Tiny topics I find hard in Science

• What two organ systems do humans rely on for communication?

  Nervous system and endocrine system
• What is the main function of the nervous system?

  To coordinate behavior and respond to surroundings
• What are the key components to know about the nervous system?

  • Structure of a nerve cell
  • Structure of the nervous system
  • How a reflex arc works
• What is another name for a nerve cell?

  Neuron
• How are neurons adapted to carry electrical impulses?

  They are long, thin, and have branch connections
• What is the role of a synapse in neuron communication?

  It connects two nerve cells for impulse transfer
• What happens when an electrical impulse reaches the end of a nerve cell?

  Chemicals are released to trigger another impulse
• How many neurons are estimated to be in the human nervous system?

  100 billion
• What makes up the central nervous system (CNS)?

  The brain and spinal cord
• What is the function of sensory neurons?

  To carry information to the CNS from receptors
• What type of information do sensory neurons carry?

  Information about changes in the body
• What do motor neurons do in the nervous system?

  They send impulses to effectors like muscles
• What are effectors in the nervous system?

  Muscles or glands that respond to impulses
• What is a reflex arc?

  • Nerve pathway for unconscious reflexes
  • Example: moving hand from a hot surface
  • Rapid and automatic response
• What is the benefit of reflexes?

  They allow rapid and automatic responses
• What is the first step when touching a sharp object?

  Receptor cells detect the stimulus
• What happens to the impulse in the spinal cord during a reflex action?

  It transfers to a relay neuron
• What does the relay neuron do in a reflex arc?

  It passes the impulse to a motor neuron
• What is the role of synapses in a reflex arc?

  They convert electrical signals to chemical signals
• What is the final action in a reflex arc?

  The effector contracts and moves the hand
• What is the overall function of the nervous system?

  • Detect changes inside and outside the body
  • Sort through sensory information
  • Respond to stimuli effectively