Nerves Flashcards
Nervous system
The system containing the spinal chord, brain and nerves
Peripheral nervous system
The nerves and cells outside the brain and spinal cord
CNS (Central Nervous System)
The collective term for the brain and spinal cord
Nerve cell
A specialised cell that transmits electrical impulses found in the central and peripheral nervous system
Dendrites
Extensions of the cytoplasm that receive the impulse from the precious nerve cell. The neurotransmitter binds to these allowing the impulse to cross the synapse.
Axon
The fibre that conducts the impulse
Myelin sheath
A fatty insulating layer around the axon that speeds up the impulse
Synapse
The gap between two nerve cells where the neurotransmitters cross
Neurotransmitters
The chemical that diffuses across the synapse
Sensory neurone
Nerve cells that receive the impulse from the receptors and pass this to the relay neurone in the CNS
Relay neurone
Receive impulses from sensory neurone and pass them to the motor neurone
Motor neurone
Receive impulses from relay neurones and pass them to the effectors
Stimulus
The term for a change in the surroundings
Receptor
The organ that detects the change in the environment
Effector
Muscle or gland activated when a stimulus has been detected
