Basic Concepts of the Nervous System

Front

What is the nervous system?

Back

The nervous system is a complex network of nerves and cells that carry messages to and from the brain and spinal cord to various parts of the body.

Front

What is the brain?

Back

The brain is an organ that serves as the center of the nervous system in all vertebrate and most invertebrate animals.

Front

What is memory?

Back

Memory is the faculty of the brain by which data or information is encoded, stored, and retrieved when needed.

Front

What does somatic refer to?

Back

Somatic refers to the part of the peripheral nervous system associated with the voluntary control of body movements via skeletal muscles.

Front

What is the spinal cord?

Back

The spinal cord is a long, thin, tubular structure made up of nervous tissue, which extends from the medulla oblongata in the brainstem to the lumbar region of the vertebral column. It is part of the central nervous system and transmits signals between the brain and the rest of the body.

Front

What are neurons?

Back

Neurons are the fundamental units of the brain and nervous system, responsible for receiving sensory input from the external world, for sending motor commands to our muscles, and for transforming and relaying the electrical signals at every step in between.

Front

What is the autonomic nervous system?

Back

The autonomic nervous system is a part of the peripheral nervous system that controls involuntary body functions, such as heartbeat, blood flow, breathing, and digestion.

Front

What is the cerebrum?

Back

The cerebrum is the largest part of the brain, responsible for voluntary activities, intelligence, memory, and personality.

Front

What is the function of the cerebellum?

Back

The cerebellum is responsible for coordinating voluntary movements, balance, and posture.

Front

What are synapses?

Back

Synapses are the junctions between two neurons, where the exchange of information occurs through neurotransmitters.