Body Coordination 2023 Flashcards
Metabolism
All the chemical reactions occurring in the cells
Enzyme
A chemical that speeds up the rate of a reaction
Diffusion
The movement of particles of a substance from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration
Hormones
Chemical substances that act as messengers in the body
Receptor
A specialised cell that detects stimuli (changes)
CNS
Made up of the brain and spinal cord
PNS
The nerves that carry messages to and from the CNS to other parts of the body
Neuron
A nerve cell
Nerve impulse
The electrical message carried by a nerve cell
Axon
A nerve fibre that sends nerve impulses away from the cell
Axon terminal
The very end of the axon that contains neurotransmitters and makes synaptic contact with the next neuron in the chain.
Cell body
The part of a neuron that contains the nucleus
Dendrite
Branches from the cell body that receives messages from other neurons
Myelin sheath
The insulating layer that covers a neuron
Sensory neurons
Nerve cells that carry messages from cells in the sense organs to the CNS
Connector neurons
Neurons that transmit messages between neurons in the CNS
Motor neurons
Nerve cells that carry messages from the CNS to the effectors
Effectors
Muscles or glands that put the messages into effect
Neurotransmitter
A chemical message released at the end of an axon to be received by the next neurons dendrites
Synapse
The space between 2 neurons
Cerebrum
The part of the brain that controls conscious thought, the movement of every body part, and receives sensory messages from each body part
Cerebellum
The part of the brain that is responsible for coordination and balance
Brain stem (medulla)
The part of the brain where the spinal cord enters the skull; it controls the bodies vital functions, such as eating, breathing, blood pressure and your heart rate
Stimulus
Any factor that stimulates a receptor and brings about a response
Reflex action
Quick, automatic actions that protect the body from danger; also known as reflexes
Reflex arc
The nerve pathway operating in a reflex action
Endocrine System
All the endocrine glands of the body
Endocrine Glands
glands that produce hormones
Target cells
the cells on which a hormone acts
pituitary gland
the gland that controls the activities of all the other glands, often referred to ad the master gland
Hypothalamus
the portion of the brain that constantly checks the internal environment of the body
Homeostasis
the process od maintaining a constant internal environment
