Nervous Systems Flashcards
Central nervous system
the part of the nervous system composed of the brain and spinal cord
Peripheral nervous system
made up of sensory and motor neurons. It connects the central nervous system to the rest of the body, and detects and responds to change.
Neuron
Nerve cell
Nerves
A bundle of neurons
Sensory neurons
a nerve cell in the sense organs. It detects change in the environment and sends a message to the central nervous system.
Inter neurons
a nerve cell that carries nervous impulses through the central nervous system. They provide the link between sensory neurons and motor neurons.
Motor neurons
the nerve cell that causes an organ, such as a muscle or gland, to respond to a stimulus
Nucleus
central part of an atom, made up of protons and neutrons; roundish structure inside a cell that acts as the control centre for the cell. Plural = nuclei.
Organelles
small structure in a cell with a special function
Cytosol
the fluid found inside cells
Cell membrane
structure that encloses the contents of a cell and allows the movement of some materials in and out
Cell body
contains the nucleus of a neuron, also called grey matter
Dendrites
structure that relays information towards the cell body of a neuron
Axon
an appendage of the neuron that nervous impulses travel along to the next neuron or to an effector organ (muscle or gland)
Myelin
a fatty, white substance that encases the axons (connecting branches) of the neurons in the nervous system.
