Components of Nerve Systems

Components of Nerve Systems: The Basics

  • Nerve systems are complex networks that allow the body to communicate and coordinate its actions.
  • They are made up of the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS).
  • The CNS includes the brain and the spinal cord, and it controls most functions of the body and mind.
  • The PNS consists of all nerve tissues outside of the CNS - these are the nerves which link the CNS to every other part of the body.

Components of the Nervous System

  • The smallest functional units of the nervous system are nerve cells, or neurons.
  • Neurons come in many shapes and sizes, but they all have three basic parts: a cell body, dendrites, and an axon.
  • The cell body contains the nucleus of the neuron and is where the majority of the cell’s metabolic activity occurs.
  • Dendrites receive signals from other neurons and transmit them towards the cell body.
  • The axon carries signals away from the cell body to other neurons, muscles, or glands in the body.

Role of Neurons in Nerve Systems

  • Information in the nervous system is transmitted as electrical impulses known as action potentials.
  • An action potential travels down an axon as a brief electrical charge and causes the release of chemicals called neurotransmitters.
  • Neurotransmitters cross the tiny gaps (synapses) between neurons and bind to receptive structures on the next neuron.

Different Types of Neurons

  • There are three types of neurons: sensory neurons, motor neurons and interneurons.
  • Sensory neurons transmit information from sensory receptors towards the CNS.
  • Motor neurons carry signals from the CNS to muscles or glands in the body.
  • Interneurons are found exclusively within the CNS and act as links between sensory and motor neurons.

Importance of Nerve Systems in Health and Social Care

  • Understanding the components and functioning of the nerve systems is crucial for many aspects of health and social care.
  • For instance, physiotherapists must understand how the CNS and PNS interact to coordinate movement.
  • Mental health professionals must understand how neurons, neurotransmitters, and synapses are involved in mental processes and behaviours.
  • Knowledge of the nervous system can help healthcare professionals understand, diagnose and treat neurological disorders like stroke, dementia, and epilepsy.