Nervous System Basics
These three functions describe this system: sensory, integrative, and motor
What is the nervous system?
These CNS cells phagocytize bacteria and debris.
What are microglia?
This sends signals AWAY from the cell
What is an axon?
These chemicals transmit signals across synapses.
What are neurotransmitters?
Multiple neurons sending impulses to one neuron is called this.
What is convergence?
This system controls smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, and glands.
What is the autonomic nervous system?
This division includes the brain and spinal cord.
What is the Central Nervous System?
These cells form myelin in the CNS.
What are oligodendrocytes?
This principle states that a neuron fires completely or not at all.
What is the all‑or‑none response?
This neurotransmitter is excitatory and used at neuromuscular junctions.
What is acetylcholine?
One neuron sending impulses to many neurons is called this.
What is divergence?
This division prepares the body for “fight or flight.”
What is the sympathetic division?
This division connects the CNS to the rest of the body.
What is the PNS?
These cells help form the blood‑brain barrier.
What are astrocytes?
These gaps in the myelin sheath allow saltatory conduction.
What are Nodes of Ranvier?
GABA and glycine belong to this category of neurotransmitters that decrease postsynaptic membrane permeability to sodium ions.
What are inhibitory neurotransmitters?
Subthreshold stimulation that increases responsiveness is called this.
What is facilitation?
This division supports “rest and digest.”
What is the parasympathetic division?
These bundles of axons form the structures known as nerves.
What are nerve fibers?
These cells line ventricles and help produce cerebrospinal fluid.
What are ependymal cells?
This type of conduction “jumps” from node to node.
What is saltatory conduction?
These receptors on the postsynaptic membrane bind neurotransmitters.
What are postsynaptic receptors?
These groups of neurons work together to process impulses.
What are neuronal pools?
These reflexes regulate autonomic activity.
What are autonomic reflexes?
These cells transmit nerve impulses and have a cell body, dendrites, and an axon.
What war Neurons?
These PNS cells form myelin and the neurilemma.
What are Schwann cells?
This period prevents a second action potential from occurring immediately.
What is refractory period?
This process sums excitatory and inhibitory inputs to determine neuron response.
What is synaptic integration?
A neuron receiving excitatory input that does not reach threshold experiences this.
What is subthreshold facilitation?
ANS motor pathways consist of these two neurons.
What are preganglionic and postganglionic neurons?