All flashcards
Flashcard 1: What is the role of sensory receptors?
Answer: Detect stimuli and convert them into nerve signals. They transform physical/chemical stimuli into electrical impulses.
Flashcard 2: What is the peripheral nervous system (PNS)?
Answer: All nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. Connects CNS to body parts for sensory and motor functions.
Flashcard 3: What is an effector?
Answer: A muscle or gland that produces a response. End target that carries out the nervous system's commands.
Flashcard 4: What is a reflex?
Answer: A rapid, automatic response to a stimulus. Bypasses conscious brain processing for faster protection.
Flashcard 5: Which structure is the integration center in a typical reflex arc: brain or spinal cord?
Answer: Spinal cord. Processes reflexes without brain involvement for speed.
Flashcard 6: What is the correct pathway order: receptor, sensory neuron, CNS, motor neuron, effector?
Answer: Receptor → sensory neuron → CNS → motor neuron → effector. Standard neural pathway from stimulus detection to response.
Flashcard 7: Which option best describes how memories form: weaker synapses or stronger synapses?
Answer: Stronger synapses. Repeated activation strengthens synaptic connections.
Flashcard 8: What is long-term memory?
Answer: Information stored for long periods through lasting neural changes. Repeated use strengthens synaptic connections permanently.
Flashcard 9: What is short-term (working) memory?
Answer: Temporary information storage used for immediate tasks. Lasts seconds to minutes; limited capacity of 7±2 items.
Flashcard 10: What is the amygdala primarily associated with?
Answer: Processing emotions, especially fear, linked to memory. It connects emotional responses to memory formation.
Flashcard 11: What is the hippocampus primarily associated with?
Answer: Forming new long-term memories. This brain structure converts short-term to long-term memories.
Flashcard 12: What is the main function of the cerebrum in sensory processing?
Answer: Interprets sensory information and supports conscious decisions. The largest brain region handles complex sensory processing.
Flashcard 13: What is the role of neurotransmitters?
Answer: Chemical messengers that carry signals across synapses. They enable neuron-to-neuron communication across gaps.
Flashcard 14: Identify the correct order for a voluntary response pathway from stimulus to action.
Answer: Receptor → sensory neuron → brain → motor neuron → effector. This pathway requires brain processing for conscious actions.
Flashcard 15: Which part of the CNS is most associated with quick reflexes: brain or spinal cord?
Answer: Spinal cord. Reflexes are processed here without brain involvement for speed.
Flashcard 16: What is a reflex arc?
Answer: A fast pathway: receptor → sensory neuron → CNS → motor neuron → effector. This pathway bypasses the brain for rapid protective responses.
Flashcard 17: What is an effector in a stimulus-response pathway?
Answer: A muscle or gland that carries out the response. Effectors execute the body's response to stimuli.
Flashcard 18: What is the function of a motor neuron?
Answer: Carries signals from the CNS to muscles or glands. These neurons trigger muscle contractions or gland secretions.
Flashcard 19: What is the function of an interneuron (association neuron)?
Answer: Processes information within the CNS. They connect sensory and motor neurons for complex processing.
Flashcard 20: What does CNS stand for, and what does it include?
Answer: Central nervous system; brain and spinal cord. The CNS processes all sensory input and coordinates responses.
Flashcard 21: What is the function of a sensory neuron?
Answer: Carries signals from receptors to the CNS. These neurons transmit sensory information for processing.
Flashcard 22: What is a stimulus?
Answer: A change in the environment that can be detected. Examples include light, sound, touch, or temperature changes.
Flashcard 23: What is sensory input in the nervous system?
Answer: Information detected by receptors and sent to the nervous system. Receptors convert external stimuli into electrical signals for processing.
Flashcard 24: Which lobe of the brain primarily processes visual input from the eyes?
Answer: Occipital lobe. Located at back of brain for visual processing.
Flashcard 25: Which brain structure is most associated with forming new long-term memories?
Answer: Hippocampus. Converts short-term memories into permanent storage.
Flashcard 26: What is a stimulus?
Answer: A change in the environment that can be detected. Triggers receptor activation and nervous system response.
Flashcard 27: What is the function of sensory neurons?
Answer: Carry signals from receptors to the brain or spinal cord. Part of the afferent pathway bringing information to CNS.
Flashcard 28: What is the function of motor neurons?
Answer: Carry signals from the CNS to muscles or glands. Part of the efferent pathway executing CNS commands.
Flashcard 29: What is the central nervous system (CNS)?
Answer: Brain and spinal cord. The control center that processes and integrates information.
Flashcard 30: Identify the effector in this pathway: hot stove → sensory neuron → spinal cord → motor neuron → hand pulls away.
Answer: Arm/hand muscles. Muscles contract to pull hand away from harmful stimulus.