Nervous System Vocabulary Review

Review key nervous system terms like CNS, PNS, neurons, and synapses with this essential vocabulary worksheet.

Match the division of the nervous system to it's description. CNS brain and spinal cord; responsible for integration PNS spinal and cranial nerves; sends signals to and from the CNS Sensory division sends impulses to the CNS Motor division sends impulses away from the CNS Somatic nervous system voluntary nervous system; stimulates skeletal muscle Autonomic nervous system involuntary nervous system; stimulates cardiac muscle, smooth muscle, and glands Sympathetic nervous system fight or flight; used in emergency situations Parasympathetic nervous system rest and digest; used in nonemergency situations Match the anatomical structure to it's description. Neuroglia provide support, protection, and insulation to nerve cells Neurons cells of the nervous system that conduct electrical impulses Cell Body part of a neuron that contains the nucleus and other organelles Dendrites branched processes of a neuron that receives signals Axon neuron process that transmits electrical impulses away from the cell body Myelin Sheath covers the axon and increases the speed of impulse transmission Axon Terminal ends of the axon that contain neurotransmitters in synaptic vesicles Match the term to it's definition. Synapse area of communication between two neurons or between a neuron and muscle fiber Action Potential electrical impulse that travels through a neuron and acts as a signal Neurotransmitter chemicals released from axon terminal to communicate with neighboring neurons White Matter Portions of a neuron that have a myelin sheath Grey Matter Portions of a neuron that lack a myelin sheath Presynaptic Neuron Neuron that send a signal Postsynaptic Neuron Neuron that receives a signal