Chapter 3 Flashcards
Central Nervous System
the part of the nervous system that consists of the brain and spinal cord
Peripheral Nervous System
the neurons that connect the central nervous system to the rest of the body, including the muscles and glands
Neurons
a nerve cell; the basic building block of the nervous system
Cell Body
The part of a neuron that produces the energy needed for the activity of the cell
Dendrites
The branchlike extensions of a neuron that receive impulses away from the neuron cell body
Axon
a long tubelike structure attached to a neuron that transmits impulses away from the neuron cell body
Myelin
A white, fatty substance that insulates axons and enables rapid transmission of neural impulses
Axon Terminals
small fibers branching out from an axon
synapse
the junction between the axon terminals of sending neuron and the dendrites of the receiving neuron
Neurotransmitters
A chemical messenger that carries impulses across the synaptic gaps between neurons
Spinal Cord
a column of nerves within the spine that transmit messages to and from the brain
Somatic Nervous System
The division of the peripheral nervous system that connects the central nervous system with sensory receptors, muscles, and the skin
Autonomic Nervous System
The subdivision of the peripheral nervous system that regulates body functions, such as respiration and digestion
Medulla
A structure at the base of the brain stem that controls vital functions such as heartbeat and breathing
Pons
a brain structure located at the top of the brain stem that is involved in respiration, movement, and sleep.
Cerebellum
The area of the brain that is responsible for voluntary movement and balance
Reticular Activating System
the part of the brain that is involved in attention, sleep, and arousal
Thalamus
the structure of the brain that relays messages from the sense organs to the cerebral cortex
Hypothalamus
the neural structure located below the thalamus that control temperature, hunger, thirst, and various aspects of emotion
Limbic System
A group of neural structures at the base of the cerebral hemispheres that is associated with emotion and motication
Cerebrum
the large mass of the forebrain, consisting of two hemispheres
Cerebral Cortex
the wrinkled, convoluted surface of the brain; the body’s control and information-processing center
Corpus Callosum
the nerve fibers that connect the left and right hemispheres of the cerebral cortex
Association Areas
Areas of the cerebral cortex that are involved in such mental operations as thinking, memory, learning, and problem solving
Endocrine System
The glands the secrete hormones into the bloodstream
Hormones
chemicals produced by the endocrine glands that regulate specific body functions
Heredity
The genetic transmission of traits from one generation to the next
Genes
The basic building blocks of heredity
Chromosomes
A microscopic threadlike structure in the nucleus of every living cell; it contains genes, the basic units of heredity
