Science Test: Process of the human body #19 Flashcards
What are the structures and functions of the nervous system?
Function: Receives information from inside and outside the body
Structure: Consists of the brain, spinal cord and nervous
What are the structures and functions of the central nervous system
Structure: made up of the brain spinal cord
Function :Controls most of the functions of the body and mind
What is the peripheral nervous system
a network of nerves that branches out from the CNS and connects to the rest of the body
Define Neuron
Cells made up of dendrites and axons that carry information through the nervous system
Define Dendrites
the branched structure that pick up information
Define Axons
receives information from the dendrites and sends it away from the cell
Sensory Neuron:
pick up a stimulus from the internal or external environment and converts the stimulus into a message
Interneuron
carries a nerve impulse from one neuron to another
Motor Neuron:
sends a nerve impulse to a muscle or gland, which responds accordingly
Nerve Impulses
travel from dendrites to the axon, then across a synapse to another neuron
Define synapse
the space where a nerve impulse transfers from one neuron to another neuron
What are the main structures of the central nervous system?
Brian and Spinal cord
Describe the structures and functions of the brain.
Structures: Skull
Function: controls most of the functions of the body
Describe the structures and functions of the spinal cord
Structure: thick column of nervous tissue
Function: links the brain to most of the nerves that branch out around the body
What is the vertebral column?
bones of your spine
What is the PNS?
network of nerves that connects the CNS to the rest if the body
How many pairs of nerves does the PNS contain and what do these nerves help control?
Contains 43 pairs (one for the left slide and one for the right) of nerves to control both voluntary and involuntary actions
Name and describe the functions of the two parts of the PNS
Somatic Nervous system: Controls voluntary actions (like typing a text message or throwing a ball)
Autonomic Nervous system: controls involuntary actions (like digestone food or beating your heart)
Define reflex.
an automatic response that occurs without conscious control
What is special about how a reflex controls skeletal muscles?
Most skeletal muscles use conscious control to work but reflex controls skeletal muscles so they don’t
Define gland
an organ that produces and releases hormones through ducts or into the bloodstream
What is the function of the endocrine system
regulates the body by releasing hormones
pineal gland
regulates wake/sleep patterns
thyroid gland
produces hormones that control energy related reactions in cells
