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General Biology II

Crib Sheet—L4: Life’s Response & Coordinating Systems

Composed of physically connected networks of nerve cells, tissues & organs that Similarities Differences
Nervous system
control thoughts, senses, & movement, as well as many bodily functions. Signal, speed of Duration of effect.
information,
A collection of physically connected glands which help in various body processes pathways,
Endocrine system responses,
such as growth, development & conjuring responses. target.
Something that can trigger & cause a response/change from an organism which may be in the form of
Stimulus
chemical/cellular/behavioral responses.
Nerve net A system of separate but connected nerve cells (which can be found in cnidarians, echinoderms & coelenterates).
Ganglia spread Concentrated nerve knots but lacks a brain (eg. in mollusks).
Specialized cells that transmit & receive electrical signals. They also carry information through the nervous system in
Neurons
the form of nerve impulses.
Sensory neurons Detects stimuli & transmit signals to the brain.
Interneurons Receive signals from the sensory neurons & passes them within the bran & spinal cord where it will be processed.
Motor neurons Relays the processed message to tissues in the body, such as the muscles, for action.
Glia cells Cells that provide support & function to other neurons.
Cell body The largest part of a neuron.
Dendrites Threadlike structures that receive messages from neighboring cells & carry these information toward the cell body.
Axon A single, tail-like fiber that extends from the cell body which carries messages away from the cell body.
Axon terminals Feather-like fibers where axons end & splits. They pass on messages to the dendrites of other neurons.
Scattered in large numbers, they do not contain axons/dendrites to conduct never impulses. Instead, the provide
Glial cells/neuroglia support for the brain, repair & maintain, insulate neurons, assist in the development of the nervous system & provide
metabolic functions for the neurons.
Schwann cells A type of glial cell which forms the myelin sheath.
1. Insulates & protects the neuron’s axons.
Myelin sheath
2. Speeds up the travel of nerve impulses.
Nerve impulse A wave of chemical & electrical change that is conducted along the membrane all 3 types of neurons.
The state in which neurons maintain a steady charge difference across their membranes, ready to transmit impulses
Resting state
whenever.
The difference in the charge across the membrane, which contains the potential energy required to transmit the
Resting potential
electrical energy needed.
Action potential A change in the charge distribution & eliciting an electrical impulse.
Synapse A tiny gap between 2 adjacent neurons & between neurons & effectors.
Neurotransmitters Chemical messengers which allow which send information across the synapse.
Vesicles Storage for groups of neurotransmitter molecules.
The command center of the body which is composed of the spinal cord, brain & interneurons that interact with other
Central nervous system
nerves of the body. It also receives & interprets messages from the nerves, & stores part of it for future use & sends
(CNS)
signals to the PNS.
Peripheral nervous
system (PNS)
The main control center of the CNS which transits & receives messages through the spinal cord. 12 cranial nerves
Brain
are attached to this organ.
Meninges The group of three protective layers which protect the brain.
Dura mater The outermost thick layer which protects the brain & spinal cord.
Arachnoid mater The middle layer.
Pia mater The innermost layer which directly covers the brain & spinal cord like a cling wrap.
Fills the space between the arachnoid & pia mater which serves as a cushion & shock-[roof layer for the brain &
Cerebrospinal fluid
helps in circulating substances throughout the brain & spinal cord.
Cerebrum The largest region & the most noticeable part of the brain which makes up 85% of the human brain.
Cerebral cortex Forms the thickest part of the cerebrum consisting of folds that looks like hills (gyri) & valleys (sulci).
Cortex Part of the cerebrum which divides the brain into right & left hemispheres.
Corpus callosum A thick fiber bundle which connects the hemispheres, allowing information exchange.
A primary motor area located at the front of the brain over the eyes which controls voluntary commands. It sees over
Frontal lobe
reasoning, planning, speech, movement, emotions, decision-making & problem solving.
A primary sensory area situated at the top of the brain which receives information from the skin, skeletal muscles &
Parietal lobe
joints.
Occipital lobe Located at the back of the brain responsible for vision.
Temporal lobe Situated at the base of the brain & is mainly involved in processing & interpreting sounds/auditory stimuli.
Diecenphalon Located beneath the cerebrum & divided into hypothalamus & thalamus.
Found below the thalamus which controls the endocrine system by sending signals to the pituitary gland. It also
Hypothalamus ensures that the body’s thirst levels, food & water intake, energy expenditure & sleep cycles are within appropriate
levels.
Serves as a gateway as it receives sensory & motor inputs from the body (except smell) & receives feedback from
the cortex. Signals from the eyes, ears & skin are received by this via the cranial nerves & the spinal cord. The
Thalamus
thalamus then integrates these & brings these signals to the right regions of the cortex. It is also highly involved in
higher mental processes such as memory & emotions, consciousness, arousal & deep states.
2nd largest part of the brain, behind the brainstem. Its role involves coordination of muscle actions & maintaining
Cerebellum
balance. Balance, equilibrium, learning new motor skills & posture are all possible with the cerebellum.
Connects the brain to the spinal cord which coordinates many survival functions of the body. It consists of 3 distinct
Brain stem
regions.
Pons Vital for breathing control.
Medulla oblongata Controls involuntary actions.
Midbrain Contains reflex centers for visual & auditory responses.
A set of connected structures which include the diencephalon & areas of the cerebrum which regulate emotions that
Limbic system are related to fear & motivation. It is also responsible for explaining why sexual & eating activities are
pleasurable/mental stress can cause HBP. It consists of 2 significant structures.
Amygdala A temporal lobe structure responsible for fear & recognizing fearful faces.
Hippocampus Seat of memory formation.
Provides the link between the brain & the rest of the body which is connected via the brainstem & extends down the
Spinal cord body & protected by the spinal column. It is involved in fast motor reflexed such as quick & unconscious movements,
acting as an information superhighway. Any damage could lead to paralysis.
Vagus nerve A cranial nerve that branches out not only beyond the area in the larynx & pharynx but also in most internal organs.
Autonomic nervous Controls bodily functions which are involuntary. It directs motor nerve fibers in smooth muscles, cardiac muscles,
system lungs & the exocrine & endocrine muscles. Nerves of this system can be divided further into 2 groups.
Parasympathetic Also known as the housekeeper division, it is most active under normal conditions as it keeps the body functioning
division whilst being inactive. It uses acetylcholine as a neurotransmitter.
Dominates in times of physical/emotional stress, emergency situations/whenever the body requires some action. It
Sympathetic division
controls the fight-or-flight response.
Norephinephrine A neurotransmitter utilized during sympathetic division.
This stimulates skeletal muscles under conscious control of body movements. However, one involuntary action the
Somatic nervous system
SNS controls are spinal reflexes. (AKA ANYTHING BUT THE BRAIN CONTROLS)
Receptors
Exteroceptors
Interoceptors
Sense organs
General senses
Somatic
Visceral
Special senses
Mechanoreceptors
Vestibular stimulation
Organ of Corti
Utricle
Saccule
Three semicircular
canals
Cochlear neurons
Chemoreceptors
Olfaction
Olfactory cells
Olfactory bulb
Gustation
Papillae
Vision
Retina
Rods
Cones
Rhodopsin
Opsin
Retinal
Ganglion cells
Magnocellular
information
Parvocellular
information
Somatosensation
Tactile (touch) receptor
Proprioceptor (pressure)
Thermoreceptor (hot &
cold)
Nociceptive (pain)
receptors
Baroreceptors
Regulatory molecules
Paracrine
Hormones
Peptide hormones
Steroids
Target cell
Homeostasis
Sensors
Control center
Communication systems
Feedback mechanisms
Oxytocin
Tropism
Light
Chromophore
Phototropism
Skototropism
Heliotropism
Cryptochromes
Gravitropism/geotropism
Nastic movements
Meristematic region
Thigmonastic response
Thigmomorphogenesis
Circadian rhythm
Photoperiodism
Plant hormones
Auxin
Gibberellins (GAs)
Cytokinins
Ethylene
Abscisic acid
Oligosacchrins
Jasmonates

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