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Nervous System Vocab
Term | Definition |
---|---|
Neuron | Nerve cell |
Impulse | An action potential |
Synapse | Functional connection between the axon terminal of a neuron and the dendrite or cell body of another neuron or the membrane of another cell type |
Neurotransmitters | Chemical that an axon secretes at a synapse that stimulates or inhibits an effector |
Cell Body | Part of a neuron that includes cytoplasm and a nucleus, and from which nerve processes extend |
Dendrite | Process of a neuron that receives input from other neurons |
Axon | The process that conducts an impulse away from the neuron cell body |
Central Nervous System (CNS) | The brain and spinal cord |
Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) | Parts of the nervous system outside of the brain and spinal cord |
Afferent | Vessel that transports blood to the glomerulus of each kidney nephron |
Efferent | Vessel that transports blood away from the glomerulus of each kidney nephron |
Neuroglia | Specialized cells of the nervous system that, depending on the type of neuroglia, produce myelin, maintain the ionic environment, provide growth factors that support neurons, provide structural support, and play a role in cell-to-cell communication |
Sensory Receptors | Specialized structure associated with the peripheral end of a sensory neuron specific to detecting a particular stimulus and triggering an impulse in response |
Effectors | A muscle or gland, either of which can effect change in the body |
Somatic Nervous System | Motor pathways of the peripheral nervous system that lead to skeletal muscles |
Autonomic Nervous System | Motor portion of the peripheral nervous system that controls the viscera & operates with no conscious effort |
Myelin | Lipid material that forms a sheathlike covering around some axons, provides electrical insulation |
Myelin Sheath | Lipid-rich layer formed from certain neuroglia that wraps around an axon, providing insulation |
Neurofilaments | Fine, cytoplasmic threads that extend from the cell body into the axon for its entire length |