The Nervous System Flashcards
Define- CNS
The central nervous system = brain and spinal cord
Define- PNS
The peripheral nervous system = the nerves outside the CNS
Reception
Detecting a stimulus
Transmission
Movement of the impulse
Integration
Impulses are sorted, processed and decisions made
Response
A muscle or gland Carrie’s out the effect
What is a neuron?
A nerve cell
Sensory neurons (afferent)
Take messages to the CNS
Motor neurons (efferent)
Take messages from the CNS
Interneurons
Connect motor neurons and sensory neurons in the CNS
Dendrites
Carry impulses to a cell body.
Axons
Carry nerve impulses away from cell bodies
Schwann cells
Make myelin
Myelin
Insulates the electrical impulses
The cell body
Forms neurotransmitters and the different parts of the neuron
Define a synapse
A region where 2 neurons come into close contact.
Controls the direction of impulses.
Define a synaptic cleft
A tiny gap between 2 neurons
The brain:
Cerebrum
Controls voluntary muscles
The brain:
Cerebellum
Controls balance
The brain:
Medulla
Controls involuntary actions
The brain:
Thalamus
Sends messages to different parts of the brain
The brain:
Hypothalamus
Controls internal environment of the body
What is Parkinson’s disease?
A nervous disorder caused by a lack of dopamine in the brain
Results of Parkinson’s disease
Trembling limbs / rigid body
How can Parkinson’s disease be prevented?
It can’t
How can Parkinson’s disease be treated?
Physiotherapy and drugs
The spinal cord
Carries impulses to and from the brain and controls many reflexes
The peripheral nervous system
Mostly made of nerve fibres
Define a reflex action
An automatic response to a stimulus
What are reflex actions?
Fast responses that are designed to protect the body
