The Basics
nerve cells
neurons
the brain and spinal cord
central nervous system
the place where an axon's branches come in contact with the next neuron's dendrites; where information is passed from one neuron to the next
synapse
interprets sensory information and is in charge of learning, speech, etc.
cerebrum
respond to light
photoreceptors
branches off of the neuron cell body that receive signals (listen)
dendrites
all other nerves (besides the brain and spinal cord)
peripheral nervous system
difference in electrical charge between the inside and the outside of the membrane of a neuron
membrane potential
coordinates muscle action
cerebellum
respond to temperature
long fiber that conducts electrical impulses away from the cell body (talks)
axon
detect stimuli; send electrical impulses from the receptors to the CNS
sensory neurons
a brief event where the electrical potential of a cell rapidly rises and falls; temporary change in polarization of the membrane (due to the sodium(Na) potassium(K) pump)
action potential
controls homeostasis and hormone production
hypothalamus
respond to chemicals
chemoreceptors
protective layer surrounding parts of nerve cells
myelin sheath
transmit signals from CNS to muscles and glands
motor neurons
the tendency of oppositely charged ions to flow back toward each other
electric potential/voltage
relays visual and auditory information
midbrain
respond to tissue damage
pain receptors
the myelin sheath is discontinuous, so these are the bits of exposed neuron along the axon; the electrical signal jumps along the axon
nodes of Ranvier
carries signals back and forth between organs and the brain
spinal cord
when a neuron membrane is inactive and the sodium(Na) potassium(K) pump restores between action potentials
resting potential (refractory period)
responsible for involuntary functions (heart and respiratory rates)
medulla oblongata
respond to movement, pressure, and tension