| A | B |
|---|
| action potential | the change in a neuron's membrane when a nerve impulse is being transmitted |
| axon | the part of a neuron that conducts a nerve signal |
| resting potential | the membrane potential of a neuron when it is not transmitting an action potential |
| neuron | nerve cell; transmits information |
| nerve | bundle of neurons or axons |
| dendrite | the part of a neuron that receives a nerve impulse |
| synapse | a junction at which a neuron meets another neuron |
| neurotransmitter | a signal molecule that transmits nerve impulses between neurons |
| motor neurons | cells that carry motor responses from the central nervous system to muscles, glands, and other organs |
| cerebrum | site of capacity for learning, memory, perception, and intellectual function |
| central nervous system | NS division that consists of the brain and spinal cord |
| thalamus | relays sensory information, acts as a telephone switchboard operator |
| spinal cord | dense cable of nervous tissue that runs through the vertebral column, functions as a relay tract |
| peripheral nervous system | contains nerves that branch throughout the body outside the CNS |
| sensory neurons | cells that carry information from sense organs to the central nervous |
| brain | the body’s main processing center |
| brain stem | regulates breathing, heart rate, swallowing and other life essential reflexes |
| interneurons | neurons found inside the CNS which link neurons to each other |
| hypothalamus | regulates homeostatic functions such as hunger, thirst and control of the pituitary gland |
| cerebellum | regulates balance, posture, and coordinates movements |
| reflex | a sudden, rapid, and involuntary self-protective motor response |
| parietal lobe | region of the cerebral cortex which processes sensory and motor |
| temporal lobe | region of the cerebral cortex which processes hearing, speech and language |
| frontal lobe | region of the cerebral cortex which processes smell, likes/dislikes; also responsible for critical thinking & personality |
| occipital lobe | region of the cerebral cortex which processes vision |
| corpus callosum | interconnecting relay tract between the left and right hemispheres |
| somatic division of the peripheral NS | division which controls skeletal muscles and simple reflexes |
| autonomic division of the peripheral NS | division that regulates smooth muscle, cardiac muscle and many other involuntary actions |
| sympathetic division of the autonomic NS | dominates control of involuntary responses during times of physical and emotional stress |
| parasympathetic division of the autonomic NS | maintains "normal" stability in the body of involuntary responses |
