The Nervous system consists of many nerve cells or neurons throughout the body, many of them being connected to the spinal cord where it serves as a relay station for nerve impulses and messages sent to and from the brain. The brain and the spinal cord are the main participators in the nervous system; the brain controlling and regulating bodily functions, and the spinal cord sending those messages where they need be throughout the body. Nerves are responsible for sending pain and jolts of energy throughout the body to prevent from harming ourselves; without them we could not tell whether something is harmful or be able to respond to touch and movement.
The Nervous System includes:
Neurons- specialized cells that store information and carries messages within the nervous system and between other body systems
Inside the Neuron:
Cell body- the compact area of a nerve cell that constitutes the nucleus and surrounding cytoplasm
Dendrites- branchlike extensions of the cytoplasm and cell membrane that receive messages from neighboring cells
Axon- a long extension that carries electrical messages away from the cell body and passes them to other cells
Axon Terminals- distal terminals of branches of an axon that conducts electrical impulses away from the neurons of the body
Myelin Sheath- material around the axon of a neuron that helps transmit messages
Nodes- periodic gap in the myelin sheath that helps with nerve impulses
Neurons- specialized cells that store information and carries messages within the nervous system and between other body systems
Inside the Neuron:
Cell body- the compact area of a nerve cell that constitutes the nucleus and surrounding cytoplasm
Dendrites- branchlike extensions of the cytoplasm and cell membrane that receive messages from neighboring cells
Axon- a long extension that carries electrical messages away from the cell body and passes them to other cells
Axon Terminals- distal terminals of branches of an axon that conducts electrical impulses away from the neurons of the body
Myelin Sheath- material around the axon of a neuron that helps transmit messages
Nodes- periodic gap in the myelin sheath that helps with nerve impulses
Nerve impulse: a wave of physical and chemical excitation along nerve fibers in response to a stimulus
Resting potential- difference in electrical change between the inside and outside of a neuron
Action potential- fast moving change in electrical charge across a neurons membrane
Synapse- tiny gap between neurons through which chemicals are sent
Neurotransmitters- chemical that transmits a nervous systems signal across a synapse
Resting potential- difference in electrical change between the inside and outside of a neuron
Action potential- fast moving change in electrical charge across a neurons membrane
Synapse- tiny gap between neurons through which chemicals are sent
Neurotransmitters- chemical that transmits a nervous systems signal across a synapse
The Brain: the organ that serves a the center of the nervous system
Cerebrum- head of the central nervous system that controls all voluntary actions in the body
Cerebral cortex- layer of grey matter on the surface of the cerebrum that receives information and generates responses
Cerebellum- biggest part of the brain, coordinating movement, thought, reasoning, and memory
Brain stem- structure that connects the brain to the spinal cord and controls breathing and heartbeat
Thalamus- symmetrical structure between the cerebral cortex and midbrain that sends sensory and motor signals; it serves as a relay and processing station.
Hypothalamus- portion of the brain that connects the endocrine system to the nervous system and controls body temperature, hunger, and sleep.
Cerebrum- head of the central nervous system that controls all voluntary actions in the body
Cerebral cortex- layer of grey matter on the surface of the cerebrum that receives information and generates responses
Cerebellum- biggest part of the brain, coordinating movement, thought, reasoning, and memory
Brain stem- structure that connects the brain to the spinal cord and controls breathing and heartbeat
Thalamus- symmetrical structure between the cerebral cortex and midbrain that sends sensory and motor signals; it serves as a relay and processing station.
Hypothalamus- portion of the brain that connects the endocrine system to the nervous system and controls body temperature, hunger, and sleep.
The central nervous system consists of the brain and spinal cord
Spinal cord- automatic brain that relays messages to and from the brain
Peripheral Nervous system consists of all nerves outside the brain and spinal cord
Somatic Nervous system- contains sensory and motor nerves
Autonomic Nervous system- automatic control system
Sympathetic nervous system- autonomic nervous system that prepares for emergencies
Parasympathetic nervous system- division of autonomic nervous system that conserves bodily activity
Spinal cord- automatic brain that relays messages to and from the brain
Peripheral Nervous system consists of all nerves outside the brain and spinal cord
Somatic Nervous system- contains sensory and motor nerves
Autonomic Nervous system- automatic control system
Sympathetic nervous system- autonomic nervous system that prepares for emergencies
Parasympathetic nervous system- division of autonomic nervous system that conserves bodily activity