Structural and Functional Organization of the Nervous System

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to the structure and functions of the nervous system, providing definitions for important terminology.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Comprises the brain and spinal cord, responsible for processing information and controlling bodily functions.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Includes all the nerves outside the Central Nervous System; divided into somatic and autonomic systems.

Afferents

Nerve fibers that carry sensory signals to the central nervous system.

Efferents

Nerve fibers that carry motor signals away from the central nervous system to effector organs.

Effector Organs

Muscles or glands that execute or respond to nerve impulses.

Interoreceptors

Sensory receptors that monitor the internal environment of the body.

Somatic Nervous System

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

Autonomic Nervous System

Regulates involuntary body functions, consisting of sympathetic and parasympathetic systems.

Cranial Nerves

Twelve pairs of nerves that perform various sensory and motor functions, connected directly to the brain.

Neuroglial Cells

Supportive cells in the nervous system that do not transmit nerve impulses.

Blood-Brain Barrier

A selective permeability barrier that separates the circulating blood from the brain and extracellular fluid.

Mechanoreceptors

Sensory receptors that respond to mechanical pressure or distortion.

Photoreceptors

Specialized cells in the retina that convert light into electrical signals.

Olfaction

The sense of smell, involving the olfactory system.

Gustation

The sense of taste, involving the taste buds.

Quantum Bumps

Basic units of response in photoreceptor cells caused by photon absorption.

Long-Term Potentiation (LTP)

An enduring increase in synaptic strength following high-frequency stimulation of a chemical synapse.

Attention

The cognitive process of selectively concentrating on one aspect of the environment while ignoring others.