Looks like no one added any tags here yet for you.
Central Nervous System
Brain and spinal cord; interacts with all processes in the body.
Peripheral Nervous System
Relays messages from the central nervous system to the rest of the body and includes the autonomic and somatic nervous systems.
Autonomic Nervous System
Governs processes that are involuntary and includes the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems.
Sympathetic Nervous System
The division of the autonomic nervous system that arouses the body, mobilizing its energy in stressful situations.
Parasympathetic Nervous System
The division of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body, conserving its energy.
Somatic Nervous System
The division of the peripheral nervous system that controls the body's skeletal muscles; governs processes that are voluntary.
Neurons
Neural cells that transmit information.
Glial Cells
Cells in the nervous system that support, nourish, and protect neurons.
Reflex Arc
In the spinal cord; demonstrates how neurons within the central and peripheral nervous systems work together to respond to stimuli.
Sensory Neurons
Neurons that carry incoming information from the sensory receptors to the brain and spinal cord.
Motor Neurons
Neurons that carry outgoing information from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles and glands.
Interneurons
Neurons within the brain and spinal cord that communicate internally and intervene between the sensory inputs and motor outputs.
Neural Transmission
Electrochemical communication within and between neurons and the final destination.
Action Potential
A neural impulse; a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon.
All-or-Nothing Principle
Once action potential reaches the threshold, it either fires or doesn't.
Depolarization
Change in charge when neuron fires positive ions through the cell membrane.
Refractory Period
The time following an action potential during which a new action potential cannot be initiated.
Reuptake
A neurotransmitter's reabsorption by the sending neuron.
Neural Threshold
The minimum level of stimulation required to get a neuron to fire.
Multiple Sclerosis
A chronic disease of the central nervous system marked by damage to the myelin sheath.
Myasthenia Gravis
A chronic autoimmune disease that affects the neuromuscular junction and produces serious weakness of voluntary muscles.
Excitatory Neurotransmitters
Chemicals released from the terminal buttons of a neuron that provoke the next neuron into firing.
Inhibitory Neurotransmitters
Chemicals released from the terminal buttons of a neuron that prevent the next neuron from firing.
Dopamine
A neurotransmitter associated with movement, attention, learning, and the brain's pleasure and reward system.
Serotonin
Affects mood, hunger, sleep, and arousal. Undersupply linked to depression.
Norepinephrine
A neurotransmitter involved in arousal, as well as in learning and mood regulation.
Glutamate
A major excitatory neurotransmitter involved in memory.
GABA
A major inhibitory neurotransmitter that regulates sleep and wake cycles.
Endorphins
Natural, opiate-like neurotransmitters linked to pain control and pleasure.
Substance P
A neurotransmitter involved in the transmission of pain messages to the brain.
Acetylcholine
Enables muscle action, learning, and memory.
Hormones
Chemical messengers that are manufactured by the endocrine glands, travel through the bloodstream, and affect other tissues.
Adrenaline
A hormone secreted by the adrenal glands, increasing blood circulation, breathing, and preparing muscles for exertion.
Leptin
A hormone produced by fat cells that acts as a satiety factor in regulating appetite.
Ghrelin
A hunger-arousing hormone secreted by an empty stomach.
Melatonin
A hormone produced by the pineal gland that regulates sleep.
Oxytocin
A hormone released by the posterior pituitary that stimulates uterine contractions and milk ejection during breastfeeding.
Psychoactive Drugs
Chemicals that affect the nervous system and result in altered consciousness.
Agonist
A molecule that binds to a receptor and stimulates a response.
Antagonists
Drugs that block the actions of neurotransmitters.
Reuptake Inhibitors
Drugs that interfere with neurotransmitter reabsorption, leaving more in the synapse.
Stimulants
Drugs that excite neural activity and speed up body functions (e.g., caffeine, nicotine).
Caffeine
A mild stimulant found in coffee and tea.
Cocaine
A powerful stimulant that increases alertness and euphoria.
Depressants
Drugs that reduce neural activity and slow body functions.
Alcohol
A common depressant.
Hallucinogens
Drugs that distort perceptions and evoke sensory images without sensory input.
Marijuana
A drug whose effects include euphoria, impairment of judgment and concentration, and sometimes hallucinations.
Opioids
Synthetic opiates prescribed for pain relief.
Heroin
A highly addictive narcotic derived from opium.
Tolerance
The diminishing effect of a drug with regular use, requiring higher doses
Addiction
Compulsive drug craving and use despite negative consequences.
Withdrawal
The discomfort and distress that follow discontinuing an addictive drug.