As a psychiatric nurse practitioner, before you can recommend potential pharmacotherapeutics to address a patient’s condition or disorder, you must understand the basic function and structure of the neuron and central nervous system. For this Assignment, you will review and apply your understanding of neuroanatomy by addressing a set of short answer prompts. Address the following Short Answer prompts for your Assignment. Be sure to include references to the Learning Resources for this week.
Short Answer Prompts:
1. What are the basic components of a neuron and their functions?
A neuron is the primary cellular unit of the nervous system. It consists of three main components: the cell body (soma), dendrites, and axon. The cell body contains the nucleus and most of the cellular machinery required for its metabolic functions. The dendrites are branched extensions that receive signals from other neurons and transmit them towards the cell body. The axon is a long, slender extension that conducts electrical signals away from the cell body to other neurons, muscles, or glands.
2. How do neurons communicate with each other?
Neurons communicate with each other through a process called synaptic transmission. When an action potential reaches the end of an axon, it triggers the release of neurotransmitters from synaptic vesicles into the synaptic cleft. These neurotransmitters then bind to specific receptors on the dendrites or cell bodies of the receiving neurons, initiating a series of biochemical events that either excite or inhibit the activity of the receiving neuron.
3. What is the function of glial cells in the nervous system?
Glial cells, also known as neuroglia or simply glia, are non-neuronal cells that provide support and protection to neurons in the central and peripheral nervous systems. They have several important functions, including insulating and myelinating axons to enhance signal conduction, removing debris and damaged cells through phagocytosis, regulating the chemical environment around neurons, and providing structural support to neurons.
4. What are the main divisions of the central nervous system (CNS) and their functions?
The central nervous system (CNS) consists of the brain and spinal cord. The brain is responsible for higher cognitive functions, such as perception, consciousness, cognition, and emotion. It is divided into several major regions, including the cerebral cortex, thalamus, hypothalamus, brainstem, and cerebellum, each with specific functions. The spinal cord, on the other hand, serves as a conduit for sensory and motor information between the brain and peripheral nervous system. It also coordinates certain reflex actions.
5. How does nerve impulse propagation occur along an axon?
Nerve impulse propagation, also known as the action potential, occurs along an axon in a sequential manner. When a neuron is at rest, the inside of the cell is negatively charged compared to the outside due to the unequal distribution of ions. When a stimulus reaches the neuron, it causes a temporary depolarization of the cell membrane, resulting in the generation of an action potential. This action potential then rapidly propagates along the axon membrane as a wave of electrical excitation, facilitated by the opening and closing of voltage-gated ion channels. The action potential continues to propagate until it reaches the end of the axon.
6. What are the major neurotransmitters and their functions in the CNS?
The central nervous system (CNS) utilizes a variety of neurotransmitters to mediate the communication between neurons. Some of the major neurotransmitters include acetylcholine, dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine, and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Acetylcholine is involved in motor control and cognitive functions. Dopamine plays a role in reward and pleasure, as well as motor control and motivation. Serotonin regulates mood, appetite, sleep, and aggression. Norepinephrine is involved in arousal and attention. GABA is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the CNS, functioning to regulate the excitability of neurons.
References:
– Bear, M. F., Connors, B. W., & Paradiso, M. A. (2016). Neuroscience: Exploring the Brain. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer.
– Purves, D., Augustine, G. J., Fitzpatrick, D., Katz, L. C., LaMantia, A. S., McNamara, J. O., & Williams, S. M. (2018). Neuroscience (6th ed.). Sunderland, MA: Sinauer Associates.