Test Flashcards
(29 cards)
Central Nervous System
The largest part of the nervous system, it includes the spinal cord and the brain
Peripheral Nervous System
The part of the nervous system that serves the limbs and organs
Somatic Nervous System
Picks up stimuli from the outside world, coordinates movements and performs
Automatic Nervous System
Performs takes that are not consciously controlled
Neurons
The building blocks of the nervous system
Motor Neurons
Carry information away from the central nervous system to operate muscles and glands
Network
A large community of neurons
Nerve
A tight grouping of neurons
Synapse
Area between neurons across which nerve impulses travel
Plasticity
Describes a flexible ability to grow and change
Spinal Cord
Connects the spinal nerves to the brain and organizes simple reflexes and rhythmic movements
Reflexes
Rapid automatic neuromuscular actions generated in response to a specific
Brainstem
The base of the brain, responsible for survival oriented functions such as breathing, cardiac function, and basic arousal.
Medulla Oblongata
Part of the brain that regulates cardiac respiratory function.
Cerebral Cortex
Outer part of the brain that is mainly involved in the coordination of sensory and motor information
Prefrontal Cortex
The very front of the brain; responsible for the executive functions, such as mediating conflicting thoughts and making choices between right and wrong. It is essential fro the cognitive experience of emotion
Cerebellum
Part of the brain that coordinates muscle movements and maintains equilibrium.
Amygdala
Involved in fear detection and conditioning
Hippocampus
Part of brain involved in processing explicit memories, recognizing and recalling longterm memories, and conditioning
Fight-or-Fight response
Physiological response to stressors, triggered by the amygdala, in which the body becomes prepared for action
Corpus Callosum
A large band of axons connecting the two hemispheres of the brain
Endocrine System
Involved in the release of hormones that regulate metablism, growth, development, tissue function, and mood
Pituitary Gland
Secretes Human growth hormone
Gray matter
Substance that makes up the cerebral cortex; covers the cerebrum and cerebellum