a specialised network of cells in the human body and is our primary internal communication system
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Central nervous system (CNS)
Consists of the brain and the spinal cord and is the origin of all complex commands and decisions
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Peripheral nervous system (PNS)
sends information to the CNS from the outside world, and transmits messages from the CNS to muscles and glands in the body
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Somatic nervous system
transmits information from receptor cells in the sense organs to the CNS. It also receives information from the CNS that directs muscles to act
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Autonomic nervous system
transmits information to and from internal bodily organs. it is 'autonomic' as the system operates involuntarily. it has two main divisions: the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems
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The pituitary gland
also described as the 'master gland' because it controls the release of hormones in all other endocrine glands in the body
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The thyroid gland
produces thyroxine that affects the heart's cells (increases heart rate). it also affects metabolism activity) which in turn affects growth rates
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Neuron
the basic building blocks of the nervous system, neurons are nerve cells that process and transmit messages through electrical and chemical signals
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Sensory neurons
these carry messages from the PNS (peripheral nervous system) to the CNS. They have long dendrites and short axons
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Relay neurons
these connect the sensory neurons to the motor or other relay neurons. they have short dendrites and short axons
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Motor neurons
these connect the CNS (central nervous system) to effectors such as muscles and glands. they have short dendrites and long axons
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Neural networks
the communication between neurons within groups
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Synapse
a tiny gap separating each neuron
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Synaptic transmission
the process by which neighbouring neurons communicate with each other by sending chemical messages across the gap (the synapse) that separates them
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Neurotransmitter
brain chemicals released from synaptic vesicles that relay signals across the synapse from one neuron to another. Neurotransmitters can be broadly divided into those that perform an excitatory function and those that perform an inhibitory function
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Excitation
when a neurotransmitter, such as adrenaline, increases the positive charge of the postsynaptic neuron. this increases the likelihood that the neuron will fire and pass on the electrical impulse
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Inhibition
when a neurotransmitter, such as serotonin, increases the negative charge of the postsynaptic neuron. this decreases the likelihood that the neuron will fire and pass on the electrical impulse
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Localisation of function
a theory suggested by scientists such as Wernicke and Broca that specific areas of the brain are associated with different physical and psychological functions, and different areas of the body
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Plasticity
the brain's ability to change and adapt through experiences
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Functional Recovery
a form of plasticity. describes the brain's ability to change after trauma (damage), by redistributing or transferring functions to undamaged parts
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Dormant synapses
synaptic connections that exist, but are not functioning because the rate of neural input is not enough to activate them
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Stem cells
unspecialised cells that differentiate into different cell-types such as neurons with different functions
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Hemispheric lateralisation
each hemisphere dominates/controls specific functions
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Commissurotomy
a treatment for severe epilepsy - where surgeons cut through the bundle of nerves that formed the corpus callosum, to control seizures
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Composite Words
when two words are presented simultaneously to each of the hemispheres
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Other cards in this set
Card 2
Front
Consists of the brain and the spinal cord and is the origin of all complex commands and decisions
Back
Central nervous system (CNS)
Card 3
Front
sends information to the CNS from the outside world, and transmits messages from the CNS to muscles and glands in the body
Back
Card 4
Front
transmits information from receptor cells in the sense organs to the CNS. It also receives information from the CNS that directs muscles to act
Back
Card 5
Front
transmits information to and from internal bodily organs. it is 'autonomic' as the system operates involuntarily. it has two main divisions: the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems
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