Scribd
Upload
142 views3 pages

Assignment Lec 4

The document discusses nerve impulse transmission and cerebellar function. It explains that nerve impulses are initiated by changes in neuron membrane potential and transmitted via depolarization and repolarization. At synapses, neurotransmitters allow one-way transmission from presynaptic to postsynaptic cells. The document also notes that myelin sheaths and rubber wire coatings both serve as electrical insulators. Finally, it states that damage to the cerebellum, which controls coordination and movement, would cause symptoms like uncoordinated movements, trouble with balance and eye movements.

Uploaded by

morrigan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
142 views3 pages

Assignment Lec 4

The document discusses nerve impulse transmission and cerebellar function. It explains that nerve impulses are initiated by changes in neuron membrane potential and transmitted via depolarization and repolarization. At synapses, neurotransmitters allow one-way transmission from presynaptic to postsynaptic cells. The document also notes that myelin sheaths and rubber wire coatings both serve as electrical insulators. Finally, it states that damage to the cerebellum, which controls coordination and movement, would cause symptoms like uncoordinated movements, trouble with balance and eye movements.

Uploaded by

morrigan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 3

Julianna Jo C.

Gulle September 13, 2021

BSN-1 NB NSG 10

WEEK 5: LECTURE ASSIGNMENT

1. Briefly explain how nervous nerve impulses are initiated and transmitted,
and why one-way conduction at synapses always happens.
Nerve impulse is an electrical charge that travels along the membrane of a
neuron. It can be initiated when a neuron’s membrane potential is changed by
chemical signals from a nearby cell, then it speeds along an axon in milliseconds.
The cell membrane potential changes from negative to positive as sodium ions
flow in (depolarization), and then potassium ions flow out to reset the resting
potential (repolarization).
The place where an axon terminal meets another cell is called a synapse.
This is where the transmission of a nerve impulse to another cell occurs. An action
potential arriving at the presynaptic terminal causes the release of a
neurotransmitter, which diffuses across the synaptic cleft and binds to the
receptors of the postsynaptic membrane. Conduction at synapses is always one
way because only one neuron—the presynaptic cell—has neurotransmitter at each
synapse, while the other—the postsynaptic cell—has the neurotransmitter
receptors that open Na+ ion channels. Therefore, the transmission can never be
in the opposite direction.

2. Mr. X is an 82-year-old bedridden gentleman who has discovered a new


interest in learning about his body. While being tended by the visiting nurse,
he remarks that the supporting cells in nervous tissue (such as Schwann
cells and oligodendrocytes) act like the rubber coating around household
wiring. What does he mean by this analogy?
The supporting cells in the nervous tissue, Schwann cells and
oligodendrocytes, particularly provide myelin to the axons in the neurons of the
central nervous system. This myelin then forms a myelin sheath that protects and
electrically insulates axons from one another. Myelin is an insulating layer, and it
allows electrical impulses to transmit quickly and efficiently along the nerve cells.
If myelin is damaged, these impulses slow down and the nerves wouldn’t be able
to conduct electrical impulses normally, causing neurological problems.
Same thing with the rubber coating around wires, it insulates, keeping the
conductors inside a wire from touching each other and interrupting the flow of
electrons. When insulation by the rubber coating is damaged, exposed metal parts
may become energized if a live wire inside touches them. This can serve as an
electrical hazard.
To put it short, both the myelin sheath and the rubber coating serve as
insulation. If they are damaged, both the neurons and the wire will function
abnormally.

3. A patient suffered brain damage in an automobile accident. Physicians


suspected that the cerebellum was affected. Based on what you know about
cerebellar function, how can you determine that the cerebellum was
involved? What symptoms would you expect to see?

The brain is a complex organ, with many parts that perform unique
functions—one of them is the cerebellum. The cerebellum is located at the back of
the brain, underlying the occipital and temporal lobes of the cerebral cortex. Its
main function is to help with the coordination and movement related to motor skills,
especially involving the hands and feet. It helps in maintaining balance, in
coordinating movement, in vision, in motor learning, and even in cognitive
functions. When the cerebellum is damaged, the patient is likely to have
movements that are slow and uncoordinated. Additionally, cerebellar damage also
results to the inability to judge distance, the inability to perform rapid alternating
movements, movement tremors, staggering, wide based walking, tendency toward
falling, weak muscles, slurred speech, and abnormal eye movements. The
physicians might have suspected that the cerebellum is affected because
automobile accidents tend to cause traumatic brain injuries where the brain of the
victim rebounds and hits the skull. This may result to the damage of the cerebellum.
REFERENCES:

Centre for Neuro Skills. (n.d.). Cerebellum. https://www.neuroskills.com/brain-


injury/cerebellum/

Electronic Library of Construction Occupational Safety and Health. (n.d.). Electrical


Safety: Safety & Health for Electrical Trades (Student Manual).
https://www.elcosh.org/document/1624/891/d000543/section5.html

Grewal, M. & Wakim, S. (2021). Nerve Impulses.


https://bio.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Human_Biology/Book%3A_Human_Biology
_(Wakim_and_Grewal)/11%3A_Nervous_System/11.4%3A_Nerve_Impulses

Han, S. (2020). What is the cerebellum and what does it do?


https://www.healthline.com/health/cerebellum#damage

Leopold, C. (2018). Everything you need to know about the cerebellum.


https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/313265

Medline Plus. (2021). Myelin. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002261.htm

Vanputte, C., Regan, J., & Russo, A. (2019). Seeley’s Essentials of Anatomy and
Physiology (10th ed.). Anatomy and Physiology. (Book)

You might also like