5969914941 | neuron | A cell that carries information through the nervous system | 0 | |
5969914942 | nerve | bundle of neurons | 1 | |
5969914943 | dendrites | projections from a neuronal cell body that receive chemical signals and convert to electrical singles; information input | 2 | |
5969914944 | axon | single projection from neuron that sends an action potential to another cell; information output | 3 | |
5969914945 | synapse | axon terminals that release neurotransmitters | 4 | |
5969914946 | schwann cell | form myelin sheath | 5 | |
5969914947 | myelin sheath | fatty covering of axons that increases action potential speed | 6 | |
5969914948 | Node of Ranvier | gaps in myelin sheath | 7 | |
5969914949 | Transmission of information | signal -> 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) -> muscle | 8 | |
5969914950 | central nervous system | CNS; brain, spinal cord | 9 | |
5969914951 | peripheral nervous system | PNS; nerves not found in central nervous system | 10 | |
5969914955 | afferent | transmits information to CNS | 11 | |
5969914957 | efferent | transmits information from CNS | 12 | |
5969914960 | reflex pathway | automatic response to stimulus w/out conscious thought: excite sensory receptors -> spinal cord -> motor neuron | 13 | |
5969914961 | resting potential | baseline membrane potential of a neuron; -70 mV | 14 | |
5969914962 | Na+/K+ pump | protein channedl that actively pumps K+ and Na+ across the cell membrane to restore their concentration gradients; two K+ in, three Na+ out | 15 | |
5969914963 | Action Potential | reversal of voltage difference across neuronal membrane that occurs when a neuron is stimulated; transmits signal down an axon | ![]() | 16 |
5969914964 | depolarization | Na+ channels open, K+ channels closed; membrane potential becomes more positive | 17 | |
5969914965 | repolarization | K+ channels open, Na+ channels closed; membrane potential becomes more negative | 18 | |
5969914966 | voltage-gated ion channel | ion channels that open in response to a specific membrane potential; Na+, K+, Ca+, Cl- | 19 | |
5969914968 | refractory period | period of time when Na+ channels cannot be opened; prevents transmission of action potential back towards cell body | 20 | |
5969914969 | threshold | voltage at which an action potential is triggered | 21 | |
5969914970 | axon terminal | endpoint of an axon where neurotransmitters are released | 22 | |
5969914971 | neurotransmitters | Chemical messengers that diffuse across the synaptic cleft to transmit information from a pre- to post-synaptic cell | 23 | |
5969914972 | synaptic cleft | space between pre- and post-synaptic neurons across which neurotransmitters must diffuse | 24 | |
5969914974 | excitatory signals | increase membrane potential; make post-synaptic cell more likely to fire | 25 | |
5969914975 | inhibitory signals | decrease membrane potential; make post-synaptic cell less likely to fire | 26 | |
5969914976 | synaptic integration | sum of excitory/inhibitory: amplify, dampen, cancel signal | 27 | |
5969914977 | medulla oblongata | part of hindbrain that controls breathing, heart rate, digestion | 28 | |
5969914978 | pons | part of hindbrain that relays signals from spinal cord to brain | 29 | |
5969914979 | cerebellum | controls movement and coordination | 30 | |
5969914980 | cerebrum | forebrain; regulates conscious functions of body such as thought, reasoning and perception of stimuli | 31 | |
5969914981 | cerebral cortex | thin layer of cells at surface of cerebrum responsible for processing of sensory information and higher thought | 32 | |
5969914982 | corpus callosum | facilitates communication between right and left hemisphere of the brain | 33 | |
5969914983 | hypothalamus | regulates body temperature, hunger, thirst and other homeostatic conditions; integrates with endocrine system | 34 | |
5970757612 | hippocampus | responsible for formation and retrieval of long-term memories | 35 |
AP Biology: Nervous System Flashcards
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