Week 4: Nerves of Steel - Part 1

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts related to the nervous system and its functions.

Nervous System

The master coordinating system of the body, which regulates conscious and unconscious life functions.

Sensory Function

The input function of the nervous system that senses changes both internally and externally.

Integrative Function

The interpretive function of the nervous system that determines the meaning of sensed changes.

Motor Function

The output function of the nervous system that reacts to changes.

Neurons

The functional units of the nervous system that conduct impulses.

Neuroglia (Glial Cells)

Supportive cells in the nervous system that maintain homeostasis, form myelin, and provide support and protection for neurons.

Myelin Sheath

A phospholipid layer that insulates axons to speed up transmission of electrical impulses.

Action Potential

A wave of electrical activity that travels along a neuron, marked by a big shift from negative to positive charge.

Synapse

The site where two neurons or a neuron and an effector cell communicate, involving the release of neurotransmitters.

Neurotransmitter

A chemical that transmits information from nerve cell to nerve cell, like acetylcholine for muscle cells.

Resting Membrane Potential

The difference in electrical charge across the cell membrane when a neuron is not being stimulated.

Threshold

The minimum level of stimulation required to trigger a neuron to fire.

Refractory Period

The time during which a neuron cannot fire again after it has fired.

Saltatory Conduction

Rapid conduction along myelinated nerve fibers where impulses jump from one node of Ranvier to the next.

Excitatory Neurotransmitters

Chemicals that cause depolarization of the next neuron or target, helping to approach threshold.

Inhibitory Neurotransmitters

Chemicals that hyperpolarize the next neuron or target, preventing it from firing.