Chapter 7 - Nervous System Flashcards
Stimulus
Any change or signal in the environment tyrant an organism can recognize and react to
Response
A reaction to a stimulus
Neurons
Cells that carry information through your nervous system
Nerve impulse
The message that a neuron carries
Dendrite
Where nerve impulses begin
Axon
The long branchlike structure that picks up the impulses
Nerve
A bundle of nerve fibers
Sensory neuron
Picks up a stimulus and converts it into a nerve impulse
Interneuron
Carries a nerve impulse to another interneuron or to a motor neuron
Motor neuron
Sends an impulse to a muscle or gland, enabling it to respond
Synapse
Where a neuron transfers an impulse to another structure
Central nervous system
Includes brain and spinal chord, acts as a traffic cop
Peripheral nervous system
Includes all nerves outside of central nervous system, acts like car drivers
Brain
The control center
Spinal chord
A thick column of nervous tissue that links the brain to the peripheral nervous system
Cerebrum
Interprets input from senses, controls movement, and carries out remembering and learning
Cerebellum
Coordinates muscle actions and helps keep balence
Brain stem
Helps control breathing and heartbeat
Somatic nervous system
Controls voluntary actions
Autonomic nervous system
Controls involuntary actions
Reflex
An automatic response that occurs rapidly without conscious control
Concussion
Occurs when soft tissue of the brain is bruised as it collided against the skull.
Cornea
The clear tissue that covers the front of the eye
Pupil
The opening through which light enters the eye
