Chapter 4 Flashcards
Neurons
the functional building blocks of the nervous system; cells that transmit the electrical activity that underlies psychological processes.
Glial Cell
from the Greek for ´glue´, glial cells surround the neurons, holding them in place,
providing the nutrients they need and isolating toxins that would harm them.
Synapse
a connection between neurons
Sensory neurons
carry input messages from the sense organs to the spinal cord and brain
Motor neurons
transmit output impulses from the brain and spinal cord to the body´s muscles and organs.
Interneurons
perform connective or associative functions within the nervous system
Peripheral Nervous System
contains all the neural structures that lie outside the brain and spinal cord.
Somatic Nervous System
consists of sensory neurons that are specialized to transmit messages from the eyes, ears and other sensory receptors, and motor neurons that send messages from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles that control our voluntary movements.
Autonomic nervous system
senses the body´s internal functions and controls the glands and the smooth (involuntary) muscles that form the heart, the blood vessels, and the lining of the stomach and intestines.
Sympathetic Nervous System
has an activation or arousal function, and tends to act as a total unit.
Parasympathetic Nervous System
for more specific than the sympathetic nervous system in its opposing actions, it affects one or a few organs at a time; in general, it slows down body processes and maintains a state of tranquillity.
Homeostasis
a delicately balanced or constant internal state
Central Nervous System
contains the brain and the spinal cord, which connects most parts of the peripheral nervous system with the brain.
Dendrites
specialized receiving units like antennae that collect messages from neighbouring neurons and send them on to the cell body.
Axon
conducts electrical impulses away from the cell body to other neurons, muscles or glands.
