Nervous System

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to the nervous system and neurotransmitters, providing definitions and explanations for effective study and review.

Neuron

Functional unit of the nervous system.

Sensation

The process by which sensory receptors detect changes in the environment.

Integration

To process and interpret sensory input and decide if action is needed.

Response

A reaction to a stimulus.

CNS

Central Nervous System, consisting of the brain and spinal cord.

PNS

Peripheral Nervous System, the part of the nervous system outside the CNS.

Somatic

Branch of the PNS that controls voluntary movements of skeletal muscles.

Autonomic

Branch of the PNS that controls glands and organs.

Sympathetic

Arousing, responsible for the fight or flight response.

Parasympathetic

Calming, responsible for rest and digest functions.

Constriction

The act of narrowing, such as pupil constriction with parasympathetic stimulation.

Slow down

Heart rate and breathing rate decrease with parasympathetic stimulation.

Increase

Digestion rate will rise with parasympathetic stimulation.

Dilate

Pupils will widen with sympathetic stimulation.

Speed up

Heart rate and breathing rate increase with sympathetic stimulation.

Decrease

Digestion rate will drop with sympathetic stimulation.

Fight

To confront for safety; associated with rage and bullying.

Flight

To escape for safety; associated with overeating, staying busy, and addiction.

Freeze

To become immobile for safety; associated with fear.

Flop

To surrender for safety; associated with fainting.

Fawn

To attach for safety; associated with people-pleasing and silence.

Afferent

Sensory neurons that carry incoming information to the brain and spinal cord.

Efferent

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

Interneurons

Neurons within the brain and spinal cord.

Soma

Cell body of a neuron.

Dendrites

Bushy extensions of a neuron that receive messages.

Nucleus

The control center of the cell.

Axon

Long nerve fiber that conducts impulses away from the neuron's cell body.

Myelin

A fatty substance that insulates neurons and speeds up impulse transmission.

Myelin sheath

Covers the axon of some neurons and aids in speeding neural impulses.

Schwann cell

Type of glial cell that forms myelin sheaths around neuron axons.

Axon terminal

Endpoint of a neuron where neurotransmitters are stored.

Node of Ranvier

A gap in the myelin sheath between adjacent Schwann cells.

Synapse

The gap between neurons.

Neurotransmitter

Chemical messengers that cross synaptic gaps between neurons.

Vesicle

Small sac in the axon terminal that holds neurotransmitters.

Receptor

Located on dendrites; matches neurotransmitters.

Adrenaline

A neurotransmitter associated with the fight or flight response.

Noradrenaline

A neurotransmitter associated with concentration and sympathetic response.

Dopamine

A neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and addiction.

Serotonin

A neurotransmitter linked to mood and sleep cycles.

GABA

A neurotransmitter that inhibits the firing of neurons.

Acetylcholine

A neurotransmitter involved in learning and the parasympathetic response.

Glutamate

The most common neurotransmitter, involved in memory.

Endorphins

Neurotransmitters that induce euphoria and are released during activities like sex.

Cranium

The bone structure that protects the brain.

Vertebrae

The bones that protect the spinal cord.

Meninges

Three protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord.

Dura mater

The tough outer layer of the meninges; double-layered.

Arachnoid mater

The web-like middle layer of the meninges.

Pia mater

The thin, delicate inner membrane of the meninges.

Cerebrospinal fluid

Fluid in and around the brain and spinal cord.

Blood-brain barrier

A mechanism preventing certain molecules from entering the brain.

White matter

Whitish nervous tissue of the CNS consisting of neurons and their myelin sheaths.

Gray matter

Contains cell bodies and dendrites, lacking myelin.

Broca's area

Brain region that controls language expression, located in the left frontal lobe.

Wernicke's area

Brain area involved in language comprehension and expression, located in the left temporal lobe.

Frontal lobe

Brain region responsible for reasoning, planning, speech, movement, emotions, and problem solving.

Parietal lobe

Region that receives sensory input for touch and body position.

Temporal lobe

Region responsible for hearing.

Occipital lobe

Region that processes visual information.

Motor cortex

Area of the frontal lobe that controls voluntary movements.

Sensory cortex

Area of the parietal lobe that registers and processes body touch and movement sensations.

Cerebellum

Brain region responsible for balance and coordination.

Pons

Part of the brain that regulates sleep and arousal.

Medulla oblongata

Part of the brainstem controlling vital functions such as heartbeat and breathing.

Midbrain

Part of the brain that integrates sensory information and relays it upward.

Stimulant

A drug that increases the action of the CNS and other organs.

Depressant

A drug that slows the central nervous system.

Hallucinogen

A drug that distorts perception, thought, and mood.

Narcotic

A drug that relieves pain and induces sleep.

Opioid

Any drug derived from opium, including morphine and heroin.

Marijuana

A drug that fits into multiple classifications.

Reward pathway

Pathway in the limbic system associated with feelings of reward and pleasure.