Untitled Flashcards Set

Neuron

A nerve cell composed of a cell body, an axon, and dendrites, which conducts nerve impulses.

Axon

A part of a neuron that conducts nerve impulses away from the cell body.

Dendrites

Branch-like structures of a neuron that receive signals from other neurons.

Myelin Sheath

A fatty layer that covers axons and helps speed up nerve impulses.

Nodes of Ranvier

Small gaps in the myelin sheath where action potentials are generated.

Sensory Neurons

Neurons that transmit nerve impulses to the central nervous system (CNS).

Interneurons

Neurons that carry nerve impulses between neurons within the CNS.

Motor Neurons

Neurons that carry nerve impulses away from the CNS to effectors.

Nerve Impulse

An action potential that propagates a signal along an axon.

Sodium-Potassium Pump

A mechanism that transports sodium ions out of and potassium ions into a neuron.

Synapse

The junction between an axon terminal and another neuron or muscle cell.

Neurotransmitter

Chemicals that transmit signals across synapses; can be excitatory or inhibitory.

Cerebrum

The part of the brain responsible for sensation, reasoning, learning, memory, and language.

Cerebellum

Part of the brain that coordinates voluntary muscle movements.

Limbic System

A system in the brain involved in emotions, memory, and learning.

Hypothalamus

A brain region that helps control homeostasis and links the nervous and endocrine systems.

Pituitary Gland

An endocrine gland that releases hormones to regulate other endocrine glands.

Thyroid Gland

An endocrine gland that regulates metabolism and calcium homeostasis.

Adrenal Glands

Glands that secrete hormones related to stress response and metabolism.

Pancreas

An organ with both exocrine and endocrine functions, involved in glucose homeostasis.

Diabetes Mellitus

A disease caused by a failure of glucose homeostasis.