AP 12 - Nervous System Terms

Left hemisphere

Left hemisphere

controls right side of body

neuro transmitter

a chemical substance that assists with carrying a message to the next neuron

homeostasis

ability of the body to maintain a stable internal environment

nervous system

system made of your brain, spinal cord and nerves

cerebrum

largest part of the brain; controls reasoning , and memory

peripheral nervous system (PHS)

subdivision of the nervous system that brings info to CNS

brain stem

contains midbrain, pons, medulla oblongata

grey matter

darker tissue of brain and spinal cord, made mainly nerve cells and dendrites

impulse

message that travels from the dendrites of a neuron to the axon

spinal cord

part of CNS that links the brain to the rest of the body

dendrite

extensions of a neuron that receives messages and conduct impulses towards cell

somatic nervous system

subdivision of PNS that controls voluntary activities such activation of skeletal muscles

hypothalmus

contols thirst, hunger, and body temp

reflex

rapid response to protect from danger without a person thinking about it

central nervous system (CNS)

consists of brain and spinal cord

sensory neuron

neuron that carries messages with sense information

cerebellum

responsible for balance, coordination, and routine movement

right hemisphere

controls left side of body

autonomic nervous system

part of nervous system that controls involunary responses and actions

white matter

paler tissue of brain and spinal cord, made mainly of myelin sheaths

axon

long nerve fiber that conducts away from the body of the neuron

stimuli

changes in environment that cause a response

cortical folds

folds in the brain that allow for greater surface area

vertabrae

backbones taht protect spinal cord

mylein sheath

insulating layer along the axon of a nerve cell; made mainly of fat and protein

reflex arc

the nerve pathway involved in a reflex action

motor neuron

type of neuron that carries messages telling muscles to move

synapse

a small gap between neurons that neurotransmitters travel across

hippocampus

stores long term memory

neurons

nerve cell; basic building block of nervous system

Diencephalon

structures that maintain homeostasis

WHat structures are part of the diencephalon?

• thalamus

• hypothalamus

• pineal gland