Control and Information Processing

Front

Stimulus Noun

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[stim-yuh-lus]

Back

Stimulus

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A change or signal in the environment that an organism can recognize and react to.

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Example: A cactus pricking a girl's finger is a stimulus causing her to react.

Front

Nervous System Noun

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[nur-vuhs sis-tuhm]

Back

Nervous System

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The part of an organism that gathers, processes, and responds to information.

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Example: The nervous system processes sensory signals from the senses and sends motor signals to muscles, as shown by arrows connecting the brain, spinal cord, and organs.

Front

Neuron Noun

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[noor-on]

Back

Neuron

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The basic functioning unit of the nervous system, also called a nerve cell.

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Example: The image shows a neuron with labeled parts, explaining its structure and function as a nerve cell.

Front

Brain Noun

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[breyn]

Back

Brain

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The control center of the nervous system that receives, processes, stores, and transfers information.

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Example: The brain processes signals from the eyes to understand what we see.

Front

Spinal Cord Noun

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[spahy-nl kawrd]

Back

Spinal Cord

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A tubelike structure of neurons that sends information to and from the brain.

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Example: The image shows the spinal cord and its sections, labeled clearly to teach its structure and function.

Front

Central Nervous System (CNS) Noun

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[sen-truhl nur-vuhs sis-tuhm]

Back

Central Nervous System (CNS)

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The part of the nervous system made up of the brain and the spinal cord.

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Example: The image shows how the brain processes visual information, highlighting the central nervous system's role.

Front

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) Noun

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[puh-rif-er-uhl nur-vuhs sis-tuhm]

Back

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

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The system of sensory and motor neurons that transmit information between the CNS and the rest of the body.

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Example: A motor neuron transmits signals from the spinal cord to muscles, showing how the PNS connects the CNS to the body.

Front

Sensory Neuron Noun

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[sen-suh-ree noor-on]

Back

Sensory Neuron

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A nerve cell that transmits information from the senses to the central nervous system.

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Example: This diagram shows a nerve cell, highlighting parts like dendrites and axons, which transmit sensory information.

Front

Motor Neuron Noun

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[moh-ter noor-on]

Back

Motor Neuron

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A nerve cell that transmits information from the central nervous system to muscles and other parts of the body.

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Example: The image shows how a motor neuron transmits signals from the central nervous system to muscles.

Front

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Noun

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[ey-mahy-uh-trof-ik lat-er-uhl skluh-roh-sis]

Back

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

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A disease affecting nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, making muscles weak and difficult to control.

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Example: A motor neuron diagram showing how signals travel from the brain to muscles, explaining ALS's effect on nerve cells.