Nervous System Flashcards
Receptor function
Detect a stimulus and send electrical impulses down neurones to cns
Function of CNS
Coordination system
= sends electrical impulses down other neurones to effectors
= effectors bring about a response
Describe an effector
Normally a muscle that contracts or a gland which secretes a hormone
Key role of the nervous system
- enables humans to react to their surroundings and co ordinate their behaviour
= through the reflex arc
Describe the reflex arc
- stimulus detected by receptor
- electrical impulses pass from receptor along sensory neurone to CNS
- at end of sensory neurone synapse a chemical is released
= diffuses across to a relay neurone in the CNS
= triggers electrical impulse - impulse passes across relay neurone to reach another synapse (chemical released)
- chemical triggers electrical impulse in a motor neurone
- impulse passes down motor neurone to an effector
Types of effectors
Muscle
= contraction
Gland
= secrete hormones/ enzymes
Use of receptor on skin
Detect stimuli
Convert information to impulse
Difference between reflex response and hormone response
Reflex action is quicker
Reflex involves impulses and hormone involves chemicals
Reflex action only affects one part of the body
Describe negative feedback
Body produces opposite of something
Eg if glucose too high feedback acts to decrease it
Define homeostasis
Maintaining a stable internal environment
Describe neurone
Long, thin, a lot of branch connections
= can pass messages to other nerve cells
How does synapse work
When electrical impulse hits end of nerve creates release of chemicals
= diffuse across gap to next nerve cell
= can trigger another electrical impulse
= impulse carried along new neurone
Adv of reflex arc
Rapid and automatic
How does body react to hot object
- receptor in skin detects stimulus
- neurones conduct electrical impulse signals
- sensory neurone conducts impulses to CNS
- impulses pass from sensory neurone to relay neurone
- synapse between neurones where chemical crosses gap
- chemical stimulates impulse to relay neurone and motor neurone
- synapse in spinal cord causes muscle contraction to pull hand away