Biology Quiz Flashcards
cells
the basic structural, functional, and biological unit of all known living organisms
neurons
specific specialized cells that send + receive motor messages that tell us to do simple things like walk and blink
dendrites
receive info from other neurons
axons
sends (transmits) impulse to other neurons
glial cells
remove dead neurons and waste products from nervous system
myelin sheath
covers the axon, helps speed communication
all-or-more-principle
neurons fire or they don’t
refractory period
time of recovery where messages from neurons will not fire (recovery is short)
• rests at a 70 charge
synapse
space between neurons
neurotransmitters
the chemical keys to communication
nervous system
two main divisions are the CNS and PNS:
• CNS consists of the brain and spinal cord
• PNS is divided into two categories: the somatic nervous system and autonomic nervous system
somatic nervous system
controls voluntary muscle movements
autonomic nervous system
controls our automatic functions like our heart, lungs, glands, etc
sympathetic system
mobilizes our body to respond to stress
(alert system)
parasympathetic system
shows down the body (brake pedal)
hypothalamus
(in forebrain) known as “the master gland” + controls the pituitary gland
Pituitary
regulates the production and distribution of all glands and hormones throughout the body
sensation
process of sensing our environment through touch, taste, sight, sound, and smell
perception
the way we interpret these sensations and therefore make sense of everything around us
frontal lobe
responsibly for decision making, problem solving, reasoning and emotional control
occipital lobe
responsible for vision
parietal lobe
responsible for touch, smell, and motor coordination
temporal lobe
responsible for hearing and language
broca’s area
controls muscles involved in speech
wernicke’s area
interprets written and spoken language
forebrain
responsible for complex behaviors and mental abilities
medulla
controls heartbeat and breathing
sensory neurons
sense info from the environment
(peripheral nervous system)
interneurons
neurons that communicate within the central nervous system
motor neurons
carry info out to muscles and glands, causing movement
