Stimulus
A change in an organism's surroundings that causes the organism to react
Response
An action or change in behavior that occurs in response to a stimulus
Neuron
A cell carries information through the nervous system
Nerve Impulse
The message carried by a neuron
Dendrite
A thread like extension of a neuron that carries nerve impulses toward the cell body
Axon
A thread like of a neuron that carries nerve impulses away from the cell body
Nerve
A bundle of nerve fibers
Sensory Neuron
A neuron that picks up stimuli from the internal or external environment and converts each stimulus into a nerve impulse
Interneuron
A neuron that carries nerve impulses from one neuron to another
Motor Neuron
A neuron that sends an impulse to a muscle or gland, causing the muscle or gland to react
Synapse
The junction where one neuron can transfer an impulse to the next structure
Central Nervous System
The division of the nervous system consisting of the brain and the spinal cord
Peripheral Nervous System
The division of the nervous system consisting of all the nerves located outside of the central nervous system
Brain
The part of the central nervous system that is located in the skull and controls most functions in the body
Spinal Cord
The thick column of nerve tissue that links the brain to most of the nerves in the peripheral nervous system
Cerebrum
The part of the brain that interprets input from the senses, controls movement, and carries out complex mental processes
Cerebellum
The part of the brain that coordinates muscle action and helps maintain balance
Brain Stem
The part of the central nervous system that lies between the cerebellum and the spinal cord and controls a body's involuntary actions
Somatic Nervous System
The group of nerves in the peripheral nervous system that controls voluntary actions
Autonomic Nervous System
The group of nerves in the peripheral nervous system that controls involuntary actions
Reflex
An automatic response that occurs rapidly and without conscious control
Concussion
A bruise like injury of the brain that occurs when the soft tissue of the brain collides with the skull
Cornea
The clear tissue that covers the front of the eye
Pupil
The opening through which light enters the eye
Iris
The circular structure that surrounds the pupil and regulates the amount of light entering the eye
Lens
The flexible structure that focuses light that has entered the eye
Retina
The layer of receptor cells at the back of the eye on which an image is focused
Nearsightedness
The condition in which a person is able to see nearby objects clearly
Farsightedness
The condition in which a person is able to see distant objects clearly
Eardrum
The membrane that separates the outer ear form the middle ear, and that vibrates as sound waves strike it
Cochlea
A snail shaped tube in the inner ear that is lined with receptor cells that respond to sound
Semicircular Canal
Structures in the inner ear that are responsible for the sense of balance
Drug
Any chemical taken into the body that causes changes in a person's body or behavior
Drug Abuse
The deliberate misuse of drugs for purposes other than medical
Tolerance
A state in which a drug user needs larger amount of the drug to produce the same effect on the body
Addiction
A physical dependence on a substance
Withdrawal
A period of adjustment that occurs when a drug dependent person stops taking the drug
Depressant
A drug that slows down the activity of the central nervous system
Stimulant
A drug that speeds up body processes
Anabolic Steroid
Synthetic chemicals that are similar to hormones produced by the body
Alcoholism
A disease in which a person is both physically addicted to and emotionally dependent on alcohol