Key Vocabulary Flashcards
Brain
organ that controls all body processes
central nervous system (CNS)
brain and spinal cord – where nervous information is processed
cerebellum
area of brain that controls posture, balance and non-voluntary movements
cerebrum
area of brain that controls complex behaviour such as learning, memory, personality, and conscious thought
ciliary body
muscular tissue in the eye that alters the shape of the lens
cornea
transparent coating on the front of the eye
effectors
muscles and glands which respond to impulses from the nervous system
Focus
The production of a sharp image
Glands
Secrete hormones into the blood stream
hypothalamus
area of brain that regulates temperature and water balance
Iris
coloured ring of muscle tissue in the eye which alters pupil size
lens
structure in the eye that focuses light clearly onto the retina
medulla
area of brain that controls autonomic actions such as heart rate and breathing rate
motor neurones
transmits impulses from CNS to effectors
Optic nerve
nervous tissue that carries nerve impulses from the eye to the brain
peripheral nervous system (PNS)
all the sensory and motor neurones in the body
pituitary gland
area of brain that stores and releases hormones that regulate many body functions
pupil
central hole in the iris that allows light to enter the eye
Pupil
central hole in the iris that allows light to enter the eye
receptor
sensory cell that detects a stimulus
Reflex action
Rapid autonomic response that does not involves the brain
reflex arc
pathway followed by a nervous impulse during a reflex action
relay neurones
neurones that carry electrical impulses from sensory neurones to motor neurones
retina
Tissues from the back of the eye which include ligh-sensitive cells
