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41 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
Neurons |
A nerve cell; the basic building block of the nervous system. |
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Dendrite |
The branching extensions of a neuron that revive information and conduct impulses toward the cell body |
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Soma |
The cell bod of a neuron which contains the nucleus and other parts that keep the cell healthy |
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axon |
the extension of a neuron through which neural impulses are sent |
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axon terminal |
the endpoint of a neuron where neurotransmitters are stored |
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motor neuron |
a nerve cell that carries messages to muscles and glands |
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"fire" |
send an impulse down their length, action potential |
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myelin sheath |
Longer axons are cover by myelin sheath that ctioaprotects the axon and speeds up the transmission of information. |
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Action Potential |
A neural impulse; a brief electrical charge that travels down the axon of a neuron |
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refractory period |
the recharging phase during which a neuron, after firing, cannot generate another action potential |
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resting potential |
the state of a neuron when it is at rest and capable of generating an action potential |
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all or none principle |
the principle stating that if a neuron fires it always fires at the same intensity; all action potentials have the same strength |
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Synapse |
the tiny, fluid-filled gap between the axon terminal of one neuron and the dendrite of another |
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Neurotransmitter |
a chemical messenger that travels across the synapse from one neuron to the next and influences whether a neuron will generate an action potential. |
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excitatory effect |
a neurotransmitter effect that makes it more likely that the receiving neuron will generate an action potential or "fire" |
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inhibitory effect |
a neurotransmitter effect that makes it less likely that a receiving neuron will generate an action potential or "fire" |
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receptor cells |
specialized cells in every sensory system of the body that can turn other kinds of energy into action potentials |
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sensory nerves |
nerves that carry information from the sense receptors to the spinal cord and brain. |
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internerurons |
nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord responsible for processing information |
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acetylcholine |
a neurotransmitter that triggers muscle contraction and affects learning and memory |
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antagonist |
a drug that blocks the effect of a neurotransmitter |
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agonist |
a drug that boost the effect of a neurotransmitter |
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dopamine |
a neurotransmitter that affects learning, attention, and emotion. |
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serotonin |
a neurotransmitter that affects hunter, sleep, arousal, and mood. |
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motor nerves |
nerves that carry information away from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles and glands |
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central nervous system |
the brain and spinal cord |
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peripheral nervous system |
the sensory and motor nerves that connect the brain and the spinal cord to the rest of the body |
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somatic nervous system |
the division of the peripheral nervous system that controls the body's skeletal muscles |
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autonomic nervous system |
the division of the peripheral nervous system that controls the glands and muscles of the internal organs. It's subdivisions are the sympathetic division and the parasympathetic division |
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sympathetic (arousing) division |
the part of the autonomic nervous system that arouses the body to deal with perceived threats |
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parasympathetic (calming) division |
the part of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body |
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endocrine system |
one of the body's two communication systems; a set of glands that produce hormones. |
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hormone |
a chemical messenger produced by the endocrine system that circulates in the blood |
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pituitary gland |
the endocrine system's "master gland" that, in conjunction with the brain, controls the other endocrine glands. |
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thyroid gland |
located in the neck, helps regulate energy levels |
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adrenal glands |
atop the kidneys, release epinephrine and norepinephrine (also called adrenaline and noradrenaline) |
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adrenaline/epinephrine |
enhance strength and endurance in emergencies |
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ovaries |
female sex gland that releases hormones that influence emotion and physical development |
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estrogen |
primary female hormone |
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testies |
male sex gland that releases hormones that influence emotion and physical development |
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testosterone |
primary male hormone |