Principles of Human Physiology: The Nervous System

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to the nervous system, specifically the somatic and autonomic systems as outlined in the provided lecture notes.

Somatic Nervous System

The part of the nervous system responsible for voluntary control of body movements via skeletal muscles.

Neuromuscular Junction

The synapse or junction between a motor neuron and a skeletal muscle cell.

Acetylcholine (ACh)

A neurotransmitter that transmits signals across the neuromuscular junction.

Nicotinic Cholinergic Receptors

Receptors that respond to the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, found at neuromuscular junctions.

Excitatory Postsynaptic Potential (EPSP)

A postsynaptic potential that makes the neuron more likely to fire an action potential.

End-Plate Potential (EPP)

A localized depolarization of the motor end plate in response to acetylcholine.

Motor Neuron

A neuron that transmits impulses from the central nervous system to a muscle.

Cholinesterase

An enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine in the synaptic cleft to terminate the signal.

Monovalent Cation Channels

Channels that selectively allow sodium (Na+) and potassium (K+) ions to flow through, influencing depolarization.

Autonomic Nervous System

The part of the nervous system that controls involuntary actions and regulates bodily functions.