Complex Multicellular Features
Surface Area & Volume
As organisms get bigger, surface area and volume both grow
Surface / volume ratio shrinks
As SA decreases, more limited by diffusion
Diffusion Limits
Evolve Multicellularity Pros
Evolve Multicellularity Cons
Ganglia
Groups of nerve cell bodies that process sensory information
Properties of Simple Multicellular Organisms
Cephalization
Concentrating sensory organs and nervous system components at the front of the body
Neurons
Basic functional unit of nervous system
Nervous System
Sensory Neurons
Interneurons
Motor Neurons
Produce suitable responses by stimulating muscles.
Axon Terminal
Communicates with neighboring cell through junction (synapse)
Synaptic Cleft
Separates end of axon of presynaptic cell and neighboring postsynaptic cell
Neurotransmitters
Convey the signal from the end of the axon to the postsynaptic target cell.
Signal Transmission
Threshold
Input depolarizes cell above threshold potential
Sends Action potential
Depolarization
Increase in membrane potential
Na+ ions enter the cell (voltage-gated channels)
Causes positive charge, and membrane potential rises
Action potential fired at axon hillock
Repolarization
Caused by Na+ channels closing and K+ channels opening
Membrane potential rapidly falls as K+ ions leave the cell
Falls below the resting potential
Refractory Period
Can’t fire action potential
The K+ channels are still closing
Returns to resting as K+ ions are returned via pumps
Myelin Sheath
Insulates axon’s membrane
Spreads charge a greater distance on the axon
Glial Cell
Surround neurons and provide them with nutrition and physical support
Orient neurons as they develop their connections
Astrocytes
Type of Glial Cell
Contribute to blood-brain barrier
Clear neurotransmitters btwn synapses
Glial scar and repair damage
Component of Central Nervous System