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3.5
The Nervous System
17
Psychology
Not Applicable
09/06/2013

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Term
Nervous System
Definition
The body's speedy, electrochemical communication network, consisting of all the nerve cells of the peripheral and central nervous systems
Term
Central Nervous System (CNS)
Definition
The brain and the spinal cord
Term
Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
Definition
The sensory and motor neurons that connect the central nervous system to the rest of the body
Term
Nerves
Definition
Bundles neurons that form neural "cables" connecting the central nervous system with muscles, glands, and sense organs.
Term
Sensory (afferent) neurons
Definition
Neurons that carry incoming information from the sensory receptors to the brain and spinal cord
Term
Motor (efferent) neurons
Definition
Neurons that carry outgoing information from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles and glands
Term
Interneurons
Definition
Neurons within the brain and spinal cord that communicate internally and intervene between the sensory inputs and motor outputs
Term
Somatic Nervous System
Definition
The division of the peripheral nervous system that controls the body's skeletal muscles. Also called the Skeletal Nervous System
Term
Autonomic System
Definition
The part of the peripheral nervous system that controls the glands and the muscles of the internal organs such as the heart. Its sympathetic division arouses, the parasympathetic division calms
Term
Sympathetic Nervous System
Definition
The division of the autonomic nervous system that arouses the body, mobilizing the energy in stressful situations
Term
Parasympathetic Nervous System
Definition
The division of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body, conserving its energy
Term
Reflex
Definition
A simple, autonomic response to a sensory stimulus, such as the knee-jerk response
Term
Endocrine System
Definition
The body's "slow" chemical communication system, a set of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream
Term
Hormones
Definition
Chemical messengers that are manufactures by the Endocrine gland, travel through the bloodstream, and affect other tissues
Term
Adrenal Glands
Definition
A pair of endocrine glands that sit just aboe the kidneys and secrete hormones (epinephrine and norepinephrine) that help arouse the body in times of stress
Term
Pituitary Gland
Definition
The endocrine system's most influential gland. Under the influence of the hypothalamus, the pituitary regulates growth and controls other endocrine glands
Term
Spinal Cord
Definition
A two-way information highway connecting the brain to the peripheral nerves
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