VANDERS HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY MECHANISM
OF BODY FUNCTION EXAM PREPARATION
PACK 2026 KEY CONCEPTS AND REVISION
NOTES
◉ axonal transport. Answer: the movement of various organelles
and other materials between the cell body and the axon terminals to
maintain the structure and function of the axon
◉ axonal transport depends on. Answer: a scaffolding of
microtubule "rails" running the length of the axon, kinesins, and
dyneins
◉ kinesins and dyneins. Answer: specialized types of motor proteins
◉ Kinesin transport. Answer: moves away from the cell body
(anterograde) and is important in moving nutrient molecules,
enzymes, mitochondria, neurotransmitter-filled vesicles, and other
organelles
◉ Dynein transport. Answer: moves toward the cell body
(retrograde) and carries recycled membrane vesicles, growth
factors, and other chemical signals that can affect the neuron's
morphology, biochemistry, and connectivity.
,◉ anterograde. Answer: movement from the cell body toward the
axon terminals
◉ retrograde. Answer: movement toward the cell body and is the
route by which some harmful agents invade the CNS, including
tetanus toxin and the herpes simplex, rabies, and polio viruses
◉ three functional classes of neurons. Answer: afferent, efferent, and
interneurons
◉ Characteristics of Three Classes of Neurons (table 6.1). Answer:
Afferent neurons
Transmit information into the CNS from receptors at their
peripheral endings
Single process from the cell body splits into a long peripheral
process (axon) that is in the PNS and a short central process (axon)
that enters the CNS
Efferent neurons
Transmit information out of the CNS to effector cells, particularly
muscles, glands, neurons, and other cells
Cell body with multiple dendrites and a small segment of the axon
are in the CNS; most of the axon is in the PNS
, Interneurons
Function as integrators and signal changers
Integrate groups of afferent and efferent neurons into reflex circuits
Lie entirely within the CNS
Account for > 99% of all neurons
◉ afferent neurons. Answer: convey information from the tissues
and organs of the body toward the CNS. They propagate electrical
signals from their receptors into the brain or spinal cord.
Both the cell body and the long axon are outside the CNS and only a
part of the central process enters the brain or spinal cord
◉ efferent neurons. Answer: convey information from the tissues
and organs of the body away the CNS.
Their cell bodies and dendrites are within the CNS, and the axons
extend out to the periphery.
◉ interneurons. Answer: convey information within the CNS. They
account for over 99% of all neurons and have a wide range of
physiological properties, shapes, and functions
OF BODY FUNCTION EXAM PREPARATION
PACK 2026 KEY CONCEPTS AND REVISION
NOTES
◉ axonal transport. Answer: the movement of various organelles
and other materials between the cell body and the axon terminals to
maintain the structure and function of the axon
◉ axonal transport depends on. Answer: a scaffolding of
microtubule "rails" running the length of the axon, kinesins, and
dyneins
◉ kinesins and dyneins. Answer: specialized types of motor proteins
◉ Kinesin transport. Answer: moves away from the cell body
(anterograde) and is important in moving nutrient molecules,
enzymes, mitochondria, neurotransmitter-filled vesicles, and other
organelles
◉ Dynein transport. Answer: moves toward the cell body
(retrograde) and carries recycled membrane vesicles, growth
factors, and other chemical signals that can affect the neuron's
morphology, biochemistry, and connectivity.
,◉ anterograde. Answer: movement from the cell body toward the
axon terminals
◉ retrograde. Answer: movement toward the cell body and is the
route by which some harmful agents invade the CNS, including
tetanus toxin and the herpes simplex, rabies, and polio viruses
◉ three functional classes of neurons. Answer: afferent, efferent, and
interneurons
◉ Characteristics of Three Classes of Neurons (table 6.1). Answer:
Afferent neurons
Transmit information into the CNS from receptors at their
peripheral endings
Single process from the cell body splits into a long peripheral
process (axon) that is in the PNS and a short central process (axon)
that enters the CNS
Efferent neurons
Transmit information out of the CNS to effector cells, particularly
muscles, glands, neurons, and other cells
Cell body with multiple dendrites and a small segment of the axon
are in the CNS; most of the axon is in the PNS
, Interneurons
Function as integrators and signal changers
Integrate groups of afferent and efferent neurons into reflex circuits
Lie entirely within the CNS
Account for > 99% of all neurons
◉ afferent neurons. Answer: convey information from the tissues
and organs of the body toward the CNS. They propagate electrical
signals from their receptors into the brain or spinal cord.
Both the cell body and the long axon are outside the CNS and only a
part of the central process enters the brain or spinal cord
◉ efferent neurons. Answer: convey information from the tissues
and organs of the body away the CNS.
Their cell bodies and dendrites are within the CNS, and the axons
extend out to the periphery.
◉ interneurons. Answer: convey information within the CNS. They
account for over 99% of all neurons and have a wide range of
physiological properties, shapes, and functions
