Coordination and the Nervous System

Vocabulary flashcards covering biological coordination, types of stimuli, nervous system components, neuron anatomy, and nerve impulse transmission based on the lecture notes.

Coordination

The working together of various organs in an organism in a systematic manner so as to produce a proper reaction to stimuli and prevent unnecessary actions.

Stimulus

A change in the internal or external environment to which an organism responds or reacts.

External Stimulus

A stimulus caused by changes in environmental factors outside the organism, such as light.

Internal Stimulus

A stimulus occurring within an organism due to internal chemical factors such as hormones, acids, or enzymes.

Nervous System

A system composed of specialized cells called neurons that enables control by sending electrical signals, providing speedy and flexible control.

Neuron

The structural and functional unit of the nervous system specialized to receive, conduct, and transmit nerve impulses and information from one part of the body to another.

Gustatory Receptors

Specialized sensory receptor cells that detect taste.

Cell Body (Cyton / Soma)

The central part of a neuron containing neuroplasm, a large spherical nucleus, organelles, and Nissl's granules; it receives nerve impulses from dendrites and transmits them to the axon.

Neuroplasm

The abundant cytoplasm contained within the cell body (cyton or soma) of a neuron.

Nissl's Granules

Specialized granules located in the neuroplasm of the neuron's cell body that perform protein synthesis.

Dendrites

Several short, tapering, branched protoplasmic processes extending from the cell body where information or sensations are acquired.

Axon

A single, long, cylindrical protoplasmic process of uniform diameter arising from the cell body that conducts nerve impulses away from the cell body to its terminal branched end.

Synapse

The microscopic gap between the branched terminal end of an axon and the dendrite of the next neuron across which chemicals cross to trigger an electrical impulse.

Myelin Sheath

A fatty layer surrounding the axon of certain neurons that acts as an insulating layer and speeds up the transmission of nerve impulses.