Nervous System

• nerve cell - can change stimulus to an impulse
• neuron - other term for nerve cell
• synapse - tiny gap across which a neuron can send an impulse to another neuron
• stimulus - change in the environment that causes one to initiate an impulse
• dendrites - receiving parts of the neuron; connected to the axon of another neuron
• axon - transmits impulse to another neuron
• myelin sheath - a soft white fatty material that forms a thick layer around the axons of some neurons
• afferent neurons - other term for sensory neurons
• efferent neurons - other term for motor neurons
• association neurons - other term for interneurons
• sensory neurons - receive stimuli and transmit them to the CNS
• motor neurons - carry the impulse away from the CNS to the effectors
• interneurons - process the sensory neurons and relay information to the motor neurons
• neuroglia - connects the nervous tissues
• glia - glue
• glia or glial cells - other terms for neuroglia
• central nervous system - processing area of the nervous system; composed of the brain and spinal cord
• brain - processes and interprets signals transmitted to it
• left hemisphere - speaking, writing, scientific skills, sign language, reasoning
• right hemisphere - spatial intelligence, pattern, face recognition, musical ability
• frontal lobe - voluntary motor functions, different moods, sense of smell
• occipital lobe - sense of sight
• temporal lobe - sense of smell and hearing, memory
• cerebrum - the largest part of the brain; controls the ability to read, write, and speak, mathematical skills, memory
• cerebellum - smooth coordination of skeletal muscle contractions; body posture and balance
• brain stem - connects the brain and spinal cords; consists of three regions
• medulla oblongata - heartbeat, breathing, sensations, reflex control
• midbrain - coordination of muscular movement and reflexes
• startle reflex - midbrain, happens when you are surprised by loud noises or sounds
• spinal cord - serves as connection from brain to the rest of the body; lies inside the spinal column
• peripheral nervous system - voluntary movements (chewing, walking, facial expressions), autonomic functions (breathing, heart rate, digesting)
• somatic nervous system - contains spinal and cranial nerves
• spinal nerves - connect the CNS to other parts
• cranial nerves - responsible for smell, sight, chewing, taste, hearing, tongue, eyelid, eyeball, head, shoulder movement
• olfactory - smell
• optic - vision
• oculomotor - eye movement and pupil reflex
• trochlear, abducens - eye movement
• trigeminal - face sensation, chewing
• facial - face movement and taste