The Nervous System, Synapses & Reflexes Lesson | GCSE Biology AQA Higher Triple | Cognito

What passes along nerve cells?

Electrical impulses.

What is the primary function of synapses?

To transmit signals between nerve cells.

What are the major components of the nervous system?

Brain, spinal cord, and nerves.

What connects nerve cells at the synapse?

Neurotransmitters.

What is a reflex arc?

A neural pathway that controls a reflex action.

What happens at a synapse?

Electrical impulses are converted to chemical signals.

What is the role of the spinal cord in reflex actions?

It acts as a pathway for signals to travel between the brain and the body.

What type of nerve cells carry signals from sensory receptors?

Sensory neurons.

What is the role of motor neurons?

To send signals from the CNS to muscles or glands.

How do reflex actions protect the body?

They provide a quick response to harmful stimuli.

What is the main role of the nervous system?

To coordinate body functions and respond to stimuli.

What are the two primary divisions of the nervous system?

Central Nervous System (CNS) and Peripheral Nervous System (PNS).

What is the function of neurotransmitters?

To transmit signals across synapses.

How does a reflex arc react to a stimulus?

It allows for an immediate response without involving the brain.

What type of impulse do motor neurons carry?

Efferent impulses.

What type of impulse do sensory neurons carry?

Afferent impulses.

What are dendrites?

Extensions of a neuron that receive signals from other cells.

What is the axon?

The part of the neuron that carries impulses away from the cell body.

What role does the myelin sheath play in nerve cells?

It insulates the axon and improves the speed of impulse transmission.

How do synaptic transmission and reflex actions differ?

Synaptic transmission involves chemical signaling, while reflex actions involve direct neural pathways.

What are the effects of neurotransmitters on target cells?

They can either excite or inhibit the target cell's activity.

What happens when an electrical impulse reaches a synapse?

It stimulates the release of neurotransmitters.

What is the purpose of the nervous system?

To detect changes in the environment and respond accordingly.

What is the flow of information in a reflex arc?

Stimulus → Sensory neuron → CNS → Motor neuron → Response.

What is meant by 'electrical impulses' in the context of the nervous system?

Signals that travel along neurons to convey information.

What types of receptors can be found in the nervous system?

Thermal, chemical, mechanical, and photoreceptors.