Term
|
Definition
| cells in the nervous system that communicate with one another to perform information-processing tasks |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the part of a neuron that coordinates information processing tasks and keeps the cell alive |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the part of a neuron that receives information from other neurons and relays it to the cell body |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the part of a neuron that transmits information to other neurons, muscles, or glands |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| an insulating layer of fatty material |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| support cells found in the nervous system |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the junction or region between the axon of one neuron and the dendrites or cell body of another |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| neurons that receive information from the external world and convert this information to the brain via the spinal cord |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| neurons that carry signals from the spinal cord to the muscles to produce movement |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| neurons that connect sensory neurons, motor neurons, or other interneurons |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the difference in electric charge between the inside and outside of a neuron's cell membrane |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| an electric signal that is conducted along an axon to a synapse |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the time following an action potential during which a new action potential cannot be initiated |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| knob-like structures that branch out from an axon |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| chemicals that transmit information across the synapse to a receiving neuron's dendrites |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| parts of the cell membrane that receive the neurotransmitter and initiate a new electric signal |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| an interacting network of neurons that conveys electrochemical information throughout the body |
|
|
Term
| central nervous system (CNS) |
|
Definition
| the part of the nervous system that is composed of the brain and spinal cord |
|
|
Term
| peripheral nervous system (PNS) |
|
Definition
| the part of the nevous system that connects the central nervous system to the body's organs and muscles |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a set of nerves that conveys information into and out of the central nervous system |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a set of nerves that carries involuntary and automatic commands that control blood vessels, body organs, and glands |
|
|
Term
| sympathetic nervous system |
|
Definition
| a set of nerves that prepares the body for action in threatening situations |
|
|
Term
| parasympathetic nervous system |
|
Definition
| a set of nerves that helps the body return to a normal resting state |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| simple pathways in the nervous system that rapidly generate muscle contractions |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| an area of the brain that coordinates information coming into and out of the spinal cord |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| an extension of the spinal cord into the skull that coordinates heart rate, circulation, and respiration |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a large structure of the hind-brain that controls fine motor skills |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a brain structure that relays information from the cerebellum to the rest of the brain |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a part of the midbrain that orients an organism in the environment |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a part of the midbrain that is involved in movement and arousal |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the outermost layer of the brian, visible to the naked eye and divided into 2 hemispheres |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| areas of the fore-brain housed under the cerebral cortex near the very center of the brain |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a subcortical structure that relays and filters information from the senses and transmits the information to the cerebral cortex |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a subcortical structure that regulates body temperature, hunger, thirst, and sexual behavior |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the "master gland" of the body's hormone-producing system, which releases hormones that direct the functions of many other glands in the body |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a structure critical for creating new memories and integrating them into a network of knowledge so that they can be stored indefinitely in other parts of the cerebral cortex |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a part of the subcortical system that plays a central role in many emotional processes, particularly in the formation of emotional memories |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a thick band of nerve fibers that connects large areas of the cerebral cortex on each side of the brain and supports communication of information across the hemispheres |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a region of the cerebral cortex that processes visual information |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a region of the cerebral cortex whose functions include processing information about touch |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a region of the cerebral cortex responsible for hearing and language |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a region of the cerebral cortex that has specialized areas for movement, abstract thinking, planning, memory, and judgement |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| areas of the cerebral cortex that are composed of neurons that help provide sense and meaning to information registered in the cortex |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| unit of hereditary transmission |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| strands of DNA wound around each other in a double-helix configuration |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a brain structure that regulates sleep, wakefulness, and levels of arousal |
|
|
