Questions and Answers
What is the basic unit of the nervous system?
Neuron
What makes up the basic units of the nervous system?
Cell body, axon, dendrites, myelin sheath
What does the cell body contain?
Nucleus and its genetic material
What function does the axon serve?
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What do dendrites do?
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What is an afferent nerve?
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What is a nerve that carries information away from the brain?
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What is a nerve?
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What is a nerve wrapped with?
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How is information in the nervous system carried from one neuron to another?
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How is communication in the nervous system primarily conducted?
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Study Notes
Basic Unit of the Nervous System
- Neuron is the fundamental building block of the nervous system.
- Composed of multiple parts: cell body, axon, dendrites, and myelin sheath.
Cell Body
- Contains the nucleus, which houses genetic material necessary for neuron function.
Axon
- Functions to transmit information away from the cell body.
- Carries efferent information, conveying signals from the brain to muscles or glands.
Dendrites
- Responsible for receiving information and transmitting it towards the cell body.
- Carry afferent information, bringing signals to the brain.
Afferent (Sensory) Nerves
- Nerves that carry sensory information to the brain from the peripheral body.
Efferent (Motor) Nerves
- Nerves that transmit motor information away from the brain to initiate muscle movement.
Nerve Definition
- A nerve is a bundle of axons and dendrites from multiple neurons, facilitating communication within the nervous system.
Myelin Sheath
- A white fatty layer that insulates axons, enhancing the speed of signal transmission.
Synapses
- Communication between neurons occurs at synapses, where signals are transmitted from one neuron to another.
Neurotransmitters
- Chemical substances that mediate communication across synapses, essential for conveying information in the nervous system.
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Test your knowledge of the basic units of the nervous system with these flashcards. Learn about neurons, their structures, and functions in the body. Perfect for students studying biology or neuroscience.