Nervous System

Question 1

Afferent (Sensory) Nerves

Answer 1

Nerves that carry information about the external environment TO the brain and spinal cord via sensory receptors

Question 2

Efferent (Motor) Nerves

Answer 2

Nerves that carry information OUT of the brain and spinal cord to the other areas of the body

Question 3

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Answer 3

The brain and spinal Cord

Question 4

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Answer 4

The network of nerves that connects the brain and spinal cord to other parts of the body

Question 5

Autonomic Nervous System

Answer 5

Takes messages to and from the body’s internal organs, monitoring such processes as breathing, heart rate, and digestion

Question 6

Sympathetic Nervous System

Answer 6

Part of the autonomic system that arouses the body to mobilize it for action and thus is involved in the experience of stress

Question 7

Parasympathetic Nervous System

Answer 7

Part of the autonomic system that calms the body

Question 8

Neurons

Answer 8

One of two types of cells in the nervous system; neurons handle information-processing function

Question 9

Glial Cells (Glia)

Answer 9

Second of two types of cells in nervous system; provides support, nutrition, and other functions and keeps neurons running smoothly

Question 10

Cell Body

Answer 10

Contains the nucleus; directs the manufacture of substances that the neuron needs for growth and maintenance

Question 11

Dendrites

Answer 11

Fibers projecting from a neuron, which receive information and orient it toward the neuron’s cell body

Question 12

Axon

Answer 12

The part of the neuron that carries information away from the cell body toward other cells

Question 13

Myelin Sheath

Answer 13

A layer of fat cells that encases an insulates most axons

Question 14

Resting Potential

Answer 14

The stable, negative charge of an inactive neuron

Question 15

Action Potential

Answer 15

The brief wave of positive electrical charge that sweeps down the axon

Question 16

“All-or-nothing” Principle

Answer 16

The principle that once the electrical impulse reaches a certain level of intensity, it fries and moves all the way down the axon without losing any intensity

Question 17

Synapses

Answer 17

Tiny spaces between neurons; “synaptic gaps”

Question 18

Neurotransmitters

Answer 18

Chemical substances stored in very tiny sacs within the terminal buttons and involved in transmitting information across a synaptic gap to the next neuron

Question 19

Neural Networks

Answer 19

Networks of nerve cells that integrate sensory input and motor output

Question 20

Brain Stem

Answer 20

Includes much of the hindbrain and midbrain; connects with spinal cord at its lower end and extends upward to encase the reticular formation in the midbrain

Question 21

Reticular Formation

Answer 21

System in the midbrain comprising a diffuse collection of neurons involved in stereotyped patterns of behavior such as walking, sleeping, and turning to attend to a sudden noise

Question 22

Limbic System

Answer 22

Loosely connected network of structures under cerebral cortex; important in memory and emotion. Two principal structures are the Amygdala and Hippocampus

Question 23

Somatic Nervous System

Answer 23

To convey information from the skin and muscles to the CNS about conditions such as pain, temperature, and the motor nerves