Neural Control and CoordinationMind Map

A neuron is the structural and functional unit of the nervous system. It is specialised to receive, process and transmit information as nerve impulses. A typical neuron has a cell body containing nucleus and Nissl granules, short branched dendrites that receive impulses, and a long axon that carries impulses away. Many axons are covered by myelin sheath with gaps called nodes of Ranvier, which speed up conduction. Neurons are supported by neuroglia, which provide nutrition, protection, insulation and repair support. Functionally, neurons may be sensory, motor or interneurons. Structurally, they may be multipolar, bipolar or unipolar. At synapses, neurons communicate through chemical neurotransmitters across a synaptic cleft.

The human nervous system is a highly organised communication network divided anatomically into the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system. The CNS includes brain and spinal cord, while the PNS includes nerves arising from them. Functionally, the PNS has somatic and autonomic divisions. The somatic nervous system mainly controls voluntary skeletal muscles and carries sensory information from receptors. The autonomic nervous system controls involuntary organs such as heart, glands, smooth muscles and digestive tract. ANS has sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions, usually producing opposite effects. Sympathetic activity prepares the body for emergency, while parasympathetic activity supports rest, digestion and conservation of energy. This classification is a repeated NEET concept.

A nerve impulse is an electrochemical signal travelling along a neuron. In the resting state, the axonal membrane is polarised: the outside is relatively positive and the inside is relatively negative, mainly due to unequal distribution of Na+, K+, proteins and membrane permeability. When a stimulus reaches threshold, voltage-gated Na+ channels open and Na+ enters, causing depolarisation. Then K+ channels open and K+ exits, causing repolarisation and sometimes hyperpolarisation. The impulse travels as a wave of depolarisation along the axon. In myelinated fibres, it jumps from one node of Ranvier to another, called saltatory conduction. At chemical synapses, neurotransmitters transfer the signal across the synaptic cleft.

The central nervous system consists of the brain and spinal cord. The brain is protected by skull, meninges and cerebrospinal fluid and is divided into forebrain, midbrain and hindbrain. Forebrain includes cerebrum, thalamus and hypothalamus. Cerebrum controls intelligence, memory, voluntary actions and sensory perception; thalamus relays sensory impulses; hypothalamus regulates temperature, hunger, thirst, emotions and endocrine control. Midbrain coordinates visual and auditory reflexes. Hindbrain includes pons, cerebellum and medulla. Cerebellum maintains posture and balance, while medulla controls vital involuntary functions. The spinal cord conducts impulses and controls reflex actions. Reflex arc is the pathway for rapid automatic response.

Coordination means organised working of receptors, neurons, CNS and effectors to produce appropriate responses. Sense organs detect specific stimuli and convert them into nerve impulses. The eye is the photoreceptor organ for vision. Its major parts include cornea, iris, pupil, lens, retina, rods, cones and optic nerve. Rods help in dim light vision, while cones help in colour and bright light vision. The ear performs hearing and balance. External ear collects sound, middle ear transmits vibrations through ear ossicles, and inner ear contains cochlea for hearing and vestibular apparatus for balance. Neural coordination depends on integration in CNS, where sensory inputs are analysed and motor outputs are planned.