Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

CCEA GCSE Biology > The Nervous System > Flashcards

The Nervous System Flashcards

1
Q

Axon

A

The Long Part of a Nerve Cell along which the Electrical Signal quickly moves.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Central Nervous System (CNS)

A

The part of the Nervous System made up of the Brain and Spinal Cord.

Controls and coordinates responses between Receptors and Effectors - uses nerve impulses (electrical impulses) to react quickly to a stimulus.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Coordinator

A

The Brain or Spinal Cord (CNS)

Controls and coordinates responses between Receptors and Effectors.

Uses Nerve Impulses to react quickly to a stimulus.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Diameter

A

Length of a line that runs from one edge of a circle to another, passing through the centre.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Effector

A

The Organ, Tissue or Cell (Muscle or Gland) that produces a response.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Extremities

A

Furthest point of something, which in the body is the hands and feet.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Hormones

A

Chemical Messengers produced in Glands and carried by the Blood to Specific Organs in the body.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Motor Neurone

A

The Nerve Cell that carries Electrical Impulses from the CNS to effectors such as Muscles or Glands.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Neurone

A

Nerve cells.

Carries info in the form of nerve impulses from the receptor to the coordinator when stimulated.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Receptor

A

Organ, Tissue or Cell that detects a Stimulus.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Refraction

A

The bending of light as it passes from one substance into another.

(also happens with sound waves).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Retina

A

Light-sensitive area on the back of the eye.

Light must be focused on the retina in order to see clearly.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Sensory Neurone

A

Nerve cell that transmits electrical impulses from receptors in the Sense Organs to the CNS.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Spinal Cord

A

Part of Central Nervous System of a mammal which runs inside its backbone

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Stimulus

A

Sends a signal - sets off a reaction in the Nervous System as a response to Environmental Changes detected by receptors in an organism.

E.g - light, heat, sound, gravity, smell, taste, or temperature.

Plural; Stimuli.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Synapse

A

Tiny gap at the junction between 2 nerve cells, which nerve signals must cross.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Transmit

A

Cause something to pass from 1 area to another.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Brain and Spinal Cord

A

= Form the Central Nervous System (CNS).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Hormonal System

A

Uses hormones to react slowly to a stimulus.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Different receptors are sensitive to?

A

Different stimuli

E.g. receptors in the eye are sensitive to light.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Receptors detect a Stimulus and send signals through…?

A

The Sensory Neurones.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Coordinator determines a correct response to a…?

A

Stimulus

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Sensory Neurone transmits electrical impulses from…? To?

A

Receptors in the Sense Organs to the CNS

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Motor Neurone carries Electrical Impulses from the CNS to?

A

Effectors such as Muscles or Glands.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

Nerve Cells

A

Neurones

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

Nerve Cell Examples

A

Motor Neurone - carries electrical impulses from the CNS to effectors.

Sensory Neurone - transmits electrical impulses from receptors in the sense organs to the CNS.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

Examples of Effectors

A

Muscles or Glands

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

Nervous System; Speed of reaction

A

Fast

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

Hormonal System; Speed of reaction

A

Slow

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
30
Q

Nervous System; Nature of response

A

Electrical Impulses

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
31
Q

Hormonal System; Nature of response

A

Hormones and Chemicals that travel in Blood.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
32
Q

Cornea

A

Transparent part at front of eye that allows light to enter.

Causes slight bending/refraction of light.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
33
Q

Pupil

A

Space in the iris that allows light into the eye.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
34
Q

Iris

A

Controls how much light enters the eye by changing its diameter.

35
Q

Lens

A

Bends/refracts light towards the retina.

36
Q

Aqueous Humour

A

Fluid in front of the lens that helps maintain the shape of the eye and lens.

37
Q

Vitreous Humour

A

Fluid behind the lens that helps maintain the shape of the eye and lens.

Keeps the retina against the wall of the eye.

38
Q

Optic Nerve

A

Contains Neurones that carry info from Eye to Brain.

39
Q

Parts of the Eye

A
  • Conjunctive
  • Cornea
  • Pupil
  • Iris
  • Lens
  • Aqueous Humour
  • Vitreous Humour
  • Retina
  • Optic Nerve
40
Q

Eyes are specialised sense organs that

A

Contain receptors sensitive to light.

42
Q

Ciliary muscle

A

Circular Ring of Muscle, surrounds the lens.

43
Q

Lens is attached to the Ciliary muscle by

A

Suspensory Ligaments

44
Q

When Focusing On a Distant Object

A

Muscle - Relaxes.

It’s Diameter - Becomes wider.

Suspensory Ligaments - Tighten, pulling the Lens thinner; as little adjustment is needed to focus light onto the Retina.

45
Q

When Focusing On a Nearby Object

A

Muscle - Contracts

Diameter - Becomes smaller.

Suspensory Ligaments - Slacken causing the Lens to go back to its normal thicker shape; provides an additional refraction to focus light on the retina.

46
Q

Too Little/Too Much Light Entering the Eye

A

Can damage the light sensitive receptor cells in the retina.

47
Q

Dim Light Entering the Eyes

A

Pupil becomes larger - to allow as much light as possible to enter.

48
Q

Bright Lights Entering the Eye

A

Pupil becomes smaller - to restrict the amount of light entering.

49
Q

As light passes through the Cornea

A

Refraction takes place.

50
Q

More refraction occurs when…

A

The light passes through the lens.

51
Q

Looking at a distant object

A

Lens is thin as little adjustment is needed to focus light onto the retina.

52
Q

Looking at nearby objects

A

Lens is thick to provide additional refraction to focus light on the retina.

53
Q

Receptors and effectors are

A

Connected to the CNS by neurones.

54
Q

Neurones function

A

Transmit electrical impulses across the NS quickly.

55
Q

Neurone adaptations

Explained

A
  • Cell body; contains cytoplasm & nucleus
  • The axon - long extension of the cytoplasm (can be up to 1m).
  • Means nerve impulses can be transmitted to the extremities by 1 cell.
  • Myelin sheath; fatty layer that surrounds the axon.
    Acts as an insulator and speeds up nerve impulses.
  • Branched ends of axon & the smaller branches coming from the cell body - allow the neurone to make connections with many other neurones.
56
Q

Neurone adaptations -

Cell Body;

A

Contains cytoplasm & nucleus.

57
Q

Neurone adaptations -

The Axon;

A

Long extension of the cytoplasm (can be up to 1m).

Means nerve impulses can be transmitted to the extremities by 1 cell.

58
Q

Neurone adaptations -

Myelin sheath;

A

Fatty layer that surrounds the axon.

Acts as an insulator and speeds up nerve impulses.

59
Q

Neurone adaptations -

Branched ends of axon and the smaller branches coming from the cell body;

A

Allow the neurone to make connections with many other neurones.

60
Q

Neurone adaptations

A

Cell Body - contains Cytoplasm and Nucleus.

Axon - long extension of the Cytoplasm.

Myelin sheath - Fatty Layer that surrounds the Axon.

Branched ends of Axon and smaller branches coming from the cell body - allow the Neurone to make connections with many other Neurones.

61
Q

What are Neurones adapted for;

A

To transmit electrical impulses across the NS.

62
Q

Myelin sheath in Neurones

A

Acts as an insulator and speeds up nerve impulses.

63
Q

Synapse

A

Junction between 2 neurones.

Electrical impulse cannot cross the small gap.

64
Q

What can an electrical impulse not cross?

A

Small gap between neurones

65
Q

Process to allow an electrical impulse to cross a synapse.

A

When impulse reaches end of an axon entering the synapse - axon releases transmitter substance.

  • Transmitter substance diffuses across gap.
  • When concentration of transmitter substance is high enough on the other side of the gap -
    Impulse triggered in the next axon leaving the synapse.

-Electrical impulse continues on its way.

66
Q

Where releases the transmitter substance?

67
Q

What diffuses across a Synapse?

A

Transmitter Substance

68
Q

Transmitter Substance

A

Chemical substance that transmits nerve/electrical impulses across a synapse.

69
Q

Where is a synapse found?

A

Near the end of an axon.

70
Q

Voluntary Actions

A

Involve conscious thought (thinking time).

71
Q

Reflex Actions

A

Do not involve conscious thought - happen subconsciously

  • And quickly to avoid unnecessary damage to the body.
72
Q

Example of Reflex Actions

A

Rapidly removing your hand from a hot plate before it gets burned.

73
Q

Why do reflect actions happen quickly?

A

The reflex pathway is kept short

  • and involves smallest number of neurones and synapses possible.
74
Q

How many Neurones and Synapses are involved in a reflex arc?

A

3 Neurones and 2 Synapses.

75
Q

Involved in Reflex Arc:

Explained

A

3 Neurones + 2 Synapses.

The sensory neurone - carries info from receptor to spinal cord (coordinator).

The association neurone - joins sensory neurone and motor neurone.

The motor neurone - carries info from spinal cord to an effector that can cause a response.

76
Q

Involved in Reflex Arc:

Simplified

A

3 Neurones + 2 Synapses.

  • Sensory neurone
  • Association neurone
  • Motor neurone
77
Q

Sensory Neurone

A

Carries info from receptor to spinal cord (coordinator).

78
Q

Association Neurone

A

Joins sensory neurone and motor neurone.

79
Q

Motor Neurone

A

Carries info from spinal cord to an effector that can cause a response.

80
Q

What Neurones begin with the Cell Body?

A

Association and Motor Neurones.

81
Q

Thickness of the lens can be adjusted

A

To focus light on the retina.

81
Q

Conjunctiva

A

Thin, transparent protective outer membrane covering;

  • front surface of eye (sclera)
  • inner surface of eyelids

Prevents entry of microorganisms.

Lubricates eye.

82
Q

What does the conjunctiva produce?

A

Mucus and tears.

83
Q

Purpose of conjunctiva/tears and mucus

A
  • Lubricates

- Prevents entry of microorganisms into the eyes

CCEA GCSE Biology (33 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions