1. The Nervous System Flashcards
How much does the brain weigh?
1.5 kg
The brain consists of ___
billions of tiny cells
The human brain enables us to ___ , ____ , ____
sense the world around us, think, and to talk
The disciplines that Neuroscience includes…
Molecular biology, experimental psychology, anatomy, physiology, and and pharmacology
Neuroscience
The science of the brain
The brain’s building blocks are:
nerve cells
Nerves are connected together in ____
networks
These networks are in a constant state of ___ and ___ activity
electrical and chemical activity
The brain can ___ and ___
see and feel
The brain can sense ___ and its ___ tricks help control uncomfortable effects of pain
pain, chemical
The brain has several ___ to devoted to co-ordinating our movements
areas
When genes go wrong individual can develop ___
dyslexia
Neuronal plasticity
A process called neuroplasticity: similarities between how the brain
develops, and the mechanisms responsible for altering the connections between
nerve cells later on
Plasticity is thought to underlie ___ and ___
learning and remembering
Techniques changing the face of neuroscience
Special electrodes that can touch the surface of cells,
optical imaging, human brain scanning machines, and silicon chips (containing
artificial brain circuits)
Glial cells
A type of cell that provides physical and chemical support to neurons and maintain their environment. Located in the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system, glial cells are sometimes called the “glue” of the nervous system, as well as neuroglia or just glia
The 3 kinds of neurons are…
Sensory, motor, and interneurons
The nervous system consists of the ____ , ____ , and ____
brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves
The nervous system is made up of cells called ____
neurons
The supporting cells are called _____ cells
glial
Sensory neurons
Coupled to receptors specialized to detect and
respond to different attributes of the internal and external
environment.
The sensory receptors are sensitive to changes in ___ , ____ , ____ , and ___ stimuli subserve the sensory modalities of vision, hearing, touch, smell, and taste
light, sound, mechanical and chemical stimuli
When mechanical, thermal or chemical stimuli to the skin
exceed a certain intensity;
They can cause tissue damage.
and a special set of receptors called nociceptors are
activated; these give rise both to protective reflexes and to
the sensation of pain
What special receptors are activated when stimuli reaches a certain intensity on the skin?
Nociceptors
Nociceptors are…
Sensory receptors that detect signals from damaged tissue or the threat of damage and indirectly also respond to chemicals released from the damaged tissue. Nociceptors are free (bare) nerve endings found in the skin, muscle, joints, bone and viscera.
When mechanical, thermal or chemical stimuli to the skin
exceed a certain intensity;
They can cause tissue damage.
and a special set of receptors called nociceptors are
activated.
Nociceptors give rise to both ___ reflexes and to the ___ of pain
protective reflexes and to
the sensation of pain