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Cnidarian

An organism with the simplest type of nervous system, featuring a nerve net.

Hindbrain

Part of the vertebrate brain that includes the cerebellum, pons, and medulla oblongata.

Cephalization

The concentration of sensory organs and nervous tissue at the anterior end of an organism.

Somatic nervous system

Part of the peripheral nervous system responsible for voluntary movements and sensing external stimuli.

Autonomic nervous system

Part of the peripheral nervous system that regulates involuntary bodily functions such as heart rate and digestion.

Sympathetic division

Part of the autonomic nervous system that prepares the body for fight-or-flight responses.

Parasympathetic division

Part of the autonomic nervous system that promotes rest-and-digest activities.

Peripheral nervous system (PNS)

Nervous system division composed of nerves that send signals to and from the central nervous system.

Central nervous system (CNS)

Nervous system division consisting of the brain and spinal cord.

Neural tube

Embryonic structure that develops into the central nervous system.

Cerebral cortex

Surface layer of gray matter that covers the cerebrum; involved in higher brain functions.

Thalamus

Part of the diencephalon that relays sensory information to the cerebral cortex.

Hypothalamus

Brain region that regulates homeostasis and controls the pituitary gland.

Long-term potentiation (LTP)

A process that strengthens the connections between neurons, crucial for learning and memory.

Limbic system

Evolutionarily older brain structures that are involved in emotion, memory, and behavior.

Cerebellum

Part of the hindbrain that coordinates movement and maintains balance.

Medulla oblongata

The hindbrain structure that controls autonomic functions such as heart rate and breathing.

Pons

Part of the hindbrain that serves as a relay between the cerebellum and other parts of the brain.

Neurogenesis

The process of generating new neurons in the brain.

Memory

The retention, retrieval, and use of information over time.

Learning

The process of acquiring new information.

Echinoderm

Type of organism with a more complex nervous system featuring a nerve ring.

Spinal cord

Part of the central nervous system that transmits signals between the brain and the rest of the body.

Forebrain

The largest part of the brain, containing the thalamus, hypothalamus, and cerebrum.

Midbrain

The portion of the brain that processes sensory inputs and coordinates movements.

Transverse nerves

Nerves that connect the nerve cords in flatworms, allowing for basic integration of sensory and motor functions.

Nerve net

A simple nervous system found in cnidarians where neurons are interconnected in a decentralized manner.

Nerve ring

A structure in echinoderms that connects larger radial nerves extending to the arms.

Neurons

Cells that transmit electrical signals in the nervous system.

Ganglia

Clusters of nerve cell bodies that can perform processing and integrating functions.

Cerebrum

The largest brain region responsible for higher brain functions including thought and voluntary action.

Olfactory bulbs

Brain structures involved in the sense of smell, part of the limbic system.

Hippocampus

A brain region critical for forming new memories and spatial navigation.

Corpus callosum

A bundle of neural fibers that connects the left and right cerebral hemispheres.

Short-term memory

The phase of memory where information is temporarily held for brief periods.

Dendrites

Branch-like structures of neurons that receive signals from other neurons.

Axon

Long, threadlike part of a neuron where electrical impulses are transmitted.

Synapse

The junction between two neurons where impulse transmission occurs.

Myelin sheath

Insulating layer around axons that speeds up neural signal transmission.

Neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers that transmit signals across a synapse.

Reflex arc

The neural pathway that controls a reflex action.

Sensory neurons

Nerve cells that carry sensory information from the body to the central nervous system.

Motor neurons

Nerve cells that carry signals from the central nervous system to muscles.

Interneurons

Nerve cells that process information within the central nervous system.

Action potential

A brief electrical charge that travels down an axon, signaling neurotransmitter release.

Neuroplasticity

The brain's ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life.

Sensory processing

The process by which the nervous system receives and interprets sensory stimuli from the environment.

Cognitive functions

Mental processes that include perception, memory, reasoning, and attention.

Somatic reflexes

Automatic responses to stimuli that involve somatic motor neurons.

Homeostasis

The maintenance of stable internal conditions in an organism.

Neural pathways

Bundles of interconnected neurons that transmit signals throughout the nervous system.

Astrocytes

Star-shaped glial cells in the brain and spinal cord that support neurons and maintain the blood-brain barrier.

Schwann cells

Glial cells in the peripheral nervous system that produce the myelin sheath around neuronal axons.

Dopamine

A neurotransmitter involved in motivation, reward, and motor control.

Glutamate

The most abundant excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain, crucial for synaptic plasticity and learning.

Glial cells

Supportive cells in the nervous system that provide various types of support to neurons.

Action potential propagation

The process by which an action potential travels along an axon, facilitated by the myelin sheath.

Cognitive dissonance

A psychological phenomenon occurring when there is a conflict between beliefs and behaviors.

Nervous system plasticity

The ability of the nervous system to change its structure and function in response to experience.

Brainstem

The part of the brain that connects the cerebrum to the spinal cord and controls basic life functions.

Neurotransmitter release

The process by which neurotransmitters are released from neurons into the synaptic cleft.

Somatic nervous system functions

Controls voluntary movements and processes sensory information from the external environment.

Autonomic nervous system functions

Regulates involuntary bodily processes such as heart rate, digestion, and respiratory rate.

Pituitary gland

The 'master gland' that influences other endocrine glands and regulates various bodily functions.

Cerebellar function

Involved in coordination, balance, and fine motor control.

Dorsal root ganglia

Clusters of sensory neuron cell bodies located just outside the spinal cord.

Long-term potentiation mechanisms

Involve increased synaptic strength through repeated stimulation, crucial for memory formation.

Reflex action characteristics

Involuntary and immediate responses to stimuli often involving a reflex arc.

Somatic reflex pathway

Includes sensory neurons, interneurons in the spinal cord, and motor neurons to elicit a response.