Myers' AP Psychology Module 10

Nervous System

the body's speedy, electrochemical communication network, consisting of all the nerve cells of the peripheral & central nervous systems

Central Nervous System

the brain & spinal cord

Peripheral Nervous System

the sensory & motor neurons that connect the central nervous system to the rest of the body

Nerves

bundled axons that form neural "cables" connecting the central nervous system with muscles, glands, & sense organs

Sensory Neurons

neurons that carry incoming information from the sensory receptors to the brain & spinal cord

Motor Neurons

neurons that carry outgoing information from the brain & spinal cord to the muscles & glands

Interneurons

neurons within the brain & spinal cord that communicate internally & intervene between the sensory & motor outputs

Somatic Nervous System

the division of the peripheral nervous system that controls the body's skeletal muscles

Autonomic Nervous System

the part of the peripheral nervous system that controls the glands & muscles of internal organs

Sympathetic Nervous System

division of autonomic nervous system that arouses the body

Parasympathetic Nervous System

division of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body

Reflex

a simple, automatic response to a sensory stimulus, such as a knee-jerk response

Endocrine System

the body's "slow" chemical communication system; a set of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream

Hormones

chemical messengers that are manufactured by the endocrine glands travel through the bloodstream & affect other tissues

Adrenal Glands

a pair of endocrine glands that sit just above the kidneys & secrete hormones that help arouse the body in times of stress

Pituitary Glands

the endocrine system's most influential gland. under the influence of the hypothalamus, the pituitary regulates growth & controls other endocrine glands