The Nervous System

Question 0

What is a dendrite??

Answer 0

Branching extension of a neuron that receives information and conducts impulses towards the cell body.

Question 1

What are neurons?

Answer 1

The basic building of the nervous system

Question 2

Soma?

Answer 2

Cell body of a neuron (contains nucleus) that keeps the cell happy

Question 3

Nucleus?

Answer 3

Keeps the cell body happy and functioning

Question 4

Axon terminal button?

Answer 4

End point of a neuron where the neurotransmitters are stored

Question 5

Axon?

Answer 5

Extension of a neuron through which neural impulses are sent.

Question 6

Myelin sheath?

Answer 6

Protects the axon and influences the speed of neural impulses.

Question 7

A neuron exists to perform what tasks?

Answer 7

1) receive information
2) carry the information
3) pass the information

Question 8

Explain the communication within a neuron.

Answer 8

When a neuron fires the neural impulse is called an action potential. It is a brief electrical charge that travels down the axon of a neuron. It works its way from the dendrites to the axon terminals. This action potential represents the on condition of the neuron. Each action potential is followed by a brief recharging phase known as the refractory period, when a neuron after firing cannot generate another action potential. When the neuron is recharged, at rest and capable of generating another action potential, a resting potential exists.

Question 9

What is the all-or-none principle?

Answer 9

A neuron always fires with the same intensity.

Question 10

How do messages travel from one neuron to the next?

Answer 10

There is a tiny fluid filled gap called a synapse that the action potential can’t jump. In this cap chemical messengers (neurotransmitters) travel across the synapse to carry the information from one neuron to the next.

Question 11

What is the central nervous system?

Answer 11

It includes the brain and spinal chord. The brain is where most of the information processing takes place and the spinal cord is the main pathway that information follows as it enters and leaves the brain.

Question 12

Peripheral nervous system?

Answer 12

Contains all sensory nerves and motor nerves that connect the brain and the spinal cord to the rest of the body. It’s divided into two subsystems

Question 13

Somatic nervous system?

Answer 13

Controls the body’s skeletal muscles

Question 14

Autonomic nervous system

Answer 14

Controls the glands and muscles of the internal organs. Contains two subdivisions

Question 15

Sympathetic nervous system?

Answer 15

Arouses the body to deal with perceived threats.

Question 16

Parasympathetic nervous system?

Answer 16

Calms the body.

Question 17

What is the endocrine system?

Answer 17

The other communication system is called the endocrine system. It’s slower to awaken and slower to shut down. It consists of a set of glands that produce hormones. Hormones are the chemical messengers that circulate throughout the body in the blood. Hormones and neurotransmitters are similar in function; both carry messages and both communicate by locking into receptor sites. The most important gland is the pituitary gland, the endocrine’ master gland. It controls all other endocrine glands.

Question 18

What is an antagonist?

Answer 18

Block the effects of a neurotransmitter

Question 19

What is an agonist?

Answer 19

Boosts the effects of a neurotransmitter

Question 20

What is ACh?

Answer 20

Enables muscle action, learning and memory.

Question 21

What is dopamine?

Answer 21

Influences movement, learning, attention and emotion,

Question 22

What is serotonin?

Answer 22

Affects the mood, hunger, sleep and arousal.