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Parasympathetic Nervous System- one of the three divisions of the autonomic nervous system; generally enhances the body activities that gain and conserve energy; such as digestion and reduced heartrate.
Sympathetic Nervous System- one of the three divisions of the autonomic nervous system of vertebrates; generally increases energy expenditure and prepares the body for action.
Autonomic Nervous System- an efferent branch of the vertebrate peripheral nervous system that regulated the internal environment; consists of sympathetic and parasympathetic, and enteric divisions.
Central Nervous System- consists of the brain and spinal cord. Peripheral Nervous System- the sensory and motor neurons that connect to the CNS.
Dendrite- one of usually mumerous, short, highly branched extensions of a neuron that convey nerve impulses toward the cell body. Cell Body- the part of a neuron that houses the nucleus and other organelles.
Ganglia- a cluster (functional group) of nerve cell bodies in a centralized nervous system. Neuron- a nerve cell: the fundamental unit of the nervous system, having structure and properties that allow it to conduct signals by taking advantage of the electrical charge across its plasma membrane.
Action Potential-a rapid change in membrane potential of an excitable cell, caused by stimulus-triggered, selective opening and closing of the voltage-sensitive gates in sodium and potassium ion channels.
Synapse- the junction where one neuron communicates with another neuron in a neural pathway; a narrow gap between a synaptic terminal of an axon and a signal-recieving portion (dendrite or cell body) of another neuron or effector cell. Neurotransmitter molecules released by synaptic terminals diffuse across the synapse, relaying messages to the dendrite or effector.
Motor Neuron- a nerve cell that interacts with the cytoskeletal elements and other components, producing movement of the whole cell or parts of the cell. Resting Potential- the membrane potential characteristic of a non conducting excitable cell, within the inside of the cell more negatice than the outside.
Axon- a typically long extension, or process, of a neuron that carries nerve impulses away from the cell body toward target cells. Sensory Neuron- a nerve cell that recieves information from the internal and external environments and transmits the signals to the CNS.
Neurotransmitter- a molecule that is released from the synaptic terminal of a neuron at a chemical synapse, diffuses across the synaptic cleft, and binds to the photosynaptic cell, triggering a response.
Acetylcholine- one of the most common neurotransmitters; functions by binding to receptors and altering the permeability of the postsynaptic membrane to specific ions either depolarizing or hyperpolarizing the membrane.
Nervous System Terms To Know
Stimulus- in homeostasis, fluctuations in a variable that triggers a return to a set point. Response- in homeostasis, a physiological activity that helps return a variable to a set point.
BACK TO NERVOUS SYSTEM HOMEPAGE
Reflex- an automatic reaction to a stimulus, mediated by the spinal cord or lower brain.. Brain- organ of the central nervous system where information is processed and integrated.
Medulla Oblongata- the lowest part of the vertebrate brain, commonly called the medulla; a swelling of the hindbrain dorsal to the anterior spinal cord that controls autonomic, homeostatic functions, including breathing, heart and blood vessel activity, swallowing, digestion and vomiting.
Cerebellum- part of the vertebrate hindbrain located dorsally; functions in unconcious coordination of movement and balance.
Cerebrum- the dorsal portion of the vertebrate forebrain, composed of right and left hemispheres; the integrated center for memory, learnring, emotions, and other highly complex functions of the central nervous system.
