regulates and maintains homeostasis. The nervous system is fast acting and communicates with cells by electrical impulses

receives this sensory input from the environment and sends it to the brain

processes and interprets this information to determine how it should react

activates the effector organs, which in this case would be your muscles

Neurons are the structural units of the nervous system, whereas neuroglia support the functions of the neurons

Conduct action potentials toward the CNS. Sensory neurons detect the internal and external environments and facilitate motor coordination

conduct action potentials away from the CNS toward muscles or glands

Conduct action potentials within the CNS from one neuron to another, primarily between sensory and motor neurons

Myelin is a whitish protein-lipoid. An axon with a myelin sheath is called myelinated, whereas those without myelin sheaths are called unmyelinated

Axodendritic synapses are those between the axon endings of a neuron and the dendrites of other neurons

synapse between a neuron and a muscle cell is known as a neuromuscular junction

The neuron receiving this impulse is called a postsynaptic neuron. The process of the impulse crossing the synaptic cleft is called synaptic transmission

A neuron carrying an impulse into a synapse is called a presynaptic neuron.

A synapse is a junction between any two communicating neurons. The actual gap between neurons is known as the synaptic cleft

Chemical synapses release and receive chemical neurotransmitter

Electrically coupled neurons allow for rapid transmission across electrical synapses

Synaptic transmission is commonly affected by either the enhancing or inhibiting effects of neurotransmitters, their destruction, or the blocking of receptor binding

Cerebrum - largest part that consists of two hemisphere connected by the corpus callosum

Basal nuclei - Masses of gray matter that are deep inside the cerebral hemisphere

Diencephalon - Masses of gray matter (thalamus and hypothalamus)

Brain stem: 1. Midbrain 2. Pons 3. Medulla oblongata

Cerebellum - Large tissue mass, inferior to cerebruim, posterior to brain stem

layered membranes known as meninges that protect the brain and spinal cord

CSF surrounds the brain and spinal cord, maintaining a stable ionic concentration and protecting CNS structures

electively allow certain molecules to pass and to keep others from reaching the brain

Chemoreceptors-respond to chemicals in solution, including smelled or tasted molecules, changes in blood chemistry, and changes in interstitial fluid chemistry.

Mechanoreceptors- respond to mechanical forces such as pressure, touch, stretching, and vibrations.

Nociceptors- respond to stimuli that may be damaging, such as extreme heat or cold, excessive pressure, and inflammatory chemicals, resulting in pain.

Thermoreceptors- respond to temperature changes

nonencapsulated (free) - mostly respond to temperature and painful stimuli in the skin and internal tissues, except for the brain.
encapsulated

Inborn reflexes are rapid and predictable motor responses to stimuli that are formed between neurons during human development

involuntary and subconsciously maintain body posture, help to avoid pain, and control visceral activities