Human Anatomy & Physiology 1: Nervous System

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to the nervous system from the Human Anatomy & Physiology 1 course.

Endocrine System

The system in the body that uses chemical messengers (hormones) secreted into the blood to communicate and coordinate internal functions.

Nervous System

The system that uses neurotransmitters to set up electrical signals along neurons for communication and coordination.

Neuron

The functional unit of the nervous system that sends and receives signals.

Neuroglia

Supportive cells in the nervous system that do not conduct signals but provide support and protection for neurons.

Resting Membrane Potential (RMP)

The membrane potential of an unstimulated cell, typically -70mV, where the inside of the cell is negatively charged relative to the outside.

Action Potential

A large depolarization that propagates along the length of an axon, triggered when a graded potential depolarizes the membrane to threshold.

Sensory Input

Information received by sensory receptors about internal or external changes.

Integration

The processing and interpretation of sensory input, typically occurring in the control center (CNS).

Motor Output

Activation of effectors (muscles or glands) to produce a desired response based on processed sensory input.

Sodium/Potassium Pump (Na+/K+ pump)

A mechanism that pumps 3 sodium ions out of the cell and 2 potassium ions into the cell, contributing to the resting membrane potential.

Graded Potential

Small, short-lived changes in membrane potential that occur locally in response to stimulation.

Refractory Period

The time after an action potential during which the membrane will not respond normally to additional stimuli.

Saltatory Propagation

The rapid conduction of action potentials along myelinated axons in which the action potential jumps from node to node.

Synapse

The specialized site where a neuron communicates with another cell (neuron, muscle, or gland).

Excitatory Postsynaptic Potential (EPSP)

A membrane change in which neurotransmitter opens Na+ channels, making the action potential more likely.

Inhibitory Postsynaptic Potential (IPSP)

A membrane change in which neurotransmitter opens K+ or Cl- channels, making the action potential less likely.

Neurotransmitter

Chemical messengers that transmit signals across the synaptic cleft between neurons.

Neurotransmitter Effects

Can be excitatory (depolarizing) or inhibitory (hyperpolarizing), depending on the receptor to which they bind.