Nervous System Vocabulary Flashcard

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Star-shaped cells that make up nearly half of all neural tissue

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Astrocytes are star-shaped glial cells in the brain and spinal cord that support neurons and maintain the blood-brain barrier.

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Neuron with a single process emerging from the cell body

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Unipolar neuron is a type of neuron that has a single process extending from its cell body, typically found in sensory neurons.

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Reflexes that stimulate skeletal muscles

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Somatic reflexes are reflex actions that involve the skeletal muscles and are controlled by the somatic nervous system.

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Regulates body temperature, water balance, & metabolism

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Hypothalamus is a region of the brain that controls various autonomic functions, including temperature regulation and metabolic processes.

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS1-3

Front

Neuron with multiple processes extending from the cell body

Back

Multipolar neuron is a type of neuron that has multiple processes (dendrites and one axon) extending from its cell body, commonly found in the brain and spinal cord.

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Cells that protect and support neurons in the nervous system

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Glial cells are non-neuronal cells in the nervous system that provide support, protection, and nourishment to neurons.

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The basic functional unit of the nervous system

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Neuron is the fundamental unit of the nervous system responsible for transmitting information through electrical and chemical signals.

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The part of the neuron that receives signals from other neurons

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Dendrites are the branched extensions of a neuron that receive signals from other neurons and transmit them to the cell body.

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The part of the neuron that transmits signals away from the cell body

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Axon is a long, slender projection of a neuron that conducts electrical impulses away from the neuron's cell body.

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The gap between two neurons where neurotransmitters are released

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Synapse is the junction between two neurons where the transmission of signals occurs through neurotransmitters.