Nervous system

• 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 of the nervous system to know?

  • Structure of a nerve cell
  • Structure of the whole 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 communication
• What happens when an electrical impulse reaches the end of a nerve?

  It causes the release of chemicals across the synapse
• How does the nervous system function as a whole?

  It consists of billions of neurons working together
• What makes up the central nervous system (CNS)?

  Brain and spinal cord
• What is the role of sensory neurons?

  They carry information from receptors to the CNS
• What information do sensory neurons transmit?

  Changes in temperature and carbon dioxide levels
• What do motor neurons do in the nervous system?

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

  Muscles or glands
• What is a reflex arc?

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

  They allow rapid and automatic responses
• What is the role of receptor cells in a reflex action?

  They detect stimuli like pressure or heat
• How does a sensory neuron function in a reflex arc?

  It carries impulses from the receptor to the spinal cord
• 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 final step in a reflex arc response?

  The motor neuron sends impulses to an effector
• What happens at the synapses between neurons in a reflex arc?

  The electrical signal converts to a chemical signal
• What is the overall function of the nervous system?

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