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Nervous System | Definitions
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Nervous System | Definitions
Central Nervous System
The brain and the spinal cord.
Effector
A part of the body that responds to a stimulus, e.g. a gland or a muscle.
Neuron
A nerve cell.
Neurotransmitter
A chemical that is released by synaptic vesicles to carry a signal across the synaptic cleft.
Peripheral Nervous System
All the nerves outside of the central nervous system.
Receptor
A nerve cell that detects a stimulus.
Refractory Period
The short period in between nerve impulses where the neuron is not firing. It is preparing for the next impulse to be transmitted across the synapse.
Reflex Action
An automatic, involuntary response to a stimulus that does not involve the brain. It occurs to protect your body by giving a quicker response.
Reflex Arc
The pathway taken by a nerve impulse in a reflex action.
Stimulus
A change in the environment which results in functional activity.
Synapse
The junction between two neurons.
Synaptic Cleft
The gap between two neurons.
Sensory Neuron
Transfers nerve impulses towards the central nervous system.
Motor Neuron
Transfers nerve impulses away from the central nervous system to an effector, e.g. a muscle or a gland.
Dorsal Root
A spinal nerve where sensory neurons enter the spinal cord.
Ventral Root
A spinal nerve where motor neurons leave the spinal cord.
Cerebrum
The largest part of the brain (also known as the forebrain) which functions in learning and memory.
Pituitary Gland
An endocrine gland that is located at the base of the brain and controls the secretion of hormones.
Medulla Oblongata
Located in the brainstem, it controls the involuntary actions of the body such as breathing and swallowing.
Cerebellum
Also known as the hindbrain, it is responsible for muscle coordination and balance.
Hypothalamus
Part of the brain that is responsible for homeostasis.
Thalamus
Located above the hypothalamus in the brain, it is the sorting centre for incoming impulses from the nervous system.
Meninges
Three layer membrane that contains cerebrospinal fluid to protect the brain and spinal cord.
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Central Nervous System
The brain and the spinal cord.
Effector
A part of the body that responds to a stimulus, e.g. a gland or a muscle.
Neuron
A nerve cell.
Neurotransmitter
A chemical that is released by synaptic vesicles to carry a signal across the synaptic cleft.
Peripheral Nervous System
All the nerves outside of the central nervous system.
Receptor
A nerve cell that detects a stimulus.
Refractory Period
The short period in between nerve impulses where the neuron is not firing. It is preparing for the next impulse to be transmitted across the synapse.
Reflex Action
An automatic, involuntary response to a stimulus that does not involve the brain. It occurs to protect your body by giving a quicker response.
Reflex Arc
The pathway taken by a nerve impulse in a reflex action.
Stimulus
A change in the environment which results in functional activity.
Synapse
The junction between two neurons.
Synaptic Cleft
The gap between two neurons.
Sensory Neuron
Transfers nerve impulses towards the central nervous system.
Motor Neuron
Transfers nerve impulses away from the central nervous system to an effector, e.g. a muscle or a gland.
Dorsal Root
A spinal nerve where sensory neurons enter the spinal cord.
Ventral Root
A spinal nerve where motor neurons leave the spinal cord.
Cerebrum
The largest part of the brain (also known as the forebrain) which functions in learning and memory.
Pituitary Gland
An endocrine gland that is located at the base of the brain and controls the secretion of hormones.
Medulla Oblongata
Located in the brainstem, it controls the involuntary actions of the body such as breathing and swallowing.
Cerebellum
Also known as the hindbrain, it is responsible for muscle coordination and balance.
Hypothalamus
Part of the brain that is responsible for homeostasis.
Thalamus
Located above the hypothalamus in the brain, it is the sorting centre for incoming impulses from the nervous system.
Meninges
Three layer membrane that contains cerebrospinal fluid to protect the brain and spinal cord.