nerve reflexes key terms

• central nervous system

  • the brain and spinal cord together
  • coordinates the response of effectors
• reflex action

  • a fast, automatic reaction
  • does not involve thinking parts of the brain
• coordination centre

  • receives and processes information from receptors (e.g. cns, pancreas)
• synapse

  • the gap between two neurons
  • allows many different neurons to connect
• myelin sheath

  • some neurons are surrounded by myelin
  • myelin insulates the neuron and speed up the transmission of electrical impulses