the nervous system Flashcards
(57 cards)
What is the role of the Nervous System?
Coordinates all the functions of the organism so that they run in harmony.
How does the Nervous System contribute to blood circulation?
Regularly pumps blood circulating in our blood vessels.
What role does the Nervous System play in digestion?
Digests our meal.
How does the Nervous System help maintain posture?
Some of our muscles are contracted to maintain our posture.
What is one action the Nervous System controls to moisten our eyes?
We blink several times a minute.
What are the main functions of the Nervous System?
Receives, processes, stores, and transmits information.
How does the Nervous System receive information?
Through receptors scattered throughout the body.
What does the Nervous System do with the information it receives?
Transmits this information through nerves to treatment centers.
Where is information analyzed in the Nervous System?
In treatment centers such as the brain.
What does the Nervous System do with stored information?
Stores information in order to reuse it.
Fill in the blank: The Nervous System transmits information to different parts of the body for _______.
action to take place.
What is a neuron?
Nervous cells that allow the reception and transmission of information
Functional unit of the nervous system
How many neurons does the average human have?
100 billion
This is an estimate of the average number of neurons in a human brain
What is a stimulus?
Anything that can be perceived by a living organism that can trigger a reaction
Examples include sound, light, heat, electrical shock, odours, and hormones
What does a neuron do?
1) Detect stimuli 2) Send nerve impulses
Neurons capture stimuli, transform them into nervous impulses, and transmit these impulses
What is a nerve impulse?
An electrical signal transmitted by a neuron
It is a message of an electrical nature propagating in neurons
Fill in the blank: A _______ is an electrical signal transmitted by a neuron.
nerve impulse
True or False: The role of neurons includes capturing stimuli.
True
What are the three main roles of neurons?
1) Capture stimuli 2) Transform them into nervous impulses 3) Transmit these nervous impulses
Each role is essential for the functioning of the nervous system
What is the junction between 2 neurons that allows the transmission of nerve impulses called?
Synapse
The synapse is where neurotransmitters facilitate communication between neurons.
What are the chemicals secreted by the termini in the thin space that separates 2 neurons?
Neurotransmitters
Neurotransmitters are crucial for the rapid transmission of signals between neurons.
What is the speed of a nerve impulse?
430 km/h
This rapid speed ensures quick communication within the nervous system.
What structures do the axons of neurons gather to form?
Nerves
Nerves are vital for transmitting information in the nervous system.
What components make up a nerve?
Axons, protective tissue, and blood vessels
These components work together to facilitate the transmission of information.