Nervous System

Chemistry	English
Central Nervous System (CNS)	Comprised of the brain and spinal cord
Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)	The nerves that connect the CNS to the rest of the body
Sensory , Integrative, and Motor	Functions of the Nervous System
Astrocytes	A star shaped cell found between the neurons and blood vessels
Integrative	Processes, evaluates and decides on received data
Sensory	Constantly taking in data
Neuroglial Cells	Support nerve cells, do not transmit impulse
Motor	Produces the reaction in response to the decision
Astrocytes, Ependymal Cells, Microglial Cells, Oligodendrocytes, and Schwann Cells	Types of Neuroglial Cells
Astrocytes	Provide support and protection
Ependymal Cells	Found lining the ventricles of the brain and spinal cord
Astrocytes	Form blood and brain barrier
Ependymal Cells	Help with formation of cerebral spinal fluid
Ependymal Cells	Columnar Epithelium with cilia that move spinal fluid
Microglial Cells	Tiny cells that grow as a result of inflammation or infection
Microglial Cells	Once enlarged, they move around and perform phagocytosis to remove the inflammation and infection
Oligodendrocytes	Small cells responsible for producing myelin
Schwann Cells (Neurolemmocyte)	Produces myelin and neurilemma in the PNS
Neuron	The nerve cells that transmit impulses or messages
Dendrites	Projections off the neuron cell body designed to receive impules or messages
Axon	Tail of the neuron
Axon	Microscopic in size, but can be several feet in length
Myelin Sheath	A lipid substance that forms an isulating layer along the axon
Neurilemma	The cell membrane of the Axon, where the nuclei and cytoplasm of the Neurolemmocyte dwell
Nodes of Ranvier	Gaps between the Schwann Cells where the Axon is exposed
Synaptic Vesicle	Found at the end of the Axon, release the Neurotransmitters
Oscillation	A steady, repetitive, uninterrupted rythym
Amplitude	The magnitude of change in the oscillating variable
Neurotransmitters	Endogenous chemicals that transmit signals from a neuron to a target cell across a synapse
Endogenous	Proceeding from within
Nuclei	Clusters of cell bodies in the CNS
Ganglion or Ganglia	Clusters of cell bodies in the PNS
Gray Matter	This matter has no Myelin
White Matter	This matter has Myelin
Sensory or Afferent, Interneuron or Associative, and Motor or Efferent	Types of Neurons
Sensory or Afferent Neurons	Sends or collects information and sends it to the CNS
Afferent	This means going up
Efferent	This means going down
Interneuron or Associative Neuron	Form connections between Motor and Sensory Neurons, found only in the CNS, and in the brain, play a role in thinking , learning and memory
Motor or Efferent Neuron	Carries information away from the CNS to perform and action (stimulative or inhibitory)
Excitability	Ability to respond to a stimulus
Conductivity	Ability to conduct or transmit an impulse
Action potential	The adequate stimulus required to produce a nerve impulse (All or Nothing Response)
Polarization (resting neuron)	Ready to send an impulse with adequate stimulus, positive K ions are leaking out, taking with them the positive charge, the anions trapped inside make the negative charge
Depolarization	Actual transmission of an impulse, caused by rapid diffusion of Na ions into the cell
Repolarization	The outward diffusion of K ions from the cell, then active transport pumps remove Na ions from the cell, and replenish K ions to the cell
Refractory	The period of recovery, when a nerve is insensitive to stimulation and can do nothing else.
Presynaptic Neuron	The sensory neuron, the neuron sending the message (releasing neurotrasmitters)
synapse or synaptic cleft	The junction between the synaptic terminal (vesicle)and another cell
Tracts	In the CNS, Nerves are referred to as
Repolarization	The stage of returning to the resting neuron phase
Postsynaptic Neuron	The motor neuron, the neuron receiving the message
Excitatory transmitters	These messengers stimulate an impulse
Inhibitory transmitters	These messengers prevent transmission of an impulse
Epinephrine	Is a hormone and a neurotransmitter
Acetycholine	Neurotrasmitters found at the neuromuscular junction and Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)
Norepinephrine	Neurotransmitters found at the neuromuscular junction, Symphatic Nervous System (SNS), and cardiac muscle
Norepinephrine	Stimulates the heart, blood vessels, sweat glands, the large internal organs, and the adrenal medulla in the brain
Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)	The part of the peripheral nervous system that acts as a control system functioning largely below the level of consciousness, and controls visceral functions.
Symphatic Nervous System (SNS)	This system activates what is termed the "fight or flight" response
Norepinephrine	Optimal levels of this transmitter can stimulate a sense of wellbeing or even create a euphoric effect in stressful situations
Endorphins or Enkephalins	These Neurotransmitters are produced by the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus in vertebrates during exercise, excitement, pain, consumption of spicy food, love and orgasm
Epinephrine	Also known as adrenaline
Epinephrine	Deals with behavior and mood
Catecholamine	A class of molecules that serve as neurotransmitters and hormones
Dopamine	Affects brain processes that control movement, emotional response, and ability to experience pleasure and pain
Dopamine	A catecholamine found in neuromuscular junctions, that contributes to Parkinson's
Seratonin	This Neurotransmitter regulates intestinal movement, mood, sleep, appetite, memory and learning
Seratonin	The Neurotransmitter also known as a "happiness hormone" despite not being a hormone
Endorphins or Enkephalins	These neurotransmitters are body's pain killers
Opiate	Describes any of the narcotic opioid alkaloids found as natural products in the opium poppy plant
Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS)	This system conserves energy as it slows the heart rate, increases intestinal and gland activity, and relaxes sphincter muscles in the gastrointestinal tract (rest and digest)
Sphincter Muscle	A circular muscle, that normally maintains constriction of a natural body passage or orifice and which relaxes as required by normal physiological functioning
Acetycholine, Norepinephrine, and Epinephrine	These Neurotransmitters act as both excitatory and inhibitive
Dopamine	This Neurotransmitter is Excitatory only
Endorphins or Enkephalins and Seratonin	These Neurotransmitters are Inhibitory only
Neuroglia (glia)	Means nerve glue
Resting Membrane Potential	Refers to the electrical charge difference across the membrane of a resting cell Neuron
Saltatory Conduction	The action of the nerve impulse jumping or leaping from one Node of Ranvier to another Node of Ranvier
Saltare	Latin word meaning to leap
Myelinated Fibers	Considered fast conducting nerve fibers because the nerve impulse jumps from node to node, instead of traveling the full length of the Axon