B 3.1

nervous system (nerves) brain eye

what are neurons also known as?

nerve cells

how are neurons adapted for their job?

they are long and thin so they can carry electrical impulses

whats a synapse

a connection between nerve cells

what does a receptor do?

it detects a stimuli

what does a sensory neuron do

senses conditions that change in the body

what do relay neurons do

allow sensory and motor neurons to communicate

what do motor neurons do

responsible for sending impulses from brain/spinal chord to and effector

what is an effector

usually a muscle or gland receiving impulses from the motor neuron

what are reflexes

rapid, automatic actions which help us from getting hurt

what is the brain made of

billions of interconnected nerve cells

what does the cerebrum do

controls your consciousness, memory and hearing/vision

what does the cerebellum do

controls your balance and muscle co-ordination

what does the hypothalamus do

it regulates body temp and sends signals to the pituitary gland

what does the medula do

controls unconscious activities like breathing and heart beating

name 3 ways which scientists study the brain

study ppl with brain damage, electrically stimulate different parts of the brain, scanning the brain

why can treating the brain be so hard

many things could go wrong: tumours traumas and infections

What is the function of the cornea

protects the eye and refracts the light entering the eye

What does the lens do

Focuses light correctly on the retina

What does the iris do

alters pupil size by contracting and relaxing

What does the pupil do

allows light to enter the eye

What does the optic nerve do

Carries nerve impulses to the brain

What does the retina do

contains receptors like cones and rods

What does the cilliary muscle do

alters the shape of the lens

What does the suspensory ligament do

connects the cilliary muscle to the cells