Anatomy & Physiology C - Science Olympiad

Flashcards covering key concepts, definitions, and phenomena related to the anatomy and physiology of the human nervous, special senses, and endocrine systems.

Neuron

A nerve cell that is the basic building block of the nervous system, responsible for transmitting information through electrical and chemical signals.

Glial Cells

Supportive cells in the nervous system that do not conduct electrical impulses, but provide support, nourishment, and protection for neurons.

Action Potential

A rapid and temporary change in the membrane potential of a neuron that occurs when it is activated, allowing for the transmission of a nerve impulse.

Cerebrum

The largest part of the brain, responsible for higher brain functions such as thought, memory, and voluntary movement.

Cerebellum

A part of the brain that helps coordinate voluntary movements, balance, and motor learning.

Spinal Cord

The main pathway for transmitting information between the brain and the rest of the body.

Electrophysiology

The study of the electrical properties of biological cells and tissues, including the generation and propagation of action potentials.

Somatic Nervous System

The part of the peripheral nervous system associated with the voluntary control of body movements via skeletal muscles.

Autonomic Nervous System

A part of the nervous system that regulates involuntary bodily functions such as heartbeat, blood flow, and digestion.

Sympathetic Nervous System

The component of the autonomic nervous system that prepares the body for stressful or emergency situations (fight or flight response).

Parasympathetic Nervous System

The component of the autonomic nervous system that conserves energy and promotes maintenance functions during rest and digestion.

Synapse

The junction between two neurons, where neurotransmitters are released to communicate signals.

Neurotransmitter

Chemical messengers that transmit signals across a synapse from one neuron to another.

Alzheimer's Disease

A progressive neurological disorder that causes memory loss, cognitive decline, and changes in behavior.

Parkinson's Disease

A neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor symptoms such as tremors, stiffness, and bradykinesia.

Auditory System

The sensory system for the sense of hearing, which includes structures in the ear that detect sound waves.

Retina

The light-sensitive layer of tissue at the back of the eye that converts light into neural signals.

Olfactory Epithelium

The specialized epithelial tissue in the nasal cavity responsible for the sense of smell.

Hypothalamus

A region of the brain that regulates many autonomic functions of the peripheral nervous system and plays a role in homeostasis.

Hormones

Chemical substances produced in the body that regulate various physiological processes, including growth, metabolism, and reproduction.

Negative Feedback

A regulatory mechanism in which a change in a variable triggers a response that counteracts the initial change.