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Biology of Humans Goodenough McGuire
Select topics from chapters 7,8,9
25
Biology
Undergraduate 1
06/07/2011

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Term
Sensory (or afferent) neurons
Definition
carry information towards the Central Nervous System from sensory receptors
Term
Motor (or efferent) neurons
Definition
carry information away from the Central Nervous System to and effector.
Term
Interneurons
Definition
are located between Motor and Sensory Neurons within the CNS
Term
Dendrite
Definition
branches of a neuron which provide a area for picking up signals
Term
Synapse
Definition
the point where one neuron meets another neuron
Term
presynaptic neuron
Definition
the neuron sending the message
Term
postsynaptic neuron
Definition
the neuron receiving the message
Term
Synaptic Cleft
Definition
separates the presynaptic and postsynaptic neurons
Term
Central Nervous System
Definition
Brain and Spinal Cord
Term
Ganglia
Definition
large clusters of nerve cells
Term
Peripheral Nervous System
Definition
nerves branching from the CNS and the ganglia
Term
Somatic Nervous System
Definition
receives sensory information and directs voluntary movements
Term
Autonomic Nervous System
Definition
regulates involuntary reactions
Term
Cerebrum
Definition
thinking conscious part of the brain; consists of two hemispheres
Term
Corpus Callosum
Definition
connects the two cerebral hemispheres
Term
Thalamus
Definition
relay station of the brain for all sensory information except smell
Term
Hypothalamus
Definition
maintains homeostasis by regulating blood pressure, heart rate, breathing, digestion, and body temp. emotions and serves as master clock
Term
Cerebellum
Definition
controls sensory-motor coordination; it integrates info from the motor cortex and sensory pathways to produce movement
Term
Medulla Oblongata
Definition
reflex centers to regulate rhythm of breathing, rate of heartbeat, and blood pressure.
Term
Limbic System
Definition
includes several brain structures, largely responsible for emotions
Term
Spinal Cord
Definition
tube of neural tissue running from the medulla to the bottom of the rib cage
Term
Sympathetic Nervous System (Autonomic Nervous System)
Definition
gears the body for stress or emergency situations
Term
Parasympathetic Nervous System (Autonomic Nervous System)
Definition
adjusts body functioning so that energy is conserved during non-stressful times
Term
Pons
Definition
bridges higher and lower brain centers; part of brain stem
Term
Reflex Arc
Definition
pre-wired automatic response to a stimulus
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