ch 8 Flashcards
principle organ of nervous system
brain
the part of the skull that provides a protective helmet for the brain
cranium
a thick bundle of nerve fibers located within the spinal cavity
spinal cord
transmit nerve signals to and from the rest of the body
spinal nerves
triple layer of protective tissues (around brain and spinal cord)
Meninges
branch directly from the brain stem and transmit nerve signals to and from the eyes, ears, mouth, face, and scalp
cranial nerves
one of the strongest tissues of the body, serves primarily as a flexible protective layer
Dura mater
composed of thin fibers that form an intricate three dimensional network around the brain
Arachnoid mater
forms a delicate covering that rests directly against the brain and spinal cord
pia mater
act as insulation
Glial cells
the nerve cells themselves
Neurons
contains a nucleus and most of the nerve cell’s cytoplasm
Cell body
a short, branched extension of the cell that receives nerve impulses from other neurons and conducts them toward the cell body
Dendrite
a long extension that relays nerve impulses from the cell body to other neurons.
Axon
lack myelin
Gray matter
white, specialized covering
myelin
composed of axons and glial cells that are white because of their myelin content (contain myelin)
White matter
masses of cell bodies
Ganglia
a network of interconnected nerve fibers going to or from a region
Plexus
branches to form the median nerve and other arm nerves
Brachial plexus
A group of cell bodies in the brain or spinal cord
Nerve center
Neurons that transmit information to the central nervous system from the senses of sight, hearing, taste, touch, and smell
Sensory neurons
Neurons that relay signals from the central nervous system to the other parts of the body; control muscles
Motor neurons
the go between/link for sensory and motor neurons
Interneurons
tightly sealed capillary walls
Blood brain barrier
infection in meninges
Meningitis
period of long unconsciousness
coma
A serious disease
that attacks the spinal cord
Polio
consists of nerves
Peripheral nervous system
bundles of nerve fibers branching from the brain and spinal cord
Nerves
nerves branching
directly from the brain
Cranial nerves
nerves connected to the brain through the spinal cord
Spinal nerves
The part of the peripheral nervous system that controls the heart and other internal organs
Autonomic nervous system
causes heartbeat and breathing rates to increase
Sympathetic division
acts as a balance to counteract the actions of the sympathetic division
Parasympathetic division
controls the muscles of the forearm and the muscles and skin of the hand
Median nerve
responsible for the process of nerve impulse conduction
Nerve cells (neurons)
true or false: neurons (nerve cells) rarely reproduce
true
disease of the brain and spinal cord
MS
produce layers of myelin sheathing that acts much like the insulation on an electrical wire
Schwann cells
the inability of the muscles to move
Paralysis
wave of electrical activity that is propagated by fast-acting, voltage -sensing ion gates that quickly open and close, allowing sodium and potassium ions to briefly flow into and out of the cell
Action potential
an enclosed junction between two neurons or a neuron and another cell
Synapse
joining between neuron and muscle
Neuromuscular junction
chemical signal
Neurotransmitter
responsible for the most deadly type of food poisoning
Botulinum toxin
most deadly type of food poisoning
Botulism
affects the patient’s control of posture and movement; it is characterized by tremors and stiffness of the limbs
Parkinson’s disease
simplest act of nervous system
reflex
simplest nerve pathway
Reflex arc
the upper part of the brain, coordinates thought, memory, and learned behavior
Cerebrum
helps control balance and coordinate voluntary muscle activity
Cerebellum
the part that connects to the spinal cord, controls the involuntary muscles and activities of the autonomic nervous system
Brain stem
two parts of cerebrum divide into
Hemispheres
a deep groove that splits hemispheres
Longitudinal fissure
mass of nerve fibers; helps hemispheres communicate
Corpus callosum
the outer layer of the cerebrum
Cerebral cortex
correspond to the major bones of the cranium
Lobes
analyze the senses on their respective sides of the body to allow us to feel sensations such as temperature, pressure, and pain and to make judgments about such things as shape and texture
Parietal
The rear portion of the frontal lobes
Motor area
associated with personality, judgment, and self control
Frontal lobe
interprets sense of vision
Occipital lobe
associated with the senses of hearing, taste, and smell
Temporal lobe
Damage to the cerebral motor area before or shortly after birth
Cerebral palsy
helps control balance and coordinate voluntary muscle activity; handles complex coordination
Cerebellum
nerve fibers connecting the brain and spinal cord must pass through it
Brain stem
monitors heart rate, breathing, blood pressure, and other functions
Medulla
allows your cerebrum to communicate with the cerebellum; the link between the cerebellum and cerebrum
Pons
help coordinate the movements of both eyes
Midbrain
serves as the “master switch” of the cerebrum
Reticular formation
involved in coordinating the activity of the different parts of the brain
Limbic system
acts like a switchboard, routing activation signals
Thalamus
the control unit for the autonomic nervous system; responsible for emotion
Hypothalamus
a person’s actions can be completely explained as responses to particular stimuli
Behaviorism
true or false: The mind and physical brain are not the same thing
True; the mind and physical brain are different
