Nervous System Flashcards
What is the central nervous system made up of?
The brain and spinal cord
Define the spinal cord
Tube-like structure of neurons
Where is the frontal lobe located and what are its functions?
Located at the front of the brain; responsible for personality, controls voluntary muscle movements, and problem-solving
What is the location and function of the parietal lobe?
Located at the top and back of the brain; responsible for spatial awareness
What is the role of the occipital lobe?
Responsible for processing visual information
Where is the temporal lobe located and what does it process?
Located on the sides of the brain; responsible for processing auditory information
What is the largest part of the brain?
Cerebrum
What is the corpus callosum?
Thick bundle of nerves that allows information to be shared between the right and left hemispheres of the brain
What does the thalamus do?
Acts like a relay station in the center of the brain
Where is the pituitary gland located and what is its function?
Located at the base of the brain; produces and releases hormones
What is the function of the cerebellum?
Responsible for coordinating and regulating movement and balance
What does the somatic nervous system control?
Voluntary movement
What functions does the autonomic nervous system control?
Involuntary functions such as heart rate, breathing, and digestion
What is the role of the sympathetic nervous system?
Responsible for fight or flight response
What happens during the sympathetic nervous system response?
Increases heart rate, dilates the pupils, and diverts blood away from digestion towards the muscles
What is the function of the parasympathetic nervous system?
Responsible for rest and digest
What does the parasympathetic nervous system do to the body?
Helps the body relax and recover from stress by slowing heart rate, constricting the pupils, and increasing digestive activity
Define neurons
Basic functioning units of the nervous system
What does the cell body of a neuron contain?
The nucleus
What is the function of an axon?
Carries the electrical signal away from the cell body
What are dendrites?
Short branches that extend from the cell body and receive signals
What are sensory neurons also known as?
Afferent neurons
What do sensory (afferent) neurons do?
Transmit information from the sensory organs to the CNS
What are motor neurons also known as?
Efferent neurons
What is the function of motor (efferent) neurons?
Transmit information from the CNS to muscles or glands
Where are interneurons found and what is their role?
Only found in CNS; communicate and process information between sensory and motor neurons
Define the peripheral nervous system
Has sensory neurons and motor neurons that transmit information between the CNS and the rest of the body
