Central Nervous System

cerebrum

largest part of the brain

has both left and right hemispheres

divided into 4 lobes

functions in learning, speech, emotion, reasoning, vision, hearing, and fine movements

cerebellum

under the cerebrum

maintains posture and balance

coordinates timing and patterns for smooth and agile subconscious movements

brainstem

base of the cerebrum and anterior to the cerebellum

includes the medulla oblongata, midbrain, and pons

relays info between rest of the brain and spinal cord

coordinates automatic functions like respiration, circulation, body temperature, sleep, digestion, and swallowing

ventricles

hollow, fluid filled cavity in the brain that contains the choroid plexus

spinal chord

connects the brain and peripheral nervous system

parietal lobe

helps integrate sensory input and processes langauge

superior to temporal lobe

frontal lobe

needed for memory, motiavtion, and problem solving

temporal lobe

essential to language and speech

behind the ears

occipatal lobe

visual processing center

limbic system

emotional center of the brain controls things like moods and instincts

cerebrospinal fluid

fluid that protects the brain

unipolar

1 process dividing from teh cell body like a T

bipolar

2 processes (1 axon and 1 dendrite)

multipolar

more than 3 processes, 1 axon and 2 or more dendrites

soma

the cell body that contains the nucleus and organelles

dendrite

the main receptor of signals, input region

axon

generates and transmits nerve impulses, the conducting region, also known as nerve fiber

axon terminal

the ends of teh axon that release neurotransmitters at a synapse when a nerve impulse is recieved, the secretory region

function of nervous system

control center (oversees communication among organ systems)

sensory input

recieves stimuli via sensory receptors

integration

processes the input stimuli, decides what to do

motor output

activates the effector organs to cause a response

neurons

excitable cells that respond to stimuli by conducting impulses to transmit signals

neuroglia (glial cells)

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

processes

extensions from the cell body

ganglion

collection of nerve cell bodies located in teh body (just not in brain or spinal cord)

nerves

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

myelin sheath

covers long axons to protect and electrically insulate them to increase the speed of nerve impulses

nodes of ranvier

unmyelinated gaps in the myelin sheath that aid in increasing the velocity of nerve signal conduciton

sensory neurons (afferent neurons)

transmit info from sensory receptors to CNS

motor neurons (efferent neurons)

transport info from cns to the rest of the body

interneurons (association neurons)

housed in the cns and transport info between the sensory and motor neurons

central nervous system

brain and spinal cord

integration and control center

cerebral cortex

surface of cerebrum which has folds to increase surface area

choroid plexus

produces cerebrospinal fluld

meninges

tissue that protects the brain