Central Nervous System
One of two major branches of the nervous system. Main organs: Brain and Spinal Cord
Peripheral Nervous System
One of two major branches of the nervous system. Main organs: sensory receptors and ganglia
Somatic Nervous System
Part of the peripheral nervous system. Things you consciously control
Autonomic Nervous System
Part of the peripheral nervous system. Things that are involuntary
Sympathetic nervous system
Part of the autonomic nervous system. Fight or flight mode. Uses adrenaline
Parasympathetic nervous system
Part of the autonomic nervous system. Rest and digest
Cerebrospinal Fluid
A layer of protection of the nervous system. Liquid that acts like a cushion. Made in the ventricles
Meninges
A layer of protection of the nervous system. Membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. Three types.
Bone
A layer of protection of the nervous system.
Dura Mater
The outermost meninge. Tough mother
Arachnoid
The middle meninge. Looks like a spider web
Pia mater
The innermost meninge. Delicate mother. The layer that is actually on the surface of the brain and spinal cord.
Neuron
Nerve cell.
Neuroglial cells
Support cells that make up 90% of the brain and spinal cord.
Axon
The tail of a neuron. It carries an impulse away from the cell body.
Dendrite
The parts of the neuron that brings information to the cell body. Neurons have multiple dendrites.
Cell body
The major part of the neuron that does the processing. It can't divide.
Schwann cells
Neuroglial cells that wrap around the axon. This allows for saltatory conduction
Node of Ranvier
The gap between schwann cells on a myelinated neuron.
Saltatory Conduction
The process where an impulse jumps from one node of ranvier to the other to send an impulse quickly
Myelinated fibers
Neurons that have schwann cells. White matter of the brain
Unmyelinated fibers
Neurons that lack schwann cells. Gray matter of the brain.
The functions of the nervous system
Sensory, Integrative, and Motor