U3 AOS1 K1-5 Flashcards
Autonomic Nervous System
Consisting of the parasympathetic and sympathetic branches and responsible for the communication between the body’s non-skeletal muscles and the internal organs and the glands that carry out bodily functions
Axon
The part of the neuron along which the electrochemical nerve impulse is transmitted
Axon Terminal
Located at the end of the axon, it transmits messages to the next neuron by secreting neurotransmitters
Central Nervous System
Comprises the brain and the brain and spinal cord, the CNS controls the body by processing and responding to sensory input from the peripheral nervous system
Conscious Response
Reactions to sensory stimuli that involve awareness (voluntary)
Excitatory Effect
Excitatory synapses cause the neurons to fire (glutamate)
Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
GABA has an inhibitory effect on the brain
Approximately one third of all neurons in the brain use GABA
Glutamate
An excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain, involved in learning
Inhibitory Effect
Inhibitory synapses prevent neurons from firing (GABA)
Lock and Key Process
When a presynaptic neuron fires, the synaptic vesicles move towards the presynaptic membrane. Some synaptic vesicles stick to the membrane and break open to release the neurotransmitter into the synaptic cleft. Once in the synaptic cleft, some of the neurotransmitters will bind with ‘receptors’ that are located in the dendrites of the postsynaptic neuron.
Myelin
A white, fatty, waxy substance that coats some axons and insulates them, protecting them from electrical interference from other neurons; this increases the efficiency of transmission of nerve impulses
Neuron
Nerve cells, responsible for communication within the body
Neurotransmitter
Chemicals that help the communication across nerve synapses
Parasympathetic Nervous System
A branch of the autonomic nervous system, responsible for maintaining our day to day functioning and for most of the automatic functions of the body such as digestion, heart rate, breathing and some glandular functions
Parkinsons Disease
A progressive neurological condition, known to affect the control of movement
Peripheral Nervous System
Communicates information from the body to the central nervous system (for example aches and pains) and to the body’s organs, gland and muscles.
Somatic Nervous System
The division of the peripheral nervous system that carries sensory information into the central nervous system and motor commands from the central nervous system to skeletal muscles.
Spinal Cord
The bundle of nerve fibres connecting the brain with the peripheral nervous system
Spinal Reflex
An action controlled by the spinal cord not the brain
Sympathetic Nervous System
A branch of the autonomic nervous system that activates the fight-flight-freeze response
Synapse
The connection between two neurons
Synaptic Gap
(Cleft) The gap between the presynaptic and postsynaptic cells
Unconscious Response
Reactions to sensory stimuli that do not involve awareness (involuntary)
Nervous System
The nervous system is a communication system between the body’s internal cells and organs and the external environment.
