Central nervous system The
central nervous system (CNS) is the largest part of the nervous system and includes the brain and spinal cord. •
Spinal cord Brain Brain – center of the nervous system. •
Outline of the human brain •
List of regions of the human brain Principal regions of the vertebrate brain:
Peripheral nervous system Peripheral nervous system (PNS) – nervous system structures that do not lie within the CNS.
Sensory system A
sensory system is a part of the nervous system responsible for processing sensory information. A sensory system consists of sensory receptors, neural pathways, and parts of the brain involved in sensory perception. •
List of sensory systems •
Sensory neuron •
Perception •
Visual system •
Auditory system •
Somatosensory system •
Vestibular system •
Olfactory system •
Taste •
Pain Components of the nervous system •
Neuron •
Interneuron •
Ganglion (PNS) vs
Nucleus (neuroanatomy) (CNS) except
basal ganglia (CNS) •
Nerve (PNS) vs
Tract (neuroanatomy) (CNS) •
White matter (more myelinated) vs
Grey matter Glial cells Glial cells, commonly called neuroglia or glia, are supportive cells that maintain homeostasis, form myelin, and provide support and protection for the brain's neurons. •
Microglia •
Astrocyte •
Oligodendrocyte (CNS) vs
Schwann cell (PNS)
Neuron A
neuron (also known as a neurone or nerve cell) is an excitable cell in the nervous system that processes and transmits information by electrochemical signaling. Neurons are the core components of the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves. •
Soma •
Axon •
Myelin •
Dendrite •
Dendritic spine Action potential An
action potential (or nerve impulse) is a transient alteration of the transmembrane voltage (or membrane potential) across the membrane in an excitable cell generated by the activity of voltage-gated ion channels embedded in the membrane. The best known action potentials are pulse-like waves that travel along the axons of neurons. •
Membrane potential •
Ion channel •
Voltage-gated ion channels Synapse Synapses are specialized junctions through which neurons signal to each other and to non-neuronal cells such as those in muscles or glands. •
Chemical synapse •
Gap junction •
Synaptic plasticity •
Long-term potentiation Neurotransmitter Neurotransmitter – endogenous chemical that relays, amplifies, and modulates signals between neurons and other cells to which they are synaptically connected. •
List of neurotransmitters •
Neuromodulator •
Monoamine neurotransmitter •
Neuropeptide Neurotransmitter receptor Neurotransmitter receptor – membrane receptor that can be activated by a neurotransmitter. Interactions between neurotransmitters and neurotransmitter receptors can evoke a wide range of differing responses from the cell receiving the signal, including excitation, inhibition, and various types of modulation. == Evolution of the human nervous system ==