Nervous System Flashcards
1
Q
What is the function of the nervous system?
A
Enables humans to react to their surroundings and to coordinate their behaviour
2
Q
How does information pass through?
A
From receptors, it passes along cells (neurons) as impulses to the central nervous system.
3
Q
What is the CNS?
A
The central nervous system is the brain and spinal cord
4
Q
What are reflex actions?
A
They are automatic and rapid
They involve sensory, relay, motor neurons
5
Q
What happens in a simple reflex action?
A
- impulses from a receptor pass along a sensory neurone to the CNS
- At a synapse a chemical is released that causes an impulse to be sent along a relay neurone
- a chemical is then released at the synapse in between a relay neurone and motor neurone to be sent along a motor neurone to the effector
6
Q
What is synapse?
A
A junction between neurones
7
Q
What is an effector?
A
Either a muscle that responds by contracting
Or a gland that responds by releasing (secreting) chemical substances
