PHYSIOLOGY OF

NERVOUS SYSTEM
Presented by:
1. Amna Waseem 6. Fiza Jamali
2. Emaan Fatima 7. Ahmed Raza
3. Waseem Akhtar 8. Areeba Tahir
4. Wajid Ali 9. Faisal Ghafoor
5. Tayyaba Irshad 10. Saqib Sadiq
Introduction to the Nervous System
• The nervous system is a complex network
that regulates bodily functions.
• It enables rapid communication between
different parts of the body.
• Maintains homeostasis and responds to
internal and external stimuli.
• Composed of the Central Nervous System
(CNS) and Peripheral Nervous System
(PNS).

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 Divisions of the Nervous System
• Central Nervous • Peripheral
System (CNS): Nervous System
(PNS):
• Includes the brain
and spinal cord. • Composed of cranial
and spinal nerves
• Responsible for that connect CNS to
information the body.
processing,
memory, and • Subdivisions:
decision-making. • Somatic Nervous
System (SNS) –
• Protected by Controls voluntary
meninges and movements.
cerebrospinal fluid • Autonomic
(CSF). Nervous System
(ANS) – Regulates
involuntary functions.
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Neurons – The Functional Unit
• Neurons are highly specialized cells for
electrochemical signaling.
• Types:
• Sensory neurons – Carry signals to CNS.
• Motor neurons – Transmit signals from CNS
to muscles and glands.
• Interneurons – Facilitate communication
within CNS.

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Structure of a Neuron

• Dendrites: Receive impulses from other

neurons.
• Cell Body (Soma): Contains the nucleus
and processes signals.
• Axon: Conducts electrical impulses away
from the soma.
• Myelin Sheath: Increases impulse
conduction speed.
• Synaptic Terminals: Release
neurotransmitters for signal transmission.

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Nerve Impulse Conduction
• Action Potential Process:

• Resting Potential (-
70mV): Neuron is polarized
due to ion gradients.
• Depolarization: Sodium
(Na+) channels open,
causing an influx of Na+
ions.
• Repolarization: Potassium
(K+) channels open,
allowing K+ to exit the
neuron.
• Refractory Period: The
neuron temporarily
becomes less excitable
before returning to resting 02/24/2025 6

state.
Synaptic Transmission
• How Neurons
Communicate:
• Electrical Synapses: Direct
ion flow through gap
junctions.
• Chemical Synapses:
Neurotransmitters like
acetylcholine (ACh) and
dopamine transmit signals
between neurons.
• Neurotransmitter release is
triggered by calcium ion influx
in the presynaptic neuron.

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 Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)
• Parasympathetic • Sympathetic
("Rest and ("Fight or Flight")
Digest")
• Prepares the body for
• Conserves energy emergency
and restores responses.
homeostasis.
• Increases heart rate,
• Lowers heart rate, dilates pupils, and
stimulates inhibits digestion.
digestion, and
promotes • Releases epinephrine
relaxation. and norepinephrine.

• Utilizes
acetylcholine as a
neurotransmitter.

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Reflex Arc
• Rapid, automatic response to stimuli
without direct involvement of the
brain.
• Components:
• Sensory receptor – Detects stimulus.
• Sensory neuron – Transmits impulse
to CNS.
• Integration center – Processes signal
(spinal cord or brainstem).
• Motor neuron – Carries response
signal.
• Effector organ – Responds (muscle or
gland).

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Brain Structure and Function
 Major Regions of the Brain:

• Cerebrum: • Brainstem:
• Largest part of the brain, • Midbrain: Controls visual and
responsible for higher cognitive auditory reflexes.
functions. • Pons: Connects brain regions and aids
• Lobes and Functions: in breathing regulation.
• Medulla Oblongata: Controls heart
• Frontal Lobe: Decision-making,
voluntary movement, personality. rate, blood pressure, and respiration.
• Parietal Lobe: Sensory processing, • Limbic System:
spatial awareness.
• Hippocampus: Essential for memory
• Temporal Lobe: Hearing, memory,
formation.
language comprehension.
• Occipital Lobe: Vision processing. • Amygdala: Regulates emotions and
fear responses.
• Cerebellum:
• Thalamus & Hypothalamus:
• Coordinates voluntary movements,
• Thalamus: Sensory relay station.
posture, and balance.
• Hypothalamus: Regulates hormones,
• Fine-tunes motor activities and hunger, and body temperature.
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ensures precision.
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Spinal Cord and Nerve Pathways

• Transmits sensory and motor signals

between the brain and body.
• Gray matter processes information,
while white matter transmits signals.
• Reflex pathways are integrated at the
spinal cord level.

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Sensory Receptors and Perception

• Mechanoreceptors: Detect touch and pressure.

• Thermoreceptors: Sense temperature variations.

• Nociceptors: Respond to pain stimuli.

• Photoreceptors: Detect light in the retina.

• Chemoreceptors: Respond to chemical stimuli in taste and smell.

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Motor Control and Movement

• Primary motor cortex: Initiates voluntary movements.

• Basal ganglia: Modulate movement precision.

• Cerebellum: Ensures smooth and coordinated actions.

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Memory and Learning

• Hippocampus: Essential for memory formation.

• Synaptic plasticity: Strengthening or weakening of synapses

based on activity.
• Long-term potentiation (LTP): Key mechanism in learning.

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Neurotransmitters and Their Roles

• Dopamine: Regulates movement and pleasure.

• Serotonin: Influences mood and sleep.

• Acetylcholine: Facilitates muscle contraction.

• Glutamate: Primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the CNS.

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Common Nervous System Disorders

• Examples:

• Parkinson’s Disease: Progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in

the basal ganglia.
• Alzheimer’s Disease: Neurodegeneration affecting memory and
cognition.
• Multiple Sclerosis: Immune system attacks myelin sheaths,
impairing nerve conduction.

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Stroke and Brain Injuries

• Ischemic Stroke: Blockage of blood flow to the brain.

• Hemorrhagic Stroke: Bleeding in the brain.

• Consequences include paralysis, speech impairment, and cognitive

deficits.

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Neural Plasticity and Regeneration

• The brain's ability to reorganize and form new neural connections.

• Important for recovery after injury or learning new skills.

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Effects of Aging on the Nervous
System

• Decreased neuron function and synaptic transmission.

• Reduced cognitive processing speed.

• Increased risk of neurodegenerative diseases.

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Summary:

• ✔ The nervous system regulates body functions via neurons and

neurotransmitters.
• ✔ CNS processes information; PNS transmits signals.

• ✔ The ANS maintains involuntary control of organs.

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 Thank You
for
Learning &
Cooperating 
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