Chapter 11 Matching Chapter 11 terms - matching Tools A B Regulation Control and coordination of all life activities Receptors Specialized structures that are sensitive to changes in the external and internal environment Neurons Nerve cells; the basic unit of structure and function in the nervous system Effectors Muscles or glands in which neurons are attached to Impulse Electrochemical message Stimulus A change in the external or internal environment which initiates an impulse Dendrites Fibers that detect stimuli and generate an impulse toward the cyton Cyton Known as the cell body; contains the nucleus of the neuron Axon Fiber that transmits the impulse away from the cyton and towards the terminal branches Terminal Branches Ends of axons that secrete neurotransmitters Synapse Gap between the terminal branches of 1 neuron and the dendrites of another neuron Neurotransmitters Chemicals secreted by the terminal branches that aid in the transmission of an impulse across the synapse Sensory Neuron Carry impulses from the receptors toward the spinal cord and brain Interneuron Relay impulses from one neuron to another Motor Neuron Carry impulses from brain and spinal cord toward the effectors