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Nervous System

The body system composed of neurons and glial cells responsible for transmitting messages and processing information.

Glial Cells

Cells that support, nourish, and protect neurons, and assist in neural transmission.

Dendrites

root like Structures attached to the cell body of a neuron that receive incoming messages from other neurons.

Axon

The long part of a neuron that transmits impulses to other neurons through axon terminals.

Myelin

A fatty substance that insulates axons and facilitates the transmission of neural impulses.

Neurons

Specialized cells that conduct impulses and transmit messages in the nervous system.

Afferent Neurons

Neurons that carry messages from sensory receptors to the brain and spinal cord.

Efferent Neurons

Neurons that transmit messages from the brain and spinal cord to muscles and glands.

Neural Impulse

The electrochemical discharge of a neuron that allows for communication between nerve cells.

Polarize

The process of creating an internal negative charge in a neuron to prepare it for firing.

Resting Potential

The electrical potential of a neuron when it is not actively transmitting messages.

Depolarized

The reduction of a neuron's resting potential toward zero, preparing it to fire.

Action Potential

The electrical impulse that travels along an axon during neural communication.

Synapse

The junction between the axon terminals of one neuron and the dendrites of another neuron.

Reflexes

Inborn behavior patterns that help individuals adapt to their environment.

Spinal Cord

A column of nerves that transmits messages between the brain and the rest of the body.

Gray Matter

Neural segments involved in spinal reflexes, primarily composed of neuron cell bodies.

White Matter

Bundles of axons that carry messages to and from the brain.

Neurotransmitters

Chemical substances that transmit neural impulses between neurons.

Receptor Site

A location on a dendrite designed to receive specific neurotransmitters.

Acetylcholine (ACh)

A neurotransmitter that controls muscle contraction.

Hippocampus

A brain structure involved in memory formation.

Dopamine

A neurotransmitter associated with pleasure, movement, and learning; linked to Parkinson’s disease and schizophrenia.

Norepinephrine

A neurotransmitter involved in arousal and mood regulation, potentially linked to depression.

Serotonin

A neurotransmitter that affects emotional arousal and sleep; deficiencies are linked to various disorders.

Gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA)

An inhibitory neurotransmitter that helps reduce anxiety.

Endorphins

Inhibitory neurotransmitters that occur naturally in the brain and in the bloodstream and are similar to the narcotic morphine in their functions and effects.

All-or-none Principle

The fact that a neuron fires an impulse of the same strength whenever its action potential is triggered.

Refractory Period

The phase after a neuron fires when it is less responsive to stimuli.

Central Nervous System

The part of the nervous system that includes the brain and spinal cord. It is also the body's centraI processing unit

Medulla

A hindbrain structure that regulates vital functions like heartbeat and respiration.

Pons

A hindbrain structure involved in sleep, arousal, and respiration.

Cerebellum

A hindbrain part responsible for muscle coordination and balance.

Thalamus

A brain area that relays sensory information to the cortex.

Hypothalamus

A brain structure involved in regulating body temperature, motivation, and emotion.

Limbic System

A group of brain structures involved in memory and emotion.

Cerebrum

The large mass of the forebrain, consisting of two hemispheres.

Cerebral Cortex

The outer layer of the cerebrum, involved in higher brain functions.

Somatosensory Cortex

The area of the cortex that processes sensory information from the body.

Motor Cortex

The section of cortex that lies in the frontal lobe, just across the central fissure from the sensory cortex; neural impulses in the motor cortex are linked to muscular responses throughout the body

Aphasia

A language disorder affecting comprehension or production of speech.

Wernicke’s Aphasia

A type of aphasia characterized by difficulty comprehending the meaning of spoken language

Broca’s Aphasia

A type of aphasia characterized by slow and laborious speech

Left Brain

The hemisphere associated with logical and analytical thinking.

Right Brain

The hemisphere associated with creativity and emotional processing.

Somatic Nervous System

The part of the peripheral nervous system that connects the CNS to voluntary muscles.

Autonomic Nervous System

The part of the peripheral nervous system that regulates involuntary bodily functions.

Sympathetic Division

The part of the ANS that prepares the body for stress-related activities.

Parasympathetic Division

The part of the ANS that conserves energy and restores the body to a calm state.

Reticular Formation

A part of the brain involved in attention, sleep, and arousal.