Nervous System and Reflex Arc #58

• What organ systems do humans rely on for communication between body parts?

  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 topics 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?

  It causes the release of chemicals across the synapse
• What is the function of sensory neurons?

  To carry information from receptors to the CNS
• What does CNS stand for?

  Central Nervous System
• How does the CNS respond to sensory information?

  It sends impulses back via motor neurons
• What are effectors in the nervous system?

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

  • Nerve pathway for unconscious reflexes
  • Involves sensory neurons, relay neurons, and motor neurons
  • Enables rapid and automatic responses
• Why are reflexes beneficial?

  They allow rapid and automatic responses
• What is the first step when touching a hot 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 type of neuron carries impulses back to the body?

  Motor neuron
• What is the role of synapses in a reflex arc?

  They convert electrical signals to chemical signals
• What is the stimulus when touching a sharp object?

  Pressure from the sharp object
• What does the relay neuron do in a reflex arc?

  It passes the impulse to a motor neuron
• What muscle contracts to move your hand away from a pin?

  Bicep
• How does the nervous system respond to changes inside and outside the body?

  It detects, sorts, and responds to information
• How does the structure of a neuron facilitate its function?

  Long and thin shape allows efficient impulse transmission
• What is the significance of converting electrical signals to chemical signals at synapses?

  It allows communication between different nerve cells