Control And Coordination

Sensory Input

Receives stimuli via millions of sensory receptors throughout the body

Integration

Processes input stimuli and does decision-making

Motor Output

Activates effector organs to cause a response

Neuron Tissue

Densely packed with neurons and neuroglials

Neuroglial

Supportive cells that provide nutrition, insulation and help with signal transmission

Soma (Cell body)

Life support that contains the nucleus and most organelles

Ganglion

Collections of nerves in cell bodies located in the body with the exception of the spinal cord and brain

Processes

Extensions from the cell body

Dendrite

Main receptor of signals (Input region)

Axons

Generates/transmits nerve impulses (The conducting region)

Nerves

Bundles of axons that extend from the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body

Axon Terminals

The end of the axon, releases neurotransmitters at a synapse when a nerve impulse is received

Myelin Sheath

Covers long axons (Nerve fibers) to protect and electrically insulate them to increase the speed of nerve impulse transmission

Multipolar

More than 3 cell processes

Bipolar

2 processes, one axon and one dendrite on opposite ends of the cell (Rare)

Unipolar

1 Cell process, divides like a T

Sensory Neurons

Transmits info from sensory receptors (Unipolar)

Motor Neuron

Transports info from CNS to most of the body

Interneurons

Housed in the CNS and transports info between sensory and motor neurons

CNS

Protected by the skull and surrounded by tissues and cerbospinal fluids that cushion the brain from injury

Cerebrum

Largest part of the brain, divided into 4 lobes

Brainstem

Base of the cerebrum, relays info for the brain + spinal cord

Thalamus

Main relay station for sensory/motor information

Spinal Cord

Carries nerve signals between the brain and the body

Pituitary Gland

Keeps internal body stable and processes growth, metabolism, and blood pressure

Pineal Gland

Controls the body’s sleep/wake cycles

Autonomic Nervous System

Controls involuntary movement unconsciously

• Heart rate, breathing, digestion

Somatic Nervous System

Controls voluntary movement, processes sensory information

• Touch, pain temperature

Reflex Arc

Neural pathway

• Receptor

• Sensory neuron

• Integration center (processes it)

• Motor neuron (transmits response)

• Effector

Protein Channel

Crucial for nerve impulses, controls rapid ion flow through neuron membranes and creating electrical signals

Excitatory Neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers that increase the likelihood of a receiving neuron

Inhibitory Neutrotransmitter

Decreases a neuron’s likelihood of firing, calming neural activity

How protein channels can be gated

• Voltage

• Chemical messengers

• Physical stretching

General senses

Basic awareness

Special senses

Complex receptors in the eye for seeing and hearing

Cornea

Eye’s front-domed surface, acts like a window that lets light in

Retina

Light sensitive tissue lining the back of the eye

the general process that all sensory organs structures use to sense