Nervous System Vocabulary - Unit 1

Vocabulary flashcards covering core concepts of the nervous system and biological foundations from Unit 1 notes.

Heredity

The genetic transfer of characteristics from parents to offspring.

Natural Selection

The process by which traits that contribute to reproduction and survival are more likely to be passed on to succeeding generations.

Central Nervous System

The brain and spinal cord; the body's decision maker.

Peripheral Nervous System

The sensory and motor neurons that connect the central nervous system to the rest of the body.

Autonomic Nervous System

The part of the peripheral nervous system that controls the glands and muscles of the internal organs.

Sympathetic Nervous System

The division of the autonomic nervous system that arouses the body, mobilizing its energy (fight or flight).

Parasympathetic Nervous System

The division of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body, conserving its energy, (rest and digest).

Neurons

Nerve cells; the basic building blocks of the nervous system.

Glial Cells

Cells in the nervous system, that support, nourish, and protect neurons.

Reflex

A simple, automatic, response to a sensory stimulus.

Sensory neurons

Neurons that carry incoming information from the sensory receptors to the brain and spinal cord.

Motor Neurons

Neurons that carry outgoing information from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles and glands.

Interneurons

Neurons within the brain and spinal cord that communicate internally and process information between sensory inputs and motor outputs.

All or nothing principal

A neuron’s reaction of either firing (with a full strength response) or not firing.

Threshold

The level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse.

Multiple Sclerosis

A disease in which the immune system eats away at the protective covering (myelin sheath) of nerves.

Myasthenia gravies

A chronic autoimmune disease that affects the neuromuscular junction and produces serious weakness of voluntary muscles.

Agonist

A category of drug that increases a neurotransmitters action.

Antagonist

A category of drug that inhibits or blocks a neurotransmitters action.

Excitatory

Signals that trigger a neuron to fire.

Inhibitory

Signals that prevent a neuron from firing.

Dopamine

Affects feelings of pleasure and reward - influences movement, learning, attention, and emotion.

Serotonin

Affects mood, hunger, sleep, and arousal

Norepinephrine

Helps control, alertness, and arousal.

Glutamate

A major excitatory neurotransmitter involved in memory. Too much leads to migraines.

GABA

A major inhibitory neurotransmitter.

Endorphins

Neurotransmitters that influence, the perception of pain or pleasure.

Substance P

A neurotransmitter involved in pain perception

Acetylcholine (ACh)

Enables muscle, action, learning, and memory.

Adrenaline

A hormone that increases heart rate in blood pressure during stress

Leptin

A hormone that signals the brain to reduce appetite.

Myelin Sheath

Controls the speed of the message.

Ghrelin

A hormone that signals the brain to increase appetite.

Melatonin

A hormone that regulates sleep wake cycles.

Oxytocin

A hormone involved in social bonding and trust.

Somatic Nervous System

Controls voluntary movements and communication to and from the sense organs.

Synapse

The gap between the two neurons, receiving the neuron.