being
The Senses
Touch
Smell and Taste
Hearing and Balance
Sight
Touch and Related Senses
Human skin contains at least seven
types of sensory receptors, including
several that respond to different levels
of pressure
Stimulation of these receptors creates
the sensation of touch
Thermoreceptors are sensory cells that
respond to heat and cold
Pain receptors are found throughout the
body
Smell and Taste
The sense of taste and smell involves the
ability to detect chemicals
Chemical-sensing cells known as
chemoreceptors in the nose and mouth are
responsible for both of these senses
The sense of smell is capable of producing
thousands of different sensations. Much of
what we commonly call the “taste” of food and
drink is actually smell
Exploring the structure of the
human ear
Eye
Hollow
spherical
structure
diameter 2.5
cm
Three layers
Outer Tunic-Fibrous
Conjunctiva-thin mucus
membrane
Sclera-tough white connective
tissue
Cornea-transparent covering in
front, part of sclera
Middle Tunic-Vascular
Choroid-thin pigment layer
Iris-muscular tissue that adjusts
amount of light
Aqueous Humor -chamber behind
cornea filled with fluid similar to
blood plasma
Pupil-circular opening that expands
and contracts
Lens-flattened sphere held in place
by ligaments
Inner Tunic-Nervous