control and communication Flashcards
What is the nervous system made out of?
brain
spinal chord
nerves
What does the brain do?
receives impulses from all sensory organs and sends out impulses to muscles + other areas to coordinate actions
What 3 structures make up the brain
cerebrum
cerebellum
medulla
What is the cerebrum responsible for?
conscious thought, memory and language
What does the medulla do?
controls breathing and heart rate
What does the cerebellum do?
responsible for balance and coordination of movement
What do neurons do?
carry messages in the form of electrical impulses
What are the 3 types of neurons?
sensory
inter
motor
What is a synapse?
the tiny gap between neurons where chemicals transfer messages through diffusion
What are reflex actions?
involuntary responses to a potentially harmful stimulus that do not involve the brain
What is a reflex arc?
an arrangement of neurons which allows a reflex action to take place
How are hormones released into the bloodstream?
through endocrine glands
What are target tissues?
tissues with complimentary receptor proteins to allow specific hormones to bind to them
If there is too much glucose in the blood, what will happen?
the pancreas will release insulin and travel to the liver to convert glucose to glycogen
= glucose levels decrease
If there is too much glycogen in the blood, what will happen?
the pancreas will release glucagon and travel to the liver to convert glycogen to glucose
= glucose levels increase
