Words to learn Flashcards
Central nervous system (CNS)
The brain and spinal cord
Effector
An organ, tissue, or cell that produces a response to a stimulus
Motor neurone
A neurone that carries nerve impulses from the CNS to the effector
Nerve impulse
An electrical signal that travels along neurones
nervous system
A collection of nerves and nerves and neurons involved in the transmission of electrical impulses. Transmission of signals is rapid and the effects are short-lived
Neurone
A specialized cell that transmits nerve impulses. Also knows as a nerve
Receptor
A specialised structure that detects a specific type of stimulus.
Relay neuron
A neuron located in the spinal cord that links the sensory neuron to the motor neuron.
Reflex
A rapid, automatic response to a sensory stimulus by the body. It serves as a protective mechanism.
Reflex arc
The pathway of neurons involved in a reflex action:
stimulus → receptor sensory → relay → motor → effector → response
neuron neuron neuron
Sense organ
A group of specialised receptor cells that respond to certain stimuli. The five sense organs are the eyes, ears, nose, skin and tongue.
Sensory neurone
A neurone that carries nerve impulses from the receptors to the CNS.
Stimulus
A change in an organism’s internal or external environment that can be detected.
what’s a coordinated response
