What are neurons and what do they do?
Neurons are nerve cells that transmit electrical and chemical signals throughout the nervous system.
What are dendrites and what do they do?
Dendrites are branch-like extensions that receive signals from other neurons and carry them to the cell body.
What are axons and what do they do?
Axons carry electrical impulses away from the neuron’s cell body toward other neurons or muscles.
What is an action potential?
A brief electrical charge that travels down the axon, triggered when the neuron reaches its threshold.
What does an excitatory signal do to your nervous system?
It increases the likelihood that a neuron will fire an action potential.
What does an inhibitory signal do to your nervous system?
It decreases the likelihood that a neuron will fire.
What is the threshold and what part does it play in brain signaling?
The minimum level of stimulation needed to trigger an action potential.
Define: Synapse
The junction between two neurons where communication occurs.
Define: Synaptic gap
The tiny space between the axon terminal of one neuron and the dendrite of another.
Define: Neurotransmitters
Chemical messengers that cross the synaptic gap to transmit signals between neurons.
Define: Reuptake
The process by which neurotransmitters are reabsorbed by the sending neuron after transmission.
Describe the difference in number and job of the three types of neurons: Sensory, motor, interneuron
Sensory neurons carry info to the brain; motor neurons send commands to muscles; interneurons connect neurons within the brain and spinal cord.
How many nervous systems do we have?
Two: the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS).
Names of the nervous systems?
Central Nervous System (CNS) and Peripheral Nervous System (PNS).
What are the parts of the CNS?
The brain and spinal cord.
What are the parts of the PNS?
Somatic and autonomic nervous systems.
What does the somatic part of the PNS do?
Controls voluntary movements of skeletal muscles.
What does the autonomic part of the PNS do?
Regulates involuntary functions like heartbeat and digestion.
What are the two parts of the autonomic nervous system? What do they do and when?
Sympathetic (activates fight-or-flight); Parasympathetic (calms the body after stress).
What is the endocrine system?
A system of glands that release hormones to regulate bodily functions.
What is the pituitary gland and what does it do?
The “master gland” that controls other glands and regulates growth and hormones.
Where is the brainstem located?
At the base of the brain, connecting to the spinal cord.
What three parts comprise the brainstem and what do they each do?
Medulla (controls heartbeat/breathing), pons (coordinates movement), reticular formation (regulates arousal).
What and where is the cerebellum?
A structure at the back of the brainstem that coordinates movement and balance.
