nervous system Flashcards
nervous system
master controlling and communicating system of the body
sensory input
gathered information from senses
integration
processes and interprets the sensory input
makes decisions
central nervous system
consists of brain and spinal cord
interpret incoming sensory info and issue instrutions
peripheral nervous system
consists of nerves that extend from brain to spinal cord
somatic nervous system
allows us to voluntarily control skeletal muscles
autonomic nervous system
regulates involuntary events in the body
neuroglia
“nerve glue”
support, insulate, and protect neurons
astrocytes
star-shaped cells
microglia
dispose of dead brain cells and bacteria
ependymal cells
line cavities of brain and spinal cord
oligodendrocytes
produce myelin sheaths
schwann cells
form myelin sheaths around nerve fibers
satellite cells
protective, cushioning cells
neurons
transmit messages from one part of body to another
dendrites
neuron processes that bring incoming messages toward cell body
axons
generate nerve impulses and conduct them away from cell body
axon hillock
cone-like region of cell body
axon terminals
where axons branch off are axon terminals
myelin
whitish, fatty material
nodes of Ranvier
gaps or indents in Schwann cells
depolarization
inward rush of sodium ions changes the polarity of neuron’s membrane at that site
action potential
transmit long distance signal
repolarization
outflow of positive ions from cell restores electrical conditions
cerebrum
most superior part of brain
parietal lobe
place where the somatic sensory area is located
frontal lobe
place where the primary motor area is located
occipital lobe
place where vision area is located
temporal lobe
place where auditory area is located
gray matter
outermost part of cerebrum
cerebral white matter
composed of fiber tracts
carry impulses to or from cerebral cortex
cerebellum
provides precise timing for skeletal muscle activity and controls balance and equilibrium
