Psych - Unit 1: The Nervous System

central nervous system

the nervous system that compromises the brain and spinal cord

peripheral nervous system

the nervous system that compromises all other nerves besides brain and spinal cord

neurons

nerve cells that make up brain and nervous system, form a network that extends to spinal cord

vertebrae

protective bones that encase the spinal cord

nerves

neurons are bundled into ____

sensory neurons (afferent)

nerves sending information to the brain

motor neurons (efferent)

nerves conveying information from the brain

reflexes

quick and involuntary responses to environmental stimuli

reflex arc

the path of a ____ goes from sensory to motor

interneurons

communicate between motor and sensory neurons in the spinal cord to create reflex arc

somatic nervous system

responsible for voluntary movement of large skeletal muscles

automatic nervous system

controls non-skeletal/smooth muscles (ex. heart), usually involuntary control

sympathetic nervous system

associated with processes that burn energy, “fight or flight“

parasympathetic nervous system

complementary system responsible for conserving energy