Biology Flashcards
What are the two main parts of the nervous system?
The brain and the spinal chord
What does the nervous system do?
It controls most of the body and mind
What does the brain do?
It controls memory, thoughts, actions etc.
What does the spinal chord do?
It sends messages to the brain and it controls involuntary movements, like pulling away from something hot.
How do nerves travel?
Nerve signals travel via impulses across neuron pathways and through synapses between neurons.
What are the parts of a neuron?
Axon - long pathway on which impulses travel
Cell body - contains nucleus
Dendrites - Pass impulses from one neuron to the next
Myelin Sheath - Insulation on axon. Surrounds the neurilemma
How do neurons interact?
They communicate via electrical events “action potentials”
In synapse neurons talk. Neurotransmitters are released that connect to receptors, turning back to electrical form.
What does the autonomic nervous system control?
It controls the bodily functions that we are not constantly aware of. Breathing, heartbeat, digestion etc.
What are concussions?
They are traumatic brain injuries, normally caused by a blow to the head. They can affect concentration, balance, memory and coordination. (hit to frontal lobe that is)
What is the endocrine system?
They are the glands that produce hormones. Hormones are chemical substances that control certain cells and organs. Eg. Pineal gland, hypothalamus, thyroids, pancreas and ovaries
What are peptide hormones?
Peptide hormones are made from proteins, long chains of amino acids. They travel through bloodstream until a receptor is found.
What are steroids?
Steroids are produced from cholesterol, and made by adrenal glands and ovaries/testes
What are the three main parts of the brain?
Cerebrum: The largest part of the brain, having a left and a right hemisphere. Controls functions such as interpreting touch, vision and hearing as well as reasoning, emotions and learning.
Cerebellum: Receives information from sensory systems, the spinal chord and other parts of the brain. Controls voluntary movement, posture, balance, coordination and speech.
Brainstem: Controls flow of messages between the brain and body. Controls basic bodily functions such as breathing, heart rate, swallowing, blood pressure, consciousness, and whether you are awake or asleep.
What are the four lobes of the brain and their functions?
Frontal Lobe: Lies at front of head and controls personality, behaviour, learning, memory and voluntary movements.
Temporal Lobe: The lobes lying beneath the temples that controls areas concerning speech.
Parietal Lobe: Either of the two lobes at the top of the head. Controls reception and correlation of sensory info.
Occipital Lobe: The lobe at the back of the head that is vital for receiving and interpreting sensory info.
What are the parts of the eye and their functions?
Cornea: The eyes outermost lens, refracts light and helps eyes to focus.
Pupil: Dark hole in center of iris.
Lens: Focuses on closer objects and gets fatter to refract more light
Iris: Coloured part of eye, changes shape and size of pupil when needed.
Sclera: Tough outer coating of eye. Gives eye shape and protects inner parts
Eye Wall: Gives eye shape and protects inners.
Retina: Made of cells, detects light
Optic Nerve: Sends visual messages to brain
Blind spot: well…
