Nervous Tissue

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Nervous Tissue Noun

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[nur-vuhs tish-oo]

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Nervous Tissue

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The primary tissue of the nervous system, found in the brain and nerves, responsible for coordinating and controlling body activities.

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Example: Nervous tissue is made of nerve cells (neurons), which have a cell body, dendrites to receive signals, and an axon to send signals.

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Neuron Noun

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[noor-on]

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Neuron

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A specialized, impulse-conducting cell that is the fundamental functional unit of the nervous system, transmitting signals throughout the body.

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Example: This diagram shows a motor neuron, a special cell in nervous tissue that transmits signals from the brain to muscles, causing them to move.

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Neuroglia Noun

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[noo-rog-lee-uh]

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Neuroglia

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Non-conducting cells that provide physical support, insulation, and nutrients for neurons in the central and peripheral nervous systems.

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Example: This image shows different types of neuroglia (or glial cells), such as astrocytes and oligodendrocytes, which are support cells surrounding the main nerve cells (neurons) in nervous tissue.

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Impulse Noun

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[im-puhls]

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Impulse

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A wave of electrical excitation that travels along the membrane of a neuron, transmitting information from one part to another.

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Example: This graph shows an action potential, the electrical signal or 'impulse' that travels through a neuron, showing how its voltage changes over time.

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Irritability Noun

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[ir-i-tuh-bil-i-tee]

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Irritability

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The fundamental property of nervous tissue to respond to a stimulus and convert it into a nerve impulse for transmission.

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Example: This Venn diagram illustrates components of psychological irritability, such as frequency and duration of anger, which is incorrect for the biological context of nervous tissue.

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Conductivity Noun

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[kon-duhk-tiv-i-tee]

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Conductivity

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The ability of a neuron to transmit an electrical impulse along its entire length from one body region to another.

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Example: This graph shows an action potential, the electrical signal that travels along a nerve cell. This rapid change in voltage is how nervous tissue conducts information.

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Dendrite Noun

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[den-drahyt]

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Dendrite

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The branched, treelike projections of a neuron that receive electrochemical stimulation and conduct impulses toward the cell body.

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Example: Dendrites are branch-like parts of a neuron that receive electric signals from the axon of another neuron at a connection point called a synapse.

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Cell Body Noun

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[sel bod-ee]

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Cell Body

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The central part of a neuron that contains the nucleus and other organelles, essential for the cell's life-support functions.

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Example: This diagram shows the cell body of a neuron, highlighting its main components like the nucleus and other organelles that keep the cell alive.

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Axon Noun

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[ak-son]

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Axon

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

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Example: This diagram shows an axon as the long, tail-like part of a neuron that carries nerve signals away from the cell body.

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Myelin Sheath Noun

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[mahy-uh-lin sheeth]

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Myelin Sheath

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An insulating layer of fatty material that forms around the axon of a neuron, increasing the speed of impulse transmission.

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Example: This diagram shows the myelin sheath as a protective layer that wraps around the axon of a neuron, helping to speed up electrical signals.