Neuroscience: Purpose, Significance, Human Nervous System

Neuroscience, often known as neurobiology, is the study of the nervous system. This branch of biology is transdisciplinary, embracing the conceptual underpinnings of several other disciplines such as anatomy, physiology, molecular biology, psychology, and others.

Keyterms: Neuroscience, neurobiology, nervous system, physiology, molecular biology, psychology, brain, ensory organs, nerves

Also read: Medulla Oblongata

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Neuroscience: History

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The ancient Egyptians possessed knowledge of the nerve system, as evidenced by writings indicating that they were aware of brain injury. Trepanning (creating a surgical hole in the skull) is a primitive medical operation that dates back nearly 8,000 years.

In the history of medicine, the most widely held belief was that the heart was the seat of intelligence and consciousness. Until the time of Hippocrates, the Greek physician, this concept went uncontested for hundreds of years.

Purpose of Neuroscience

Neuroscientists investigate how the brain influences people's behaviour and cognitive functions, or how they think. They also look into what occurs to people's nerve systems when they suffer from neurological, psychiatric, or neurodevelopmental diseases.

Purpose of Neuroscience

A neuroscientist can specialise in a wide range of topics, from neuroanatomy to neuropsychology. This field of study can help us better understand the brain and body, how they work, and the health issues that influence them.

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Neuroscience: Significance

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Neuroscience has an impact on many, if not all, human processes, and it also helps us understand a variety of common diseases. Some of them are:

•  Down syndrome
•  Addiction
•  Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) 
•  Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) 
•  Schizophrenia
•  Parkinson's disease is a neurological condition that affects individuals.
•  Tumours in the brain
•  Language loss, for example, is one of the repercussions of epilepsy.
•  Multiple sclerosis, for example, is an immune system disorder.

So, a better knowledge of neurological aspects is required so that it can aid in the development of drugs and other treatment and prevention measures for these and other health problems.

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Human Nervous System: Overview

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The nervous system is the most complicated and well-organized system in the human body. It collects information from the sensory organs via nerves, delivers it to the brain via the spinal cord, and processes it. The nervous system governs most of our internal activities, from muscle movement and blood vessel dilatation to learning anatomy and physiology information, as well as our body's reactions to the outside world. 

It keeps track of everything by transmitting lightning-fast electrical and chemical information between cells.

Functions of Nervous System

• The Central Nervous System is made up of the brain and spinal cord, while the Peripheral Nervous System is made up of nerves and sensory organs.

By conveying and processing sensory information, the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nerve systems (PNS) communicate and coordinate physiological activities. The control centre is the brain and spinal cord (the CNS). They gather information from sensory organs and nerves throughout the body, process it, and then send commands back out. 

PNS nerve networks carry both incoming and outgoing messages. The brain is connected to the eyes, ears, and other sensory organs, as well as the head and neck muscles, by twelve pairs of cranial nerves. From the spinal cord, thirty-one pairs of spinal nerves branch out to tissues in the thorax, abdomen, and limbs. Each nerve is in charge of relaying sensory information, providing motor commands, or a combination of the two.

• Rapid-Fire Signals are relayed by neuronal tissue or neurons.

Neurons are found throughout the nervous system, from the brain to the spinal cord to the farthest nerve branch. Neurons are charged cells that transmit information through the body by conducting electrical signals. A neuron's cell body, dendrites, and axon with an axon terminal make up a typical neuron. Signals from biological tissues or other neurons are picked up by dendrites and transmitted to the cell body. 

If an outbound signal is generated, it travels down the axon to the axon terminal before being transmitted to the next neuron or target cell. This conductive property transmits information at breakneck speed up and down nerve pathways and via the central nervous system. The brain's incredible processing power comes from its 100 billion neurons.

• The Nervous System Is Activated by Neurotransmitters.

Electrical signals carry nervous system messages through neurons. These signals promote the release of substances known as neurotransmitters when they reach the terminal of a neuron. Neurotransmitters pass between neurons, through synapses, and between neurons and other body tissues and cells. 

Neurotransmitters are divided into two categories: excitatory and inhibitory. Excitatory neurotransmitters promote body cell responses by stimulating electrical signals in other neurons. Signals and cellular responses are discouraged by inhibitory transmitters. The nervous system uses these molecules to control the action of muscles, glands, and its own neural pathways.

• The Spinal Cord sends and receives signals from the brain and controls reflexes.

The spinal cord is an elongated cylinder made up of neuron cell bodies, axon bundles, and other cells that is surrounded by connective tissue and bone. It goes along the vertebral column, the hollow tunnel encased within the vertebrae of the spine, and links to the brain at the medulla oblongata. The spinal cord is a portion of the central nervous system that acts as a superhighway for information. 

Sensory information and motor orders flow up and down the spine, from the brain to the rest of the body. The spinal nerves—the "on-ramps and off-ramps" that branch out to feed the limbs, torso, and pelvis—speed these signals in and out of the spinal cord. Some arriving signals necessitate a quick, straightforward response. The spinal cord can send a reflex command to the brain without troubling it.

• Perceptions are linked to complex thought, memory, and emotion in the brain.

The nervous system does more than just route information and process commands. The hippocampus, amygdala, cingulate gyrus, and dentate gyrus, as well as other structures and pathways, make up the limbic system, which is divided into two linked rings within the brain. The limbic system, like other brain parts, is engaged in a variety of nervous system functions and levels of activity. It aids in the processing of memory and olfaction (our sense of smell), as well as the management of a variety of emotions.

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Branches of Neuroscience

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There are major branches such as clinical neuroscience, molecular and cellular neuroscience, neurophysiology, neuroengineering, neuroinformatics and many more that are related to neuroscience which we will explain briefly in this article.

Clinical Neuroscience: Neurologists and psychiatrists, for example, study nervous system problems based on basic neuroscience findings to identify ways to cure and prevent them. They also explore techniques to help patients who have had neurological injury recover. Mental illnesses are classified as brain disorders by clinical neuroscientists.

Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience: On a molecular and cellular level, scientists investigate the role of particular molecules, genes, and proteins in the functioning of nerves and the nervous system.

Cultural Neuroscience: This field studies how cultural variables interact with genetic, neurological, and psychological processes. It's a new field that could help explain why different populations have varying health outcomes. The findings could also aid scientists in avoiding cultural bias in experiment design.

Developmental Neuroscience: From conception until adulthood, this study examines how the brain and nervous system develop and evolve. The data acquired aids scientists in better understanding how brain systems develop and evolve. It gives individuals the ability to explain and comprehend a variety of developmental issues. It also reveals information about how and when neuronal tissues repair.

Cognitive Neuroscience: This study examines how the brain generates and controls thoughts, as well as the neurological elements that underpin such activities. During research, experts monitor people's brain activity while they perform tasks. This field blends neuroscience with psychology and psychiatry's cognitive sciences.

Computational Neuroscience: Scientists are trying to figure out how the brain works. They research brain function using computer simulations and models, as well as tools from mathematics, physics, and other computational sciences.

Neurophysiology: This study focuses on how the brain and its functions relate to other sections of the body, as well as the nervous system's role at all levels, from subcellular to complete organs. It aids scientists in their understanding of the human mind and provides insight into nervous system problems.

Neuroinformatics: Collaboration between computer scientists and neuroscientists is a key component of this discipline. Experts devise efficient methods for collecting, analysing, sharing, and publishing data.

Neuroimaging: This is a type of medical imaging that focuses on the human brain. Neuroimaging is a type of imaging that is used to diagnose disease and assess brain health. It can also help researchers learn more about the brain, how it functions, and how different activities affect it.

Neurolinguistics: The brain's ability to acquire, store, understand, and communicate language is being studied by experts. It aids speech therapists in the development of ways to assist children with speech impairments or persons who seek to regain their speech following a stroke, for example.

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Things to Remember

• Neuroscience, also known as neurobiology, is the study of the nervous system.
• Neuroscientists investigate how the brain influences people's behaviour and cognitive functions, or how they think. 
• Some of the major Brain Diseases are: Down syndrome, Addiction, Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs), Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Schizophrenia, etc. 
• The nervous system collects information from the sensory organs via nerves, delivers it to the brain via the spinal cord, and processes it. 
• The nervous system governs most of our internal activities, from muscle movement and blood vessel dilatation to learning anatomy and physiology information, as well as our body's reactions to the outside world.
• The Central Nervous System is made up of the brain and spinal cord, while the Peripheral Nervous System is made up of nerves and sensory organs.
• Neurons are charged cells that transmit information through the body by conducting electrical signals. These signals promote the release of substances known as neurotransmitters when they reach the terminal of a neuron.
• The spinal cord is an elongated cylinder made up of neuron cell bodies, axon bundles, and other cells surrounded by connective tissue and bone. It is a portion of the central nervous system that acts as a superhighway for information.

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Previous Year Questions

• Myelin sheath is produced by….[NEET 2017]
• Receptor sites for neurotransmitters are present on :…..[NEET 2017]
• A diagram showing axon terminal and synapse is given. Identify correctly at least two of A-D...[NEET 2013]
• Injury to vagus nerve in human is not likely to affect...[NEET 2004]
• A gymnast is able to balance his body upside down even in the total darkness because of..[NEET 2015]
• Bowman's glands are located in the...[NEET 2007]
• A sagittal section of human brain is shown here. Identify at least two labels from A-D....[NEET 2013]
• Which one of the following is the correct difference between rod cells and cone cells of our retina ?...[NEET 2008]
• Afferent nerve fibre carries impulses from...[NEET 1992]
• Alzheimer disease in humans is associated with the deficiency of...[NEET 2009]
• Destruction of the anterior horn cells of the spinal cord would result in loss of...[NEET 2015]
• Function of iris is to...[NEET 1993]
• Good vision depends on adequate intake of carotene rich food : Select the best option from the following statements...[NEET 2017]
• Injury localized to the hypothalamus would most likely disrupt...[NEET 2014]
• Iris is part of...[NEET 1993]