Biopsychology Key Words Flashcards
(33 cards)
What is the nervous system composed of?
The nervous system consists of the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS).
What does the central nervous system (CNS) include?
The central nervous system includes the brain and the spinal cord.
What is the primary function of the brain?
The brain is the origin of all complex commands and decisions.
What is the function of the spinal cord?
The spinal cord passes messages to and from the brain and connects nerves to the peripheral nervous system.
What is the role of the peripheral nervous system (PNS)?
The PNS sends information to the CNS from the outside world and transmits messages from the CNS to muscles and glands.
What is the somatic nervous system (SNS)?
The somatic nervous system transmits information from sensory receptors to the CNS and controls muscle movement.
What does the autonomic nervous system (ANS) do?
The autonomic nervous system transmits information to and from internal bodily organs and operates involuntarily.
What are the two main divisions of the autonomic nervous system?
The two main divisions of the ANS are the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.
What is the function of the parasympathetic nervous system?
The parasympathetic nervous system controls the relaxed state (rest and digest) and promotes digestion and metabolism.
What is the role of the sympathetic nervous system?
The sympathetic nervous system activates internal organs for vigorous activities and emergencies, such as the fight or flight response.
What are neurons?
Neurons are the basic building blocks of the nervous system. They are nerve cells that process and transmit messages through electrical and chemical signals.
What do sensory neurons do?
Sensory neurons carry messages from the peripheral nervous system to the central nervous system. They have long dendrites and short axons.
What is the function of relay neurons?
Relay neurons connect sensory neurons to motor or other relay neurons. They have short dendrites and short axons.
What do motor neurons connect to?
Motor neurons connect the central nervous system to effectors such as muscles and glands. They have short dendrites and long axons.
What is the cell body of a neuron?
The cell body is known as the factory of the neuron. It contains the nucleus and produces all of the necessary proteins that a neuron requires to function.
What does the nucleus of a neuron contain?
The nucleus contains the genetic material within the neuron.
What are dendrites?
Dendrites are branch-like features that protrude from the cell body. They carry nerve impulses from neighboring neurons towards the cell body.
What is the axon?
The axon carries the electrical impulse from the cell body down the length of the neuron. It is covered in a myelin sheath.
What is the myelin sheath?
The myelin sheath is a fatty layer that surrounds and protects the axon. It helps to speed up the electrical transmission of the impulse.
What are the nodes of Ranvier?
The nodes of Ranvier are gaps in the myelin sheath. Their purpose is to speed up the transmission of the impulse by forcing it to ‘jump’ across the gaps along the axon.
What are terminal buttons?
Terminal buttons are located at the end of the axon. They communicate with the next neuron that is on the other side of the synaptic cleft.
What is synaptic transmission?
The process by which neighbouring neurons communicate with each other by sending chemical messages across the synaptic cleft that separates them.
What are neurotransmitters?
Brain chemicals released from synaptic vesicles that relay signals across the synapse from one neuron to another.
