Nervous System

Science

A sudden reversal in the charge of a neuron’s membrane, also called a nerve impulse

Action potential

A sudden reversal in the charge of a neurons membrane, also called a nerve impulse. Action potential. An action potential is a quick electrical signal that travels along a neuron, allowing it to communicate with other cells.

A physical or psychological dependence on a substance, like drugs

Addiction

A physical or psychological dependence on a substance, like drugs, is called addiction. In simple scientific terms, addiction is when your brain gets used to a substance and makes you feel like you need it to function normally.

The part of the nervous system that controls involuntary actions

Autonomic nervous system

The part of the nervous system that controls involuntary actions autonomic nervous system. The autonomic nervous system regulates automatic body functions like heart rate and digestion.

An extension of the neuron that carries messages away from the nerve cell body

Axon

An extension of the neuron that carries messages away from the nerve cell body. Axon. The axon is like a long wire in the body that helps send signals from one nerve cell to others.

The organ that is the control center of the nervous system

Brain

The organ that is the control center of the nervous system. Brain. The brain processes information and controls thoughts, movements, and feelings.

The structure that connects the brain to the spinal cord, it includes the pons and the medulla oblongata

Brain stem

The structure that connects the brain to the spinal cord, it includes the pons and the medulla oblongata. Brain stem. The brain stem controls basic life functions like breathing and heart rate.

The part of the neuron that contains the nucleus, most of the cytoplasm, and organelles

Cell body

The part of the neuron that contains the nucleus, most of the cytoplasm, and organelles is called the cell body. The cell body is like the main control center of a neuron, where important processes like energy production and information processing happen.

The brain and spinal cord, which form the control center of the nervous system

Central nervous system

The brain and spinal cord, which form the control center of the nervous system. Central nervous system. The central nervous system is like the body's command center, controlling actions and processing information.

The part of the brain that coordinates movement and balance

Cerebellum

The part of the brain that coordinates movement and balance. Cerebellum. The cerebellum helps your body move smoothly and keeps you balanced.

The highly-folded, gray outer layer of the brain, it controls memory, learning and actions

Cerebral cortex

The highly-folded, gray outer layer of the brain, it controls memory, learning, and actions. The cerebral cortex is the part of the brain responsible for processing information and making decisions.

The largest part of the brain, it controls the senses, learning, movement, and memory

Cerebrum

The largest part of the brain, it controls the senses, learning, movement, and memory. Cerebrum. The cerebrum is the part of the brain responsible for thinking, controlling movements, and processing information from the senses.

A fluid-filled spiral structure in the ear that converts sound vibration into nerve impulses

Cochlea

A fluid-filled spiral structure in the ear that converts sound vibration into nerve impulses. Cochlea. The cochlea is a part of the inner ear that helps us hear by turning sounds into signals for our brain.

The retina cells that work in bright light, and help us see color

Cone cells

The retina cells that work in bright light, and help us see color, are called cone cells. Cone cells in our eyes help us see colors and fine details when it's bright.

A threadlike extension of a neuron that receives impulses from other neurons

Dendrite

A threadlike extension of a neuron that receives impulses from other neurons. Dendrite. A dendrite is a branch-like part of a neuron that collects signals from other nerve cells.

A drug that slows the activity of the central nervous system

Depressant

A drug that slows the activity of the central nervous system. Depressant. Depressants are substances that calm the brain and reduce anxiety or alertness.

A natural or artificial substance that affects the body’s functions

Drug

A natural or artificial substance that affects the bodys functions. Drug. A drug is a chemical that can change how your body or mind works.

Occurs when larger doses of a drug are needed by the body to produce the same effect

Drug tolerance

Occurs when larger doses of a drug are needed by the body to produce the same effect. Drug tolerance. Drug tolerance is when your body gets used to a drug, so you need more of it to feel the same effect.

The part of the midbrain that controls the activities of the nervous & endocrine systems

Hypothalamus

The part of the midbrain that controls the activities of the nervous amp endocrine systems. Hypothalamus. The hypothalamus is a small brain region that helps keep the body in balance by regulating hormones and maintaining body temperature.

The part of the brainstem that controls involuntary activities such as breathing & heart rate

Medulla oblongata

The part of the brainstem that controls involuntary activities such as breathing heart rate medulla oblongata. The medulla oblongata is the brain area responsible for controlling basic body functions like breathing and heart rate.

the brain, spinal cord and nerves which relay information

Nervous system explained in an easy to understand way.

a nerve cell that carries impulses in the nervous system

Neuron explained in an easy to understand way.

A chemical that transmits nerve impulses from a neuron, across a synapse

Neurotransmitter

A chemical that transmits nerve impulses from a neuron, across a synapse. Neurotransmitter. A neurotransmitter is a chemical messenger that helps nerve cells communicate with each other.

The part of the nervous system that controls body functions when the body is at rest

Parasympathetic nervous system

The part of the nervous system that controls body functions when the body is at rest parasympathetic nervous system. The parasympathetic nervous system helps your body relax and conserve energy by slowing the heart rate and increasing digestion.

The nerves that carry signals between the entire body and the central nervous system

Peripheral nervous system

The nerves that carry signals between the entire body and the central nervous system. Peripheral nervous system. It includes all the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord that connect the body to the central nervous system.

An automatic response to stimulus without conscious control, like a blink or blush

Reflex

An automatic response to stimulus without conscious control, like a blink or blush. Reflex. A reflex is a quick, involuntary action your body makes in response to a specific stimulus.

A nerve pathway made of a sensory neuron, interneuron, and motor neuron, it controls reflex actions

Reflex arc

A nerve pathway made of a sensory neuron, interneuron, and motor neuron, it controls reflex actions. Reflex arc. It is a quick, automatic response to a stimulus without involving the brain.

The difference in charge between the inside and outside of a neuron

Resting potential

The difference in charge between the inside and outside of a neuron. Resting potential. Resting potential is the electrical charge difference across a neuron's membrane when it is not actively sending a signal.

The light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye, it contains rods and cones

Retina

The light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye, it contains rods and cones. Retina. The retina is a part of the eye that detects light and helps us see by sending signals to the brain.

The fluid-filled inner ear structure that helps maintain balance

Semicircular canal

The fluid-filled inner ear structure that helps maintain balance. Semicircular canal. It is part of the inner ear that helps your brain sense if you're moving your head, helping you keep your balance.

The part of the peripheral nervous system that controls voluntary actions, it connects the skin, skeleton, and muscles

Somatic nervous system

The part of the peripheral nervous system that controls voluntary actions, it connects the skin, skeleton, and muscles. Somatic nervous system. The somatic nervous system allows you to move your body by controlling muscles.

A drug that increases the activity of the nervous system

Stimulant

A drug that increases the activity of the nervous system. Stimulant. A stimulant is a substance that speeds up brain activity and boosts energy or alertness.

The part of the autonomic nervous system that controls the organs, and prepares the body for times of stress

Sympathetic nervous system

The part of the autonomic nervous system that controls the organs, and prepares the body for times of stress, is the sympathetic nervous system. It helps the body respond to stress by increasing heart rate and energy in a "fight or flight" situation.

The small gap where impulses travel from one neuron's axon to another neuron's dendrite

Synapse

The small gap where impulses travel from one neuron's axon to another neuron's dendrite. Synapse. A synapse is a tiny connection in the brain where nerve cells communicate with each other.

A sensory organ on the tongue which detects chemicals that give food its taste

Taste bud

A sensory organ on the tongue which detects chemicals that give food its taste. Taste bud. Taste buds are tiny structures on your tongue that help you sense flavors like sweet, salty, sour, and bitter.

The minimum stimulus needed to produce a nerve impulse

Threshold

The minimum stimulus needed to produce a nerve impulse is called the threshold. In science, threshold is the point at which a stimulus is strong enough to trigger a response.