ABEKA Biology - The Nervous System Ch 8.1 & 8.3

Cranial Nerves

12 pairs of nerves ; branch directly from the brain stem.

Neurons

A Nerve cell made up of 1 nucleus, 1 axon and many dendrites.

coma

A state of prolonged unconsciousness.

Thalamus

An important structure of the limbic system at the upper most part of the brain stem which acts like a switchboard routing activation signals from the reticular formation and sensory impulses from various parts of the body to the appropriate areas of the cerebral cortex.

The Nervous System

Body system that coordinates the activities of the body. It is made up of the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system.

Peripheral Nerves

Comes off the spinal cord; most contain both sensory and motor fibers and thus are known as MIXED nerves

Hypothalamus

Controls the autonomic nervous system

Parasympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system

Counterbalances the actions of the sympathetic division ... like a PARAchute that brings you down safely

cerebral palsy

Damage to the cerebral motor area of the brain causing inability to walk, poor speech, irregular contractions of face, neck or extremities.

The brain and mind and not the same thing because

God's Word makes it clear that man also has a spiritual component, a soul and a spirit that cannot be explained in physical terms.

Axon

Long extension of a neuron that relays nerve impulses from the cell body to other neurons.

Cerebellum

Lower part of the brain that helps control balance and coordinates voluntary muscle activity.

Medulla Oblongata

Lowest part of the brain stem that monitors and regulates various vital body functions

Peripheral Nervous System

Made up of the cranial nerves, peripheral nerves, and the autonomic nervous system. This is 1 of the 2 main divisions of the Nervous System.

brain stem

Made up of the medulla oblongata, pons, and mid-brain. Connects the brain to the spinal cord. Controls involuntary muscles and activities of the autonomic nervous system.

Autonomic Nervous System

Part of the Peripheral Nervous System that automatically controls the heart and other internal organs. This is controlled by the HYPOTHALAMUS.

Occipital lobe

Part of the cerebrum located at the back of the brain imperative to sight. If damaged a person will be blind even if eyes are functioning properly

Frontal Lobe

Part of the cerebrum located right behind the frontal bone of the cranium that controls thought and consciousness. The forward portion is associated with personality, judgment, and self-control. The rear portion known as the motor area controls voluntary movements of the skeletal muscles.

Pons

Portion of the brain stem that links the cerebrum and cerebellum; assist the medulla oblongata in regulating breathing and helps coordinate some eye movements and facial expressions

Parietal Lobe

Portion of the cerebrum located behind the frontal lobe. It analyzes the senses on their respective sides of the body to allow us to feel sensations such as temperature, pressure, and pain; and to make judgements about things such as shape and texture.

Temporal Lobe

Portion of the cerebrum located on either side of the brain associated with the sense of taste, hearing and smell

Brain

Principle organ of the nervous system and chief organ of the mind. Made up of the cerebrum, cerebellum, and the brain stem (medulla oblongata, pons, and midbrain).

Midbrain

Region of the brain stem above the pons that helps coordinate eye movements, adjust pupil size and operate the lens muscles for focusing.

right hemisphere of brain

Responsible for control of the left side of the body, and specializes in artistic and geometric kinds of intelligence. This is the more creative side of the brain.

left hemisphere of brain

Responsible for control of the right side of the body, and specializes in reading, writing, arithmetic forms of intellect. It is the more academic and logical side of the brain.

3 broad categories of neurons

Sensory Neurons, Motor neurons, Interneurons

Central Nervous System

The portion of the nervous system that consists of the brain and spinal cord. This is 1 of the 2 main divisions of the Nervous System.

Spinal Cord

Thick bundle of nerve fibers located within the spinal cavity (i.e. down the middle of your spinal vertebrae)

blood-brain barrier

Tightly sealed capillary walls that prevent bacteria, viruses, and harmful molecules from entering the brain and spinal cord.

Cerebrum

Upper part of the brain and largest part of the brain that coordinates thought, memory and learned behaviors. It consists of 2 halves called the right and left hemispheres.

Meningitis & Poliomyelitis

Viral diseases that effect the nerve cells of the spinal cord.

behaviorism

a largely discredited philosophy that the behavior of a person is determined by his environment, not by his mind.

limbic system

a number of complex structures that cluster around the brain stem at the core of the brain surrounded by the cerebrum. These coordinate the activity of the different parts of the brain. They also are important in generating and regulating emotions.

reticular formation

an intricate network of neurons located within the brainstem that serves as the master switch for the cerebrum to cause waking and sleeping

Glial Cells

cells that help support and insulate nerve tissue

cerebrospinal fluid

clear fluid that circulates through the fibers of the arachnoid mater; serving to cushion your brain when you bump your head.

Nucleus

controls metabolic activities of the neuron

Gray matter

found in brain and spinal cord and consists largely of cell bodies of neurons

White matter

found in the brain and spinal cord and is composed of axons and glial cells which contain myelin.

plexus

large mass of ganglia grouped together

ganglion

mass of neuron cell bodies; plural ganglia

Sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system

responds to the body's needs during a crisis by increasing heartbeat and breathing rate.

Dendrite

short branched extension of a nerve cell that receives nerve impulses from other neurons and conducts them toward the cell.

corpus callosum

the mass of nerve fibers connecting the two hemispheres of the cerebrum. Located at the base of the cerebrum.

Meninges

triple layer of protective tissues surrounding the in brain and spinal cord

Myelin

white specialized covering found on axons of nerve cells