The nervous system Flashcards
What is homeostasis?
The maintenance of a constant internal environment
What are examples of homeostasis?
-Blood glucose
-Blood temperature
-Blood pressure
-Blood pH
What are the two human responses to a change in environment?
Nervous and Hormonal
How does the nervous response work?
Via nerves and electrical impulses
How does the hormonal response work?
Via proteins in the blood
What makes up the central nervous system (C.N.S)?
The brain and spinal chord
What response uses the brain?
A coordinated response
What response doesn’t use the brain?
A reflex response
What is the priority of the reflex response?
Speed, for protection
Describe the process of a reflex response?
Stimulus-Receptors-C.N.S-Effector-Response
What are neurons?
The signals in your nervous system that are carried as electrical impulses that travel through nerve cells
What are the main three types of neurons in the nervous system?
-Sensory neuron
-Relay neuron
-Motor neuron
What does the sensory neuron do?
Carries signals from receptors to C.N.S
What does the relay neuron do?
Transmits signals within the C.N.S
What does the motor neuron do?
Carries signals from the C.N.S out to the effector
What do each neurons look like?
1)Motor Neuron
-Myelin
-Cell body at the top
2)Sensory Neuron
-Myelin
-Cell body in the middle
3)Inter Neuron (Relay)
-No Myelin
-Cell body at the top
What is a synapse?
A small gap between neurons, which acts as a connection between the cells
What is the purpose of the synapse?
To convert electrical impulses into chemicals, which diffuse across the synapse, triggering another electrical impulse in the next neuron
