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116 Cards in this Set

  • Front
  • Back
Action Potential
A brief change in the electrical charge across the plasma membrane of a nerve or muscle cell due to the movement of ions across the membrane. The mechanism by which impulses travel down neurons
Axons
Extension of a neuron that carries impulses away from the nerve cell body
Cell Body
Region of a nerve cell that includes the nucleus and most of the cytoplasm. Region from which axons and dendrites extend
Central Nervous System (CNS)
The brain and the spinal cord
Dendrite
Branching neuron extension that serves as a receptive or input region. Dendrites conduct potentials toward the cell body
Meninges
protective connective tissue covering of the central nervous system
Myelin Sheath
Fatty insulating sheath that surrounds axons of some nerve cells
Nerve
A bundle of neurons enclosed in a connective tissue sheath
Neuron
The basic unit of communication in the nervous system. Generate and conduct action potentials
Sensory Neurons
Detect and relay information to the central nervous system
Motor Neurons
Deliver signals to effectors (muscles, glands, organs) which carry out the response.
Interneurons
In Central Nervous System. Receive, integrate process, store and retrieve information.
Neuroglia
Cells that provide physical support and protection to neurons
Schwann Cells
In Peripheral Nervous System. Wind around axons to form myelin sheath, which helps propagate action potentials
Oligodendrocytes
Form myelin sheath around neurons in the Central Nervous System
Astrocytes and Microglia
Provide physical and nutritional support to neurons in the Central Nervous System.
Neurotransmitter
Chemical released by a neuron that may stimulate of inhibit other neurons or effector cells.
Node of Ranvier
Short unmyelinated gap between adjacent Schwann Cells where the surface of a neuron is exposed.
Peripheral Nervous System
Sensory and motor neurons that extend from spinal cord and brain to rest of body
Somatic Nervous System
control voluntary and involuntary motor functions
Autonomic Nervous System
Control involuntary functions like internal organs and glands
Sympathetic Nervous System
Promote responses that prepare body for stress or physical activity
Parasympathetic Nervous System
Promote general functions of body (“Housekeeping” functions).
Reflex
An involuntary, automatic response to a stimulus
Refractory Period
Period during which a neuron cannot generate a new action potential or can generate an action potential only with a strong stimulus
Resting Potential
Normal electrical charge difference across the plasma membrane of a cell. Is usually about 70 mV
Synapse
Functional junction or point of close contact between two neurons or between a neuron and an effector cell (e.g., a muscle cell).
Adaptation
A decline of the frequency of nerve impulses even when a receptor is stimulated continuously
Cochlea
Snail-shaped chamber in inner ear that houses the organ of Corti
Cones
Color vision photoreceptors in eye. 3 types, one each for red, green and blue light. Provide visual acuity, but are less sensitive than rods, so need more intense light
Eye
Organ of sight
Choroid
Layer of tissue between sclera and retina
Ciliary Muscle
Smooth muscle that controls shape of lens
Cornea
See-through window at front of eye
Fovea
Center of focus. Contains the highest concentration of photoreceptors in eye
Iris
The colored part of the eye
Lens
Clear disk that focuses light on retina
Optic Disk
Blind spot. Where axons exit eye
Optic Nerve
Sends sensory information from retina to brain
Retina
Light sensitive part of eye. Turns light signals into signals the brain can understand
Four Layers of the Retina
Pigmented Layer
Rods and Cones
Bipolar Cells
Ganglion Cells
Pigmented Layer
captures stray light not captured by photoreceptors
Rods and Cones
photoreceptors
Bipolar Cells
Synapse with rods and cones. Pass their signal on to ganglion cells
Ganglion Cells
Nerves that transmit visual signals to brain. Exit via optic nerve
Sclera
The white of the eye. Outer layer that protects insides
Otolith
Hard crystals of bonelike material in inner ear. Contribute to sensing head position and movements
Organ of Corti
Hair cells and tectorial membrane of the inner ear. Converts pressure waves to nerve impulses.
Rhodospin
Photo pigment of rod cells
Rods
One of two types of photoreceptor in eye. Give black and white vision
Semicircular Canals
Fluid-filled bone tubes of the Vestibular apparatus of inner ear. Important for sensing rotational movements of head
Sensory Receptors
Respond to and convert stimuli to information that can be interpreted by brain. Several different types that respond to different forms of stimuli.
Chemoreceptors
respond to the presence of chemicals in the environment, like taste or smell receptors.
Mechanoreceptors
Respond to forms of mechanical energy, like sound waves, fluid pressure changes, touch, stretch, gravity
Pain Receptors
Respond to tissue damage or excessive pressure or temperature
Photoreceptors
Respond to light
Thermoreceptors
Respond to heat or cold
Vestibule
Part of inner ear that senses static position and acceleration/deceleration. Composed of utricle and saccule
Acromegaly
Results from overproduction of growth hormone in adulthood
Diabetes
Disease in which excess glucose accumulates in the blood
Dwarfism
Results from underproduction of Growth hormone during childhood
Endocrine Gland
Ductless gland that secretes one or more hormones into the bloodstream
Feedback Mechanism
Control of hormone secretion regulated by the hormone itself
Negative Feedback
An increase in hormone concentration triggers activities that inhibit further secretion.
Positive Feedback
An increase in concentration of a hormone triggers activities that stimulate further secretion.
Gigantism
Result of growth hormone overproduction in childhood
Hormone
A chemical messenger molecule secreted by an endocrine gland or cell into the bloodstream. Has effects on specific target cells.
Steroid Hormones
Derived from cholesterol. Diffuse across membrane and bind to receptors in cell nucleus to affect gene expression
Nonsteroid (peptide) Hormones
Proteins. Bind to receptors on cell surface to trigger reactions inside cell.
Hypothalamus
Region of brain that regulates body’s internal environment by releasing factors that affect the secretion of pituitary hormones
Ketoacidosis
formation of ketones from the breakdown of fats. In some diabetics. Can interfere with normal brain function
Neuroendocrine Reflex
A nervous system stimulus is responsible for the secretion of a hormone
Pituitary Gland
Pea-sized gland located just below hypothalamus. Secretes eight different hormones under control of hypothalamus.
Ion Concentrations at resting potential
Potassium (K+ )Concentration inside the neuron is higher than outside

Sodium (Na+ )Concentration inside the neuron is lower than outside
Repolarization
Once peak is reached, Na+ gates close and K+ gates open, K+ follows it’s gradient out of cell, and the membrane potential is restored in that region
Depolarization
Inside negative relative to outside, Electrical disturbance stimulates trigger zone of membrane, Gated Na+ channels open and Na+ starts to flood into cell down their concentration and electrical gradient
Acetylcholine
neuromuscular junctions
Serotonin
Governs sleeping, sensory perception, temperature regulation and emotional states – acts on brain cells
Norepinephrine
affects brain regions concerned with emotions, autonomic nervous system
Dopamine
brain regions dealing with emotions
GABA
inhibitory signal in brain
Multiple Sclerosis
A condition in which nerve fibers lose their myelin – autoimmune response to protein in myelin sheath
Somatic Nerves
Motor functions – skeletal muscle, tendons, skin
Autonomic Nerves
Visceral functions – internal organs and glands
Functions of the Spinal Cord
Expressway for signals between brain and peripheral nerves
Gray Matter
Cell bodies, dendrites, unmyelinated axons, glia
White Matter
Axons with myelin sheaths (fatty) – run in tracts along spinal cord
Meninges
Protective connective tissue over CNS
Medulla Oblongata
respiration, circulation. Integrates motor functions and some complex reflexes (coughing, vomiting, sneezing)
Cerebellum
controls motor skills and posture
Pons
controls signals between cerebellum and integrating centers. Aids in regulating respiration
Cerebrum
Integrates sensory input and some motor responses
Thalamus
Sorts sensory input and relays to cerebrum
Hypothalamus
control center for the internal environment, governs behavior related to internal organ function – e.g., thirst or hunger
Parts of the Forebrain
Hypothalamus
Thalamus
Cerebrum
MIdbrain
Coordinates reflex responses to sight and sounds – relays signals to forebrain
Cerebral Cortex
outer layer of the cerebrum
Function of the Right Side of Cerebrum
Controls nonverbal skills like music, visual interpretations
Function of the Left Side of Cerebrum
Deals with math, speech and analytical skills
Limbic System
Involved in emotions, basic behaviors (hunger, thirst, sexual desire) and short-term memory
Receptors That Adapt
Light touch, pressure, and smell
Receptors That Do Not Adapt
Pain, joint, and muscle monitoring receptors
Somatic Sensations
temperature, touch, pressure, vibration, pain, awareness of body movements and position
Five Basic Taste Qualities
Sweet, Sour, Bitter, Salty and Umami
Olfactory hairs
in mucus layer contain chemoreceptors that bind odorant molecules dissolved in mucus – send signal to brain
Examples of Steroid Hormones
Estrogens, progestins, androgens (such as testosterone), cortisol, aldosterone
Examples of Nonsteroid Hormones
Glucagon, ADH, oxytocin, TRH, insulin, somatotropin, prolactin, FSH, LH, TSH
Posterior Pituitary Gland
stores and secretes hormones that were synthesized in the hypothalamus
Anterior Pituitary Gland
produces and secretes its own hormones
Releasers
stimulate target cells in Anterior Lobe
Inhibitors
slow secretion from target cells in Anterior Lobe
Cortisol
promotes breakdown of fats, proteins for energy – helps raise blood glucose levels
Oxytocin
stimulates and enhances labor contractions
Insulin
secreted by Beta cells of pancreas. Stimulates glucose uptake
Glucagon
secreted by Alpha cells of pancreas. Raises blood level of glucose by causing liver cells to convert amino acids and glycogen to glucose
Diabetes Mellitus
Disease in which excess glucose accumulates in blood, then urine due to insulin deficiency