1.2 & 1.3 - Unit 1 Biological Bases of Behavior

Nervous System

the body’s electrochemical communication network, consisting of all the nerve cells of the peripheral and central nervous systems

Central Nervous System

the brain and spinal cord

Peripheral Nervous System

sensory and 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, and sensory organs

Sensory (Afferent) Neurons

neurons that carry incoming information from the body’s tissues and sensory receptors to the brain and spinal cord

Motor (Efferent) 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 process information between sensory inputs and motor outputs

Somatic Nervous System

enables voluntary control of the skeletal muscles

Autonomic Nervous System

controls our glands and organs

Sympathetic Nervous System

mobilizes energy, “flight or fight” response, arouses and expends energy

Parasympathetic Nervous System

conserves energy as it calms the body

Homeostasis

the state maintained by the two parts of the autonomic nervous system working together

Neural Networks

formed by the brain’s individual neurons working together

Spinal Cord

the second part of the central nervous system that connects the peripheral nervous system and the brain

Reflexes

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

Reflex Arc

a single sensory neuron and single motor neuron that communicates through a spinal cord interneuron

Pain Reflex

another neural circuit that enables a quick response to pain

Neurons

nerve cells, the basic building block of the nervous system

Cell Body

the part of a neuron that contains the nucleus

Dendrites

branching extensions that receive and integrate messages, conducting impulses toward the cell body

Axon

the segmented neuron extension that passes messages through its branches to other neurons or to muscles or glands

Myelin Sheath

fatty tissue layer segmentally encasing the axons of some neurons, enabling greater transmission speed

Glial Cells

cells in the nervous system that support, nourish, and protect neurons, possibly playing a role in learning, thinking, and memory

Action Potential

a neural impulse, a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon

Nucleus

a structure that contains the cell's genetic material and controls the production of proteins, cell growth, and differentiation

Axon Terminal

sends information to dendrites of other neurons