Nervous System Flashcards
any change or signal in the environment that can make an organism react
Stimulus
what your body does in reaction to a stimulus
Response
cells that carry information through your nervous system
Neurons
the message that a neuron carries
Nerve impulse
carry impulses toward the neuron cell body
Dendrites
carry impulses away from the cell body
Axon
a bundle of nerve fibers
Nerve
picks up stimuli from the internal or external environment and converts each stimulus into a nerve impulse
Sensory neuron
a neuron that carries nerve impulses from one neuron to another
Interneuron
sends an impulse to the muscles or gland and the muscle or gland reacts and response
Motor neuron
the junction where one neuron can transfer an impulse to another structure
Synapse
consists of the brain and spinal cord
Central Nerves System
includes all the nerves located outside of the central nervous system
Peripheral nervous system
located in the skull is part of the central nervous system that controls most functions of the body
Brain
thick column of nervous tissue that links the brain to most of the nerves in the peripheral nervous system
Spinal Cord
largest part of the brain, interprets input from the senses, controls movement, and carries out complex mental processes such as learning and remembering
Cerebrum
second largest part of the brain, coordinates the actions of your muscles and helps you keep your balance
Cerebellum
lies between the cerebellum and spinal cord, controls your body’s involuntary actions- those that occur automatically such as breathing and your heartbeat.
Brain stem
controls voluntary actions such as using a fork or tying your shoe
Somatic Nervous system
controls involuntary actions such as your heartbeat and breathing
Autonomic nervous system
a response that happens automatically. It occurs very rapidly without conscious control usually meant to help protect your body
Reflex
bruise like injury to the brain. Occurs when the soft tissue of the brain collides against the skull
Concussion
