nervous system

axon terminal

• releases neurotransmitters

• end of the axon

dendrite

conducts local electrical currents towards the cell body

myelin sheath

• insulates the axon

• increases speed of impulse transmission

neuron cell body

• contains the nucleus and organelles

• where information passes through and is processed

axon

conducts impulses away from the cell body

nissl bodies

• clustered ribosomes and rough ER

• synthesize proteins

afferent neuron

conducts impulse toward CNS from body periphery

interneuron

pathway between sensory and motor neurons

cutaneous sense organs

sensory receptors found in the skin specialized to detect temperature, pressure changes, and pain

efferent neuron

conduct impulses away from CNS and to muscles and glands

ganglion

collection of nerve cell bodies found outside the CNS

neuroglia

support cells for neurons

neurotransmitters

chemicals released by neurons to stimulate other neurons, muscles, or glands

nerve

collection of nerve cells

nodes of ranvier

gaps in a myelin sheath

nuclei

central organelle in a cell body

proprioceptors

sensory receptors found in muscle and tendons that detect their degree of stretch

schwann cells

specialized cells that myelinate the fibers of neurons found in the PNS

synapse

junction or point of close contact between neurons

stimuli

changes in outside environment that affect the nervous system functioning

tract

bundle of nerve processes inside the CNS