Nervous System Basics
This system controls feeling, thinking, movement, awareness, and homeostasis.
What is the nervous system?
This division of the nervous system consists of the brain and spinal cord.
What is the central nervous system (CNS)?
The part of the neuron that contains the nucleus and most organelles.
What is the cell body?
Support cells of the nervous system that nourish and protect neurons.
What are neuroglia?
This function gathers information using sensory receptors.
What is the sensory function?
The main cell type of the nervous system that communicates via electrical impulses.
What are neurons?
This division contains nerves that connect the CNS to the rest of the body.
What is the peripheral nervous system (PNS)?
Short, branching structures that conduct impulses toward the cell body.
What are dendrites?
These neuroglia form myelin in the brain and spinal cord.
What are oligodendrocytes?
This function processes information to create sensations, memories, or thoughts.
What is the integrative function?
The small gap where neurons communicate with other neurons or body cells.
What is a synapse?
Cranial and spinal nerves belong to this system.
What is the peripheral nervous system?
The structure that conducts impulses away from the neuron cell body.
What is the axon?
These small cells phagocytize debris and bacteria in the CNS.
What are microglia?
This function sends impulses to muscles or glands to create a response.
What is the motor function?
Chemical messengers released at synapses that carry signals between cells.
What are neurotransmitters?
Damage to axons in this system usually does NOT regenerate due to lack of neurilemma.
What is the central nervous system?
This thickened region of the neuron is where the axon begins.
What is the axon hillock?
These cells form the blood–brain barrier and regulate ion concentrations.
What are astrocytes?
Voluntary control of skeletal muscles belongs to this motor division.
What is the somatic nervous system?
Bundles of axons grouped together in the peripheral nervous system.
What are nerves?
This system can regenerate axons because Schwann cells guide regrowth.
What is the peripheral nervous system?
Each neuron contains this many axons.
What is one?
The myelin-producing neuroglia of the peripheral nervous system.
What are Schwann cells?
Involuntary control of cardiac muscle, smooth muscle, and glands.
What is the autonomic nervous system?