Chapter 8 - Nervous System Vocabulary Flashcards
Autonomic nervous system
A subdivision of the nervous system that operates without conscious control and regulate the function of the internal organs, glands, and smooth muscles; comprised of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system
Nervous system
The system that controls virtually all activities of the body, both voluntary and involuntary
Somatic nervous system
The part of the nervous system that regulates activities over which there is voluntary control
Neurons
The basic nerve cells of the nervous system, containing a nucleus within a cell body and extending one or more processes; they exit in masses to form nervous tissue
Axons
Long, slender filaments projecting from a nerve cell that conducts impulses to adjacent cells
Dendrites
The parts of the neuron that receives impulses from the axon and contains vesicles for release of neurotransmitters
Neuroglia
One of two basic types of neural tissue, neuroglia support, protect, defend, and aid in the repair of injury of neural tissue, and regulate composition of nervous system interstitial fluid.
Unmyelinated axons
Neurons with no myelin sheath or white matter
Schwann cells
Nervous tissue that helps form the myelin sheath around certain neurons
Myelinated nerves
An axon surrounded by a membrane sheath produced by Schwann cells
Myelin sheath
A membrane formed by Schwann cells, which cover the axons of certain neurons
Node of Ranvier
Regions between individual Schwann cells in myelinated neurons, between which action potential jumps
White matter
Bundles of myelinated nerves
Synapse
The junction between nerve cells across which nervous stimuli are transmitted. Includes the synaptic cleft, presynaptic cell membrane with synaptic vesicles and axon terminal and postsynaptic cell membrane.
Postsynaptic terminal
The end of a nerve were electrical impulses are received from the synaptic cleft
Presynaptic terminal
The end of a nerve where neurotransmitters are released into the synaptic cleft
Synaptic cleft
The space between neurons where electrical impulses trigger the release of neurotransmitters, which in turn stimulate an electrical reaction in adjacent neurons
Synaptic vesicles
Vesicles that contain neurotransmitters
Neurotransmitters
Chemicals produced by neurons that stimulate electrical reactions in adjacent cells
Nerve
Nervous tissue that connects the nervous system with body parts or organs
Nerve fibers
Groups of nerve cells that are bundled together
Brain
The controlling organ of the body and center of consciousness;
functions include:
- perception
- control of reactions to the environment
- emotional responses
- judgement
Brainstem
The area of the brain between the spinal cord and cerebrum, surrounded by the cerebellum; controls functions that are necessary for life, such as Respirations
Central nervous system
The brain and the spinal cord