chap 6 Flashcards
central nervous system (CNS)
the brain and spinal cord
peripheral nervous system (PNS)
nerves branching beyond the spinal cord into the body
Neurons
the long, thin cells of nerve tissue along which messages travel to and from the brain
Synapse
space/junction/connection between neurons
Neurotransmitters
the chemicals released by neurons, which determine the rate at which other neurons fire
somatic nervous system (SNS)
the part of the peripheral nervous system that controls voluntary movement of skeletal muscles
autonomic nervous system (ANS)
the part of the peripheral nervous system that controls internal biological functions
Dendrites
(antennae) short, thin fibers that protrude from the cell body that receive impulses, or messages, from other neurons
Cell body
integrates the signals from other cells and provides metabolic support for the cell
Axon
(arm) reaches to distant areas of the nervous system and delivers impulses to other parts of the body
Axon terminals
(fingers) release neurotransmitters to stimulate dendrites of the next neuron
Afferent /sensory neurons
ascending tract: carry impulses from organs to brain
Efferent /motor neurons
descending tracts: carry motor impulses from brian
Interneurons neurons
process signals connecting only to other neurons
Hindbrain
(basement/foundation) part of the brain located at the rear base of the skull that is involved in the basic processes of life
Midbrain
a small part of the brain above the pons that arouses the brain, integrates sensory information, and relays it upward
Forebrain
part of the brain that covers the brain’s central core, responsible for sensory and motor control and the processing of thinking and language
Lobes
the different regions into which the cerebral cortex is divided
Electroencephalograph (EEG)
a machine used to record the electrical activity of large portions of the brain
Computerized axial tomography
(CT) - an imaging technique used to study the brain to pinpoint injuries and brain deterioration
Positron emission tomography
(PET) - an imaging technique used to see which brain areas are being activated while performing tasks
Magnetic resonance imaging
(MRI) - a measuring technique used to study brain structure and activity
endocrine system
a chemical communication system using to carry messages through the body
hormones
chemical substances that carry messages through the body in the blood
pituitary gland
directed by the hypothalamus - master gland - the center of control of the endocrine system that secretes a large number of hormones
Heredity
the genetic transmission of characteristics from parents to their offspring
genes
the basic building blocks of heredity
Genotype
the set of genes in an organism
Phenotype
the expression of a particular trait in an organism
Inbred
descended from ancestors with similar genetics
- more predictable results in their offspring
- can create undesirable combinations
Outbred
descended from ancestors with dissimilar genetics
- varied gene selection
identical twins
twins who come from one fertilized egg; twins having the same heredity
fraternal twins
twins who come from two different eggs fertilized by two different sperm
- genes are not more similar than those of brothers or sisters
