1.Recieves information from receptors that can bind chemicals can change activity of the cell

2.Processes information and determines appropriate response by integrating all signals from receptors

3. Signals other cells and body organs to perform the appropriate response

Glial cells and Neurons

Neuron

• Single Nerve Cell
• Communication within the nervous system
• Very excitable and respond to environmental signals very well

• Conduct electricity well which helps them respond the signals quickly from cells that may be at a distance

• Cell Body
• Dendrites: fingerlike projections of the cell
• Axon: contains the hillcock where the action potentials are started and the terminal where they are propegated

• Carry signals toward the CNS
• Provide information about the external environment and the regulatory functions being carried out by the nervous system
• Has a receptor that generates action potentials in response to a particular stimulus
• APs from the axon to the spinal cord

• Mainly located in the PNS, cell bodies originate in CNS
• Many incoming signals from the CNS converge onto efferent neurons that affect the outgoing signals to organs in the body
• The organs in the body use the signals from these neurons to carry out the appropriate response

• Located entirely in the CNS
• 99% of all neurons
• Integrate information from the efferent and afferent neurons

• 90% of cells in CNS
• Do NOT conduct nerve signals
• Serve to protect and nourish brain
• 4 types

• Act as "glue" for neurons
• Cause blood vessels in the brain to change and establish the blood brain barrier
• Help repair brain injuries
• Play a role in neurotransmitter activity by bringing the actions of some chemical messengers to a hault by taking up the chemicals
• Take up excess potassium
• Enhance formation and functioning of synapses

Schwann Cells

• To carry toward
• Sensory information (conscious); somatic (from the body)
• unconscious sensory information; visceral afferents (from the gut)

• To carry away
• 1. Somatic efferent- skeletal (voluntary muscle)
• 2. Visceral efferent- smooth muscle (eyes, etc.), cardiac muscle, glands

1.Spinal Cord

2. Brain

Control system for the anterior pituitary (visceral)

Large portion of the brain

1. Contains the cerebral cortex= Grey matter, composed of 6 layers of neuronal cell bodies

2. Connections from other regions of the brain= white matter, neuroprocesses interconnecting brain regions

• Ribosomes
• Rough ER: proteins that are destined to be released from cell
• Golgi
• Vesicles: have to go through the Golgi to exocytose
• Microtubules: always oriented one direction (- toward cell body, + to terminal)