Chapter 12 Vocabulary

Question 1

The basic functional unit of the nervous system. Perform all the communication, information processing, and control functions of the nervous system.

Answer 1

Neurons

Question 2

Have functions essential to the survival and functionality of neurons and to preserving the physical and biochemical structure of neural tissue (also called glial cells - like glue)

Answer 2

Neuroglia

Question 3

Consists of the brain and spinal cord. Responsible for integrating, processing, and coordinating sensory data and motor commands.

Answer 3

Central Nervous System

Question 4

Includes all neural tissue outside of the central nervous system. Delivers sensory information to the CNS and carries motor commands to other tissues and systems.

Answer 4

Peripheral Nervous System

Question 5

Brings sensory information to the CNS from receptors in peripheral tissues and organs

Answer 5

Afferent division

Question 6

Carries motor commands from the CNS to muscles, glands, and adipose tissue

Answer 6

Efferent division

Question 7

Sensory structures that either detect changes in the environment (internal or external) or respond to specific stimuli

Answer 7

Receptors

Question 8

Controls skeletal muscle contractions (voluntary)

Answer 8

Somatic nervous system

Question 9

Automatically regulates smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, glandular secretions, and adipose tissue at the subconscious level

Answer 9

Autonomic nervous system

Question 10

In communication between two cells, the axon terminal of the presynaptic cell most commonly releases this type of chemical, which flood the synaptic cleft and affect the activity of the postsynaptic cell

Answer 10

Neurotransmitter

Question 11

Also called afferent neurons, they form the afferent division of the PNS

Answer 11

Sensory neurons

Question 12

Also called efferent neurons, they form the efferent division of the PNS. These neurons carry instructions from the CNS to peripheral effectors in a peripheral tissue, organ, or organ system

Answer 12

Motor neurons

Question 13

Serves as electrical insulation and increases the speed at which an action potential travels along the axon

Answer 13

Myelin

Question 14

Either form a thick, myelin sheath or indented folds of plasma membrane around peripheral axon

Answer 14

Schwann cells

Question 15

The electrical potential of the cell’s interior relative to its surroundings

Answer 15

Membrane potential

Question 16

A typical stimulus produces a temporary, localized change in the resting membrane potential, which decreases with distance from the stimulus

Answer 16

Graded potentials

Question 17

Any shift from the resting membrane potential toward a more positive potential

Answer 17

Depolarization

Question 18

The process of restoring the normal resting membrane potential after depolarization

Answer 18

Repolarization

Question 19

An increase in the negativity of the resting membrane potential, caused by the loss of positive ions

Answer 19

Hyperpolarization

Question 20

Propagated changes in the membrane potential that, once initiated, affect an entire excitable membrane

Answer 20

Action potentials

Question 21

The membrane potential at which an action potential begins

Answer 21

Threshold