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AP Biology: Nervous System Flashcards

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5969914941neuronA cell that carries information through the nervous system0
5969914942nervebundle of neurons1
5969914943dendritesprojections from a neuronal cell body that receive chemical signals and convert to electrical singles; information input2
5969914944axonsingle projection from neuron that sends an action potential to another cell; information output3
5969914945synapseaxon terminals that release neurotransmitters4
5969914946schwann cellform myelin sheath5
5969914947myelin sheathfatty covering of axons that increases action potential speed6
5969914948Node of Ranviergaps in myelin sheath7
5969914949Transmission of informationsignal -> sensory receptor -> sensory neurons (activated by internal/external stimuli) -> interneurons (receive signals from and send to other neurons) -> motor neurons (sends signals to muscle/gland) -> muscle8
5969914950central nervous systemCNS; brain, spinal cord9
5969914951peripheral nervous systemPNS; nerves not found in central nervous system10
5969914955afferenttransmits information to CNS11
5969914957efferenttransmits information from CNS12
5969914960reflex pathwayautomatic response to stimulus w/out conscious thought: excite sensory receptors -> spinal cord -> motor neuron13
5969914961resting potentialbaseline membrane potential of a neuron; -70 mV14
5969914962Na+/K+ pumpprotein channedl that actively pumps K+ and Na+ across the cell membrane to restore their concentration gradients; two K+ in, three Na+ out15
5969914963Action Potentialreversal of voltage difference across neuronal membrane that occurs when a neuron is stimulated; transmits signal down an axon16
5969914964depolarizationNa+ channels open, K+ channels closed; membrane potential becomes more positive17
5969914965repolarizationK+ channels open, Na+ channels closed; membrane potential becomes more negative18
5969914966voltage-gated ion channelion channels that open in response to a specific membrane potential; Na+, K+, Ca+, Cl-19
5969914968refractory periodperiod of time when Na+ channels cannot be opened; prevents transmission of action potential back towards cell body20
5969914969thresholdvoltage at which an action potential is triggered21
5969914970axon terminalendpoint of an axon where neurotransmitters are released22
5969914971neurotransmittersChemical messengers that diffuse across the synaptic cleft to transmit information from a pre- to post-synaptic cell23
5969914972synaptic cleftspace between pre- and post-synaptic neurons across which neurotransmitters must diffuse24
5969914974excitatory signalsincrease membrane potential; make post-synaptic cell more likely to fire25
5969914975inhibitory signalsdecrease membrane potential; make post-synaptic cell less likely to fire26
5969914976synaptic integrationsum of excitory/inhibitory: amplify, dampen, cancel signal27
5969914977medulla oblongatapart of hindbrain that controls breathing, heart rate, digestion28
5969914978ponspart of hindbrain that relays signals from spinal cord to brain29
5969914979cerebellumcontrols movement and coordination30
5969914980cerebrumforebrain; regulates conscious functions of body such as thought, reasoning and perception of stimuli31
5969914981cerebral cortexthin layer of cells at surface of cerebrum responsible for processing of sensory information and higher thought32
5969914982corpus callosumfacilitates communication between right and left hemisphere of the brain33
5969914983hypothalamusregulates body temperature, hunger, thirst and other homeostatic conditions; integrates with endocrine system34
5970757612hippocampusresponsible for formation and retrieval of long-term memories35

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