Nervous system and reflex arc

Cards (9)

  • Nerve cell
    Also called a neuron
  • Nerve cell
    • Long
    • Thin
    • Lots of branch connections to either end
    • Adapted to carry electrical impulses from one point to another
  • Synapse
    Connection between nerve cells where electrical impulses are converted to chemical signals to pass between cells
  • Nerve cell communication
    1. Electrical impulse hits end of nerve
    2. Causes release of chemicals
    3. Chemicals diffuse across gap to next nerve cell
    4. Triggers another electrical impulse
    5. Impulse continues along new neuron
  • Central nervous system
    • Made up of brain and spinal cord
    • Where 'thinking' takes place
    • Receives sensory information
    • Sends out orders to the rest of the body
  • Sensory neurons
    Carry information from receptors all over the body to the central nervous system
  • Motor neurons
    Carry impulses from the central nervous system to effectors (muscles or glands)
  • Reflex arc
    Nerve pathway that underlies unconscious reflexes
  • Reflex arc
    1. Stimulus detected by receptor cells
    2. Sensory neuron carries impulse to spinal cord
    3. Relay neuron transfers impulse to motor neuron
    4. Motor neuron carries impulse to effector (muscle) to cause movement