Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

A&P Vet Tech > Wk 4 Vocab > Flashcards

Wk 4 Vocab Flashcards

1
Q

Acetylcholine

A

A neurotransmitter associated with somatic nerves
and with parasympathetic nervous system effects even though
it is used in the preganglionic neuron in both the sympathetic
and parasympathetic nervous systems; has a stimulatory effect
on the gastrointestinal tract, it increases secretions and muscle
contractions in the esophagus, stomach, ruminant forestomachs, intestine, and colon.

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

Acetylcholinesterase

A

The enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine.

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

Adrenergic neuron

A

Neurons that secrete catecholamines (e.g.,
norepinephrine) as their neurotransmitter.

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

Afferent nerve

A

Nerve that carries impulses toward the central
nervous system.

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

Anesthesia

A

insensitivity to pain, especially as artificially induced by the administration of gases or the injection of drugs before surgical operations.

Complete loss of sensation.

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

Arachnoid

A

a fine, delicate membrane, the middle one of the three membranes or meninges that surround the brain and spinal cord, situated between the dura mater and the pia mater.
The delicate, weblike layer of the meninges between the dura mater and the pia mater.

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

Autonomic nervous system

A

The part of the nervous system that
controls smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, and endocrine glands
automatically without conscious control; has motor and sensory
branches.

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

Autonomic reflex

A

unconscious motor reflexes relayed from the organs and glands to the CNS through visceral afferent signaling.

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

Axon

A

Extension of the neuron that conducts the nerve impulse away from the cell body to the terminal bouton (synaptic bulb) at the end of the neuron

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

Blood-brain barrier

A

A network of blood vessels and tissue that is made up of closely spaced cells and helps keep harmful substances from reaching the brain.

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

Brainstem

A

The connection between the rest of the brain and the
spinal cord, composed of the medulla oblongata, the pons, and
the midbrain; heavily involved in autonomic control functions
related to the heart, respiration, blood vessel diameter, swallowing, and vomiting.

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

Catecholamine

A

The group of neurotransmitters that includes
norepinephrine, epinephrine, dopamine, and others with
similar chemical properties.

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

Central nervous
system

A

(CNS) is made up of the brain and spinal cord. It is one of 2 parts of the nervous system.

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

Cerebellum

A

Second largest component of the brain; allows the
body to have coordinated movement, balance, posture, and
complex reflexes

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

Cerebral cortex

A

the outer layer that lies on top of your cerebrum. The largest area of the brain. Your cerebrum divides your brain into two halves called hemispheres
Gray matter that makes up the outer layer of the
cerebrum.

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

Cerebrospinal fluid

A

(CSF)  Fluid that bathes and protects the
brain and spinal cord from the hard inner surface of the skull and spinal vertebrae.

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

Cerebrum

A

That portion of the brain responsible for functions
most commonly associated with “higher-order” behaviors
(learning, intelligence, awareness); receives and interprets
sensory information, initiates conscious (voluntary) nerve
impulses to skeletal muscles, and integrates neuron activity
that is normally associated with communication, expression of
emotional responses, learning, memory and recall, and other
behaviors associated with conscious activity.

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

Cholinergic neuron

A

Neurons that secrete acetylcholine as their
neurotransmitter.

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

Cholinergic receptor

A

Receptors for acetylcholine; may be muscarinic or nicotinic receptors

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

Contralateral reflex

A

Reflexes that are initiated on one side of the
body and travel to the opposite side to produce their effect.

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

Cranial nerve

A

Set of 12 pairs of nerves originating directly from
the brain; may be sensory or motor or may contain both sensory
and motor nerves.

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

Crossed extensor
reflex

A

a reflex in which the contralateral limb compensates for loss of support when the ipsilateral limb withdraws from painful stimulus in a withdrawal reflex.

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

Dendrite

A

The receptive sites of the nerve cell; they extend from the cell body, giving the cell a starlike shape; they receive stimuli and convey them as nerve impulses to the cell body.

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

Depolarization

A

A reduction in the voltage across a neuron or
muscle cell membrane from its normal polarized state (resting
membrane potential). This results in an action potential (nerve
impulse) in the case of a neuron or the initiation of contraction
in the case of a muscle cell.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Diencephalon
Serves as a nervous system passageway between the primitive brainstem and the cerebrum; three major structures of the diencephalon are the thalamus, the hypothalamus, and the pituitary.
26
Dopamine
A catecholamine neurotransmitter
27
Dorsal horn
The area of the spinal cord’s gray matter “butterfly” where the neurons that forward sensory (afferent) nerve impulses to the brain or other parts of the spinal cord are located.
28
Dorsal nerve root
The branch off each side of the spinal cord between each set of adjacent vertebrae that conducts sensory impulses into the spinal cord from the periphery of the body
29
Dura mater
The thick outermost layer of the meninges that covers the brain and spinal cord; it is considered to be the toughest of the meninges.
30
Effector cell
A cell such as a muscle or gland cell that carries out some action when stimulated by a nerve impulse.
31
Efferent nerve
nerve that carries impulses away from the central nervous system.
32
Endocrine system
The system of glands that controls and regulates body functions through the internal secretion of hormones.The hormones are released directly into the bloodstream, which allows them to exert their actions on target cells throughout the body
33
Enzyme
A specialized globular protein that carries out and/or speeds up chemical reactions in the body by acting as a catalyst and lowering the temperature necessary for the reaction to take place. Specific enzymes are exclusive to specific reactions, and although they may change the rate of reaction, they are never changed or used up themselves in the process.
34
Epinephrine
Commonly called adrenaline. A hormone secreted by the medulla of the adrenal gland under stimulation by the sympathetic portion of the autonomic nervous system. It produces part of the fight-or-flight response that results when an animal feels threatened
35
Excitatory neurotransmitter
Excitatory neurotransmitters “excite” the neuron and cause it to “fire off the message,” meaning, the message continues to be passed along to the next cell. Examples of excitatory neurotransmitters include glutamate, epinephrine and norepinephrine
36
Fenestration
Small openings or holes (literally, windows); in the walls of the glomerular capillaries, fenestrations allow certain molecules to leave that would normally be too large to escape.
37
Fissure
Deep grooves found in the cerebral cortex.
38
GABA
Gamma-aminobutyric acid; inhibitory neurotransmitter.
39
Gamma-aminobutyric acid
the chief inhibitory neurotransmitter in the developmentally mature mammalian central nervous system. Its principal role is reducing neuronal excitability throughout the nervous system.
40
Ganglion
Cluster of neuron cell bodies outside the CNS.
41
Glial cell
Cells in the nervous system that support and protect neurons.
42
Glycine
Inhibitory neurotransmitter
43
Gray matter
That part of the CNS made up of neuron cell bodies.
44
Gyrus
The folds that provide the wrinkled appearance of the surface of the cerebral hemispheres.
45
Hypermetria
A condition in which voluntary movements become jerky and exaggerated.
46
Hyperreflexia
is overactive or overresponsive bodily reflexes. Examples of this include twitching and spastic tendencies,
47
Hyporeflexia
a symptom in which your skeletal muscles have a decreased or absent reflex response.
48
Inhibitory neurotransmitter
block or prevent the chemical message from being passed along any farther. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glycine and serotonin are examples of inhibitory neurotransmitters.
49
Interneuron
Typically a short neuron that connects two other neurons; usually mentioned in the context of the reflex arc
50
Ipsilateral reflex
The reflex stimulus and response are on the same side of the body
51
Longitudinal fissure
Prominent groove that divides the cerebrum into right and left cerebral hemispheres.
52
Medulla oblongata
The part of the brainstem just above (cranial to) the spinal cord
53
Meninges
Set of connective tissues that surround the brain and spinal cord; the three layers of the meninges, from outside to innermost layer, are the dura mater, the arachnoid, and the pia mater.
54
Midbrain
The mesencephalon
55
Mixed nerve
A nerve made up of both sensory nerve fibers and motor nerve fibers.
56
Motor nerve
Nerve that carries efferent impulses to muscles, although motor function may be used to describe any nerve that carries an efferent impulse, including those that supply endocrine glands and tissues that are not muscle.
57
Muscarinic receptor
A type of cholinergic receptor that binds with acetylcholine.
58
Muscle spindle
A sensory organ located within muscle that detects stretch of the muscle.
59
Myelin
Fatty substance that covers some axons. When fixed for microscopic examination, it appears white, hence myelinated neurons make up the “white matter” of the brain and spinal cord.
60
Myelin sheath
Cell membrane of glial cells (e.g., oligodendrocytes, Schwann cells) wrapped around an axon; increases speed of impulse conduction along the axon.
61
Nerve impulse
  A wave of cell membrane depolarization that travels from the point of stimulus down the length of a nerve cell process.
62
Nerve
A bundle of myelinated nerve fibers in the peripheral nervous system that conduct sensory and/or motor impulses to and from the central nervous system and the periphery of the body.
63
Nerve fiber
An axon
64
Neuroglia
Auxiliary cells in the nervous system that support and protect the neurons. Examples include oligodendrocytes, microglia, and astrocytes
65
Neuron
cells of the nervous system that are structurally composed of a cell body (perikaryon), dendrites, and an axon. They not only initiate nerve impulses but also conduct them
66
Neurotransmitter
  A chemical released by the presynaptic neuron that diffuses across the synaptic cleft, binds with the receptor on the postsynaptic membrane, and stimulates (excitatory neurotransmitter) or inhibits (inhibitory neurotransmitter) the postsynaptic neuron. Neurotransmitters also stimulate effector cells such as muscle or gland cells.
67
Nicotinic receptor
  A type of cholinergic receptor that binds with acetylcholine.
68
Node of Ranvier
The depolarization wave in the myelinated axon skips from one node of Ranvier to the next, greatly accelerating the rate at which the depolarization wave moves from the neuron cell body to the other end of the axon
69
Norepinephrine
a neurotransmitter and a hormone. It plays an important role in your body's “fight-or-flight” response.
70
Oligodendrocyte
Glial cells in the brain and spinal cord whose cellular membrane forms the myelin sheath for axons in the CNS.
71
Palpebral reflex
Reflex closure of the eyelids when the medial canthus of the eyelids is touched; used in anesthesia monitoring to assess depth of anesthesia.
72
Parasympathetic nervous system
a network of nerves that relaxes your body after periods of stress or danger
73
Perikaryon
The cell body of the neuron; soma.
74
Peripheral nervous system
The peripheral nervous system is divided into two main parts: Autonomic nervous system (ANS): Controls involuntary bodily functions and regulates glands. Somatic nervous system (SNS): Controls muscle movement and relays information from ears, eyes and skin to the central nervous system.
75
Pia mater
The innermost layer of the meninges.
76
Pons
A part of the brainstem located just rostral to the medulla oblongata.
77
Postganglionic neuron
In reference to the autonomic nervous system, it is the second of two neurons that typically make up the nerves of the autonomic nervous system; so called because this neuron originates from a ganglion and carries the impulse from it to the target organ or tissue.
78
Postsynaptic neuron
The neuron that contains the receptors to which a released neurotransmitter binds, causing depolarization or inhibition of depolarization of the neuron.
79
Preganglionic neuron
In reference to the autonomic nervous system, it is the first of two neurons that typically make up the nerves of the autonomic nervous system; so called because the first neuron is located “before” the ganglion.
80
Presynaptic neuron
The neuron that is stimulated by the depolarization wave to release a neurotransmitter into the synapse
81
Pupillary light reflex
(PLR)  Reflex in which light is shone into one eye, and the pupil constricts in both eyes.
82
Receptor
In the context of the nervous system, a specialized protein to which neurotransmitters bind.
83
Reflex
A rapid, automatic response to a stimulus, intended to protect the body and maintain homeostasis.
84
Reflex arc
The reflex arc is composed of the sensory receptor, sensory neuron, interneuron(s), motor neuron, and target tissue or organ involved with a stimulus and reflex response.
85
Refractory period
The period in the depolarization– repolarization cycle when the neuron cannot be stimulated to depolarize (absolute refractory period) or can only be depolarized with a greater than normal stimulation (relative refractory period)
86
Repolarization
The process following depolarization wherein potassium ions diffuse rapidly out of the neuron.
87
Resting membrane potential
has a voltage across its membrane called the resting membrane potential, or simply the resting potential. The resting potential is determined by concentration gradients of ions across the membrane and by membrane permeability to each type of ion.
88
Resting state
In reference to neurons, more sodium ions are outside the cell membrane than inside, and more potassium ions are inside the cell; it is the state of the neuron before stimulation
89
Saltatory conduction
The skipping of the depolarization wave (action potential) in a myelinated axon from one node of Ranvier to the next node of Ranvier; means “leaping” conduction.
90
Schwann cell
Glial cells associated with peripheral nerves whose cellular membrane forms the myelin sheath for axons in the PNS.
91
Sensory nerve
Nerves that carry afferent impulses from sensory receptors toward the central nervous system
92
Sensory neuron
Neuron carrying impulses toward the CNS.
93
Sensory receptor
A modified nerve ending that converts mechanical, thermal, chemical, or electromagnetic stimuli into nerve impulses that travel to the CNS and are interpreted as the appropriate sensation.
94
Sodium-potassium pump
an enzyme found in the membrane of all animal cells. It performs several functions in cell physiology. The Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase enzyme is active. For every ATP molecule that the pump uses, three sodium ions are exported and two potassium ions are imported.
95
Soma
The cell body of a neuron; perikaryon.
96
Somatic nervous system
a subdivision of your peripheral nervous system that stretches throughout nearly every part of your body. The nerves in this system deliver information from your senses to your brain. They also carry commands from your brain to your muscles so you can move around.
97
Somatic reflex
A reflex resulting in the stimulation or inhibition of skeletal muscle contraction
98
Spinal nerve
Nerves of the peripheral nervous system that originate from the spinal cor
99
Stretch reflex
Reflex initiated by stretch receptors within a muscle that results in contraction of the muscle to compensate for the stretching.
100
Sulcus
Groove, especially shallow grooves in the cerebral cortex.
101
Sympathetic nervous system
best known for its role in responding to dangerous or stressful situations. In these situations, your sympathetic nervous system activates to speed up your heart rate, deliver more blood to areas of your body that need more oxygen or other responses to help your get out of danger.
102
Synapse
The junction between two neurons or between a neuron and another target cell.
103
Synaptic cleft
Physical gap between two communicating neurons or between a neuron and its target cell.
104
Synaptic end bulb
Button at the end of the axon that releases the neurotransmitter; also called synaptic knob or terminal bouton.
105
Synaptic knob
synaptic end bulb
106
Synaptic transmission
The continuation of the nerve impulse across the synapse from one neuron to another or from one neuron to its target cell.
107
Target
An organ or tissue that responds to a particular hormone.
108
Telodendron
The branched end of an axon; each branch terminates in a neurotransmitter-filled synaptic end bulb.
109
Terminal bouton
Button at the end of the axon that releases the neurotransmitter; also called the synaptic end bulb or synaptic knob.
110
Thoracolumbar system
The sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system influences the various organ systems of the body through connections emerging from the thoracic and upper lumbar spinal cord
111
Threshold
The required level of stimulation, or degree of change in a cell’s electrical potential, necessary to initiate an action potential
112
Threshold stimulus
The minimum stimulus that will generate a nerve impulse
113
Ventral horn
The area of the spinal cord’s gray matter “butterfly” where the neuronsthat transmit motor(efferent) nerve impulses to the spinal nerves are located.
114
Ventral nerve root
The branch off each side of the spinal cord between each pair of adjacent vertebrae that conducts motor impulses from the spinal cord to effectors in the periphery of the body
115
White matter
Myelinated axons in the CNS
116
Withdrawal reflex
  Reflex arc in which a painful stimulus on the skin causes contraction of the affected limb; also called the flexor reflex.

A&P Vet Tech (10 decks)

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