Chapter 3 Section 4 Flashcards
nerves
bundles of interconnected neurons that fire in synchrony to carry messages
sensory/afferent neuron
carries information from sensory receptors
motor/efferent neuron
transmits information to the muscles and glands
interneuron
most common type, located mainly in CNS, responsible for communicating among the neurons
spinal cord
long, thin, tubular, bundle of nerves and supporting cells that extends down from the brain
reflex
involuntary and nearly instantaneous movement in response to a stimulus
autonomic nervous system
division of PNS that governs internal activities of human body, i.e. heart rate, breathing, digestion, salivation, perspiration, urination, sexual arousal
somatic nervous system
division of PNS that controls external aspects of the body, including skeletal muscles, skin, and sense organs.
sympathetic ANS division
division of ANS involved in preparing body for behavior, particularly in response to stress, by activating the organs and the glands in the endocrine system
parasympathetic division of ANS
tends to calm the body by slowing the heart and breathing and by allowing the body to recover from activities caused by sympathetic division
homeostatis
natural balance in the body’s systems. mainly brought about by interactions between sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions of ANS.
gland
part of endocrine system. groups of cells that function to secrete hormones
hormone
a chemical that moves throughout the body to help regulate emotions and behaviors
pituitary gland
a small pea-sized gland located near the center of the brain, responsible for controlling the body’s growth. also governs sex hormones and response to pain
pancreas
secretes hormones to keep body supplied with fuel to produce and maintain storage of energy
pineal gland
secretes melatonin, a hormone that helps regulate the wake-sleep cycle
thyroid and parathyroid glands
responsible for deterring how quickly the body uses energy and hormones, and controlling the amount of calcium
adrenal glands
one atop each kidney. produce hormones that regulate salt and water balance in the body, and they are involved in metabolism, the immune system, and sexual development/function
epinephrine/adrenalin and norepinephrine/noradrenalin
secreted by adrenal glands when we are stressed, stimulating sympathetic part of ANS
testes
male sex glands. secrete testosterone
testosterone
hormone that regulates sexual development, including enlargement of penis, deepening of voice, growth of facial and pubic hair, increase in muscle strength. associated with aggression
ovaries
female sex glands, located in pelvis. produce eggs and secrete estrogen and progesterone
