Anatomy & Physiology

Anatomy & Physiology Study Guide • In deep sleep (slow wave or non-REM sleep), the body relaxes, and cerebral cortex activity is low. In rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, active dreaming occurs. • The reticular activating system (RAS), a network in the reticular formation, is most important to arousal and the maintenance of consciousness. Neurotransmitters influence brain chemistry and behavior: • Changes in the normal balance between two or more neurotransmitters can profoundly affect brain function. Aging produces various structural and functional changes in the nervous system: • Age-related changes in the nervous system include a reduction in brain size and weight, a reduction in the number of neurons, a decrease in blood flow to the brain, changes in the synaptic organization of the brain, and intracellular and extracellular changes in CNS neurons. The nervous system is closely integrated with other body systems: • The nervous system monitors all other systems and issues commands that adjust their activities.

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