Lesson 5: Nervous And Endocrine System

Question 0

Define brain.

Answer 0

The organ that is the main control center of the nervous system.

Question 1

Define nervous system.

Answer 1

The structures that control the actions and reactions of the body in response to stimuli in the environment; it is formed by billions of specialized nerve cells called neurons.

Question 2

Define spinal cord.

Answer 2

A column of nerve tissue running from the base of the brain through the vertebral column.

Question 3

Define neuron.

Answer 3

A nerve cell that is specialized to receive and conduct electrical impulses.

Question 4

Define dendrite.

Answer 4

Branchlike extension of a neuron that receives impulses from neighboring neurons.

Question 5

Define axon.

Answer 5

An elongated extension of a neuron that carries impulses away from the cell body.

Question 6

Define endocrine system.

Answer 6

A collection of glands and groups of cells that secrete hormones that regulate growth, development, and homeostasis; includes the pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal glands, hypothalamus, pineal body, and the gonads.

Question 7

Define hormone.

Answer 7

A substance that is made in one cell or tissue and that causes a change in another cell or tissue in a different part of the body.

Question 8

Define gland.

Answer 8

A group of cells that make chemicals for use elsewhere in the body.

Question 9

What is the function of the nervous system.

Answer 9

The CNS processes information and the PNS connects the CNS to muscles and organs.

Question 10

Explain how the CNS processes information.

Answer 10

The brain and the spinal cord make up the CNS. The brain is the body’s central command organ. It constantly receives impulses from all over the body. The spinal cord allows your brain to communicate with the rest of your body.

Question 11

Explain how the PNS connects the CNS to muscle and organs.

Answer 11

The PNS is made of the sensory and motor parts. It also controls involuntary and voluntary processes.

Question 12

What are the parts of the CNS?

Answer 12

The brain and spinal cord.

Question 13

Explain the structure of the brain.

Answer 13

The brain is made of three parts: the cerebrum (where you think, problem solve, and where most memories are stored), the cerebellum (where information is processed), and the brain stem (connects your brain to your spinal cord).

Question 14

Explain the structure of the spinal cord.

Answer 14

The spinal cord is made of bundles of nerves and it is surrounded by protective bones called vertebrae. Sensory information flows in from the environment to the spinal cord, and motor information flows out of the spinal cord to the muscles.

Question 15

How do signals move through the nervous system?

Answer 15

Through sensory and motor neurons.

Question 16

Explain how signals move through sensory and motor neurons.

Answer 16

Neurons carry information from the body to the brain, and carry instructions from the brain back to the rest of the body. The two groups of neurons are sensory and motor neurons. Sensory neurons gather information from in and around your body and travels to the brain. Motor neurons move impulses from the brain and spinal cord to other parts of the body.

Question 17

Give an example of how motor neurons work.

Answer 17

When you are hot, motor neurons move messages from your brain to your sweat glands to tell the sweat glands to make sweat.

Question 18

What are the parts of a neuron?

Answer 18

The cell body, the dendrites, the axon, and the axon terminal.

Question 19

Explain the cell body.

Answer 19

The region containing nucleus and organelles. It gathers information from the dendrites and creates an impulse.

Question 20

Explain the dendrites.

Answer 20

Branches of the cell body. They gather information from other cells.

Question 21

Explain the axon.

Answer 21

Extension of a neuron. It sends impulses away from the cell body.

Question 22

Explain the axon terminal.

Answer 22

End of an axon. It changes electrical signals to chemical signals.

Question 23

What are the main senses?

Answer 23

Sight, touch, hearing, taste, and smell.

Question 24

What is the sensory organ for sight?

Answer 24

The eyes.

Question 25

What is the sensory organ for touch?

Answer 25

Skin.

Question 26

What is the sensory organ for hearing?

Answer 26

The ears.

Question 27

What is the sensory organ for taste?

Answer 27

Your mouth.

Question 28

What is the sensory organ for smell?

Answer 28

The nose.

Question 29

What is the function of the endocrine system?

Answer 29

To control body functions and help maintain homeostasis by using hormones.

Question 30

How do hormones work?

Answer 30

Hormones travel through the bloodstream. They travel from the endocrine gland where they are made, and can reach every cell in the body. However, hormones only effect cells that have specific receptors. Each hormone has its own receptor and can only effect cells that have that receptor. Those cells are called target cells.

Question 31

What glands make up the endocrine system?

Answer 31

The pituitary gland, the hypothalamus, the pineal gland, the thyroid, the parathyroid, the pancreas, and the adrenal glands.

Question 32

Define the pituitary gland.

Answer 32

Secretes hormones that affect other glands, and stimulates growth and sexual development.

Question 33

Define hypothalamus.

Answer 33

Controls the release of hormones from the pituitary gland.

Question 34

Define the pineal gland.

Answer 34

Produces hormones essential in the control of sleep, aging, reproduction, and body temperature.

Question 35

Define thyroid.

Answer 35

Hormones from the thyroid control your metabolism.

Question 36

Define parathyroid.

Answer 36

Controls calcium levels in the blood.

Question 37

Define pancreas.

Answer 37

Regulates blood sugar levels.

Question 38

Define adrenal glands.

Answer 38

Controls the body’s fight or flight response in dangerous situations.