Neuroscience and Eye Function

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms and concepts related to the nervous system and eye function as discussed in the lecture.

Neuron

The basic functional unit of the nervous system, specialized in transmitting electrical and chemical signals.

CNS

Central Nervous System, which includes the brain and spinal cord, responsible for processing and integrating information.

PNS

Peripheral Nervous System, consisting of all nerves outside the CNS that connect it to the rest of the body.

Stimulus

Any change in the environment that triggers a response in the nervous system.

Senses

Specialized systems that perceive stimuli, including special senses (vision, hearing, taste, smell, balance) and general senses (touch, pressure, pain, temperature, body position).

Reflex

An automatic, rapid response to a stimulus that helps protect the body.

Adaptation

The process by which sensory receptors become less responsive to a constant stimulus over time.

Dendrites

Parts of a neuron that receive incoming signals from other neurons or sensory receptors and carry them toward the cell body.

Axon

The part of the neuron that carries electrical impulses away from the cell body to other neurons, muscles, or glands.

Cell Body (Soma)

Contains the nucleus and organelles that keep the neuron alive and functioning.

Sensory Neuron

A neuron that carries information from sensory receptors to the CNS.

Interneuron

A neuron that connects neurons within the CNS and processes information.

Motor Neuron

A neuron that carries commands from the CNS to effectors (muscles or glands).

Pupil

The opening in the center of the iris that controls how much light enters the eye.

Iris

The colored part of the eye that adjusts the size of the pupil.

Lens

The transparent structure that focuses light onto the retina.

Retina

The layer of photoreceptor cells (rods and cones) at the back of the eye that detects light.

Optic Nerve

Carries visual information from the retina to the brain.

Blind Spot

The area on the retina where the optic nerve exits; lacks photoreceptors.

Pupillary Reflex

An involuntary response that controls the amount of light entering the eye by constricting or dilating the pupil.

Reflex Arc

The pathway taken by nerve impulses during a reflex action, consisting of stimulus, receptor, sensory neuron, interneuron, motor neuron, and effector.

Two-Point Discrimination Test

A test measuring the ability to distinguish between two separate touches on the skin.

Sensory Adaptation

The decrease in sensitivity to a constant stimulus over time.

Cornea

The transparent outer layer at the front of the eye that helps focus light.