Chapter 19-Section 1 How the nervous system works

synapse

A junction where information is transmitted from one neuron to the next.

nerve

a bundle of nerve fibers

Stimulus

a change in an organism's surroundings that causes the organism to react

What is the structure of a neuron and what kind of neurons are found in the body?

a neuron has one axon and many dendrites that extend from the cell body sensory, interneuron, motor

interneuron

a neuron that carries nerve impulses from one neuron to another

sensory neuron

a neuron that picks up stimuli from the internal or external environment and converts each stimulus into a nerve impulse

motor neuron

a neuron that sends an impulse to a muscle or gland, causing the muscle or gland to react

axon

a threadlike extension of a neuron that carries nerve impulses away from the cell body

dendrite

a threadlike extension of a neuron that carries nerve impulses toward the cell body

Response

an action or change in behavior that occurs as a result of a stimulus

neuron

cell that carries messages throughout the nervous system

What are the functions of the nervous system?

sensory input integration motor output

Identify three kinds of neurons that are found in the nervous system.

sensory neuron interneuron motor neurons

How do nerve impulses travel from one neuron to another?

the dendrites

nerve impulse

the message carried by a neuron

Give an example of a stimulus and describe how the nervous system produces a response.

when the pitcher throws the ball at you the response is to move out of the way

Your heart rate is controlled by involuntary actions of the nervous system. What would your life be like if your heartbeat were under voluntary action?

you would half to spend all your time focusing on beating your heart