Nervous System Flashcards
What is the purpose of the nervous system?
To send signals to and from body parts.
Are nervous signals electronic or chemical?
Electronic.
What do nerves do?
Detect external stimuli and send impulses to the brain.
Where is the central nervous system located?
In the cranium + vertebral column
What are the 2 main parts of the central nervous system?
Brain
Spinal Cord
What 3 things make up the Peripheral nervous system?
Cranial nerves
Spinal nerves
Ganglia (clusters of cell bodies)
What 3 parts of the brain are involved in the central nervous system?
The cerebrum
The cerebellum
The Medulla oblongata
How many pairs of cranial nerves are there?
12 pairs
What is the front section of the cerebrum called?
The frontal lobe
How many pairs of spinal nerves are there?
31 pairs
What is the frontal lobe involved in?
Memory
Reasoning
Speech
Thought
Emotion
Skilled movement
What is the second largest part of the brain?
The Cerebellum
Where is the Cerebellum located?
Underneath the back of the Cerebrum
What does the Cerebellum do?
Coordinates muscles to allow precise movements and control of balance and posture
Where is the Medulla Oblongata located?
Between the cerebrum and spinal cord
What does the Medulla Oblongata do?
Controls and regulates:-
heartbeat
Breathing
Blood pressure
Sneezing
Swallowing
What is the brain made of?
Billions of interconnected neurons.
What do neurons do?
Transmit messages around the body.
What are the parts of a neuron?
Cell Body
Dendrite
Axon Terminal
Axon
Myelin Sheath
Nucleus
Schwann cell
What are the three types of neuron?
Sensory
Relay
Motor
What do sensory neurons do?
Detect changes in external/internal environments
carry signals between sensory receptors and central nervous system
What do relay neurons do?
Analyse sensory input + store info
Carry signals from one part of the nervous system to another
(e.g. between a sensory + motor neuron)
What do motor neurons do?
Initiate response to stimuli
Carry signals from central nervous system to effector
(e.g. Muscles or glands)
What are central nervous system clusters called?
Nuclei
What are peripheral nervous system clusters called?
Ganglia
What cells can create an electric current?
Excitable cells
What is a reflex arc?
the simplest arrangement of neurons designed to produce the fastest possible reaction to a potentially damaging stimulus
What are the 5 components of a reflex arc?
Receptor
Sensory neuron
Integrating centre
Motor neuron
Effector
