Principles of Human Physiology - The Nervous System: Autonomic and Motor Systems

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts related to the nervous system as outlined in the lecture notes.

Somatic Nervous System

The part of the peripheral nervous system associated with the voluntary control of body movements via skeletal muscles.

Neuromuscular Junction

The synapse or junction where the motor neuron meets the skeletal muscle fiber.

Acetylcholine (ACh)

A neurotransmitter used by somatic motor neurons to communicate with skeletal muscles.

Nicotinic Cholinergic Receptors

Receptors that bind acetylcholine and are found on the motor end plate of muscle cells.

End-Plate Potential (EPP)

A graded potential that occurs at the motor end plate when ACh binds to its receptors, leading to depolarization.

Autonomic Nervous System

The part of the nervous system that controls involuntary bodily functions, including both the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems.

Sympathetic Nervous System

A division of the autonomic nervous system that generally stimulates the body's fight or flight response.

Parasympathetic Nervous System

A division of the autonomic nervous system that promotes rest-and-digest functions.

Motor Neurons

Neurons that originate in the spinal cord and innervate skeletal muscle.

Acetylcholinesterase (AChase)

An enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine in the synaptic cleft.