Terms : Hide Images
| 200366298 | Central Nervous System (CNS) | the network of nerves contained within the brain and spinal cord | |
| 200366299 | Peripheral Nervous System | the network of nerves that radiate from the central nervous system to the rest of the body; PNS comprises the somatic and autonomic nervous system | |
| 200366300 | Somatic Nervous System | the branch of the PNS that transmits signals from the sensory organs to the CNS, and from the CNS to the skeletal muscles | |
| 200366301 | Autonomic Nervous System | the branch of the PNS that connects the CNS to the internal muscles, organs, and glands | |
| 200366302 | Sympathetic Nervous System | the division of the autonomic nervous system that heightens arousal and energizes the body for action | |
| 200366303 | Parasympathetic Nervous System | the division of the autonomic nervous system that reduces arousal and restores the body to its pre-energized state | |
| 200366304 | Endocrine System | a collection of ductless glands that regulate aspects of growth, reproduction, metabolism, and behavior by secreting hormones | |
| 200366305 | Hormones | chemical messengers secreted from endocrine glands, into the bloodstream, to various organs throughout the body | |
| 200366306 | Pituitary Glands | a tiny gland in the brain that regulates growth and stimulates hormones in other endocrine glands at the command of the hypothalamus | |
| 200366307 | Neurons | nerve cells that serve as the building blocks of the nervous system | |
| 200366308 | Sensory Neurons | Neurons that send signals from the senses, skin, muscles, and internal organs to the CNS | |
| 200366309 | Motor Neurons | Neurons that transmit commands from the CNS to the muscles, glands, and organs | |
| 200366310 | Interneurons | CNS neurons that connect sensory inputs and motor outputs | |
| 200366311 | Glial Cells | nervous system cells, also called neuroglia, that provide structural support, insulation, and nutrients to the neurons | |
| 200366312 | Reflex | an inborn automatic response to a sensory stimulus | |
| 200366313 | Soma | the cell body of a neuron | |
| 200366314 | Dendrites | extensions from the cell body of a neuron that receive incoming impulses | |
| 200366315 | Axon | extension of the cell body of a neuron that sends impulses to other neurons | |
| 200366316 | Myelin Sheath | a layer of fatty cells that is tightly wrapped around the axon to insulate it and speed the movement of electrical impulses | |
| 200366317 | Action Potential | an electrical impulse that surges along an axon, caused by an influx of positive ion in the neuron | |
| 200366318 | Threshold | the level of stimulation needed to trigger a neural impulse | |
| 200366319 | Synapse | the junction between the axon terminal of one neuron and the dendrites of another | |
| 200366320 | Neurotransmitter | chemical messengers in the nervous system that transmit information by crossing the synapse from one neuron to another | |
| 200366321 | Receptors | specialized neural cells that receive neurotransmitters | |
| 200366322 | Acetylcholine (ACh) | a neurotransmitter found throughout the nervous system that links the motor neurons and muscles | |
| 200366323 | Dopamine | a neurotransmitter that functions as an inhibitor and is involved in the control of voluntary movements | |
| 200366324 | Endorphin | a morphine like neurotransmitter that is produced in the brain and is linked to pain control and pleasure | |
| 200366325 | Phrenology | the pseudoscientific theory that psychological characteristics are revealed by bumps on the skull | |
| 200366326 | Electroencephalograph (EEG) | an instrument used to measure electrical activity in the brain through electrodes placed on the scalp | |
| 200366327 | CT (Computerized tomography) Scan | a series of X rays taken from different angles and converted by computer into an image that depicts a horizontal slice of brain | |
| 200366328 | PET (positron emission tomography) scan | a visual display of brain activity, as measured by the amount of glucose being used | |
| 200366329 | Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) | a brain-scanning technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce clear, three-dimensional images | |
| 200366330 | Brainstem | the inner core of the brain that connects to the spinal cord and contains the medulla, pons, and reticular formation | |
| 200366331 | Medulla | a brainstem structure that controls vital involuntary functions | |
| 200366332 | Pons | a portion of the brainstem that plays a role in sleep and arousal | |
| 200366333 | Reticular Formation | a group of nerve cells in the brainstem that help to control sleep, arousal, and attention | |
| 200366334 | Cerebellum | a primitive brainstem structure that controls balance and coordinates complex voluntary movements | |
| 200366335 | Basal Ganglia | Masses of gray matter in the brain that helps to initiate and coordinate deliberate movements | |
| 200366336 | Limbic System | a set of loosely connected structures in the brain that help to regulate motivation, emotion, and memory | |
| 200366337 | Thalamus | a limbic structure that relays neural messages between the senses and areas of the cerebral cortex | |
| 200366338 | Amygdala | a limbic structure that controls fear, anger, and aggression | |
| 200366339 | Hippocampus | a limbic structure that plays a key role in the formation of new memories | |
| 200366340 | Hypothalamus | a tiny limbic structure in the brain that helps regulate the autonomic nervous system, endocrine glands, emotions, and basic drives | |
| 200366341 | Cerebral Cortex | the outermost covering of the brain, largely responsible for higher order mental processes | |
| 200366342 | Somatosensory Cortex | the area of the cortex that receives sensory information from the touch receptors in the skin | |
| 200366343 | Motor Cortex | the area of cortex that sends impulses to voluntary muscles | |
| 200366344 | Association Cortex | areas of the cortex that communicate with the sensory and motor areas and house the brain's higher mental processes | |
| 200366345 | Broca's Area | a region in the left hemisphere of the brain that directs the muscle movements in the production of speech | |
| 200366346 | Wernicke's Area | a region in the left hemisphere of the brain that is involved in the comprehension of language | |
| 200366347 | Corpus Callosum | a bundle of nerve fibers that connects the left and right hemispheres | |
| 200366348 | Split Brain | a surgically produced condition in which the corpus callosum is severed, thus cutting the link between the left and right hemispheres of the brain | |
| 200366349 | Cerebral Lateralization | the tendency for each hemisphere of the brain to specialize in different functions | |
| 200366350 | Plasticity | a capacity to change as a result of experience | |
| 200366351 | Neural Graft | a technique of transplanting healthy tissue from the nervous system of one animal into that of another | |
| 200366352 | Concussion | an alteration in a person's mental state caused by trauma to the head |
