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Nervous system
The network of nerve cells and fibres that transmits nerve impulses between parts of the body
Neurones
Basic cells of the nervous system that carry electrical impulses around the body
Electrical impulses
The impulses or signals that are carried by neurones
Receptors
Special structures that allow living organisms to sense the conditions of their internal or external environment
Sensory neurone
A neurone that carries impulses from the sensory organs to the central nervous system
Motor neurone
A neurone that sends impulses from the CNS to an effector
Relay neurone
A short type of neurone that is involved in reflex actions and is found in the spinal cord
Synapse
A junction or gap between neurones where information in chemical form is transmitted from one neurone to the next
Neurotransmitter
A chemical that is released from the ends of an active neurone and diffuses across the synapse to other neurones
Purpose of synapse
Breaks up the electrical response so that a stimulus can be processed correctly leading to an appropriate response, also allows specificity so that one neurone can pass a signal to another, otherwise many neurones would fire at once and have a maladaptive response
Dendrite (branched end)
A branch at the end of a neurone that meets up with other neurons to pass on nervous impulses, via the synapse
Axon
The main thread-like extension of a neurone that carries nerve impulses, long so it can reach different areas of the body and also prevents responses from occurring too quickly
Cell body
Largest part of a typical neuron, contains the nucleus and much of the cytoplasm, also contains many mitochondria for energy
Myelin sheath
A fatty layer that covers the axons of some neurones and helps speed neural impulses, provides insulation to the nerve cell and prevents other neurones from misfiring
